The Storyteller.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 255, 5 March 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Storyteller.

T H E CONSULS DAUGHTERCHAPTER IV. The next morning Mr Ferrers sent his portfolio to Miss Ponsomby, to the Consul's house, in the city ; and her father called upon him immediately afterwards, to return his original visit, and to request him to dine with them. Mr Ferrers declined the invitation, but begged to be permitted to pay hi 3 respects to them at the Casnio in the evening. The Major under the circumstances ventured to press his new acquaintance to comply with their desire ; but Mr Ferrers became immediately very reserved, and the Consul desisted. Towards sunset, however, mounted on his Barbary ass, Mr Ferrers again appeared at the gate of the Casino, as mild and agreeable as before. They drank their coffee, ate their fruit, chatted and sang, and again repaired to the pavilion. Here they examined the contents of the portfolio—they were very rich; for it contained drawings of all kinds, and of almost every celebrated place in the vicinity of the Mediterranean shores; Saracenic places, Egyptian temples, mosques of Damascus, and fountains of Stamboul. Here was a Bedouin encampment, shaded by a grove of palms; and there a Spanish Signorita, shrouded in her mantilla, glided along the Alameda. There was one circumstance, however, about these drawings, which struck Miss Ponsonby as at least remarkable. It was obvious that some pencil-mark in the corner of each drawing, in all probability containing the name and initials of the artist, had been carefully obliterated.

Among the drawings were several sketches of a yachj which Mr Ferrers passed over quickly and without notice. The Consul, however, who was an honorary member of the yacht club, and interested in every vessel of the squadron that visited the Mediterranean, very naturally enquired of Mr Ferrers to whom the schooner in question belonged.

Mr Ferrers seemed rather confused j but at length he said, " Oh, they are stupid things; I did not not know they were here. The yacht is a yacht of a friend of mine, who was at Cadiz."

1 01), I see the name/ said the Major ; ' the Krakcu. Why that is Lord Bohun's yacht !" 'Thesame,' said Mr Ferrers, but perfectly composed. 'Ah ! do you know Lord Bohun ?' said Miss Ponsonby. 'Wo have often expected him hero. I wonder he has never paid us a visit, papa. They say lie is the most eccentric person in the world. Is he so V

1 1 never heard much in his Favour,' said Mr Ferrers. 'I believe he has made himself a great fool, as most young nobles do.' 1 Well, ] have heard very extraordinary things of him,' said the Consul. 'He is a great traveller at all events, which I think a circumstance in every man's favour.' ' Ami then he has been a guerilla chieftain,' said Miss Ponsonby; ' and a Bedouin robber, and—l hardly know what else ; but Captain Garth, who was here last summer, told us the most miraculous tales of his lordship.'

' Affections !' said Mr Ferrers with a sneer. • Bohun, however, has some excuses for his folly, for he was an orphan, I believe, in his cradle.'

l ls ho clever V enquired Miss Ponsonby..

1 Colonel Garth is a much better judge than I am,' replied Mr Ferrers. 'I confess I have no taste For guerilla chieftains, or Bedouin robbers. lam not at all romantic.' And here he attacted her attention to what he called an attempt at a bull-fight; and the conversation dropped, and Lord Bohun was forgotten,

A fortnight passed away, and Mr Ferrers was still a visitant of our

Mediterranean isle. His intimacy with the Consul and his daughter remained on the same footing. Every evening he paid them a visit; and every evening, Avhen he had retired, the Major and his daughter agreed that he was a most agreeable person, though rather odd ; the worthy Consul always adding his regret that ho would not dine with them, and his wonder is to what Ferrers he was. 'My darling, I don't like to ask him ; he really is such a very odd man. The moment you ask him to dinner, he looks as if you had offered him an insult. Shall we send him a formal invitation'? I wendar what Ferrers he is. I should be gratified if he would dine with us. Besides he would see something of our native society here, which is amusing. What shall we do V ' I will ask him,' replied Miss Ponsonby, ' I don't think ho could refuse me.'

1 1 am sure I could not,' replied the Major, smiling. And so Miss Ponsonby seize 1 an

opportunity of telling Mr Ferrers

that she had a favour to ask him. was more fortunate than he imagined, was his courteous rep'y- • Then you must dine with papa, to-morrow.'

Mr. Ferrers' brow immediately clouded.

«Now do not look so suspicioup, said Miss Ponsonby. 'Do you think that onrs is an Italian banquet ? Is there poison in the dish 1 Or do you live only on print ami flowers V continued Miss Ponsonby. 'Do you know,' she added with an arch smile, ' 1 think you must be a ghoul.' A sort "of smile struggled with a scowl over the haughty countenance of the Englishman. 'You will come !' said Miss Ponsonby most winningly. 'I have already trespassed too much on Major Ponsonby's hospitality,'murmured Mr Ferrers. 'I have no claim to it.'

1 You are our countryman.' 1 Unknown.' 'The common consequence of being a traveller.' ' Yes—but in short—l "

' You must come,' said Miss Ponsonby, with a glance like sunshine. ' You may do with me what you like,' exclaimed Mr Ferrers with animation. ' Beautiful weather,' he concluded, Mr Ferrers was therefore their guest; and strange it is to say, that to this day, from some cause, which it is now useless to ascertain, this gentleman became an habitual gueso at the Consul's table; accepting a general invitation even without a frown, and what is more remarkable, availing himself of it, scarcely with an exception. Could it be the Consul's daughto that effected this revolution 1 Time may perhaps solve this interesting problem. Certainly, whether it were that she was seldom seen to more advantage than when presiding over society, or whether elate with her triumph, she was particularly pleasing, because she was particularly pleased ; certainly Henrietta Ponsonby never appeared to greater advantage than she did upon the day of this memorable festival. Mr Ferrers,- when he quitted the house, sauntered to the mole, and gazed upon the moonlight sea—a dangerous symptom. Yet the eye of Mr Ferrers had been fixed before this in mute abstraction on many a summer wave, when Diana was in her bower; and this man, cold and inscrutable as he seemed, was learned in woman, and woman's ways. Shall a Consul's daughter melt a heart that boasted of being callous, and clear a brow that prided itself upon its clouds 1

But if the state of Mr Ferrers' heart was doubtful, 1 must perforce confess that, as time drew on, Henrietta Ponsonby, if she had ventured to enquire, could have little hesitated as to the state of her own feelings. Her companion, her constant companion, for such Mr Fer rers had now insensibly become, exercised over her an influence, of the power of which she was unconscious —only because it was unceasing. Had for a moment the excitement of her novel feelings ceased, she would have discovered with wonder, perhaps with some degree of fear, how changed she had become since the first evening he approached their pleasant Casino. And yet Mr Ferrers was not her lover. "No act—no word of gallantry—no indication of affection, to her inexperienced sense, ever escaped him. All that he did was, that he sought her society; but then, there was no other. The only wonder was, that he should remain among them, but then, he had been everywhere. The vague love and longing for repose, which ever and anon falls upon men long accustomed to singular activity and strange adventure, sufficiently accounted for his conduct. But, whatever might be his motives, certain it is, that the English stranger dangerously interested the feelings of the Consul's daughter ; and when she thought the time must arrive for his departure, she drove the recollection from her mind with a swiftness which indicated the pang which she experienced by its occurrence*. And no wonder either that the heart of this young and lovely maiden softened at the thought, and in the presence of her companion ; no marvel, and no shame, for nature had invested that Englishman with soul-subduing qualities. His elegant person; his tender, yet reserved manners; his experienced, yet ornate mind; in flashes of a brilliant, yet mellowed imagination, which ever and anon would break forth in his conversation ; perhaps, too, the air of melancholy, and even of mystery, which enveloped him, were all spells potent in the charm that enchants the heart of woman. And the Major, wliai did he think 1 The good Consul was puzzled. The confirmed intimacy between bis daughter and his guest, alike perplexed and pleased him. He had certainly never become acquinted with a man whom he would sooner have preferred for a son-in-law, if he had only known who he was. But two months, and mora than two months had plapsed, and threw no light upon this necessary point of knowledge. The Consul hesitated as to his conduct. Hie anxiety almost mastered his good breeding. Now he thought of speaking to Mr Ferrers, and then to his daughter. There were objections to each line of conduct, and his confidence in Mr Ferrers was very great, although he did not know exactly who he was ; he was decidedly a gentleman, and there was, throughout his conduct and conversation, a tone of such strict propriety ; there was so much delicacy, and good feeling, and sound principle, in all that he said and did, that the Consul at length resolved that he had no right to

suspect, and no authority to question him. He was just on the point, however, of conferring with his daughter, when the town was suddenly enlivened and his attention suddenly engrossed by the arrival of two other English gentlemen. CHAPTER V. It must be confessed that Captain Ormsby and Major M'lntyro were two very different sort of men to Mr Ferrers, Never were two such gay, noisy, pleasant, commonplace persons. They were "on leave " from one of the Mediterranean garrisons, had scampered through Italy, shot red-legged partridge all along the Barbary coast, and even smoked a pipe with the Dey of Algiers. They were intoxicated with all the sights they had seen, and the scrapes they had encountered, and which they styled "regular adventures;" and.they insisted upon giving everyone a description of what everybody had heard or seen. In consequence of their arrival, Mr Ferrers discontinued dining with his accustomed host; and resumed his old haoit of riding up to the Casino every evening upon his Barbary ass, to eat oranges, and talk to the Consul's daughter. ' I suppose you know Florence, Mr Ferrers,' said Major MTntyro. Mr Ferrers bowed. 4 St. Peter's of course you have seen,' said Captain Ormsby. 1 But have you seen it during the Holy Week"?' said the Major. 'That's the thing.' 'Ah, 1 see you have been everywhere,' said the Captain. • Algiers, of course V

' I never was at Algiers,' replied Mr Ferrers, quite rejoicfd at the circumstance; and he walked away and plaved with the gazelle. ' By Jove !' said the Major, with elevated eyes, ' not been at Algiers! I consider Algiers more worth seeing than any place we ever visited. Don't you, Orinsby f The consul enquired whether he had met any compatriots at that famous place. The military travellers answered that they had not; but that Lord Bohun's yacht was there, and they understood that his lordship was about to proceed to this island. The conversation for some time then dwelt upon Lord Bohun, and his adventures, eccentricities, and wealth. But Captain Ormsby finally pronounced ' Bohun a thoroughly good fellow.' ' Do you know Lord Bohun ?' enquired Mr Ferrers.

' Why, no !' confessed Captain Ormsby, « but he is a very intimate friend of a very intimate friend of mine.'

Mr Ferrers made a sign to Miss Ponsonby ; sho rose, ar.d followed him into the garden,

1 1 cannot endure the jabber of those men," said Mr Ferrers. ' They are very good-natured," said Miss Ponsonby. 'lt may be so; and I have no right to criticise them. I daresay they think me.very dull. However, it appears you will have Lord Bohun here very soon, and then I shall be forgotten.'

' That is not a very kind speech. You would not be forgotten even if absent, and you have, I hope, no thought of quitting us.' ' 1 have remained here too long. Besides I have no wish to play a second part to Lord Bohun.'

'Who thinks of Lord Bohun? and why should .you play a second part to anyone ? You are a little perverse, Mr Ferrers.' ' I have been in this Island ten weeks,' said Mr Ferrers thoughtfully.

' When we hegon to count time we are generally weary,' said Miss Ponsonby.

' You are in error. I would willingly compound that the rest of my existence should be as happy as the last ten weeks. They have been very happy,' said Mr" Ferrers musingly, ' very happy indeed. The only happy time I ever knew. They have been so serene and so sweet.' ' And why not remain then V said Miss Ponsonby in a low voice, ' There are many reasons,' said Mr Ferrers, and he offered his arm to Mids Ponsonby, and they walked together, far away from the Casino. ' These ten weeks have been so serene and so sweet,' he continued, but, in a calm voice, ' because you have been my companion. My life has taken its colour from your character. Now, listen to me, dearest Miss Ponsonby, and be not alarmed. I love you !' Her arm trembled in his.

' Yes, I love you, and, believe me, J use that word with no common feeling. It describes the entire devotion of my existence to your life ; and my complete sympathy with every attribute of your nature. Calm as may be my speech, I love you with a burning heart.'

She bowed her head, and covered her face with her right hand. 1 Most beauteous lady,' continued Mr Ferrers, ' pardon me if I agitate you, for my respect is equal to my love. T stand before you a stranger, utterly unknown, and I am so circumstanced that it is not in my power, even at this moment, to offer any explanation of my equivocal position, and all its accidents, good or bad, in homage to your heart, May I indulge the delicious hope, that, if not now accepted, they are at 1( ast considered with kindliness and without suspicion T ' Oh yes ! without suspicion,' murmured Miss Ponsonby ' without

suspicion. Nothing, nothing in the world, shall ever make mo believe that you are not as good as you are gifted.' ' Darling Henrietta !' exclaimed Mr Ferrers, in a voice of melting tenderness ; and he pressed her to his heart, and scaled his love upon her lips. ' This, this is confidence ; this, this is the woman's love I long have sighed for. I leave our isle this night. Nay, start not, sweet one. Tis for our happeness ; this night. I shall return to claim my bride. Now listen, darling ! our engagement, our sweet anil solemn engagement is secret. You will never hear from me again, till we meet again ; you may hear of me, and not to my advantage. What matter 1 You love me, and cannot doubt ma I leave you with my honour: an honour never sullied. Mind that. Oh no, you cannot doubt me !' 'I am ready to wait for years. I care not what they say : if there be not faith and truth in you, I will despair of them for ever.' ' Beautiful being! You make me mad with joy. Has Fate reserved for me, indeed, this treasure 1 Am I at length loved, and loved only for myself V {To be continued.)