CHAPTER XXVII.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 284, 25 July 1888, Page 4

CHAPTER XXVII.

( I have a physician of my own, as yo« know,' she cried, angrily, * and I look upon this interference on your part, Sir Marshall, as being very uncalled for, to say the least.' Mr Marshall bowed profoundly. 'lam exceedingly sorry, Lady Strathspey,' he replied, ' uncl I beg your pardon,' and bowing again he took his departure. The medical automatons bowed also, and followed him. They entered the coach,' and rolled away. The countess turned to Judith, with a puzzled face. 4 What can it mean, Judith ?' she said. 4 It means no good, my lady — I'm sure of that,' responded Judith. 4 Well, well,' sighed Lady Strathspey, after a moment's reflection, 4 I can't see what further injury tkey caa inflict. Let them do their worst. lam very tired,' she added, 4 and this breeze is so rofroshing. Would you mind bringing me a glass of wine and a biscuit out here, Judith ?' The girl hastened to obey, and Lady Strathspey descended to the yard and sat down beneath a bower of English eglantine. The blue, June sky hung overhea I, with its pale stars, and the silver moonlight fell about her like a mantle. She sat for hours, lost in a reverie — dreaming of her happy girlhood, when she used to sit in the same bower and build her gilded air-castles. Alas ! how they had fallen in utter ruin at her feet ! The great silver-white moon stood overhead. The countess watched it with solemn eyes. 4 Judith,' she said, as the girl drew near her, 4do you know 1 have a fancy, or a feeling rather, that I shall not see that moon again for a long time. Some great darkness overshadows me, yet not the darkness of the grave. ' 4My lady, come in ; 'tis growing late, and the dews are heavy — come in, and try to get some sleep,' implored Judith. But the countess lingered, gazing about her with wistful solemnity, like one bidding a last farewell. All at once the crunching of wheels on the gravel of the path startled them. 4lt is Sir Marshall Neville's carriage coming back,' cried Judith. The countess turned and uttered a sharp cry. The figure of a man stood beside her, and the next instant a heavy hand grasped her arm. 4 You must come with me !' spoke a gruff voice, 4 by your husband's ordex*.' 4By my husband's order !' echoed the affrighted lady. ' Yes. Be quiet now. We won't harm you !' 4 He caught her up bodily, as if she were a babe, and bore her swiftly toward the waiting carriage. Judith followed, uttering a piercing cry for help. fShe caught at the man's arm, but he shook her off, and holding his slender burden fast, he sprang into the carriage. Judith essayed to follow, but an outstretched hand hurled her back, the carriage-door snapped in her face, and the hoi'ses trampled on her very garments ; and before the grey-haired footman arrived upon the scene the carriage containing the unfortunate countess was fairly out of sight. Poor Judith did all that woman could do. She mounted a groom and he started in hot pursuit. As soon as morning dawned she hastened to London and reported the abduction to Lady Strathspey's solicitor, and at the police headquarters. She even forced her way into the mansion of Sir Marshall Neville ; but all to no purpose. She could gain no tidings of the countess — she had disappeared as effectually as if the earth had opened and swallowed her up. Overwhelmed with terror and despair, the faithful girl closed the manor, and learing the old servants in charge, started for the Scottish border, with the hope that Doctor Renfrew might be able to throw some light upon the terrible mystery.

WHAT CAME OV A PRESENTIMENT. The following morning was exceedingly bright and pleasant, and Lady Strathspey concluded to drive over to Londen. She was desirous of seeing her legal adviser, and assuring herself that nothing remained to be done in regard to her child, and possibly, although she did not confess it even to herself, she cherished a secret hope that somewhere in the busy city, on the promenades, or the drives, or in Lady Neville's handsome grounds, she might catch sight of her children. The poor mother's lonely heait was consumed with a terrible hungering for little Pearl's face. And, in view of the awful presentiment that haunted her, while she •would not openly disobey her husband's most cruel command, she indulged the foolish hope that some kind angel might guide the steps of her little ones across her way. She made an early start in her pony carriage, with Judith for her companion. The drive was a pleasant one, or would have been to those who were in a frame of mind to appreciate it ; even in the midst of her tribulations, the white cheeks of the countess flushed, and her sad eyes sparkled beneath the thrilling influences' of the royal June morning. They reached the city early, and soon got through with their business matters, the countess receiving no encouragement from her lawyer. ° She directed the driver, on his return, to drive through flrosvenor Square. And the good angel did favour her. There, in the handsome yard that fronted Sir Marshall Neville's princely mansion, a group of children were playing, plucking the blossoms, and laughing and shouting in the sunshine. One little fairy, with dancing, yellow curls, and tea- blue eyes, was chasing a spotted butterfly. The countess caught at Judith's arm with a suppressed cry. 1 There she is !' she whispered ; 'my darling ! my Pearl ! for the last, last time ! And yonder b Angus, poor little Angus, and I must not speak to them, or embrace them ! Was ever fate like mine ?' 1 Shall I stop at any place, my lady?' asked the driver. ' No ; drive on.' The inexpressible mournfulness of her still, white face brought the tears to faithful Judith's} eyes. The carriage rolled on, the baronet's handsome mansion was left behind. Lady Strathspey had bidden farewell to her children. In the silver dusk they reached Aukland Oaks. A travelling coach stood without the gate, and on the long portico sat Sir Marshall Neville and a couple of grave-look-ing gentlemen. The baronet arose, and came down to meet the countess. ' You are surpri-ed, no doubt, to see me here, my dear Lady Strathspey,' he said, a? he assisted her up the steps with courteous politene&s ; ' but we heard of your indisposition, and Lady Neville insisted that I should come over and look after you. I have brought a couple of medical gentlemen with me, who will inquire concerning your malady, and no doubt aflord you relief. The countess flashed a sharp glance at the two medical gentlemen who arose like a pair of automatons. ' What does this sudden interest in my behalf portend, Sir Marshall ?' she questioned, turning to the baronet. 1 What should it portend, Lady Strathspey? Nothing more than the goodwill of your friends. Gentlemen, will you proceed ?' The two medical men advanced in obedience to the baronet's nod. One took the wrist of the countess between his thumb and finger, the other touched her lorehead, and begged permission to see her tongue. • No doubt — not the least doubt in the world, Sir Marshall,' echoed both, in the same breath ; 'hot head, fast pulse, every known symptom.' The baronet nodded again, and one of the doctors sat down to write a prescription. The countess broke into a laugh of genuine amusement. lln the name of all that is "idiculous, gentlemen,' she said, looking irv.im one to the other, ' what does this farce mean ? Sir Marshall Neville, I demand an explanation !' Sir Marshall's eyes fell beneath her steady gaze, and for an instant he fingei'ed his heavy watch-chain in nervous irresolution. But the medical men came to his relief with the prescription. The baronet haoded it to Lady Strathspey. •Explanation, my dear Lady Strathspey ?' he replied. * Why, we have come to serve you. Lady Neville has sent out her own physician to look after your health. Here is Xi& prescription, and I beg that you will ' The countess cut him short by tearing the slip of paper in bits and scattering ifc at her feet.