own she looked, r

e castle, that

from outside

weary yawn, w

riek, the rus

ad sky the nor

face stop

hair had grown

door was not banged, yet she heard its echoing dying away like a murmur in cavernous heights. She had an illusion of being in some dark sea

reaking-point. Gaunt was pouring wine from the heavy, stumpy cut-glass decanter into a wi

ble, did not notice that she ate practically nothing. Before leaving the room, Hemming had handed her a dish of fine strawberries. These she felt she could eat. She took some cream, broke the

aise his eyes; but as soon as she laid down he

e he

wavered, then rose and moved noiseless down the length of the

mystic skill that belongs to very few of the daughters of our race. It was subtle; it had a disturbing effect. There was a general impr

ess as I supposed," remarked h

pearances before the servants? That is second nature with me, I t

hair back slightly on its hind legs, while he looked u

nd acts accordingly! Yes, I suppose it is best that it should be

ps you will give me more efficient support next t

oint. "I think I warned you against an

ward movement he caught her by the waist, dragging her down upon his knee. "Here, drink t

tain her self-command in this ghastly situation. She sat where he placed her, took the glass from his

o that the remainder of the wine was shot over the carpet, and

r health. You are a very sick man

r husband-in sickness o

y. "Yes; I know. I am

malin ring she wore above her wedding-ring. He snatched at her hand, pulled off the ring, and flung it into th

"I only used it to get it o

he felt her head swim. He was holding her with both hands, and his touch seemed

er his breath. "Proud as Luci

swer to this, and

u?" he went on. "That is the r?le you select? But don't try me too far

u to know me broken? Must you see the tears and hear the cries before you can be satisfied? Well, you will-very soon. I-don't feel as if I ca

ost immediately let her go. She stood, supporting herself a moment against the corner of the table, then tried a few

e pleadings and wiles with which Virginia the elder had made him so intimately acquainted. He remembered how, when in the old days his sullen temper had made him harsh, s

now he was wise with the wisdom we garner from the fields of tragedy and disappointment. He was proof

was in a dead faint. He stared doubtfully, rose, haltingly crossed the room, and laid his fingers upon the bell. He did not rin

he stooped, lifted Virgie with ease, carried her into the drawing-room, laid her on a sofa near the window, and opened the casement wide upon

p, sick and shivering. He looked round quickly at her movement, but turned away again and did not speak. He stood gazing down at the leaping flames in brooding silenc

one thing she could have borne at the moment. With a sigh of utter fatigue, she let her head droop against the hard, uncompromising cushion of the old-fashione

ng the room, "Mrs. Gaunt is overtired. Tell Gro

s,

outside world with the tragedy of the isolated and rock-chained maiden. So might Andromeda have felt, when the smith had hammered into

. This time it was soft and gentle, a lullaby, like falling water. It brought the tears rushing to Virgi

the fashion in which she loved to have it wasted! What were they all doing now, at this hour? Caroline, the new maid, was just bringing up Pansy's cup of Benger's food.

tuck-in? Oh, no, surely not! They would all be lapped in their new comfort and security. They would b

up and shoulder the weight that had been crushing her, even if to do so me

ut her resolve. She must not flinch because it was turning out so much worse than she had thought possible. What did it matter-what could it matter, what became of her? They were happy and secure; Gaunt was tightly boun

red, trying to reassure herself. "It doe

to cross the sky in autumn at Lissendean, flying to seek new spheres for themselves. There came to her mind that story of Hans Andersen, in which the princess has to weave coats of nettles for the princ

*

sic st

ceased as if shivered

herself shuddering in a panic terror which drove out every other sensation.

ed and to sleep. A good night's rest is what you want. To-morr

ured. "I am not usually so weak. But you see, a great deal has happened ... and I hardly slept at

threw a glance at the little girlish fingers lying in his square brown palm. "I'll give you another ring," he said brusquely, "but

d no seco