Page:010 Once a week Volume X Dec 1863 to Jun 64.pdf/53

 Jak.

ONCE A WEEK.

1S64.]

I,

soda-water aiid an unlimited to supply of cigars, my ideas at last began to at any I came and the, themselves, shape

brandy and

conclusion, that I had best do nothing. For, first, I felt that my knowledge of the incidents of last night had been in too equivocal a manner to be rate, easily practicable

acquired acted upon.

an eavesdropper can Then, to take a high tone and quarrel with Norman was absurd He had done me no and out of the question. wrong, and until my friend has wronged me, my creed is that I am bound to stick to him. And, lastly, though a few words from me would no doubt be enough to induce Norman to leave Guestford Park, I was not at all sure that a few words from him might not be enough to induce Mrs. Newton to leave Guestford Rectory, and interference with him might sweep away any hesitation he had in is

do,

The

least

to hold his tongue.

So, having come to this conclusion, I dressed, went down, and found the Norman was out shooting, and house empty. Sir Ralph and Jane had driven to the neigh-

uttering them.

45

drew her arms about him, she laid her head his breast, and there sobbed bitterly. It was sad, very sad, to see the wild love and devotion she lavished on him, her first love, who alone had ever thoroughly mastered her heart, and to feel, and to know that she felt, that it was all a deep wrong done to her husband and her children. I did not see Norman's face as he at last released her from their long embrace, but his voice was now thick and broken from the

upon

violence of his emotions.

"

Annie," he

said,

"you need

I shall ever forget you. to remember me."

I

not fear that

must not ask you

" But

I shall see you are not going away. you again," she broke in, clinging again to his arm, a new terror in her eyes and voice. " But not " Yes, yes," he said, hurriedly.

often

— not thus.

I dare not trust

myself

"



and again he strained her in Iris arms, and their lips met again. A strong effort, and he was himself again.

"Come

bouring town.


 * id

now, darling," he said, "it is you must compose yourself." They

I strolled out, wandered into one of the most sequestered glades of the park, and lay down in the fern, watching the fast-declining I had not lain thus a quarter of an sun. hour, when the very two people who were in my thoughts Mrs. Newton and Norman

—

on out of sight. meet him until dinner, when outThroughout the wardly he was calm enough. meal and afterwards, as we sat over our wine, lie talked politics incessantly with my uncle. I could see he selected the subject because it

As I lay, I paused within a few yards of me. was completely hidden, but the least movement would have betrayed me, and I thought

forced him to exert his intellect, and thus acted as a safety-valve. In the evening ho got Jane to play Beethoven's Sonatas, and sat

Had they met by

silently listening, his thoughts seemingly very far away. He left us early, saying he thought

—

it

best to stay as I was.

chance

?

I could

hardly think

so.

to

come

he must have caught my headache. It was early next morning, not much after when I was roused from my morning six, slumbers by a knock at my door, and Norman

you

to do

came

Norman's first words six- wed they had not, and also that they could not have been long together. " It is very good of you," he said, 1 shall not often ask to meet me. it,

"

and I shall not keep you long now." But I was thankful to find that this time I

—

much of what they said or, for she could only leave rather, what he said her hands in his and look up into that noble could not hear



face she loved so well.

He

told her of his

deep love, but made no excuses for having left her, and did not seek to persuade her that he had been constant to her memory. This man o proud, too conscious of his power even as he was, wish to be taken for j^Jiave any other than he was. He spoke long and at itly, but I only heard stray words

they came clear and strong. I do believe I have a right to some part in you. I made you what you are. No other 3 your whole soul as I do." He paused. last

"

" Come

voice

to

full

me now, my own," he

I

I did not

said,

hia

of longing tenderness, and as he

in.

"Are you

awake, Evesham?" said he. " I beg your pardon for disturbing you like this, but I must speak to you." I was shocked to see him. Ho was still in evening dress, and plainly had not lain down all night. His face, always strongly marked, looked haggard and worn, and his eyes were gleaming with an unhealthy fire. " In Heaven's name, Norman," said I, " what is the matter ? "

He

gave a bitter laugh.

"I have been

wrestling

all

night with the

fallen archangel," said he, striving to speak in "I believe, Evesham, theohis old cool way.

when they say that the devil a very exiyeant master. They would tell you that I have served him faithfully for many years, and yet now he grudges the smallest logians are right is

leave of absence.

You

look as

if

you thought