The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-06-30
CHAPTER XIII.

busines was transacted. But when, at its
conclusion, the young man rose to 60 away,
Malcolm motioned him to resume his seat.
elf you are not pressed for time, Thave
a few words to say to you. Are you aware
that the Derwents ore talking OF quitting
England directly ?" ,s.s.5 s.Sj
Aubrey looked and felt little surprised
that the generally reserved barrister should
advert to such subject, Yes, he replied,
Il heard as much this afternoon from my
kinsman, Sir John Lefroye."
"Did he tell you that Miss Lindsly accom-
panies them 2"
"No!' cried Aubrey, considerably startled.
"This is mistake he added, recovering
himself-"a great mistake. Sir John went
to Derwent Lodge this morning to reclaim
his ward, and he has Mr.. Derwent's promise
that she.shall come to Lady Lefroye's to~
morrow"
"His positire promise?"
Aubrey reflected for moment. eyes, I
think so. But no; the precise words were
that he would bring her to Sir Johns him
self, or give good reason for not doing so.
But he dare not paltcr with my kinsman.
He dare not take Violet abroad without his
permission"
"Not as his wife?" asked Malcolm, signi-
6cantly.
Vernon staggered to seat. "Impossible!'
he murmmed, growing very pale. "She
does not-she cannot love him and she is
too single hearted to wed without! What
do you mean, Mr.. Maleoma Is this some
silly report that has Just reached your ears P"
81 am afraid" Malcolm replied, "you will
find it something more than a mere report.
Ihave it on authority which believe to be
unimpeachable, that Miss Lindsly has con-
sented to marry her guardian, and that
their nuptials will take place almost imme.
diately."
Vernon Aubrey snatched up his hat, and
had nearly reached the door, when Charles
Malcolm interposed his arm, and held him
back.
"My good fellow" said he, "what are you
going to do?'
''To see Violet; to demonstrate with her."
was the reply, uttered in tones of anguish.
"She cannot unite herself to another while
she knows that her heart is mine! Yes,
yes, it is mine; do not deceive myself
No woman-even though she We're the
falsest of her sex-could look and speak as
"Sit down, and hear reason. You are not
in fit state to present yourself before Miss
Lindsly. You would reproach her, and
then she would grow angry, and marry Mr..
Derwent on purpose to show her indepen-
dence At least, that is my experience Of
the SEX"
"What! would you have me sit still, and
let her unite herself to another without an
effort to prevent itp" queried Aubrey, in
dignantly. "Perhaps she has been fancy
ing me cold and Indifferent, and lit is this that
has made her lend an ear to the addresses
Of another. will 60 and undeceive her.
She shall know how devotedly love her,
and when entreat her not to destroy her
own happiness and mine by so rash an act,
she % of too ingenious a disposition not
to hear me and acknowledge her srror.''
Still Malcolm held him.
"When do you propose doing this? Now2
It would be SO late when you reached the
Lodge, that Mr.. Derwent would feel him
self justified in refusing to admit you.
Neither do T see any chance Of your pro-
curing an interview with Miss Lindsly at
all; for if he gets an inkling Of your errand,
it is not likely that he will let you see her
until she is his wife,"
Vernon Aubrey struck his forehead with
his hand,
"Fool that was to let Sir John persuade
me not to 60 there this morning! I would
have insisted upon seeing her; would have
forced my way into her presence. l shall
do so now; no one shall prevent ME. I
can be as determined as Mr.. Derwent, and
so he shall find me-"
Hcoc11,, ,ofkl,, NV Jo,r ,lror T., fboco
matter.of-fact days, if man makes dis
turbance in any ones house, he must ex-
pect to find himself handed over to the
police, and to see an exaggerated account
Of the matter in all the newspapers. For
Miss Lindsly's sake, you must net dc any
thing likely to lead to such an expose. Now,
Just sit quietly down, and let US hit upon
some more sensible plan of proceeding. You
can trIy=.,s, can't you, to counsel you td
the best Of my ability3
The ycung man felt the wisdom and kind
ness Of lis words, and obeyed, saying, bit
terly, "Oh this has been planned by Mr..
Derwent for some time, or why have I been
90 constantly turned from his door with
excuses that Miss Lindsly was engaged, OF
unwen, or not at home.'
"Don't lay this to Mr.. Derwent's charge,
unless you are certain that it is his doing.
Have you no cause to think that Mis-.
Lindsly might have reason Of her own 70,
being unwilling to see your Just consider
little" And Malcolm regarded him with
some anxiety as he spoke, for he had not
entirely overcome mis- doubts.
Vernon Aubrey's eyes fell, and he mur.
INJURED, half unconsciously, "Has she, then,
ceased to love me? Can another have won
the place in her affections that I certainly
heldp"
Would she not consider herself bound
to try and forget you, if taught to see in
you the destroyer of my unfortunate cousin,
colin, emphatically.
The young man started.
"Has any one dared to whisper this tale
the causeless suspicion.
els it O. causeless one ?" asked Malcolm
with unconcealed eagearness. "Remembe,
that your own conduct at the inquiry has
given some grounds for it. Miss Lindsly is
not the only one who has been perplexed
by it."
Vernon Aubrey leaned his. head on his
hand, and did not reply.
After watching him for some time in
silence, Malcolm again addressed him."
"Aubrey, happen to know that it is the
conviction instilled into her mind of your
guilt, that has induced Violet Lindsly tc
listen to the addresses Of another, and re-
fuse to see you.'
"Others might believe this, but she, at al
events, who knows me so well, should have
done me more JUSTICE" said the young man
signing profoundly.
Malcolm drew his breath more freely, and
reminded him that it was not too late tx
undeceived her. 'Mr. Derwent can scarcely
refuse me permission to see his ward. In
deed, was about to write to her, and en-.
close some letters of her fathers, which
found the other day in my desk. I vii
deliver these in person, if you can authorize
me to assure her that you are an innocent
man. Enable me to do this, and I viii
plead your cause so persistently that thinl
can pledge myself to win il"
"You are afriend, indeed, Malcolm. For
give me if have seemed of late to keel
away from you," cried Aubrey, warml,
pressing his hand.