The Morning herald., 1878-05-29
CHAPTER XII.
STARTLING INTELLIGENCE

When Geohrey entered the breakfast
room on the following morning. he found
Sibyl alone, standing by the blazing fire
reading the Times. She looked up as he ap-
preached her and threw the paper into an
armchair.
"What wonderful doctor you are!' she
said, smiling. "Cecil is quite himself to-
day-tAIl because Mr.. Geoffrey has come,
he says. He has got up to breakfast for the
first time for week" s
''I am almost sorry to hear it," he an
swered sadly, ''for have made up my mind
to go away again as soon as possible, and
should not like TO think he was fretting
after me-"
SibyIs face fell.
"Going away again?" she echoed "Why,
you have only just come! What will Sir
Henry say?"
81 cannot help it," he said gloomily.
'People may say and think what they like
as long as they do not know the truth. It
won't do, Sibyl. must take stronger
measures. I shall go abroad next week,
and not return till I can feel sure have
conquered myself"
He changed the word quickly-for he was
going to say '1ove"-as Eva Dayrell entered
the room. She glanced quickly from one to
the other Mrs. Elton was looking thought
fully into the fire, Geoffrey's face was cold
and quiet enough to disarm all suspicion.
'sHow cold it isl she exclaimed, shaking
hands with them and taking up the paper
that Sibyl had thrown down. "Mr. Chet-
wynd, you in the room with the Times and
not reading it! wonders will never cease !!
II have not been in the room more than
I, 0r1L
scarcely read when alone with lady. Is
there any newsy
II don't know what part you like best"
she answered, glancinstup at him with a
laugh. "Money article, foreign intelligence,
or crime and horrors, like the ladies? Here
is paragraph headed Shocking Occur
rence--I always read those A gentleman,
in fit of delirium tremens, jumped out OF
a third-story window in the Palace Hotel--a
good riddance, I should say--Mr. John
Lawrell, aged thirty-two."
"Good Heaven!" CALCULATED Geoffroy,
starting as if he had been shot. "l' he
killed."
Sibyl, without word or sound, took the
paper from the astonished Eva and glanced
through the paragraph then, with deathly
white face she hurriedly left the room.
"What does this mean? Yes, he was
killed, of COURSE" answered Eva shortly:
''Is he mutual friend? You and Mrs.
Elton seem to understand more than do
Geoffrey felt thankful that the entrance
of two or three of the party saved him from
answering. His brain was whirling, ana he
could not have spoken steadily. Until he
was alone, he dared not let himself think Of
all that the news meant for him,
"I am so sorry" said Lady Temple, en-
tering last, and greeting them all "Mrs.
Elton is not we'll, and has gone back to her
room. I am to send her cup of tea up
there. She looks as white as death" 4
'I'm afraid I was the unconscious cause
Of her Illness" remarked Eva Dayrell care
lessIy. II read out the death Of tipsy
man who threw himself out Of window.
and he appears to have been friend or rela-
tive of hers. Mr.. Chetwynd knows more
about it than do"
Lady Temple glanced quickly at Geofrey,
and, meeting his eyes, checked the question
that was rising to her lips.
81 shall hear about it presently from Mrs.
Elton herself" she said abruptly. "Henry,
where are you going to shoot to-day? Shall
we come and have luncheon with you? 1t
will be nice, as the day is so tire."
s.By all MEANS" answered her husband.
s"We are going to shoot in Cooper's Wood,
and we can lunch in the Temple of Boreas,
if it will not be too draughty for you
ladies'"
The conversation was turned, and Lady
Temple took care that it should not flag
again but it did not escape Eva's watchful
eyes that Geoffrey did not eat, and that he
talked with the air of man who hardly
knew what he was saying. She longed for
an opportunity of questioning him, under
standing her friend too well to dare to do so
in Lady Temples presence. But the Fates
were against her, for, as soon as Geoffrey
rose from the table, his hostess followed
him, and, drawing him into the library,
closed the door bahiad her.
"Tell me- Mr. Chetwynd," she said hur-
riedly--'is this her husband who has been
killed."
II think it is, Lady Temple. The name
and age are the same, and it was not an un-
likely thing to happen to him. Will you 60
to her? It must be terrible shock to her,
little as she cared for him and say, please,
that if can be of any service, shall be
only too happy"
Eyes must go to her now, poor thing
am so glad she was here and not alone at
home. will tell her whet you say
She went upstairs and Geofrey waited
about impatiently in hopes Of being um-
moned. If it was true-if Sibyl was really
q widow-there was no need for further pre-
tence; he might love her and show his love.
Eva Dayreil passed through the hall as he
paced up and down.
"Are you waiting for the other gentlemen,
Mr.. Chetwynd2" she asked. .You hardly