CHAPTER XLIV.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 291, 18 August 1888, Page 4

CHAPTER XLIV.

A RELUCTANT CONSENT. The earl's attack proved to be a slight one, and by sunset ho was on his ieet and ablo to listen to the dowager's plan for having Lady Marguerite married before the next London season. 'My diamonds are gone, snarled the eld counters, 'and something else will bo gone, if I leave matters loose much longer. I tell you, Stiathspey, I've made up m} mind to have the wedding this tall. What do you say V The earl considered a moment. He was feeling wretchedly feeble and hopeless just then ; and the doctois had told him plainly that if he gave way to his passions, or su tiered himself to bo excited, he was liable ito die at any moment. In tho evont of his death, it would bo better and safer to have poor little Pearl married and well cared for. And Sir Bayard Brompton seemed to be a gentleman. ' Well,' he replied, at last, ' the child is so young, but il she is willing, I am.' ' Enough said !" snapped the countess ; ' we'll make her willing, if that's all ! So it's settled ! You make your arrangements, a/ d I'll make mine; and we'll lm\e the wedding when wo get back ftom Ravens\\ok!.' She caught up her stick and hobbled ofT, linking her way straight tv Lady Marguerite's boudoii, and entering unannounced. The pjoi gill was reclining on a couch, her sweet face looking inexpiessibly sad and hopeless ' Margueiite,' tegan the dowager, abruptly. ' 1 shall order your weduing fioussLitu before wo st'iit for Raxenswokl. Have you any suggestions to make, any particular fancy in 1 egard to it?' Pi or Pearl struggled bravely for a moment, and then buist into passionate sobbing. 'Oh ~ Aunt Nexille 1 ' she ciicd. crossing the room and fchio'w ing lu j isclf at her aunt s knee-;. '1 vc tried to k> ep it back, but the truth must be tol.\ I do not lo\e Sir Bajard, and T cani-ot mairy him !' Lady Neville sat iv silent and grieved amazement. ' Why, Marguerite !' she exclaimed at last, ' after \ on air reed to tho anangement, and it has been made public ?' ' 1 know,' sobbed the pool girl ; ' I did it to please papa and the counter, and [ hoped I should like Sir Bayaid. But Ido not— l cannot— l dislike him more cvoiy hour 1 li\e. I haco him— l hate him !' 'Marguerite 1 ' cried Luly Neville, sternly. She had no childitn of her own, and her heait) was set on hei niece's maniage. She had no sympathj for the poor child's agony; she only feared that her prospects might be ruined, that the dow >i'/ i might take oilenca. But the dowager h.a like a statue, gnawing the jewe ed knob of her cane ' Marguerite," cued Lady Neville, sternly, ' what do you mean ?' The girl did not an-wer, she only sobbed as i her heait weie breaking. All at once the con ntess started up, and went stumping acio-s the room. ' Marguerite Stiathspey, 1 she said, putting her lips to her ear, * do you want to kill your father ?' The girl looked up with affrighted eyes. ' The doctor's say that the least worry or excitement may kill him without a moment's warning. He has seu his heait on this marriage, on seeing you comfortably settled befoie he dies ; you can disappoint him, frustrate all his plans, excite him, kill him if you like — 1 have not a woid to say — there are plenty other people who will be glad enough to eet my fortune.' She stumped off apain, her cane rattling after her, lea\ing the poor affiighted child kneeling at her aunt's, fees She looked up, her blue eyes full of piteous terror. 'My child,' paid Lady Xe\ille, gravely, ' what the countess says is true ; your poor father is in a \ cry feeble condition. Doctor Gregory warned me only yesterday that he muse not be troubled or excited, or the consequences might be fa'al. Think of that, Maiguerite, and try to school your foolish heart into obedience. You have always been a gentle, obedient child. Do not disappoint u» all now, and bieak your fond fathci's heart.' A tap at the door intcnupted them, and a sen ant looked in. 'If you please, my lady, the earl would ike to see Lady Maigue ite in the library.' Pooi Pearl aro^e. het face tear stained, her blight hair in disoider. 'My dear,' said Lady Neville. ' compose youiself, I imploie yon, before you go to your lather ; and if you value his life, do not disappoint and distress him ' When Marguerite entered the library, she found her father seated in an arm-chair, his head lying back, and his white, woi n face looking sad and hopeless, lie reached out his arm to clasp hei, a smile biighteninjx his eyes. M iguerite flew to his embrace ; she loved t ci lather with all her poor, motherless little heait. ' Dadinn little Pearl,' he mm mured, ' you are all papa'b comfort now !' By an effoit Pearl kept back her traiv, and choked down the fcobs that seemc'l tj be bursting her heart. 'Dear, dear papa " she whimpered, caressing his hair with her sott little fingers The proud carl thiillcd to hi- heai t's core, her dainty touches were so like the cai-csses of the wife he had once lo\ed t-o fondly. ' Little Pear!,' he began af" last, his voice unsteady from emotion, kdo you love the man who is to be your husband ?' For a moment Pcail did not nnswci, and in that moment she endured the agony of a life- time. ' I di.n't think, dearest papa,' bhe said, then, her young \oice forced into sihciy calmness, ' that I love anyone in the woild but you.' The earl drew her veiy close to him. 'Ah! little one,' he said, '.your love is very precious ; but I may die and leave you. Pearl.' 'Oh, papa, deaie^t papa !' she cried, in consternation. 'Nay, my child, you must hear me. I am not strong — I may have to leave you soon, little girl, and it would be a great comfort to me to see you the wife of some good man, beyond the reach of all harm. I think Sir Bayard is a good man, and ho seems very fond of you. Are you willing to marry him, Pearl V Again that awful struggle, le&C she should betray herself and excite her father. She conquered — for, like her mo f her before her, she was capable of immolating her own heart for the sake of the one .she loved. ' 1 am willing to do anything in the world that will make you happy, dear papa/ she replied, her voice calm and steady. ' Then you do not object to an early marriage 1 You will marry Sir Bayard this fall V . ' I will do whatever you desire me, papa,'

' Thai's my own pood litblo daughter ! I do desire ib very much, my dear ; I shall feel much easier whon you are Sir Bayard's wife. So ib is all settled, and the queer old dowager may have ib all just as she fancies. We'll have a grand wedding in .November, and papa will run down bo London in a few weeks, and purchase Uie very raves diamonds that can be found, to pub in the place of those you havo lost. There — kies me now, and run away ; jou have mado me happy, and I'll bry bo gel an hour's sleep.' She kissed him, and lefb the library with a slow and dragging step. Diamonds for her wedding ! What bitter, bitter mockery !