Denbighshire Free Press

fAH, RIGHTS MSMVED.] THE FLAW IN THE JEWEL I BY LADY TROUBRIDGE author of "The Millionaire," "The Soul of Hononr," "The Woman Thou Gaveet/ Paul's Stepmother," The Cheat," &c. CHAPTER I. The band was paying that fascinating air "La Petite Tonquinaise," in the brilliantly- tighted casino at ViMamont-sur Mer, and one by one the habitues were strolling in and h&nding their coats over the counter in the outer vestibule, and then passing on with'aa eomfortable and easy an air as tf the whole pt<tce belonged to them; which, indeed, from the moment they had. entered those lighted portals it did. It was their club, almost their home, for these were the habitual gam- blers, who were not here to waste their time over the music or to fritter it away chatter- ing in the lounge; their Mecca waa tho gambling-rooms, and they were bent on ee- curing good places for the evening. One by one they established themselves in their usual places, presenting the eamo in- evitable types which appear year by year in these foreign resorts of fashion. Towards ten o'clock the rooms nlled up ..t1th the aristocrats of the place, and that <venhig they became particularly crowded, for it was a vacant night as regards private entertaining, and no one in particular was giving a dinner or a dance; therefore, all re- sorted to the Casino, partly for the opera which was going on in the adjacent theatre, and partly drawn by that glittering magnet of possible gold which appealed to all alike. Two men who came in rather late, and made their way at once to the further gam- bling-room, attracted some atten)'ipn, even though the popular young millionaire, Star- bridge, had just taken the bank and pnt up &ve hundred louis. They were both known by sight to many present; known also by name as Lord Rothman and hie friend, Geof- frey Venesta. Lord Rothman wos a popular figure in the social life of the place, and was as welcome everywhere as the fact of hie being an eli- gible young bachelor and owner of one of the proudest names in England would naturally BMkc him. H< was a tall, well-knit young fellow, with a dark, high-bred face, and man- BCM of otinglaid affabrHt-y and rve but, in spite of his good humour, ymlng ladies ef ViMamont found his attention somewhat d!m- P«It to capture. For one thing, he seemed infinitely to prefer to spend his time with his strange, taciturn friend, Mr. Vencsta, and the latter never willingly mingled with any- one. Gossiping tongues whispered tkat he was a, man under a cloud, and from such a. rumour it became easy for lovers of exaggera- tion to go further, and to whisper that he had been turned out of his regiment for acts of folly and extravagance. He was certainly a recklces gambler, never leaving the rooms till the daylight filtered through the windows, and the croupier terminated the proceedings. He seldom won. but whether luck was for him or against him he played on with the same dogged, almost feverish earnestness, like a man under a spell, speaking to no one And seeking for no other pleasures than those afforded by the tables. As the two men crossed the room a lovely girl bowed to Lord Rothman. and be ac- knowledged the salute with a low bow and a emile which sent the colour up into her cheek. Who is that? asked her companion. It is Lord Rothman," answered the girl. I thought he was never coming." And with an unconscious movement she flung .bock the long grey veil of transparent tulle from her hat. and pushed it to a, more becom- ing angle, while her eyes brightened. Evi- dently thof;c crowded rooms had been empty <or her until this momant. ? "What a gooci-' lookmg m'm, l.J!1j, sa'a her friend. Do introduce him to me if he thould come this way." "Yes," replied tb-e girl addressed as Lily; "but perhaps he won't come, for I see he is .with Mr. Venesta." Her friend laughed. "Don't be silly, dear," she said. Of course he will come. Why, he saw you the moment he entered the room, only he looks as though he were one of the stiK, stately type of Englishmen who would think it beneath their dignity even to took pleased at the si.c;ht of anyone they ad- mire; and that he doca admire you I had heard before I came here. Lily. will you be angry with me if I say something indis- creet?" "What is it?" said the beauty, balf-im- pttientlv. half-<tbeently, for her eyes were fol- lowing the progress of the man of whom they I had been speaking, and her eager thoughts were willing him to her side. "Well. a little bird told me." said her friend, "that a certain person is very much under your spell; that he is only waiting for tn opportunity of coming forward, and I am hoping that he may nnd it here. I wonder if this is trua, and, if it is, why all you Itavo got to do is just to tell me how I can help mat- ters forward. You would make such a lovely Lady Rothman, and it would be so interest- ing and thrilling if I coold do anything te telp it on." "Hush. hush! "said Lilian. She had sunk down on the red velvet settee behind her friend; her red lips had lost their colour, her delicate froture6 stiffened with eome intense inward feeling. "Don't talk like that," she said. "It-it worries me. You can't tell how it upsets me. Little Mrs. Hastings opened her blue eyes in amazement. Why," she said, "that's un- kind of you. I only want to help you. What ie there to upset you in what I have said ? It M not like you to be so melodramatic." Yon mean well," said Lilian, with an effort; but if you knew you wouldn't speak <o lightly." Well. my dear." said Lena Hastings. I Mi trying to understand the facts; but how can I if you will not enlighten me?" Lilian turned towards her suddenly. Facts Thore are none," she said. Ex. cept this. I met Lord Rothman in Paris in the autumn. I saw a good deal of him. and— .well, yes, he did seem attracted; he never teft my side, and I could not help thinking that something might come of it. I think it would -have,only.,that, unfortunately, I cared o bow, <h& matwr. tw.,I could Dot help sric%,ring it. Tlowev-er, 1 felt sure that it only wanted time and opportunity. You know. Lena, that I am not one of that kinal of person who thinks every mnn in love with them, and think themselves taken with every- one who pays them attention?" "Of course not," said Mrs. Hasting, soothingly. But, rtft-c-r all. what could be more proper and sensible? It would be the most charming arrangement possible, and I in' don't understand why you, with your clever- ness and knowledge of the world, should have found any difRcuIty in bringing him to your feet. You could not possibly have had a rival, for you don't want me to pay you compli- ments and tell you that neither In Paris nor London could he see anyone better looking." Lilian forced a pale' smile to her lips. <t emile which somehow haunted her friend with its hidden suggestions of bitterness and eadxess. You are riht. she eaid, In speaking of a rival. That is it—there was someone else." "Who?" "Have you ever met a Mrs. Bowman? "The rich American?" "Yes. that is the one," was the reply. "Well, I should never have thought that a woman like that would have attracted a I man with 1'\ face like Lord Rothman's." She did not." said Lilian. I should nat have been afraid of /M'r. No, it was f-.r worse than that; she had a little secretary with her whom she treated abominably—<t fair. pretty little girl-and from the moment that she and Rotbnwn met I was afraid. Lena. and I have been afraid ever since. He had great dUncutty In eeeing the giat at all, for she wa< always waiting about on this Mrs. Bowman's caprices. and this, I think. Is what interested him in her." Was tglle a 1;t<ly? Yes. quite. I know nothinj! of her family, but there certainly wa« something about r which was very fascinating in a dreamy kind of way. I always think the greatest folly of all is to underrate the -charm of another wo- man when you are iealous of her. I took Mother line—I left Paris and came here." "And he has followed you'" exclaimed Mrs. Hastings. "Lilian, it is as interesting M t novel, ajid I eee him coming towards us!" CHAPTER II. An instant later Rothmnn bowed before them, and was presented by Lilian to MM. Haetinga. It was easy, as Lena felt gtanciag up for one moment at the refined power <f th< face above her, to understand the fascina- tion this man exercia-ed over her friend, for, quite apart from his position, his manner and appearance eeemed to mark him out os a hero of romance, and even the few careless words that passed between the three ap- peared to have the meaning and the signin- cance which the hidden magnetism of tt strong nature always brings. "So you came oa here, after all?" eaid Lilian. "Yes," he answered, pleasantly. "And I'm delighted to find you are not Sown. Come, shall we try our luck together, and have o little flutter at the tables? She moved forward with a bright assent- ing smile, and a sudden lightnose of heart and spirit came over her at the thought that even in this game of chance he chose her out as his companion. Lilian asked for nothing better. They banked together and won steadily, and as the evening passed on she lost all count of time and remained quite oblivious to the fact that Mrs. Hastings seemed to have left the rooms, for she no longer saw her in the distance. Every moment she felt as if she were pro- gressing slowly, but surely, in the snaring of this rebellious heart, and yet, charming as ho was, something intangible in his manner baffled her, seemed to evade her, and to hold itself remote from her wiles. Could it be the thought of that wretched girl he had met in Paris which brought that look of reserve, almost of coldness, into his eyes. "What are you thinking of?" she asked, petulantly, as several of her remarks were hardly answered, and his look of absent- mindedness deepened as he glanced round the table. The game," he answered, promptly. You shouldn't object to that, you know, for you're making a small fortune." Lilian frowned, and a sudden feeling of dis- couragement seized her. Why would he not become more personal? Other men were only teo ready to bring the conversation back every moment to her charming self. I really want to know your thoughts," she said, for I can see they are far away, although I own it does not prevent you from being wonderfully Incky—for which fact please accept my gratitude." It is true," said Rothman. I apologise, but I have what they cal! something on my mind, and I wonder if you would sympathise with me if I conMed it to you." Pray tell me, Lord Rothman," she said. "I should really like to hear it." He !elt the charm of her soothing voice, and it seemed to him that there wa.s a true ring of womanly sympathy in it. In truth, she appeared more attractive to him in that moment than she had ever done before and had it not been for some thought which was nestling at the back of his heart he might have been touched to 'the tenderness she dreamt of. "I am anxious," he began, "about some- one I care for; someone who is not happy." Lilian allowed an expression of pity andl gentleness to come into her eyes. Alas! it was not spontaneous, but was one of. the ex- pressions she could call up as cleverly as any actress who was paid thirty guineas a week for doing so. The sweet lips parted in an ex- pression of concern. "Indeed! I'm so sorry. Lord Rothman. Who is it?" It's my friend Venesta, the man yon see over there playing at the centre table. Poor chap I'm awfully worried about him." "Why?" Well, he's the dearest chap in the- world," said Rothman, earnestly, "and he's the greatest friend I have. There's nothing I wouldn't do to help him, but the curious part of life is that one can do so little to help the people one really cares for. As you know, Miss Germaine, I'm not a preacher, nor do I believe in making one's life grey and colour- less but there is moderation in all things, and it is hard to sit by and see one's friend ruining himself, and dissipating his fortune at every gambling resort in Europe." .Gambling ia aJarriHa at the same Time watcning contentedly tne growing pil& of gold which represented her own winnings. Rothman followed hwr glance, and smiled. "There's no harm in & little nutter like this," he said; "but Venesta's in dead earnest. He's taken the bank over there, and has put five hundred louia into it. I don't be- lieve he's got much more In the world. He seems as determined to beggar himself as other people arc to get rich." "Was he always so?" No, indeed; that is the piteous part of it. A year ago he was as sound a young bellow as one might wish to meet; he'd heaps of money, and he might have done anything worthy and admirable. H<e has an old mother who simply adores hun, and then he had youth'and strength; he's young still, of course, but about a year ago something broke him up—morally and -mentally—and since then he's practically dissipated the whole of his fortune." Lilian thought she had nevea- seen him look NO handsome as he did now, wMIe voicing his friend's troubles; his deep eyes lit up with tympathetic fervour, and his firm mouth—that most expressive feature in the face-relaxed, while his whole countenance changed with each word he spoke. Certainly he could feel strongly and care deeply, ani the thought came to her that if friendship could stir him so love must master him even more. HIt wan all about a woman," he said. She broke his heart; one oiten hem's that said, and it means literally nothing, but in this case it is the truth; and it only shews one !*ow foolish it is in this world jo, stake everything upon the ftith of one persons "Yet you would do it," she said, below her breath. Yes, I should, and that is why I fe<el for him; but if I were treated aa he has 'been, I'm afraid, Miss Germaine, that I should* take it differently. I should punish myself less and the other person more." "What did she do?" asked Lilian. She was bitterly disappointed at the turn the con- versation had taken; yet,, after all, it was much that he should co-nude to her this trouble of his friend's which he felt so deeply. I know very little about it, in a way," he eaid; "he has never told me her name—aird, of course, if he had I should not think it right to mention it-but she wre a young girl, a. lady, and very beautiful, and Venesta fell madly in love with her, wi th an earnestness and a depth that I've nev er seen equalled. He took it as hard as he takes everything; there are no half-and-half measures possib? for him. He put the whol hopes of his li)a upon her, and they becam. engaged. There never was a man as hap py, or so he has told me, and I can well. imagine it; but at the end of a month the sent for him and told him that she'd mif ftakcn'her feelings, and she was going to mar: -y somebody else- a richer man, in short. The cruelty was fiendish in every way, bee mse he would have had plenty to live on if J ie had kept within bounds, and he began I da extravagance in order to please her. SI te passes now, no doubt, for a good woman but in my opinion the is as vile as the vilest of her sex. I can i tell you what t think abo' tt her I hope I may never meet her, for if 1. did nothing would prevent me from accusir4g her of the murder of my friend. I'm sorry Miss Germane," he added, recollecting that Tie was speaking with some violence. "I ought not to worry you with all this, but in one respect I'm a little like Geoffrey, for I, too? feel thcLngs deeply. "Don't apologise," she said. "It is the rrcatest honour yoM h'tvc ever done ma. A wish I could make you iunderstrmd how I ap- preciate it." Their glances met 'a.nd mittgled, and at length something of the look she had been longing for came into his eyes. He seemed about to speak, but -checked himself as < voice accosted him, an'j a r.and holding a Sve iranc piece came over his shoulder. ? "Do you mind puling this on for me? ) said a sweet, girlish t,-vblet. its owner indicat- ing at the same time tha side where BM wished her money staked. Certainly," said Rothn ian. He placed the money to. her, and in thrM Mconds it was doubled. Do you Truh to keep. :t on ? ho added, <;ummg half round, as po liteness demanded, to see who had asked tt ds alight favour of him. As he did so he gave a start of astonish- ment. Mias Asbury '"be exclaimed. "You Jiere! Lilian followed his eye< ?, and the softened look left her face as if by magic; it changed :and hardened as her glan-e fell upon the girl "whom she had chosen in Paris to consider as Tier rival, and who h:Ml su ddonly and most in- opportunely turned up he re. Could anything be more provoking, unica 3 it was the evident pleasure in Rothman's face, and the shy cordiality in Miss Asbm ry's as she greeted hIm. I had no idea you were coming here," he said. Nor I," shorcturn, in a low, quick un- dertone. It was qntto a sudden idea of Mrs. Bowman's; noioc fh'ienda of hers were coming on to Villam(IDt. and she decided to come too. You know ht!»1 quickly she makes Tip her mind; it was a!I d one in a moment." And you were glad ? "I was delighted," ah< answered, and a slow, sweet colour crept m p into her face. Lilian noted with a sid: feeling of dismay that some indefinable chaj )ge seemed to have come over the pale ciri whom she would never acknowledge in I-<M is to be beautiful. There was no denying it n<ow; it was patent, incontrovertible, that,, as she stood there, Mrs. Bowman's comjMnioB' was by far the loveliest woman in tJ lie rootns. It was such a face as Romney woldd have loved to paint, with the soft roundPJess tt e indeSnite, mys- terious liner, of eary girHood; indeed, the bloom on the cheeks- and the texture of the skin were as bewitclrtngly soft and radiant as the complexion of a very yoaing child. Many snch faces have look ed dowm upon the spec- tators as they have been mmde to live again through the brush of the great masters of painting; faces wit b an expression so in- effably pure, so dehcioualy childlike, that they have made ordin <ary humanity seem corn- mon and vulgar by contrast. And this was the effect of the girI'M beauty now on her sur- roundings. Rothman was ins tantly conscious of it, and as he staked again he trrned and spoke to her, still in the low undertone in which they had conducted their conversation. I "You doo't look right here somehow," he said; "this background doesn't suit you." "I Uke it," ehe answered. It amuses me. y" ¡ jom -L uon t nxe n ior you. vø yuu i\uuw what I should like to do? I should like to take you by the hand and lead you away into some beautiful wood, and instead of these horrible lights there would be the moon and the stars." Hush she said. The word sprang involuntarily to het lips, but there were two reasons for her interruption: one. Was the expression on Miss Germaine's face which she had caught, and the other waa the sound of a strident voice by her side—one of those highly-pitched American voices which make themselves heard through any amount of con- versation. It was the voice of her employer, and she turned nervously round to meet the angry glare of that lady's china blue eyes' "I'm perfectly amazed. Miss Asbury," be- gan Mrs. Bowman, and for amazed she might just as well have substituted the word en- raged," for the latter state best characterised her feelings. "I never heard of such a liberty in my life I learve you at the hotel, where I asked you to give Annette a few orders for me, and I find you here. My dear girl, I'm one of the most patient women in the world, but you're the limit, and I don't mind telling you right here, and now, that I've not come here to have you running around in this fashion. You've given me ner Toua prostration, that's what you've done, and I won't stand it. Go right home, and we'll talk about it to-morrow.' Yes, and not so loud," said Rothman, ris ing to his feet. "You always attract atten- tion wherever you are, dear Mrs. Bowmaa, and I'm quite a.t your service. I will escort Miss A6bury home, and ehe can have h€t ecolding in private." "Thank you, Lord Rothman," said Mrs. Bowman. It's very kind of you to inter- fere, but I'm not in the habit of having my voice criticised, or my manner of speaking either. I don't pretend to have an English voice I don't want one, aad that's the truth. My husband thinks whatever I do is rit, and I don't want any othar man's opinion, lord or no lord." You are charming when you are angry," he said, and youf laqt speech makes me feel as if the House of Lords had been abolished already. She tapped him with her fan. Naughty boy," she said; but one can't be angry with you-can one, Miss Germaine? "I don't know," answered Lilian, sullenly. Her whole soul was in a tumult of wrath- ful indignation as Rothman swept her win- nings towards her, and, without even an apology, turned away; he had made one enemy during his champiocshtp of the girl he now led trhimphMtly frwm the room. Outside the door eha looked at him iii a certain fear and amMtment, which parted her lips and veiled the innocent glances of her eyes and yet, in spite of this shyness, he saw that she was pleased, glad that he had championed her, ani happy to be in his company. He himself was eomething more than pleased. The nrst sight of her face in the glittering, garish rooms had thrilled him to his soul, and he knew, as certamly as though it had been shouted into his ear, a great, an overmastering fact destined te alter every- thjn. .tie waned while she put on her cloat, and then escorted her the short distance from the Casino to the great hotel on the top of the hill, with its many twinkling lights. Suddenly he broke the silence, standing still so abruptly that she stopped also and looked at him wonderingly. "Are you glad to see me? he asked. "Yes, Lord Rothman." Oh, don't be conventional," he implored. "Let us take just one peep into reality to- gether, you and I. You say you are glad. What does that mean? la it only the vague, faint pleasure you feel in the sunshine, in your own beauty, and in your youth? Or is it something of the gladness I feel—a glad- ness so intense, so acute, so overmastering, that it is like a sudden cessation of pain, the pain of being without you? Rosamonde, I love you!" She raised her eyes slowly and looked into the strong, refined face above her; strong with the power which all women love, yet penetrated and softened with the passion she heard in his voice. And as she listened to him, a thousand undefined hopes and long- ings, a thousand radiant dreams took co- herent shape and form; her heart swelled, her eyes clouded. She drew a deep breath because of the oppression at her beating heart. Yes, this must be love! A moment later her hands were in his, held as though he would never let them go; an avowal faltered on her lips. She was close to that supreme moment which comes. but once in a life—the first dawn of passion in a woman's heart—when she drew back, for foot- steps sounded near them and a hand touched Rothman on the shoulder. He turned with an expression of anger to hnd a commissionaire at his side, holding a sheet of paper, on which were scrawled a few words. The gentleman told me to give you this," said the man in French, as Rothman, with some difficulty, deciphered the faint, blurred lines. Then he turned to Rosamonde. Dearest! he said. My dearest, I must leave you. This note is from my friend Venesta; he is suddenly taken N1, and I must go to him. This man will see you home; it is but a step." Oh, must you go? she breathed, and he saw under the ga?ight that she had turned pale. I must. Something hae happened to up- set him terribly, and he has no one to turn to but me." He pressed a nve-franc piece into the com- missionaire's hand, and giving him a few hurried directions he rushed oack to the Casino, for the message he had received ad- mitted of no delay CHAPTER III. Just inside the Casino, in the Srst hall, he found his friend leaning against the wal), deadly white and gaeping for breath. With one hand be was repulsing the well-infant oners of assistance proffered him by the at- tendants at his side. He was conscious and able to stand, but was evidently in the grip of a. deadly faintnees, to which, had he been a woman, he would have succumbed. As it was, Venesta was struggling against it, but the hand Rothman seized in his was icy cold, and even with his friend's help he was hardly able to get to the outer air. Onoe there, he recovered slowly, drawing deep breaths of the ozone-laden air as it blew from the sea. Aren't I a fool! he exclaimed, as he took his handkerchief out of his pocket and I wip'estphe_e,!eati.ow his ibrebeart- jnomman tooxea anxiously into the dark.. foreign-looking face, livid with some emotion ho which he had no clue. I "What's the matter, old man?" !T<e ashed. I Oh I don't know gat me hoMa." They walked slowly together ta thér hotel. Once ia their reomw. T,eia-esta aaN: down on the sofa, and covered his face with one hand while Rothman, with a man's dislike of matching suffering and illness without ta'k'ng action of some sort. hurriecHy poured him out a stiff whisky and eoda. Se drank it, his teeth chattering agp.Inst the rim of the glass, and then he looked up, seemingly recovered, although his vrords ?ame gaspingly, and were spoken in a dazed, disjointed way. I've seen her he said. "Whom?" The woman who ruined my Hfe. She is here." My dear chap, I'm sorry, hut don't take it so hardly. Can't you forget the wretched bUjOjineæ, or, if that'N impossible, we'll leave to-morrow." He had forgotten all his own many reasons for wishing to stay. forgotten even that n. few minutes age he was thrilling with the ecstasy of his nrst real passion. This friendship, so d,ar to him, so implanted in his deep. faith- ful heart, banished every other thought. Of course we'll go," he said again. I'll make all the arrangements." } Venesta shook his head. It's no good; I'm done. I'm at the end of my tether. Haven't you seen that I've been in agony for the last year? I'm a rmned man; t've made nn utterly irretrievable me66 of everything. To begin with, I haven't a penny in the world; those five hundred louis I put in the bank to-night were my last. I caa't pay my hotel bill; I can't live." Nonsense said Rothman. "I'll settle your hotel bill, and we must see that lawyer of yours and make some arrangements. After all, you must have some capital left." Yes." said Venesta &o you, or any man, might believe if you were dealing with a nor- mal human being, but I'm not normal; I've been mad ever since I saw that faN of here for the last time. The only thing that helped me to forget for a moment was gambling, and even that only kept the agony at hay just while it stined memory. This is the end, or will be when I've seen her again." You are surely not thinking of that? eaid Rothman. She is married, she may be happy; women without hearts often contrive to be. What ie the good of raking it all up again? I cannot allow it, old boy. You are not fit to have a scene .of that kind. If any- one sees this woman, let me be your mes- senger. I will tell her what you wish,'but I should let the past dead bury its dead." I MM.<'< see her replied Venesta, obsti- nately. She has something of mine—some- thing she must give baok to me before I die." Rothman was getting a little alarmed at the tone of restless misery which vibrated through his friend's remarks. Geoffrey," he said, I want to know what makes you wish to see her again, and what it is of yours that she has got ? Venesta passed his hand across his fore- head. "Ah! yes," he said, II thrtt is import- ant—very. That is where you can help me. I will begin at the beginning. I met her in Florence. Her name was Marjoria Davenant, and she was companion to an old lady. I saw her nrat in church, and watched her the whole of. the service; I felt incapable of tak- ing mv evri: off bpr." "What was she like?" asked Rothman, with a sudden interest. She was tall and slight; very slight with- out being thin. Not the English aparseness of outline, but a graceful sweep from the neck to the shoulder; the pretty roundn<ss of a child. Her face was very small, and she had a lot of brown curling hair; when she turned her head I would just see her little tip-tilted nose and short upper lip, and the small, round chin. I wanted to see her full- face and I dropped my Prayer-Book with a clatter -so TI to startle h<:r and ir,ke her turn round. The i?.inoeuvre succeeded, and I saw her full-face; big, startled eye", ex- quisite colouring—a Romney in modern dress. 1 never rested till I obtained an introduction to her; it was easy enough in a place like Florenee. I soon fc,,vr-.d out she was not happy, and that she h?ed her hfe, M<i I wohe to the knowledge ?hat it would be pos- eible for me to have the intend happiness of taking her away from her hateful surround- ings, and of showering everything upon her thaft I had. Sha had a longing fer pretty things—a nature to w hich luxury appealed. I became completely mad about her; pro- posed in due farm, and was accepted. Yet I never felt sure of her from the very first I had an agonising consciousness that 1'd not wholly won her that I w as not her deliberate choice, as she was miu<?, but that poverty and the need of a home had something to do with it, and I was always struggling ta reach the very heart of her, whi"!i somehow she seemed to fkeep hidden from me. I am ashamed to tell you that I tried to win her through my money, by squandering it to give her plea- sure. I organised entertainments for her; I spent money like water to dazzle her, and I finally gave her the greatest treasure, in a material way, which I had. That is the only thing I regret. It was a wonderful pearl necklace, handed down in our family for generations—ten rows of graduated pearls, worth nve thousand pounds each row. It was an heirloom, but I wns the last of the entail, and I could do what I liked with it. It sounds a horrible way to win a woman's heart, but remember that although I did not realise it at the time she was driving me w ild with her mooda, her changes of feeling. The uncertain thread by which I held her seemed only of gold. Then a richer man turned up, I sup- pose?" said Rothman. I "Exactly." replied Venesta, and the look r<f ngony which started to his eyes made j Rothman regret the coldness and the erude- n.css of his words. It was towards the end of the sesxon; he wf'.s an American, bwt not one of those it is the fashion to laugh at. He was singutarly attractive, came of an old family, and im- mensely rich. But I think, I hope she cared for him that it was not only his limitless purse. I believe, too, she struggled against it, for I saw that she \yas looking ill and de- pressed and then gradually the awful know- ledge came to me—.<<- li,as floilig to gi.re MK U1J Long before the words passed her lips I I knew it, but I fought against the knowledge like a madman; I jgnored it all, and over- whelmed her with the claims of my love, and j with my caresses." "That was fatal, of course," said Roth- man. Fatal. She grew to hate me, and at last she told me so. I don't Jmow what happened after that, except that I laid every shred of manhood at her feet; that I grovelLed to her; that I implored. Finally, I faced ths inevi- table, and rushed away, no matter where; my body travelled, but I was hardty conscious of where I went or what I did. ThQ only thing worth recording in that awful time was that I j met you, and you took pity on me, and forced your friendship upon me.'Why you did. Hea- ven knows; it can have be'cn no pleasure to associate with a derelict like myself, but that friendship of yours made me, to a wertain ex- bent, sane. I began to believe that I might forget her until I saw her face; then I knew I never could." When did you see. her? asked Rothman. To-night. I tall you, in the rooms. I looked up for a moment, and I saw her, or her ghost. I realised nothing but her face; i I couldn't tell you what she wore, or who she II was with, but it stood out before me for one moment. Just at that instant there was a row at the table, everyone appealed to me, I and the crowd closed round me. You know what life is; conventions hold one at every turn. I could not rush away li'ke a madman; I I stayed and settled it, and when I gave up the bank'she was gone." t The rooms were so full, it was impossible to see who was there and who was not," said Rothman. thoughtfully. Still, we ought to be able to trace her; only, as I said before, what is the good?" be able to trace her only, as I said before, what is the good?" "This: I must have the pearls," said Venesta. Don't stare at me even now I I would give her everything I possessed in the w orld even now her claim upon me is greater them that QI.øy womM Uvm& except op€— BTV mother. The is oM, and she is destitute. Mv father made no provision for her; he left c\enth'"g to me. except a small P;ttciie. which she reinvested bndly and lost. The penIs will fetcil forty, thousand at least, and 't.hn.t "turn I j?ust settle on her." You shf-U," said l'oHu;na'l. By Heaven'" vou'i-e right, kii-d I'll help you with all my bcart. We'll trace her before twenty- cwe four hours are over our hend", and we'll fcr&'a ha to give up what I consider she obtained by a fraud." Vsnesta ro?e with an air of indescribable wptriness. Yes. sh.e ought to give thc;u uo," he sa,id, for I did not give th.cm to her as a free gift; tl:('' were a present to my fature wife. But the truth is. I don't f-zel <*qu3.1 to tite struggle. V/hen I'm talking to you my br:>.in is clear enough, but every now and then there comes a sort of blank, a.n im- possibility of reasoning, a vagueness, a tkinJ of full-stop of the mind." Fatigue, old boy. and worry," said Roth- man. I don't know," said Venesta, uncertainly. But it's a pain to remember. a pain to make plans. I don't think I can talk any more to- night." He mov<d uncertainly to the door. and then he paused. If anything should hnppen to me," he added. slowh-. "you won't forget what I've told you to-night; you'll get those pearls for me. fcr my mother's «ake?'' And for yours." said Rothman. But no- thing is going to happen to you, dear old fellow; you've made a hash of it, I don't I deny. but I'll be your banker, and I'll see you through. Leave it all in my hands; go to sleep, and forget." CHAPTER IV. The morning sun glittered on gay little Villamont, waking it to another day of bril- liant, pulsating life; and Rothman, as be dresfed. forgot the gloomy and depressing scene of the night before, and remembered only the one which had preceded it. He awoke to a new world. Above him was a new heaven; at his feet a new earth. He loved, and he realised that he did so. Love unacknowledged, yet growing in the heart, beaming its wings like a bird in a cage is an agony to many natures but love expressed, formulated, and free is an ecstasy. The seed of expression in lo.ve is vital, and before the lips are free to speak the heart repeats its confession with a madening iteration. He was ashamed afterwards to think how he had forgotten Venesta and his tragia con- fession, for it was not until he was ready to go out that he thought of his friend, and paused uncertainly outside his door. Should he go in and aee how he was? Listening intently, he could hear nothing; evidently the poor fellow, worn out with sorrow, had dropped asleep late the night be- fore, and it seemed to him that it would be sheer cruelty to wake him, so long as uncon- sciousness brought oblivion. Stepping softly he passed on downstairs, and through the crowded hall, where many paused and turned-men looking with in- tercut and women with admiration at the handsome, well-groomed young Englishman. He took his way lightheartcdiy to the Majestic Hotel, an immense building which formed a quadrangle on either side of the im- posing entrance. The Majestic WM the haunt of millionaires, a place of luxury for those willing to pay inordinately for it. The large, dome-like hall was warmed to summer heat, and filled with persons sitting about <ni wicker chairs—visitors and their friends. A careless, pleasure-loving crowd, planning out the itBQ.uirements of the day., iConiman searched the .hall with his eyes, but nowhere could he see any trace of Rosa- monde; she was evidently in attendance on Mrs. Bowman, and thi< thought was annoy- ing to him. He cursed the conventionality which made it necessary for him to interrupt his dream of love to pay compliments and court to the woman to whom his love was bound. Still, there was no help for it, and he was crossing the hall when he encountered MiM Germaine, who came forward from the shadow of the pillar by which she was sitting —a tall figure in blue serge, with o. dainty, mannish collar and black tie encircling her throat, and a large blue hat and veil which threw a shadow over her eyes. "Y&u're not taying here, are yow?" she said, after the nrat gi'eetinga. Whcm have you come to see? Mrs. Bowman," he answered, unreaeon* ably irritated at fhe question. Oh! I didn't know you were sueh a friend of hers; but perhaps you have come to apologise for the rude things you said to her yesterday. She was quite upset after you had dragged Mies Asbury off in that summary fashion. Do you know, I thought you were jU.!it a little bit rude to me too. "Then I'll apologise to you," he said; but not to Mrs. Bowman. I don't much like her." "Indeed! And yet you've come to see her at ten o'clock in the morniac? "Yes." Her questions angered him, and fhe hard- ness of his nature mer:. him determined to give her a hru.sque awakening. He took out a cigarette with a word of apolosy. and lit it. I'm going to ask her for something," he went on—" something that she's got, and that I want." "How very interesting." said Miss Ger- maine. Do you know you've made me feel eo inquisitive that I must ask you what it is." Well, of course, I can't prevent your ask- ing." he said. W She Meogn'sed the defiance is his tone. "That means you won't tell me," she mur- mured. No; on the contrary, it only means I didn't think it would interest you." "Lord Rothman. you do say horrid things. Don't you know that everything about one's friends interests one, even the little unim- portant things." "Oh! but this isn't unimportant," he re- plied. "Now 1am really excessively interested, but I don't think I shall give in to your love of teasing. Hattic Bowman will tell me; she never keeps anything to herself for long." Well, einee you arc so very kind as to take an interest in )' said Rothman, slowly, while the dirk colour mounted to his cheek, "I will tell you. I'm going to ask Mrs. Bow- man for leave to propose to Miss Asbury." I "What a stupid joke!" ahe exclaimed; and not in the very beet of taste. If I didn't know you. I might take it seriously." But why not? he asked. Had he looked up ha would have seen the proud lips quivering, and the tense, rigid anger growing in her eyes, bri his own were y bent upon the ground. ttMds, so that you soall not be able -to re- proach her afterwards." & Rothman's face changed. There is some- thing in Mrs. Bowman'a mind." he said. "What is it?" "It is dimcult to express it," answered LHian, taking off her gloves, and stretching them both aimlessly. Rothman saw that she waa embarrassed, but he would not interrupt her again. There are some things which it ia quite &asy to say under certain conditions," she began at length. "For instance, when people are engaged, it is like a foretaste of matri- mony one looks upon them as one, for the slightest disparagement of one is an insult to the other. That is Hatty's dimeulty. If you had spoken to her before she would have told you all she knew of Rosamonde. which is very little, practically nothing at all. It was quite enough for Hatty when she wanted her as a companion, but she feels it would not be enough if she were planning a marriage for her; in short, she can take no responsibiilty in the matter, for Rosamonde has never been open with her. She met her in Rome. when she was living with some friends of hers in a similar capacity, and knowing that they were i parting with her she asked them for refer- ences with a view to engaging her herself, t and she asked them also, when she found the references were good, why they were letting her go. They told her that there had been a little affair with some Frenchman, who had made love to her. Oh, nothing in any way in- discreet, but you know how much reserve is expected of a girl in her position." I know what tyrants women can be." said Rothman, "and how they ca.n grind the life out of anyone who is dependent upon them. Of course he admired her: why oot, since tdp?" "TT vas not tne same Tning at an." said Lilian. "You have come forward in the most noble. the most disinterested way but this nta't did nothing of the kind. It was a mere nirtation, but it cost bar her post, and when Hatty took her she W!lq. so to speak, under n c'loMd. Hattv was very anxious to be her friend, but. of course, the nr?t thing was to know all about her; and from that day to this tl.1.. girl has obstinn.t?Iy refused to give any account of herself whatever. As Hatty says, she may have dropped out of the clouds for &11 she knows about her, and her friend ? owned that she v.-ns so taken with the p;irl that she made no inquiries whatever, :\°"; ynu see her difficulty; you M2 madly iH lovs with Rosamonde now. but she really would ha'.e advised you to wait until things could be put on a more ordinary footing." During her recital a thousand different ex- I pressions had flitted over the dark powerful face she was watching; the eyes had flashed angry lightnings at her; the nrm lips wen C, closed in a pitiless line, and the strong hand lying on the table had clenched itself involun- tarily. Well. you've done your duty," he sai:l, "and so has Mrs. Bowman; but, of course, neither she nor you could imagine that it would make any difference to me. Far from blaming Rosamonde for her reserve, I admire her for it. Of course, she will tell me every- thing which it is right that I should know; but I quite understand that, under the cir- cumstances, it may be as well' that Rosa- mondc and Mrs. Bowman should part. If sho is friendless, it is for me to find her friends, and all I shall ask Mrs. Bowman to do is to bring her over to London there my si"<t'er will take charge of her until we are married." Lucky Rosamonde," eaid Lilian and she smiled sweetly on him. When she got up to go he stopped her. His loneliness was so great, the hurry and disturbance of his mind eo importun&te, that he could not afford to part with her sym- pathy. He began speaking to her of the d-e;ul man. and little by little he told her of the subject which engrossed him, almost to the exclusion of Rosamonde. It suddenly oc- curred to him that Lilian might help him; ehe knew everyone in Villamont—had she heard of the arrival of Miss Davenant? No, Lilian had not beard, but she waa thrilled, interested beyond words. In truth. her interest was all for the speaker, for the man who was turning to her in his trouble. and telling her of his resolve in spite of the infatuation which she fancied had taken him from her. And as she listened, far in the distance, still faint and formless, she saw the light of a great hope—the hope of regaining him. So many people pass through Villa- mont." she said, "on their way to Spain that. it may be very difficult to trnce her here. Of course, you can make inquiries at the hotels, but they are so stupid about English names; the clue. it seems to me, ia to be found among his papers. He laid his hand on the desk at his "Here is his private despatch-box," he said, and he opened the lid as he spoke. Lilian rose from her place, and coming over to him she peeped in. An orderly mass of correspondence met their eyes, mostly bills neatly docketed and labelled "unpaid." On the other side lay a pile of envelopes, ad- dressed in legal-looking handwriting; the contents had the ordinary appearance of & desk in which papers of value rather than of sentiment are retained. But in one corner Lilian spied an envelope on which waR written two words. She gave a cry acd pointed to it. There's your clue she cried, trium- phantly. "You see. you haven't to wait & moment for it. Her photograph; he's labelled ?himself." Yn tier excitement, she stretched out her hand, but he caught the white wrist and drew it back. No, wait." ]f anid; I'm not at liberty to touch these papers until I receive an authorisation from his mother. I have tele- graphed to her. and I should get the answer to-night, but until it comes I can't touch them. She has his will, and she knows who M his executor." "I'msorrv." said Lilian, disappointedly. I thought I had been of some use." "So you have." he returned, kindly; "of the greatest possible use, Miss Lilian, and to Rhew you that I think so you shall ack Mrs. Bowman if I may dine with her to-night, and I will briwg up this desk, and we will look through what is not too private. Your wo- man's wit has helped me already, and it shall help me again." He escorted her to the door. for there was no longer any excuse for her to remain, and walking home she turned matters over in her mind. One resolve stood out white and shin- ing—Rosamonde should not have him if it could be prevented. fI As Rothman was shewn into the Majestic that evening he was conscious of a kind of chill which fell upon his spirit, a restlessness and hunger for one face and one voic-e. and yet a disgust of the conditions under which he would see one and hear the other. So far, thia sweet romance of his. which had seemed to him all rose and gold. hid been like some evanescent dream, and he realised ns he passed through the garish Usht of the hall that never once in his life had he had the opportunity of talking quicth" with the woman he pronged to marrv. She was at once the heart of his heart and a stranger; she was a part of his dretme. the companion of his thoughts, the he-all and the end all of his existence but as a living reality she was as much a, mystery to him as apparently she we-r, to her friend. This was actually the nrst time that he had broken bread with her. and the whole atmo- sphere of Mrs. Bowman's surround'n pa jarred upon him. Lilian he liked, hut even she seemed to join in the general conspiracy to keep hliy from the girl he loved. The door was nung open at this pfint in nie thoughts, and the servant who followed him, reachins: his side. announced him. and, carrying in the desk. placed it on a chair. The scene was 0. convivial one. calculated to raise his spirits, for th? three women saf at a small round table cohered with Rogers and brilliantly lit. As he bowed before Mrs. Bownan and made his apologies, his ardent eyes new to the girl at her side. trying to compel an f<n- Rwering look. trying to make her raise her head and turn to him as the newer turns to the rpn, and in that very instant he knew that his chill fears were <.bout to be realiged. She turned her bead ft'fay; she would not look at him! (7'o 5c eott<t?tM<f.?

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