, 1884-02-12

pScomlnBf cnuolsn pouet, nnd Whtcneu
wearily every day for a visit from my
promised husband; bat / saw no moro Of
him until our wedding morning. BY this
time some very rich clothing had arrived for
and also a ond maid, and / think,
even then, my appearance was fair enough
to have somewhat conciliated Richard
Talbot. But he scarcely looked at me. The
ceremony was scrupulously and coldly per
formed, my father, aunt and g~oyerness being
present on my side, and on Richards his
father and his three maiden sisters
81 never saw my father alive again, he
died the following week, and the mockery Of
our wedding festivities at Talbot castle was
suspended at once in deference to my grief.
Then he camel to London, and my lord selected
for his own use the left wing of the house,
and politely placed at my disposal all the re-
manning apartments. l considered this an
that l was not expected to intrude
upon his quarters, and Iscrupulously avoided
every approach to them. know from the
first that attempts to win him would be use
less, and indeed / felt too sorrowful and
humiliated 70 try. During the few weeks that
we remained under the same roof we seldom
met, and / am afraid l did not make these
rare interviews at all pleasant. Ifelt wronged
and miserable, and my wan face and heavy
eyes were only a reproach to him."
Ohb "hh u hlOhoOSi nAaO
mo quite that, Selma, There were many
excuses for him.. One day / saw a paragraph
in The Times saying that Lord Richard Tai
bot intended to accompany a scientific eI-
ploring party whoSs destination was central
Asia / instantly sent and asked my husband
for an interview. / had intended dressing
mysoif with care for the meeting, and max
ing one last effort to win the kindly regard,
at least, of one whom 1 could not help low
ing. But some unfortunate fatality always
attended our meeting, and never could do
myself justice in his presence. he answered
my request at once. 1 suppose he did so out
OF respect and kindness; but the consequence
was, he found me in an unbecoming disha-
billie, and with my face and eyes red and
swollen with weeping.
~ felt mortified at a prompt attention 30
malnpropos, and my manner instead Of being
winning and conciliating, was cold, UMPIRE
possessing. Ibid not rise from the sofa on
which l had been sobbing, and he made no
attempt to sit down beside ne or to comfort
me.
81 pointed to the paragraph n asked II
1t was true.
eyes, Lady Talbot he said, a little sadly
and proudly; 4 shall relieve you of my pres
ence in a few days intended Writweu to
call on you to-day with a draft OF the pro
visions 1 have made for your comfort
~ could make no answer. 1 had thought
OF a good many things to say, but now In the
presence l was almost fretful and dumb. He
looked at me almost with pity, and said in a
low voice, Kate, we nave both been sacrf-
feed to a necessity involving many besides
ourselves. l am trying to make what repara-
ton is possible. l shall leave you unrestricted
use Of thres-fourths OF my income. desire
you TO make your life as gay and pleasant as
you possibly can. l have no fear for the
honor OF our name in your hands, and l
trust that and all else to you without a doubt
II you would try and learn to make some ex-
cuse for my position, l shall be grateful.
Perhaps when you are not in constant fear OF
meeting me, this lesson may not be so hard"
"And l could not say a word in reply. L
just lay sobbing like a child among the cush-
ions. Then he lifted my hand and kissed it,
and l knew he was gone"
"And now, Kate. that you have become
the most brilliant woman in England, what
do you intend to DOR
"Who knowsi 1 have such a contrary
streak In my nature. l always do the thing
/ do not want to do.n
Certainly it seemed like it, for, in spits of
hsr confession, when Lord Talbot sent the
next morning to request an interview, Kate
regretted that she had a prior engagement,
but hoped to meet Lo.d Talbot at the duchess
of Cliford's that night.
Ny lord bit his lips angrily, but neverthe-
less he he'd been so struck with his wife's brill
liant beauty that he determined to keep the
engagement.
She did not meet him with sobs this time.
The centre OF an admiring throng, she spoke
to him with an ease and nonchalance that
would have indicated to a stranger the most
usual and commonplace Of acquaintanceships.
He tried TO draw her into a confidential mood,
but she said, smilingiy, my lord, the world
supposes US to have already congratulated
each other; we need not undeceive it,"
He was ~dreadfully piqued and the pique
kept the cause Of it continually in his mind
Indeed, unless no left London, he could hardly
avoid constant meetings which were constant
a~ggravalions. Ny lady went everywhere.
Her beauty, her wealth, her splendid toilets,
her fine manners, were the universal theme.
He had to endure e~Itravagant comments on
them. Friends told him that Lady Talbot
had never been 10 brilliant and so bewitch-
ing as since his return. He was congratu-
lated on his influence over her.
In the meantime she kept strictly at the
distance he himself had arranged four years
ago. 1t was evident that il he approached
any nearer his beautiful but long-neglected
Wll6t ho III I'LL hb4AscL W ~ bOs why
should he noti In Lord Talbot's mind the
reasons against it had dwindled down to one.
1t was his valet. This man had known all
his masters matrimonial troubles, and in his
own way sympathized with them. He was
bitterly averso TO Lord Talbot's making any
concessions to my lady. One night, now
ever, he received a profound shock.
"Simmons,n said Lord Talbot, very de-
cidedly, Ego and ask Lady Talbot IL she will
do me the honor to receive a visit from mer'
Ny lady would be delighted. She was in
an exquisite costume, and condescended to
exhibit for his pleasure all her most bewilder-
ing moods. 1t was with great reluctance he
left her after n two hours visit. The next
night he stayed still longer. My lady had no
other engagement, and he quite forgot the
one he had made to be present at the mar
quis Of Stairs wine party.
The following week my lady received every
morning a basket Of wonderful flowers, and
a little note with them containing a hope
that she was in good health.
One morning she was compelled to say
that she was not very well, and Lord Talbot
was so concerned that he sent Simmons to
ask II he might be permitted to eat breakfast
with her. My lady was graciously willing,
and Lord Richard was quite excited by the
permission. He changed his morning gown
and cravat several times, quito regardless of
Simmons peculiar face, and, with many
misgivings as to his appearance, sat down
opposite the lovely little lady in pale blue
satin and cashmere and white lace.
It was a charming breakfast, and during It
the infatuated husband could not help saying
a great many sweet and hattering things
Kate parried them very prettily. at is well, n
she said, that no one hears us. II we were
not married they would think we were max
ing love"
"And il we arc married, Kate, why not
mako lovo now, deari We had no opportun-
ity before we were married.