Litchfield enquirer., 1869-06-24

the fire, as If she feareh her soul might look from her eyes and pIag tho traitor.
 do not nndsrstaisa yon,p she naur. mured.
 ..I will endeayor to explain,'' returned the Earl, gravely. You are the mistress of my household. You receive our visit ors, preside at our balls and parties, and fulfill your duties to society. But day af ter day, evening after evening, you myste riously shut yourself up in your own apart ments, seeing no one, replying to no sum mons or messages, giving no evidence oi your life. 1t IS as If your chambers were your tomb. have frequently knocked at your door without eliciting response. The last time was attacked by the gout, ] sent for yod, and yet you did not come to quire after my welfare. What is the ex. pIanation of this, Beatrice?p
 The daughter stood mctionless and si lent.
 's have tried to answer the question for myself, said the Earl, after waiting for a reply. If it were possible for you to leave the house so continually without my knowledge, I should believe that half your time was spent away from home I have remarked that these exclusions do not oc- cur at our country seat. Do you spend these missing hours in opium-eater's dreams? 1 again ask you, Beatrice, what IS the meaning of these seasons of dumb ness and silence?"
 The lady Beatrice lifted her head, turn ing her face to the light Her counte nance was of marble whiteness, save that in her cheeks burned scarlet glow: Her eyes were like glowing suns. Her manner be- trayed an intense agitation and excite ment, showing that her whole nature was ln cOmmotion.
 ''I have no explanation to give, father, :" she said, 8 tremor of passion underlying her cold tones. Think what you will suspect me as you may-I have nothing to say. Believe any thing that may seem probable. But.do not forget that I am your 'daughter, as proud as yourself I know would rather die than sully the name bear Let that suffice!'
 She stood erect in herimperial beauty, like one without a trace of weakness in heart or soul.
 At that moment, the curtains were again lifted, and Lord Adlowe entered the apart ment.
 There was peculiar gleam in his eyes, and singular smile about his mouth: he had been listener to most of the conver- sation between the father and the daugh- ter.
 Lord Adlowe was in the prime of man. hood. He was handsome, and years of foreign travel, with strange adventures in far off lands had contributed halo of TO. nance to his character. His complexion had been darkened by exposure to wind and sun. His hair was light, and his eyes were keen, cold and cruel, and had in them at times wicked light.
 He had returned impoferiSAed in purse, hanpered by debts, wsrn oYtb by dissipa- tion, with the fixed resolve osaurging to 8 consummation his claims npo1 She hand of Lady Beatrice.
 At sight of her. so radiant in her beau ty, his face flushed with eagerness, and he ca ne forward rapidly, extending both his hands.
 Lord Hampton, delighted, sprang up to greet him.
 The Lady Beatrice permitted her return ed suitor to clasp her cold, jewelied hands, greeting him politely, even kindly, her manner warming under his manifesto tions of extreme delight. She welcomed him home, coloring slightly under his gaze of eager admiration.
 The Earl. encouraged by her gracious manner, began to hope that his conversa. tion had had the desired effect, and that his daughter might be persuaded to grati- fy his dearest hopes.
 You must excuse my abrupt, unan- nounced entrance" said Lord Adlowe ,smi- ling, when the greetings were concluded. " told the porter, who knew me at once. that l would announce myself, as I used to do. md the place unchanged; not so, I hope, it's hostess
 He looked earnestly at his lovely host. ess, whose manner had resumed it's usual hauteur and reserve.
 T never change, Lord Adlowe," she replied, significantly. stI have always been your friend and well wisher. I am still the same."
 Nothing more?" whispered the guest. in a low and eager tone.
 The increasing coldness of the lady's manner was sufficient .answer
 Nothing daunted bythis reception, Lord Adlowe exerted himstlf to please. Beat rice unbent slightly, as she became inter- ested in his remarks! His lordship had changed during his lofg absence; many of his former prominent traits seemed sub dued, and his hostess began to believe that she should find him al interesting study.
 In the midst of herlmusings and specu- lations, dinner was announced. The Lady Beatrice took the arh of the guest. and the three descended tb the dining-room, a handsome apartment, brilliant with lights and fire and flowers. The repast was sea- soned with with wittl remarks from Lord Adlowe The lady lstened, smiled. and replied, but there wasno heart in her words or her mirth. The dinner over, the guest escorted the lady Beatrice to the door. and then returned to his tlne and the compan- ionship of the Earl
 The Lady Beatrle is more beautiful than everr' he finally sighed. ssAnd she IS scarcely less cold han when she drove me from her!'
 Do not despair,my boy." responded the Earl, kindly. don't pretend to un- derstand Beatrice, but there is no ice that the sun. cannot met I believe she will yet reward your loie and unwayering de- votion-"
 .sI knou she wifr' said Lord Adlow, with smile, and wth strange light leap ing to his eyes. q can find my way to her heart, at last, ay lord In less than six months shall le your son-in-law. Il will % up to the Ady Beatrice and en- deavor to win her fvor, while you are oc- cupied with your Nne and cigars"
 He excused hinelf, and hf stened back to the drawing The Lady Beatrice ...k hre,r1 fIo firaIolnno Cho 1ocrod r,y,