The Strogteller.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 261, 19 March 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Strogteller.

THE CONSUL'S DAUGHTER- «. CrUI'RER VIII. Tins strange conversation with Lord Bohun at parting, was not without a certain nMld, but not unpleasing influence over the mind of Henrietta Ponsonby. Much as, at first, it had agitated her, its result, as she often musod over it, was far from being without solace. It was consoling, indeed, to known that one person, at least, honoured that being, in whom she had so implicity relied. Lord Bohun, also, had before spoken of Ferrers in a very different tone; but she felt confidence in the unusual seriousness of his last communication ; and with satisfaction, contrasted it with the heedlessness, or the levity of his former intimations. Here, too, was the page of Ferrers at her side—the beautiful and bright-eyed Spiridion. How strange it was ! How very strange ! Her simple life had suddenly become like some shifting fairy-tale; but love, indeed, is a fairy, and full of marvels and magic —it changes all things; and the quietest domestic hearth, when Bhadowed by its wing, becomes as ripe with wonders and adventures as if it were the passionate theatre of some old romance. Yes ! the bright-eyed Greek page of her mysterious absent lover was at her side —but then he only spoke Greek. In vain she tried to make him comprehend that she wished to have tidings of his master. The graceful mute could only indulge in airy pantomime, and point to the skies and ocean, or press his hand to his heart in token of fidelity, Henrietta amused herself in teaching Spiridion Italian, and repaid herself for all her trouble in occasionally obtaining some slight information of her friend. In time she learned that Ferrers was in Italy, and had seen Lord Bohun before the departure of that nobleman. In answer to her anxious and often-repeated enquires whether he would soon return, Spiridion was constant to his consoling atHrmative. Never was such a sedulous mistress of languages as Henrietta Ponsonby. She learned, also, that an Albanian scarf, which the page wore round his waist, had been given him by bis master when Spiridion quitted him; and Henrietta instantly obtained the scarf in exchange for a Barbary shawl of uncommon splendour. Now, it happened one afternoon, towards sunset, as the Greek page, rambling, as was his custom, over the neighbouring heights, beheld below the spreading fort, the neighbouring straits and the distant sea, that a vessel appeared in sight, and soon entered the harbour. It was an English vessel—it was the yacht of Lord Bohun. The pago started, and watched the vessel with a fixed aud earnest gaze ; soon he observed the British Consul in his boat row to the side of the vessel, and almost immediately return. At that moment the yacht hoisted a signal—upon a white ground a crimson heart—whereupon Spiridion, drawing from his breast a letter, kissed it twice, and bounded away. He bounded away towards the city, and scarcely slackened his pace till he arrived at the Consul's mansion—he rushed in, dashed up the staircase, and entered the saloon. At the window of one, gazing, on the sunset, was Henrietta Ponsonby —her gazo was serious, but her beautiful countenance was rather tinged by melancholy than touched by gloom—pensive, not sorrowful. By her side lay her guitar, still echoing, as it were, with her touch ; and near it the Albanian scarf, on which she had embroidered the name of her beloved. Of him, then, were her gentle musings? Who can doubt it 1 Her gentle musings were of him whom she had loved with such unexampled trust. Fond, beautiful, confiding maiden ! It was the strength of thy mind as much as the simplicity of thy heart that rendered thee so faithful and so firm. Who would envy thy unknown adorer 1 Can he be false 1 Suspicion is for weak minds and coldblooded spirits. Thou never didst doubt, and thou wast just, for, behold, he is true. A fluttering sound aroused her—ahe turned he head, and expected to see her gazelle : it was Spiridion ; his face was wreathed with smiles, as he held towards her a letter. She seized it—she recognised in an instant the handwriting she had so often studied—it was bis ! Yes ! it was his. It was the handwriting of her beloved. Her face was pale her hand trembled ; a cloud moved before her vision ; yet at length she read, and she read these words : * If, as 1 hope, and I beleive, you are faithful to those vows, which since my departure have been my only consolation, you will meet me to-morrow ,two hours before noon in your garden. I come to claim my bride ; but until my lips have expressed to you how much I adore you, let nothing be known to your father,' 4f CHAPTER IX. * My dearest Henrietta,' said the Consul, as he entered, ' who, think you, has returned ? Lord Bohun.' * Indeed,' said Henrietta, ' have you seen him V ' No, I paid my respects to him immediately, bub he was unwell.

He breakfasts with us to-morrow at ton." The morrow came, bub ten o'clock brought no Lord Bohun; and even eleven sounded : the Consul sought his daughter to consult her —he was surprised to learn that Miss Ponsonby had not returned from her early ramble. At this moment, a messenger arrived from the yacht to say that, from some error, Lord Bohun hid repaired to the Casino, where he awaited the Consul. The Major mounted his barb, amd soon reached the pavilion. As he entered the garden, he per- ! ceived, in the distance, his daughter and—Mr Ferrers. He was, indeed, surprised. It appeared that Henrietta was anout to run forward to him ; but her companion checked her, and she disappeared down a neighbouring svalk. Mr Ferrers ad advanced and saluted her fabher. 1 You are surprised to see me, my dear sir V ' I am surprised, but most happy. You came of course with Lord Bohun V Mr Ferrers bowed. 'I am very desirous of having some conversation with you, my clear Major Ponsonby,' continued Mr Ferrers. ' I am ever at your service, my dearest sir ; but at the present moment I must go and greet his lordship.' « Oh, never mind Bohun,' said MiFerrers carelessly. ' I have no ceremony with him—ho can wait.' The Major was a little perplexed. 'You must know, my dearest sir,' continued Mr Ferrers, ' that I wish to speak to you on a subject in which my happiness is entirely concerned.' 'Proceed, sir,' siid the Consul, looking still more puzzled. •You can scarcely be astonished, my dearest sir, that I should admire your daughter.' The Consul bowed. ' Indeed,' said Mr Ferrers' ' it seems to me impossible to know her and not admire : I should say adore her.' 'You flatter a father's feelings,' said the Consul. ' I express ray own,' said Mr Ferret's, ' I love her—l have long loved her devotedly.' ' Hem !' said Major Ponsonby. 'I feel,' continued Mr Ferrers, ' that there is a great deal co apologiso for in my conduct, both towards you, and herself. I feel that my conduct may, in some degree, be considered unpardonable, I will not say that the end justifies the means, Major Ponsonby ; but my end was, at least, and, I am sure, a virtuous one.' ' I do not clearly comprehend you, Mr Ferrers " • lb if some consolation to me,' continued that gentleman, ' that tho daughter has pardoned me, now let me indulge the delightful hope that I may be as successful with the father.' ' I will at least listen to you with patience, Mr Ferrers ; bub J must own your meaning is nob very evident to me. Let in?, at least go and shake hands with Lord Bohun.' ' I will answer for Lord Bohun excusing your momentary neglect. Pray, my dear sir, listen to me. I wish to make you acquainted, Major Ponsonby, with the feelings which influenced me when I first landed on this island. This knowledge is necessary for ray justification.' ' But what is bhere to justify ?' enquired the Major. " Conceive a man born to a great fortune-' continued Mr Ferrers, not noticing the interruption, ' and to some accident of like which some esteem above fortune ; a station as eminent as his wealth—conceived this man master of his destiny from his boyhood, and early experience in that great world with which you are not unacquainted—conceive him with a heart gifted with, perhaps, too great a susceptibility ; the dupe and the victim of all whom he encounters —conceive him in disgust flying from the world tint has deceived him, and divesting himself of those accidents of existence which, however, envied by others, appeared to his morbid imagination, the essential cause of his misery; conceive this man, unknown and obscure, sighing to be valued for those qualities of which fortune, could not deprive him, and to be loved only for his own sake—a miserable man, sir !' ' lb wou'd seem so,' said the Consul. ' Now, then, for a inomenb imagine this man apparently in possession of all for which he had so long panted ; he is loved, he is loved for himself, and loved by a being surpassing the dream of his purest youth ; yet the remembrance of the pist poisons even now his joy. He is haunted by the suspicion that the affection, even of this being, is less tho result of hh own qualities, than of her inexperienco of life—he has everything at stake—he dare 3 to submit her devotion to the sharpest trial —he quits her wibhoub withdrawing the dark curtain in which he had enveloped himself—he quits her with the distinct understanding that she shall not oven h';ar from him until he thinks fit to return ; ancl entangles her pure mind for the first time, in a secret from the parent whom she adores. He is careful, in the meantime, that his name shall be traduced in her presence—that the proudest fortune, the loftiest rank, shall be offered for her acceptance, if she will only renounco him, and tho dim hope of his return. A terrible trial,-Major Ponsonby !'

' Indeed, most terrible.' ' Bub she is true —truer even than truth—and I have come back to claim my unrivalled bride. Can you pardon me? Can you sympathise with me V ' I speak then,' murmured the astounded Consul—'To your son, with your permission—to Lord Bohdn !' [The Exd.]