Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-06-14
CHAPTER Ill.

Mrs. Saville is standing in her own
room dressed for dinner. Her dress
is ruby velvet, very long. and small
lace cap rests on her white hair On
the hearthrug stands Barbara. in a
simple white frock, primrose sash
round her slim waist. There Is an
expression of resolution on her pretty
face, but the eyes are wistful and APP
pealing.
Mrs. Saville is putting on her brace
lets. Even in her old age she is a vain
woman, and casts sundry glances at
a face that owes much to art.
b. hara turns round suddenly, her
cart beating wildly beneath the
white, lace-trimmed bodice Of her
gown.
Aunt Julia, want to tell you
something"
The agitation in the young voice
does not escape Mrs. Saville. She
crosses the room suddenly, and lays
two jeweled hands on Barbara's shoul-
ders.
MY dear. are you going to be my
daughter? Is that what you are going
to tell me, Barbara
Barbara turns rather white, but
the beautiful blue eyes are brave
enough as she looks up at her aunt.
mo, Aunt Julia. l told Sebastian
today-this afternoon at Barrystown
that | could not marry him, because
| am engaged to George Bouverle."
1t is out at lastS the wonderful
secret, and the girlish face is covered
with confusion.
Engaged to George Bouverie?" Mrs.
Saville echoes the words wildly. II
am surprised, Barbara! Since when,
may ask?"
About month ago." Barbara re-
plies. George wanted to speak to
you, but l wished him to wait till |
heard from father. He ought to know
first" with pleading look.
Mrs. Saville is very angry. A leaden
look comes over her face and her pale
full eyes scintillate with passion: yet
she only gives short, unpleasant
laugh.
my dear child, do you think your
father will sanction such an engage
ment for moment? have no power
over you, Barbara-engage yourself as
much as you please; but | do not for
one moment think your father will
allow you to marry young man who
possesses nothing but debts. AS for
Mr.. Bouverie, he may be very disin-
terested: but it is far more probable
he imagines you have money. But
may as well tell you at once you will
have no fortune if you marry contrary
to your fathers wishes"
I'VE could not help caring for each
other" falters Barbara.
MY dear, with that | have nothing
to do. l am sorry for Sebastian. He
has loved you for years, and it has
been the dream of his life to make
you his wife, but of course all that
is at an end. Come, Barbara, feel
sure dinner is ready, and Sebastian
will not like to be kept waiting
laying her hand on Barbara's arm.
And together they pass through count
less long, draughty corridors, Mrs
Saville sweeping along in her velvet
gown, inwardly furious at Barbara
having dared to become engaged with
out her knowledge; for Barbaras for
tune had been destined to build up the
Court and restore the Saville family to
prosperity.
Barbara, feeling as If she were in
deep disgrace, walks beside the mas
sive figure OF her aunt, to confront Sc.
bastian with lowering brow and furi-
Gus eyes. He and his mother exchange
glances as they take their places and
tonight Barbara is strictly left out in
| the cold as far as conversation goes
She does not care-her thoughts are
full of happiness.
But in the evening Sebastian joins
her as, sitting at the piano, she plays
dreamy music while Mrs. Saville slum-
| bers peacefully.
Sabastian's fingers closed on Bar
bara's wrist with a clasp that is pain
full.
do you think I shall ever give you
up to him." he asks, fixing her with
| his strange, powerful gaze. I'VE Sa-
villes know how to keep our own"
Il am a Saville, tool 'retorts Bar
bara, shaking off his hand, "and you
have no right to speak to ne like that,
Sebastian"
Have l not?" he whispers. 81 have
the right of every man to try and win
the woman he loves. and will make
you love me yet, Barbara"
"Never' the girl exclaims, passion
ately. And | think you are cruel
and cowardly."
Cruel and cowardly? You shall
unsay those wordsi" he breathes out
fiercely, his face close to her scarlet
cheek. Barbara, your beauty mad
dens me! l have looked upon you as
mine for so long, and your father
wishes you to marry me. He wrote to
me himself"
She lifts her dark head with pride
And am to have no voice in the
matter? Sebastian. you need not say
any more; have made my choice"
and so have l." he says, with a
ring of suppressed passion in his voice
as he rises to his feet. Don't think
for one moment, Barbara, that I will
give you up"-moving away across the
room.
The days that follow are unhappy
enough. Barbara finds her engage.
ment ignored, and she herself under.
goes sort of domestic boycotting.
George arrives at the Court one aft.
ernoon and holds a short interview
with Mrs. Saville. That lady gives
him to understand pretty plainly that
without the consent of Barbara's faith.
er. the name even OF engagement is