Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-12-28
THE BLACK PEARL.
An Exciting story OF Modern Life.
Continued from last weekly
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
"lIon cher" responded the Count,
sweetly, CONFESS that you scholars abhor
the triyialities of social life because you
are not compelled to endure them like we
hapless politicians. No; it is under
stood that I will bore you no more IN that
way. It is not the feast Of the gourmet,
but the repast of the intellect, that come
to offer YOU. Tomorrow night your SUBJ
lime Shakespeare takes possession OF the
boards, and have bespoken box for
the purpose solely OF asking you to share
it. 1t will be churlish for you to re-
fuse 7!
Cecil hesitated struggle was going
on in his mind.
81 have not been inside a theatre for
eight months" he said, presently. -,
"The greater reason why you should
go now. You do not write after eight
o'clock at night?"
mot usually"
"Then to make an exception tomorrow
night will be IN affront to me and my
wife. At n quarter to eight the carriage
will stop Mt the corner of Essex street.
ask you, rs friend, to be there. What
do you say ?"
Chesterton, since that eventful after.
noon in the Venetian-drawing room, had
declined every invitation to Whitehall
Gardens and though he had seen Silves.
trelli and the Countess several times, II
was not that he wished it.
He knew that the image of the far and
unhappy Countess was already too deeply
impressed upon him for his pence OF
mind, and he had n proud and honorable
mans dread of an cScidndrC with mar
ried woman.
Still. to withdraw entirely from theil
society would be to arouse suspicion OIL
cause offence and he reflected that in Q
crowded theatre, with the Count always
present, there could be nothing danger
GUS in meeting between himself and
Lucia.
So he said "Yes."
At little past seven the following
night, Countess Silvestrelli emerged from
her dressing and came slowly dowr
the broad staircase, flanked by Greel
statues and rare exotics glowing in mar
BILE vases, which filled the artificially
heated air with their fragrance.
She looked like the living rival of the
mute, immortal Aphrodite, over whose
marbled beauty her glance swept as she
passed by.
She was attirei in white from head tC
foot.
A dress of dead white velvet, borderet
with white fox round the skirt and shoul
ders, left her exquisitely- formed neck ant
arms bare, except for ropes OF large
pearls, which were twisted three timei
round her throat and twice round he
arms.
Her husband stood ut the fool of thu
stairs, watching her descent, with n smil'
of cynical admiration on his face.
All that exuberant loneliness was his
nationally his-and the knowledge tina
she was Indifferent to hor charms on tina
account made his Joy of possession al
the keener.
He had dictated what dress and orna
ments she was to wear, and he saw will
satisfaction how well Rosette had carried
out his orders.
"My white queen - he whispered, il
his honeyed way, when she reached tn
last step.
With whitening glance, she replied
"Say, rather, slave y
The Count smiled, aud shrugged hi
shoulders.
"The feminine imagination is a singu
larry distorting medium. You shout
read less, and take more exercise, love,
he said blandly.
The Countess stood proudly siler
whilst her husband placed upon he
shoulders the white ermine-lincd opera
cloak that he had been holding.
He was one of those men who thin
that beauty should be beautifully adorr
ed besides. his wifc's lovelino.s ha1
distinct market value for him, which l.
. took care she should not deprecatc b
any unconcern about dress.
In the domain of politics women ma
be actively or passively useful nj
Count Silvestrelli knowing that his wi
would never deign to be his parrish
made use of her us his puppet
4 Her enthusiasm for the cause OF libe
, ty, her transparent truthfulness, and h
Y unattaiuable but ever tempting beaut
: drew to his house, and into his net, riva
and opponents who could be shared III
. other way-men Ms INSCRIPTIONS rs hi
s self, though younger, who were al wa
: hoping to win the Incompatible lce-flow
It woman that had never yet been won.
II Tho carriage was waiting, and aft
\putting on her wrap, the Count DIRE
IS Lucia's hand through his arm, and
g her down the hall.
The entrance was guarded by douh
DOORS and they were just passing the
ner ones, when Il servant, alluded to
fore, entered hurriedly with note, viii
he handed to his master.
m C;ly,.trnll; lr,,pa1 lia lnIy's u1I
II aud turned back to the nearest gas-bui
Il er to read it.
"ISacramenta ~ he exclaimed, sudd'
~ stamping his foot. This is sour
u tuck OF Polichinellc
:, He looked toward the Countess as
3 spoke, but her face was avertcd aud
= responsive.
y Curse her apathy he muttered,
\ he approached her. Lucia lie sa
:, aloud, "a most unlucky affair has hi
pened. The Duke wants me at once.
. has just received private despatch II
v, the King. You must go to the thea
' 'r without me. Iregrct it deeply, but tn
!, is no help"
ii A slight tinge of color suddenly oy
spread Countess Silvestrelli's checks,
a new anxiety betrayed itself in her vol
as she replied, Il will remain at home
in should prefer it to going alone.
&c The Count looked at her steadily. {
with half formal sneer on his lips.
"Here is a new concession of love
e. virtue" he thought, contemptuous
-, His mind WIS 20 constructed that
~ would have admired her more il she
been capable of devising and carrying
al -; s.Nn,t M a RI
compliment, my angel !" he answer
OF softly "but ] cannot allow you to lo'
pleasure on my account. And thor
-. still some one else to consider. We m
vs. not disappoint Mr.. Chesterton !"
" "Thcrc is no OCCASION" she continr
IN with the same yelled eagerness of tor
GIT "tho carriage can call for him. as ARA
lin ed, and the coachman can deliver y
ian message
his Scarcely courteous proceeding,