Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-03-19
CHAPTER XIX
A Stolen Marriage.

! Lady Esler had been deeply dis
pleased with Constance on account of
fer behavior TO Count de Marsac and,
although she had not thought ii we'll
to show much anger, she firmly and
steadily reduced the girls liberty to
minimum, and, by her ceaseless
watchfulness, made it almost impos-
sible for her to have communication
with those whom she, Lady Esler, did
not approve.
This mode Of treatment was partic-
ularly annoying to Constance, as she
had her own schemes to carry out.
Rene was still lettering at the little
village inn to which he had conveyed
himself and his effects when he was
requested by Col. Vanbrugh to leave
! Aldersleigh, for Col. Vanbrugh had
been desperately offended by De Mar
sac's clandestine lovemaking; but he
had told Constance in a note, surrep-
titiously conveyed to her by the gar
deners boy, that he would soon be
obliged to go to London, and that she
must contriVe some way OF meeting
him before he went if she wished to
see him again.
Constance was clever in her own way
and she had little regard for truth. 1t
was easy for her one afternoon, just
when she and Lady Ester were going
out together, to feign violent attack
of neuralgia, such as she had had
\ once or twice in her lie before, and
to declare that she must remain at
home. Lady Esler saw that she lay
down in her dressing-room, dosed her
with quinine and told her TO remain
quiet until she came home again; and
/ then drove off alone. But as soon as
the sound of the carriage wheels had
| died away Constance was up and dress
ing herself in a plain, dark gown of
soft material. TO which she added a
waterproof cloak and a hat and veil;
| thus habited, she was sufficiently dis
4 guised to make it necessary for per-
/ son to look at her twice before he
\ could he certain of her identity. Her
rooms were close to the back stairs
which led to a side door, from which
she trusted to chance that she should
not be seen issuing; but if she were
seen she had story ready. She knew
that ii was not likely that her doings
would be remarked even if the maids
saw her in the garden they would
never think of mentioning the fact to
Lady Esler, of whom they stood much
in awe She reached the shrubbery
in safety, and there, as she had con-
jectured, she found Rene de Marsac,
who had suggested the shrubbery as
a likely place for their next meeting.
Il thought you would come" he said
in a tone of quiet satisfaction. as he
took her hands in his and gazed down
into her beautiful eyes
II had great deal of difficulty"
said Constance who never liked her
efforts to go unappreciated. "You
don't know what | have gone through
for your sake"
"And have | gone through nothing?"
he asked, in a low but impassioned
voice rs il nothing that for you |
lost my dearest friend, imperilled my
livelihood. ruined my reputation in
I'll lis place? All, you do not know
what pain it has given me to be re-
nounced by Roger Vanbrugh, my old
comrade and friend"
Roger Vanbrughr' said Constance,
in somewhat constrained voice DO
you mean that you care for Roger Van
brugh more than you care for me?"
ma belle-my beautiful one-no,
indeed You are compensation enough
for any loss. If only ! knew you were
my very own, that you could not
change, could not leave me-could not
give me up
II am yours, Rene"
mo, no you are not mine. You
would have been mine now but Tor that
mink of girl, but she has ruined our
happiness"
HAS she?" said Constance, softly.
This was the point to which De
Marsac had been longing to bring her.
Now he seized his opportunity
well, has she? Are you willing to
be mine still? Are you not afraid?'
"Why should | be afraid? love
YOU and you love me, Rene"
Eyes, but, darling, ! have to leave
YOU and / am afraid that you will
change. No man can come near you
without admiring you and you will
listen to the prayers and gatherings
of Others, forgetting that no one can
love YOU so madly. 50 passionately, as
your poor devoted slave, who some
times fears that his love for you Will
madden him-will drive him to the
grave Of a suicide.
1t was strangely bombastic, foolish
speech. but to Constance 1t gave un-
alleged delight She had read of love
like this OF which he spoke and had
4 romantic girls belief in Woman's
power Of exciting passion and she felt
herself exalted to the seventh heaven
of delight by the consciousness Of pos
sassing this power. Mixed with her
vanity. TOO. there was a spark 81 real
love for Rene az Marsac, spark which
circumstances we're destined 70 fan in
to a dayouring flame.