Page:Alice Stuyvesant - The Vanity Box.djvu/286

 a writer. When about twenty-four, two or three years before the meeting with Liane, he had brought his mother, an invalid, to live in the country, taking Deodar Lodge which was then to let. Political opinions had drawn the two young men together, and they became intimate friends. Liane had made Bayne's acquaintance one day in the train, on the way to London, where she had to carry out a commission for Lady Hereward. The French girl had been late and would have missed her train, if Bayne had not opened the door of his compartment and pulled her in. They had conversed in French, and from that day were on the most friendly terms, though their acquaintance was kept secret, even from Barr. Later, however, Barr had found it out by accident. Bayne was ill, and Liane, anxious for news of him, called one evening to make inquiries at his house, though forbidden to go there, as he was not proud of his engagement to a girl in service, no matter how fascinating. Barr was looking after his friend, and had opened the door. Liane knowing of their intimacy, excused her anxiety by saying that she was engaged to Ernest Bayne. Afterward Bayne had denied the engagement; but Barr had strongly advised him to be brave and keep it, since they loved each other. A difference of opinion had somewhat disturbed the friendship, and Liane had several times called after dark, at the steward's to tell him of her troubles, and beg him to use all his