The National tribune., 1881-12-10
TOMS WIFE,.
CHAPTER III.

Although l had succeeded in checking the
utterance of the on Toms lips, yet he speed
lily fulfilled it, as if it had been duly recorded
against him. He sought out Jessica in her
French home His eager love proved trium-
phant; and he wrote to me that in a few weeks
time they would be united at the British Consul
late His sanguine temperament made him, not
withstanding several rebuffs, still hopeful of
obtaining employment. He had an annual in
come of about hundred pounds of his own,
which he had inherited from his mother. Be-
yond that he was possessed of nothing save his
own untried talents.
AS far as could judge his father still seemed
to maintain his feeling of resentment against
him, for he refused to allow me ever to mention
his name in his presence. Toms letter to me
from Paris with the news of his approaching
marriage first caused the silence to be broken.
His last hope was gone, and he would indeed dis
inherit his disobedent son. The Hall and Park
were entailed; but what would they be without
money to maintain them? The rest of his ex-
he determined to leave to Chrstabel Favre, for
merly Christabel' Martin. "And, Woollaston,"
he added, as listened to him in silence. "let the
Will STATE UnaU L nave QlSlnn6rlte0 ii
disobedience and disrespect to his fat ar m taa5
hereafter the words may rankle vhEu hin.
and their remembrance be as gall aaa srCrlu-
wood"
Poor miserable old man! And so you mouiu
sting from beyond the grave, carrying your ven-
geance into another world where, if our past be
remembered, how small must seem the good of
even the best among u.s.
We were standing talking not far from the
dower-house. "You do not know her, think"
said the Squire as at the conclusion of his speech
my eyes wandered in the direction of Madame
Favre's abode. 81 am going to call on her. Come
with me, and will introduce you to her" Link
ing his arm within mine he led me to the house.
Madame Favre, fortunately was at home; and
the neat little maid-one of our village lasses
for Madame had only brought her own personal
attendant with her-opened the door, and at once
ushered us into the drawing-roOm. The furni-
ture was very prim and old-fashioned; but the
delicate arrangement of the room, with its pretty
pink-lned curtains, and bowls and vases filled
with winter flowers, robbed it of its Stiffness and
lent it feminine grace, which must have owed
its origin to it's mistress's refined and cultured
taste. Presently the door opened, and tall,
elegant woman entered, with graceful, gliding
movement. Her black dress was plain and sim
ple almost to severity, and fitted closely to the
supple outlines of her well-formed figure I
should have estimated her age as about thirty,
although, from her appearance, she might well
have passed for much younger woman. The
face was undoubtedly captivating, though it pos
sessed features in some respects too strongly con-
trasting, and the light of her dark hazel ewes
seemed to me slightly furtive and restless Her
soft golden hair was uncovered by anything to
denote widowhood, and the beautifully modelled
white hands displayed no ornaments save we'd
ding-ring and an unpretending keeper She re-
ceived us with a sweet graciousness; and soon
found myself rapidly succumbng to her fascinat-
ing power and half regretting the Rosebank
Cottage episode, which had deprived Tom of the
chance of winning so fair prize.
"You will not forget me- if you should hear of
anything that would be likely to suit me-" she
said as to leave, after she had confided to
me the requirements of the residence for which
she was searching Il have no one to advise me
now-I am quite alone" she murmured with
pretty little sigh, as she half absently bent her
gaze on a small ivory miniature that was stand
ing in a costly frame, on the mantel-piece
"Not quite alone, Madame Favre," interposed
the Squire gallantly. II am always at your ser
vice-and so is Mr.. Woollaston." There was
humorous twinkle in his shrewd old eyes as he
glanced at me; and my foolish, shrivelled, old
cheeks actually flushed at the covert raillery, as
my old-world politeness made me bow my head
and murmur: L am ever your obedient servant,
Madame"
john" cried the Squire turning SO as to face
me, as we reached the Park gates, and addressing
me by my Christian name, as in the days when
we were lads together, "are you going to take
unto yourself a wife in your old age?"
why not?" returned jokingly.