New-York tribune., 1869-06-19
CHAPTER I.
M LADY BEATRIC

and was st unmarried She had had lack OF suitor
for she had inherited from her mother immense for
tune and was beautiful witty accomplished. reignlng
BELLE and leader in society. Her friends were puIA
at her adherence TO celbacy, and no was moro pu%
yled her father whose greatest desire was " SEQ
her happily married. IL was an unsolyabe prODIe "
the Earl, that his daughter should persist IN Ie4s o
most eligible offers and she was looked upOn even ny
her admirers as beautiful mystery delightful puzzle
q Amarbe-hearted and incOmprehenSlDle spnynA.
One March evening. in the draWngroom VI lis Vomn
house Lord Hampton sat thinking OF his daughter Inc
might WAS wild and stormy The pleasant room presented
a strong contrast to the gloom without seacoal nre
Named in the polished CRATE The great chandelier flooded
the room withght Flowers freshfr the greenhouse
witt moisture yet upon their petals, were CROWDED Win
profuon into vases whose delicate sculpture would have
fred an artists heart The heavy warmhued curtains
fell in folds to the Goor shutting out the darkness, and
shutting in tho light and warmth and fragrance.
The Earl was tall aud stately with becoming portness
of figure and eyes keen IN his early youth, com
pexon of unusual ruddness hair and whiskers OF IRON
gray and manly features whose expression inclined to
sternness He had almost reached hreoscore years and
ten but he exhibited of the feebeness Of age His
mind retained its vigor and his manners were those
the courtly Old-schOo gentleman.
His thoughts were evidently anxious and troubled. He
reused himself from them at last and stretched out his
hand towards the bepun At that moment the curtains
dividing the apartment from second draWlng-room
were lifted and the Lady Beatrice entered.
"You sont for me- fatheri" she inquired, approaching
him. You desired to see me ~
df did BcattTiceB responded his lordship at have
something Of Importance TO say to you"
The Lady Beatrice stood leaning against the marble
mantel piece in an expectant attitude
She was a superbly beautiful woman. At least four
Indthrty years OF age, she looked scarcely fyeand
twenty -%t
Lord Hampton looked at her with fathers pride, yet
with strange expression This being so cold to others,
was equally cold to him. He wondered II she ever ex
perienced any womanly emotions while he wondered
the Lady Beatrice broke the silence:
"You have news from your friend Lord Adlowe, have
yeu not, she askedi
Eyes; his Ordship has returned to England" replied
the Earl "I received line from him this morning. in
forming that he arrived in town last evening Icaed
upon him. and invited him to dine with to-day He is
all mpateDce to you 1t is OF Lord Adlowe that
Rm about 70 speak to YOU"
The Lady Beatrice bowed her head without speaking.
Encouraged by her attentyeness, the Earl resumed:
lord AdOwe comes back to after his five years
louneying. than your slave. Hehas been for
eight years your faithful lover. 1t who made
him exile and wandeTer He has kept himself sin
ge waiting patiently, reproachng you for your
eOdness never forcing his attentions upon you"
Because he dared to" inerposed the Lady Be-
Rtrce, with icy smile. 81 do not like Ormond Ad.
love- father He false and bad at heart his years of
devotion to Notwithstanding He has returned to
suppose, and his Golfers need replenlshing. OF all my
BuitOrs like him least must repeat what have saiC
70 many times TO you and him. / sha! never marry"
"Aud why not demanded the Earl "Have you re
Allied that time Is slipping away and that You are adj
yaucing in years How long win IL be before You are
pushed ASIDE in society by younger rivals shall soon
ae and you will De left alone long to sec you mistress
Of your own household happy wife, Can it be that you
arc mournlng for that misguided GeoGey Treveyan
tile unworthy scion of noble house, the midnight
fobber Of his uncle"
astopr" said the Lady Beatrice swift flush over
preadng her features 81 do not care 70 hear Geofrey
T1evelyaus name. They say he is dead"
''Yes he is dead" said the Earl thOughtfuly. "He
He'd many years ago. in foreign land--poOr fellow !
Iaddens me. He had in him the stuff for noble man.
sut warped by harshness and evil associates. Had
LOrd Treyelyan his uncle whose heir he was, pursued
him yndCtvely for his crime, Georey might have
been living and nonored to-day: don't blame you for
zreying fo- him. for were his berOthed wife. But
be was unworthy and Is dead. You but mere
child when he disappeared. Surely you do not cherish
81 am not romantic father" said the Lady Beatrice
mat Lord Adlowe is without Georoy's weaknesses and
iaults Lord Adlowe is not weak, but his is not the
%ther Ike to rule in society. / like TO be admired
and worshiped but have no heart for my admirers to
Why must yoq disappolnt the hopes have 50 long
Have you no love for me, respect for my wishes
What would your loved society say IN IL knew that you
arc a mystery 10 your own fttheri When Lord AdlOwe
was here 1--WE years snce he told that you lead
ug a double life. His words have been confirmed a
hundred times since by my own observation. You do
cad double life You one thing and seem another"
Beatrice startc lowering her gaze TO the fire. II she
feared her soul might look from her eyes and play tho
II do not understand youp' me murmured
81 will endeavOr TO explain returned the Earl,
Eravely. lyon the mistress Of my household. You
receive visitors preside at balls and parties, and
uih your duties 70 society But day after day. evening
evening, you mysterOusy shut yourself up IN your
apartments, seeing no one, replying TO DO summons
messages giving no evidence Of iie II as II your
chambers were your tomb Ihaye frequently Knocked at
your door without elciting response. Tic last time
Got come to me FOR hours and ala not send to in
auire after welfare What Is the explanation Of this
Tie daughter stood motoraess and silent
have tried 70 answer the question for myself" said
he Earl, after waiting in vain for reply "fit
possible for you house continually without
kuow.cdge, should believe that half your time
spent away from home. have remarked that these Sc.
illusions do not occur az our countrysea DO you spend
these missing hours IN opiuneator's dreamsi again
AK YOU Beatrice what Is the meaning OF these seasons
B dunOness and silenceP
The Lady Beatrice lifted her head, turning her face to
Sire hght. Her cOuDtenance OF marble Whitencss,
ave that IN her checks burned scarlet glow. Her
eyes were Ike glowing Her manner betrayed an
intense aeatOn ana excitement showing that her whole
lature In cOmmOtiOn.
al have no explanations TO give, father" she said
tremor OF passion underlying her cold tones "Thnk
what you W-suspeet what you may-I have nothing 10
Dot forget that your daughter as proud az Yourself
know would rather die than sully the name bear
She erect in her imperial beauty like one with.
out a trace Of weakness IN heart OF soul.
At that moment the curtains were again lifted and
Lord AdlOwe entered the apartment.
There was a peculiar glcam his eyes, and a sinxuIar
smile about his MOUTH lie had been listener to most Of
the conversation between the father and daughter
Lord Adlowe was In the prime OF manhood. He was
ventures in far of lands had contributed halo OF TO.
nance 70 his character MS a % nan oeen dark
and his eyes pale keen, cold, and cruel and had in
lie had returned impoverished IN purse hampered by
debts 10y dissipation, with the nXed resolve Of
urging contamination his claims upon the hand OF
the Lady Beatrice.