The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-01-23
AtOUIDK4& 81 X
Author of "Under Two Flags" 1.-TWO Lit
tie Wooden Shoes" 'Chandos,"
"Don Gesualdo," Etc.
Nov hr.t published. All rights rsssrved.I
CHAPTER XII.

acqualntances, men " no were as asslduOuS as ne
in devotion to her constantly surrounded her,
and she never received him at her own apart
ments when she had not her friends about her.
She desired TO give, and she succeeded in Civ
ing him, the sense that it were easier to uproOt
the rocks and hills around than TO recover any
one of the privileges which he had Of his act
and will forfeited. His assiduity in attendance
on her gave rise to many comments amongst
the lingering idlers Of the autumnal season,
which he would have resented bad he dreamed
of them. But he did not even spare thought
20 the observation OF which he the
subject and his whole mind was centered in
the endeavor to break through the barrier OF
friendly, but never intimate, association with
her-a barrier much more difficult to break
through than any arrangement or codness
would have created. Those would have AT
forded permission for remonstrance or en-
treaty; the serene courtesy with which she IN
variably received him relegated him without
appeal to the position of mere acquaintance.
1t was well-nigh impossible TO approach
woman whom he had fOrsaken for being suf-
heiently forgiving and kind to condone such
an ohense, and yet ne would have been less dis
cOuraged by the most marked resentment than
he was by this placid courtesy lt was not like
her disposition as he remembered it; it was not
10 accordance with anything of her character
as he had known it.
Rumor attributed to her the intention of al
lying herself anew with Russian of exalted
rank, who had followed her TO AK, and who
made no secret to the world of his homage;
and Guilderoy suffered all the tortures OF that
impotent jealousy which he had once so care
lessly inflicted on her, and had pitied so little
IN her.
In the perplexity and perturbation of his
various emotions his thoughts seldom went to
Iadysrood; when they did so they we're min
gled with as much of displeasuTse as OF self-re-
pToach. The waywardRess OF his pride made
him consider that his wife owed apology TO him
and must be the first to approach him. Mean.
while he was glad OF that cessation of cores
pondence, which to her seemed tragic and
90 terrible, but to him appeared but OF slight
moment His whole intelligence and voliton
were for the moment absorbed in the effort to
compel some revelation OF her real thoughts
from the Duchess Soria. he was well used 20
meet on terms of polite indifference women in
whose book of life he had written the tender
est pages; TO greet with pleasant cnrdiality
those who had parted from him in anguish
and tears, or in fury and reproaeh. But her
indifference became to him hourly inereas-
"Why will you always avoid meg" he said to
her at last IN desperation. finding his Opportu-
nifty after many days.
swered. az received you constantly IN London
and I would have come TO your house Of
Iadysrood had not your party been broken
up by death. You are unreasonabis, my
friend"
''For Gods sake do not banisa me to that
nameP'
"Are you not my friend? Surely ycu arc not
my enemy? Though perhaps should be justi.
ned IL | were yours"
Guilderoy grew white with anger.
''Do not let us fence in this useless fashion.
You must know, YOU must have seen that
feel to you now wholly as OF old. Nay, feel
more-ten thousand times more!"
What sheer capriceW
'Not anyway Caprice. 1t is the entire truth
You, who are so fully aware of your power
over men, should be the last 70 be astoniShed
at IL"
Il am astonished at no human inconsistencies
but | confess that said BY you to me, these
thinoS seem rather like insult than homage"
"Why2"
How can You ask me Why? You broke of
your relations with me with scarcely more con-
soeration than ii you had been a rdDin fatelier
and | a sewing girl; and because regrets sassail
you DOW, for the results OF your own action,
you expect me TO be touched by your express
sion of themp
II did not know my own heart"
Nay, think you knew 1t well enough; you
only obeyed all its most frivolous and faithleSs
instincts Or. rather. the heart said but very
little: il was the passions which were in ques-
tion."
''You are wholly unjust"
She gave gesture Of impatience.
Men always consider US unjust to them
when we fail TO DEFY their weaknesses"
lou are unjust when you doubt that my
feeling for you was. and is, the strongest of my
life"
"The strongest of your life, in which nothing
is strong. perhaps" she said with restrained
seorn. why make to me these vain and use
less protestatons? You took your own way.
1t is not my fault it it has led you into paths
not pleasant to YOU"
II you would only believe in my sincerity
and my remOrseW
'Why should believe in either? You do
not seem to me to know what sincerity or any
other deep emotion means. You make love to
me and you marry another woman. You tire
OF that other woman and you imagine that you
only love me. IL is impossible for any woman
70 attach much importance TO your sentiments.
or TO believe that they can be OF any steadfast-
ness or duration"
He was silent embarrassed by the conscious
ness Of the truth contained in her accusation,
and impressed by his impotency to convince
her that nevertheless she did him Injustice
1ou have had the only great love of my
life" he said. with emotion. "In a moment Of
ingrattude and blindness | was false to you.
/ imagined that / could live without you
have repented my mistake ever since. have
been punished more than you can know or
would believe"
She interrupted him with impatienee.
Pray do not put any blame on your wife; !
admire ner exceedingly. You place her IN
most painful and difficult positions. and for so
young woman, she conducts herself in them
with great tact and composure. She is essen.
tally high-bred, and believe that she de-
serves a better fate than 70 90 unloved through
life; possibly she will not go unlovedw
'-For Heavens sake. do not speak Of herp
"Why should l not? She has behaved ad.
nirably 70 me; and, as far az can judge, ad-
mirably to you also. pity her very sincerely.
You are incapable of making any woman
happy, because you are incapable of being
true N any"
81 am true 10 youi | have always been true
to You. except in one mad, ungrateful moment
whirh ! have repented every year Of my life
ever sincep
.he smiled coldly.
The truth has had many variations. Do
ybu suppose have been ignorant of ali your
d.stmctonsi Your wife may have, perhaps
but not l."
He colored as she spoke.
They have been mere caprices, mere follies
none have ever touched my heart. That
swear before heaven"
How truly q mans excusei A man always
considers it apology enough for inconsistency
II he can declare that his infdelity has been 4
mere soulless drunkenness of the senses, for
which he ought TO blushi Other women may
see excuse in such plea; do not"
i thought you more lenient-more omni
seient"
you thought ne more credulous. You for
get hat you taught me lesson which the mos