The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-03-29
CHAPTER ri.


Lady Lydia was woman thoroughly dis
gusted with so-called society men, the ma
jority Of whom she considered either insipid.
or heartless: while she looked upon all as
more or less selfish.
Being girl of quick perceptions. she gen.
orally managed TO form Il tolerably correct
opinion of u mans character during the first
few interviews with hlm.
She was woman Of strong physique,
strong will and strong intellect An only
child and the owner Of enormous property,
she was the target for the flattcry and sell
fishaims of an hundred designing advent
urers. Many Of her admirers were sincere
III their devotion. however, for her dispo-
sition and mental endowments were not one
whit inferior to her physical and pecuniary
attractions. But she never yet had seen
any one who had inspired her with any thing
Hike deep interest: and she was too sim
ccre. and possessed far too much individ-
ual,ty Of character, to desire IL match for
mere honor or convenience's sake. If she
ever thought Of marriage AT all-and it was u
subject that rarely troubled her--hcr future
husband was clearly defined in her magma
ton as a man whom she could love. respect
and. perhaps. fear.
She, too. had been struck with the sad
ness and fine expression Of Fairfaxs
cOuntenance on that cvcntfui night at the
Warehouses.
When the man was under the influence of
any unusual or thrilling excitement. as he
was during that evening, his entire manner
was strikingly courteous. refined and digni-
fed. He never appeared TO better adj
vantage than when suffering pain, mental or
physical.
mystery. she desired TO learn his history
She was convinced that there nas some
| mystery connected with it. Why had he
been SO disturbed at Satalie's appearance.
| Then. again, he had actually all but cut
her-not Intentionally. she supposed: thus
making his action the more annoying, be-
cause Of his Observation-Disclosures.
AT any rate. whatever the cause. her
thoughts were continually revcrting to
Fairfax. aud she found herself making the
| resolve TO see more Of him. and also te
| fathom his relations with the Princess.
But fate, in the shape Of Fairfax's willy
note. had forbidden her proposed conf
| dental little chat with Natalie upon this
eventful afternoon.
Only yesterday Lydia had written q
| pleasant little note to her 'tiy-away'
friend. Richard inviting him to "A dinner tn.
following evening, and begging him t,
bring his friend, Mr.. Fairfax. if he liked
for whom she also inclosed note.
Cursing his fate and using some similar
associative expressions with regard to tht
headstrong and obstinate Fairfax. whose
incxplicable conduct was thus wittingl,
casting away so magnificent an opportunity
Oxford sat down, grinding his teeth ane
with tears of anger in his eyes. wrote a pc
lite reply to Lydia, regretting that Fairfa,
had left for Havre the evening previous
with the intention Of sailing THIS nefy das
for America''- Az that he himself was
obliged Ito depart in a few hours for Paris
whence he would soon leave either for En-
gland or for Switzerland
This turn of affairs. while it ANNOYED
Lydia only served to make her more deter
mined, and. during her ride to Dol. she
came to the conclusion that, If she would
gain any Roadway in learning the history o,
this young American, she must make hel
gay young countryman the objective poin,
| Of her attack,
! ~ Dol, o. course, che found 10 Aunl