San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-25
PASSIVE CRIME.
BY THE DUCHESS.
CHAPTER IX.

Next morning, suing III nCE own room,
discussing the post and her chocolate, Mrs.
Neville grows suddenly serious over a letter
Just opened, and which not only diSturbs,
but very greatly pPrpleXeS her.
Ii is from Mr.. PcnruddOck, demanding an
interview, and begging her to name an hour
in which he may speak to her upon subject
of much Importance, both 10 nm ana her:
There is no mention of Maud i'll the letter;
vet it so Enthusiastically means business in
every line that Mimi feels uneasy, and, ring
ing the bell. summons Esther TO her aid-the
woman having proved herself of sound Judg.
ment upon several occasions when Mrs: Ne
vile had found herself in want OF good adj
vice. and knew not where else TO look for It.
For two long hours she and Esther remain
CloSeted together, at the end of which time
Mrs. Neville. opening the door, comes out
into the corridor with an air of open triumph
and gladnCsS in her whole demeanOr that
heavy eyes that DetTay the TACT or ner having
been crying bitterly. In her hand she bears
q letter, which is addressed TO George Pen
IuddOck.
Esiher going on to Mauds roOm after
some persuasion induces her to send note
to Dick desiring him to come to South Aud
ley Street at particular hOar-that is toSay
at nine ocOck that evening.
The lamps are carefully lowered the cur
tains drawn. There is sufficient light to dis
cern objects, but hardly enough to read the
features of Maud Neville, who, reclining in
a low chair at the upper end of the room, sits
idly gazing into vacancy, whilst swinging
slowly to and fro huge black fan.
Upon a table underneath Mrs. Penrud-
docks picture two lamps are burning dimly.
Mrs. Neville is lOunging in solemn arm
chair and is to all appearances enjoying life
in its greatest intensity, which, To speak more
plainly, means that she Is slowly but surely
falling INTO tho arms of Morpheus.
The sound of a bell rings through the
house: there is pause. and then the door
OpenS slowly, and Mr. PenruddOCk comes in
With the heavy. determined step of one who
has a righteous cause 10 be adjusted, and
with his COunteHanCC stern and white.
Ii is at all times fOTbidding COuntenanCe,
no one has ever thought otherwise, though
strangely handsome, but tonight it is very
nearly rrpuISlye.
lie advances to where Mrs. Neville (whO
was sudd, MY reused from slumber to full
sense Of tie ,iuatiQn) is sitting, but pauses
on his way, and shoulders, perceptibly, as
looking up by chance, he sees that he is be-
fore the portrait of his dead siSteT-n-law.
Mrs. PtnruddOck'S large pathetic blue eyes
are gazing down upon him, as so often they
gaZed in life, sweet and earnest, and just
now, as il seems TO his distorted fancy, some
thing more than all this.
Is ii that he has grown supcrStitOuS with
reprOachful look, that thrills his whole being?
l. the beautiful face eager and expcctant,
as though she wOuld demand at his hands
the little one left TO him in trust?
Recovering himself by great effort, he
goes up to Mrs. Neville, and says something
formal to her about his gratitude for the i'll
teITiew thus granted.
lie is perhaps going on to explain why the
meeting was solicited, when the abrupt en-
OIL OH 10 IA m
ing.
A quick shade of anger crosses the young
mans brow as he sees his father.
lnstmctycy his glance turns TO where
Maud is sitting. so far apart from the rest;
but she is so envelOped by the shadows fall
ing from the lowered lamps, that he can not
distinguish her features with any clearneSS.
lie would have gone over to her at once,
but Mrs. Neville, by a sharp gesture of COM
mand stays him, and brings him to her own
side.
stay, Dick" she says, quietly. Your
place is HERE as EC'r'
So he stays by her, as in duty bound,
though sOrcly troubled at heart.
After all mat nave urged, You have
come he says, COldly, turning TO his father
Yes; to say that which | told you yester-
day intended to say.' TctOrts PenruddOck,
stubbOnly. Then, addressing Mrs. Neville,
he adds, in a labOred tone, 1T would make
alone, without the presence Ot-AlisS Ne
Yillew
There is a covert nselencc i'm the hesita
tiOn that he shows before prOROuncing
Maud's name that makes Mrs. Neville angry
and indignant.
IF what you have come here to say refers
to Miss Neville, it is both her wish and mine
that she should be a listener to it," she says
slowly Therefore, do not hesitate, but
commence at once. and let us hear, il you
please, that which you have come hther to
That is as yDit desire, of course" Penrdd-
dock returns, calmly; and, indeed, ii is but
little of your time | shall require. | would
merely remark that | shall never, under any
circumstances, give my consent to an alliance
between my son and your adopted daugh-
ter"
At this, Maud VINO until now has sat s-
lent and almost mOtiOnleSS, starts into life.
She rises 10 her feet, and, though still
keeping well in the shadow, turns 10 confront
PenTuddOCk.
Reserve your dSapprObatiOn. sir" she
says, in voice low but distinct; there is no
occasion for it, still less for your consent to
my marriage with your son. As he will
himself inform you, have already told him,
and very distinctly, that such union Is ut
terly impossible"
Dick makes a movement as though he
would go to her, but PenTuddOck detains
him.
you hear what she says?'' he exciaims,
eagerly. she has refused you. Let II rest
there. 1t is all at an end. Surely you would
not press the matter? Have you no self
esteem? Have you no prldeY'
"In this case none" says the young man,
sadly at IL my lanniupSS my life for