The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-07-13

taking a lesson in the management OF
her own estate, she was present when
he held levee of the heads of depart
ments, when with short, sharp words
of decision and command, he disposed
daily of landscape gardener, farm
bailiff, forester, huntsman, game
keeper, land agent, and head groom.
| The severe toll over, she made him give
her lessons in sketching from nature,
or drew him into discussion of the pros
poets of the government, or listened
while he read, in his deep but pleasant
voice, the last volume of "Daniel
Deronda," or extracts from the g Fors, "
All this, it seemed, could have inev-
itably but one end-an end Lady Var
lett was mischlevously seeking to COM
pass, but Herbert Just as strenuously,
and with much self-possession, to stave
off. He never for one moment forgot
himself The man was like a stock or
stone, absolutely unimpressionable;
no more affected by this constant asso-
citation with beautiful and attractive
woman than if she had been a toothless
EsquimauX bag, or an aged redskin
squaw. Something very like disap-
pointment and bitter discomfort took
possession of Lady Yarlett as the time
of her departure drew near, and still he
made no sign. Had she failed-ut-
terly?
Mr.. Lloyd, your penance will soon
be at an end. | 90 the day after TO-
morrow" Lady Yarlett gave her voice
subtle infection of sadness, which
might have affected less wary man.
"Yes?" he asked, with civil but
purely formal concern. M
Are you sorry?"
He did not answer for a time; then,
looking up suddenly and straight into
her eyes, said, plump:
"On the contrary, am glad"
"Mr. Lloyd, l never knew you to be
rude BEFORE
81 am glad, because your presence
here has long endangered my peace of
mind. Because
cat last, at lastr' she said to her
self, her eyes dancing with delight, as
she drew herself up proudly, like the
conqueror receiving the abject submits
sion of long-rebellious slave.
Because for some time past | have
been passing through great and pain
full ordeal, and | have scarcely known
how it would end. Lady Yarlett, all
these weeks which you say have passed
so pleasantly for you, have been for me
full Of temptation and trial-all these
weeks you have been trying to break
my heart. Is it not so? All these
weeks | have suffered much, Lady Var
lett; | have fought and struggled"
"With what success?n she asked,
nervously, and with an agitation she
strove in vain to conceal.
"Thank Heaven, the most complete
| am heart whole, still-independent
free as air; and, when the day comes, l
will bid you God speed without one sin
gle spasm of pain or regret"
There was long pause.
"You have taught me a lesson"
Lady Yarlett said at length, with down
cast eyes, and in quiet voice, although
her hands trembled violently, and
showed she was far from calm, I" a ter
rible lesson which doubtless | have de-
served. But my punishment is hard;
in the bitter humiliation of the present
moment | am reaping hard measure
for my sins. | think | will say good
bye to you at once" she went on. at
is better that we should not meet again
for the present. One other word be-
fore we part. Let me ask you, is this
life you lead here at Heyer-useful and
busy though it be-sufficient in its aim
for man of your promise and powerp
You might do much, Mr.. Lloyd you
might, and you ought. Your friends
expect it of yeu-they do indeed"
You speak very confidently of my
friends, lady Yarlett," Herbert said,
with queer smile. "Do you know
many of them?n
Cone | know intimately and well;
one who wishes you every success in
life, who beseeches you to 90 out into
the great world and win there a great
name"
THAT is indeed a true friend. May
| know who it is?n
You must guess" she said, in
very low voice, as she blushed deeply,
and tears trickled down her face.
The next moment he had caught her
in his arms, and was kissing her with
passionate eagerness-h her hair, her
eyes, her mouth.
"How dare you, Mr.. Lloyd, how
dare you?"
=" 1t is entirely your own fault, Lady
Yarlett; you have brought it upon
yourself. These weeks you have made
desperate love to me; now l am max
ing love in return"
Young man." said the Countess,
softly, g am old enough to be your
mother"
"In guile, only; not in years. But
have entrapped you in spite of your
self, and with your own weapons, too"
Thus Colin won the Countess; and
when Mr.. Montjoy recovered, he found
that he had lost his factotum, who had
been engaged permanently by Lady
Yarlett instead.
n.