The Newtown bee., 1879-10-15
driven him out of his mind, and that he


have inquired, and Mr.. StapyIton il
asleep. In his weak state he must no
be disturbed. He is better, however
and the new delusion l told you of ir
my last letter quite passed away. If yor
will cal again.
eyes, thanks. Don't let me detair
you"
The doctor turned fussily to the door
You see I should not be absent foI
an instant tonight; but pray do not
wait here. Come with me; you viii
see nothing painful, and Mr.. Hunter il
SO kind, he always stays to the end"
The doctor, recovering his temper
talked on as they walked toward the
ball room.
Nothing painful, I assure you; bu
if any of them speak to you, be sure to
humor them.''
AS they entered the room, Major
Stapylton, rather Mortified, shrank back
behind curtain, as Violet looked to-
ward them:
"Do you see that girl? She is one OF
our worst cases."
In white?" Major Stapylton asked,
in doubt as to which was meant.
The doctor was suddenly called away
and as Major Stapylton was still looking
at Violet, wondering if it was she, her
apparent forwardness in addressing an
unknown stranger confirmed the idea of
her madness, while the slightest doubt
on the subject was removed when she
spoke to him as the Emperor of China,
he never having heard of his brothers
imperial delusion.
They sat together for few moments
in silence, till Violet, finding it unbear-
able, growing more and more nervous,
and trying to suit her conversation to
him, said:
Is it long since you were in Chinap"
81 never was there in my lifa," was
the startling answer, while Violet felt
frightened as he added confusedly, at
least, meant don't know" And he
thought in his turn. Poor girl, / for
got l was the Chinese Emperor. How
on earth can keep the character?"
Violet hurriedly went on.
"Of course. l understand. l sup
pose you knew DR.. Smith before, and
are paying him visit?"
Major Stapylton shuddered.
"What! She thinks I am a fellow
patient, then! However, poor Charles
is, so she can talk sensibly;" and he
hastily changed the conversation by ask
ing her if she had read one of the books
of the day.
Violet knew it well, and to her sur
prise and delight found her emperor
capable of Il rational conversation. She
had seldom enjoyed one so much. She
was very young, and had not yet got
over her shyness with strangers, but
why need she be shy with poor luna
tic? So with the object of pleasing him,
she talked without hesitation Of her fa-
vorite pursuits and books, and answered
personal questions without taking any
offense.
Major Stapylton, on his side, delighted
with the fresh young girl, touched by
her openness, and profoundly sorry for
her awful misfortune, tried from mingled
kindness and curiosity to encourage her
almost unconscious revelations of char
acter.
"Have you been here long?" he at
last ventured to ask.
about an hour, I Think she an
swered, not understanding.
In the ballroom; but / mean how
long have you been at Dunstone?"
'Oh, what shall do! he thinks am
mad, toor' she thought; but her look of
terror warned Major Stapylton he was
on dangerous ground.
81 beg your PARDON" he said. 81 had
no right to ask. Tell me more of your
visit to Italy" And plunging into mu-
tual Roman recollections they were again
delighted with the rational way in which
each conversed. g,a >...
One of the gentlemen of the Egerton
party now came and asked Violet to
dance, explaining that he could not find
her before, and adding in a low voice:
"Will you come, or do you prefer
staying hereP" .......-.
81 would rather stay here, thanks;
but please ask Mrs. Egerton if she
Certainly; but I should think in
this case it was all right;" and lie went
off to report Miss Brook was perfectly
happy, talking to very good-looking
lunatic.
Mrs. Egerton, not knowing what was
the usual etiquette at lunatic asylums,
left her undisturbed, and she and Major
Stapylton had another hour of delight
full talk; till Mr.. Hunter came to look
for him, when she seized the opportu-
nifty to escape. Mrs. Egerton leaving
soon afterward, she saw her new friend
no more.
Frank secured a seat in the carriage
opposite to her, and began to reproach
her for the way in which she spent her
evening.
"I am sorry if it was wrong" she
simply; :" but the poor man
seemed to enjoy talking to me, and |
thought it would be cruel to go away.
Do you know. he is your friend, the
Mr.. Stapylton you told me of, Emperor
of China
s.Is hep / asked one of the attend
ants, and he told me he was not there.
How stupid! / should like to have
spoken to him, poor fellow. / did not
recognize him; but see it is the same
face, but older and altered in expires
sion. He used TO be very clever and
"He is delightful" Violet said. Then,
of such strong praise, added,
"Of course / only say SO because he is
mad. Do you know, he thought | was
mad, also?"
Full of admiration for his evident
abilities, charmed with his manner, and
plying his misfortune, Violet for the