The Globe-republican., 1891-12-10
CHAPTER VI.
THE KNIGHT ERRANr APPEARS.

CHAPTER VI.
THE KNIGHT ERRANr APPEARs.
Alas for the perversity of human ma
ture! These obstacles set in the way OF
the youthful pairs interest in each
other had the effect of instantly in
creasing it tenfold.
Lady Ulva's proud spirit resented
holly the interference Of even so es-
teemed a parsonage as Kenmore, and
his parting threat had the power of in
vesting the handsome stranger with q
new and romantic interest She had
naturally thought of him much while he
lay in the great statebed in the guest
chamber, battling for the life that she
had saved from the waves, but now she
looked upon his image with very differ
ent eyes. Poor laundering Kenmore!
He had with his own hand unsealed the
fountain of the maiden's romance, and
mace Edgar the hero of it.
AS for Edgar, the secretary's inter-
ference had thoroughly reused his op-
position. The more he pondered over
the extraordinary statement he had
made concerning Viva, the more fiorcely
he doubted it. A deep distrust of Sir
combe's character and motives began to
haunt him; he felt it almost as a neces-
sity laid upon him to stay and watch the
man long enough to learn something of
his nature and aims. Evidently Lord
Inchcape trusted him fully, or he would
never have placed him in such position
in his household; but then. Lord Inch
cape never came to Dunraven, and
knew no more than was reported to him
probably by SircOmbe himself.
As near connection of the family,
Edgar reasoned that he had q right to
remain with them if he chose, or could,
and though he did not quite close his
eyes to the fact that love had a great
deal to do with his decision, he would
not allow this to daunt him.
He joined the ladies as he had been
invited, and found Mr.. Sircombe in
stalled beside Viva by distant window,
and Lady Dunraven seated apart by
little workable. But she was not
working; like some antique statue of
sorrow she leaned forward with both
arms outstretched across the table, and
listless hands dropping from the edge.
her face all pale and rapt, her bright
bright eyes fixed upon the heaving waste
of waters which stretched between her
and the world.
No mortal spending sickness could
have spread such a haggard shadow over
that beautiful countenance; there was
tho very abandon Of hopeless, agonizing
misery in her attitude Never before
had Edgar CHANGED to see her thus,
when, suoposing herself quite unob-
served, she had forgotten all around
her, and given herself up to her despair.
chod hn hn~
side before one of the three noticed his
heart-wrung and sore dis
mayed as he was, it was an ungoverna-
BILE impulse that made him grasp the
hand that hung so lifeless, and hold it
close between his two palms, while
he gazed at her with devotion in his
eyes.
She was not Shareholder thoughts
slowly came back to the present. and
looked at him with recognition-a
strange glance, that seemed to appeal to
him like murmur of pain; not asking
him for help, but needing 1t as the
drowning mute needs rescue.
Then, with faint quivering sign, she
re eased her hand and signed him to
place on a couch, luxuriOusly cushioned,
which had evidently been prepared for
him.
"Ah, you are not strong yet: be docile
and recline here beside me-" she said
with sweetest solicitude. And then she
raised her voice and ca led Ulva, who
turned round with little bright cry of
surprise, and came swiftly down the long
room, smiling welcome
She wore q dark-blue transparent
dress, lucid as the mountain mists. and
threaded here and there with gold; her
slender waist was also girded with gold,
and her blue-black hair, dressed for the
evening, was fastened by. comb of
pretty gold tilagree. His whole heart
went out to her as she came smiling to
him. Not only beauty had she,
but such modesty and truth, AMI gentle
that all that was noblest in
him bowed down before her.
This fair woman doomed to . loveless
solitude?
BY that nobility which he had ever
found in Inchcape-no!
Yonder dark-lined, lowering face be
lOnged to q traitor, that was easier to
believe.
.Now you shall soon be we'll, said
Viva, giving him her hand while her
lustrous eyes beamed pure frien dliness
upon him. THE worst is passed when
you can leave the SICK room; before the
week is out l prophesy that you will be
exploring all the wonders of this old
fortress with Mr. Sircombe, who is an
archsologist
Mr.. Sircombe, from his dis tant vantage
ground, bowed here as Edgar glanced at
him; and a queer smile, just the end of
one, fickered about his mouth.
"And are you also archaeological"
asked Edear covetously, as q vision of
that charming girl wandering by his side
through gloomy dungeons and half
choked corridors rose before his minds
eye.
She had seated herself close to Lady
Dunraven, and was spreading out the
meshes OF some exquisite bit of needle
work she had been busy over, on my
lady's knee. Edgar watched the fairy
nimb eness of her fingers, small and
pointed as Spaniard's, but ivory white,
with rosy nails; not ring married their
delicacy. not bracelet spoiled the per.
feet arch Of her wrists; her gauzy
bodice ,lunR about her warm pearly
shoulders like the aphanous yelling Of
. chisellcd water-nymph He watched
her with the feeding gaze of enraptured