The Press., 1888-03-22
CHAPTER U.

CHAPTER IT.
 Every day and all day long there is nothing but rehearsing. In every corner two or more may be seen studying to- gether the parts they have to play. Florence Delmaine alone refuses to re- hearse her part except in full company, though MT. Dynecourt has made many attempts to induce her to favor him with a private reading of those scenes in which he and she must act together. He had even appealed to Dora Talbot is only too willing to do, as she is secretly desirous of flinging the girl as much in his way as possible. Indeed anything that would keep Florence out of Sir Adrian's sight would be welcome to her; so that she listens kindly to Ar thur Dynecourt when he sOlicits her assistance.
 "She evidently shuns me-" he says in an aggrieved tone to het one evening, sinking into the seat beside hers. "Ex- cept devotion to her that is singular ly sincere, know of nothing about me that can be regarded by her as an of- fense. Yet it appears to me that she dislikes me-"
 There am sure you are wrong," de- clares the widow, tapping his arm lightly with fan. %She is but a girl she hardly knows her own mind"
 "She seems to know it pretty well when Adrian addresses her." he says, with sullen glance.
 At this Mrs. Talbot can not repress a start; she grows little pale, and then tries to hide her confusion by a smile. But the smile is forced, and Arthur Dynecourt, watching her, reads her heart as easily as if it were an open book.
 II don't suppose Adrian cares for her." he goes on quietly. At least"- here he drops his eyes" I believe, with little judicious management, his thoughts might have been easily divert ed into another channel"
 You think SOP" asks Mrs. Talbot faintly, trifling with her fan. "I can not say have noticed that his atten- tions to her have been in any way par ticular."
 Not as yet" agrees Dynecourt, study ing her attentively; "and if I might be open with you," he adds, breaking off abruptly and assuming an air of anx- iety-"'we might perhaps mutually help each other"
 Help each otherp"
 Dear Mrs. Talbot" says Dynecourt softly, "has it never occurred to you how safe a thing it would be for my cousin Sir Adrian to marry sensible woman-a woman who understands young and beautiful certainly, but yet conversant with the conrenances of so- ciety? Such woman would rescue Ad- rian from the shoals and quicksandS that surround him i'll the form of mer- cenary friends and scheming mothers. Such woman might surely be found. Nay, think I myself could put my hand upon her, if dared, at this mo- ment."
 Mrs. Talbot trembles slightly, and blushes good deal, but says nothing
 "He is my nearest of kin" goes on Dynecourt, in the same low impassive voice. Naturally I am interested in him, and my interest on this point is surely without motive; as, were he never to marry, were he to leave no heir, were he to die some sudden death here remarkable change overspreads his features-"I should inherit all the land you see around you, and the title besides"
 Mrs. Talbot is still silent. She mere ly bows her head in assent.
 "Then, you see, mean kindly to- ward him when I suggest that he should marry some oneSealculated to sustain his rank in the world" contin- ued Dynecourt. As I have said be- fore, I know one who would fill the po- sition charmingly, if she would deign to do so."
 And who2" falters Dora Talbot ner- vously.
 May I say to whom alludeP" he murmurs. Mrs. Talbot, pardon me if I have been impertinent in thinking of you as that woman"
 A little flickering smile adorns Dora's lips for moment, then, suddenly re- membering that smilesSdo not become her, she relapses into her former calm,
 ~You flatter me-" she says s%eetly.
 q never flatter," he responds, with telling emphasis. But, can see you are not angry, and so am embOldened to say plainly, would gladly see you my cousins wife. Is the idea not alto gether abhorrent to you2"
 "No. Oh, mol"
 "It is perhaps-pardon me if go too far-even agreeable to youT
 "Mr. DynecOurt," says Mrs. Talbot, suddenly glancing at him and laying her jeweled fingers on his arm, "I will confess to you that I am tired of being alone-dependent on myself, as it were thrown on my own judgment for the answering of every question that arises. I would gladly acknowledge a superior head. would have some one
 
 advice; in short, l would have hus- band. And"-here she lays her fan against her lips and glances archly at him-"I confess too that like Sir Ad- rian aS-well-as we'll as any man know"
 He is very fortunate man"-grave- ly. I would he knew his happiness.
 Mot for worlds" says Mrs. Talbot with well-feigned alarm. You could not even hint to him such a thing as as" She stops, confused.
 q shall hint nothing-do nothing, except what you wish. Ah, Mrs. Tal- premely happyl envy youl With your Vaccinations and"- insinuatingly ia word in season from me, I see no reason why you should not claim as your own the man whom you-well, let us say, like; while I-"'
 "If can befriend you in any way, 1" interrupts Dora quickly, command me-"
 She is indeed quite dazzled by the picture he has painted before her eyes. Can it be-is it-possible, that Sir Ad- rian may some day be hersp Apart from his wealth, she regards him with has been rendered at times absolutely miserable by the thought that he had fallen victim to the charms of Flor ence. ....
 Now if, by means of this man, hel rival can be kept out of Adrian's way all may yet be well, and her host may be brought to her feet before her visit comes to an end. s.... ...
 Of Arthur Dynecourt's infatuation for Florence she is fully aware, and ii right in deeming that part of his admi- ration for the beautiful girl has grown out of his knowledge of her money