Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-06

session! I was safe. 1 knew I was safe.
/ was as convinced of my safety as I am
even now-when it's beyond question. Was
1 frightened? Ask Nina; ask Duplay
Then you came. You know what l did.
For your sake, because you were what you
are, because 1 had begun to love you-yes,
that's the truth Of It'll gave it all to you
Not this place only, but all had. Even
my name-even my right to bear any
name Nobody and nameless 1 went out
of this house for you"
He paused little, took a place on the
grass and returned to her.
What ought you to have felt; what
ought you to have prayed. then?' he ask
ed. Surely, that it should come back to
me, that it should be mine again."
II did, she protested, and stirred to
self-defense. II was miserable You know
1 was. 1 couldn't stay here for the thought
of you. l came to London. / came to
you, Harry. 1 offered 1t to you
Its you who are deceiying yourself now.
Yes. you came and offered IT to me- Did
you want, did you pray, that it might be
mine again by no gift of yours but by
right? Did you pray that the thing should
happen which has happened now? That
you should be turned out and 1 should be
put In. Back in my own place, my proper
place. That 1 should be Tristram Of Blent
again? Did you pray for that?"
He paused but she said nothing. Her
face was troubled now, and her eyes could
not leave his.
You were ready to play Lady Bountiful
to me, to give 1t of your charity, to make
yourself feel very noble. That was 1t.
And now" His voice became more We
bement. And now, look into your heart.
look close! Look, look! What's In your
heart now2 You say I've cheated you. It's
true. Is that why you're angry? Is that
why you won't live with me? No, by
heaven, not that or anything of the kind!
VIII you have the truth?'
Again she made no answer. She waited
for his words
again, that I'm back in my place, that
I'm Tristram of Blent, that 1t belongs to
me? That l take it by my own incontest-
able right and not Of your hand, by your
bounty and your charity? Are you SO re-
joiced at that that you can forgive me any
thing, forgive the man you love anything?
Yes, you do love me-you're welcome to
that, If you think 1t makes it any better.
1t seems to me to make it worse. No, you
can't forgive me anything, you can't for
give the man you Lowell Why not? I'll tell
you why! Shall 1? Shall go on7"
She bowed her head and clasped her
hands together.
You hate my having come to my own
again. You hate its being mine by right
and not by your bounty. You hate being
Lady Tristram only because I've chosen
that you won't forgive me, and you say
you won't live with me- Yes, you're angry
because I've come to my own again. You
hate 1t. Look In your heart, / say, and
can
She made no answer still. He came a
step closer, and smote his fist on the palm
of his other hand as he ended:
You called me liar. / was a liar, But
by God, you're a curmudgeon, Cecily!"
For a moment longer she looked at him
as he stood there in his scornful anger
Then, with low moan, she hid her face in
her hands. The next minute he turned on
his heel. left her where she sat and strobe
off into the house.
Nina and Neeld-now at their sweets
heard his steps and exchanged excited
glances. He walked up to the head of the
table, to Cecilys chair. pumped down into
1t and called out to Mason: Something to
eat and some champagne"
Yes, SIR" said Mason In furry.
"Oh, by the by, you can say my lord
again. The lawyers Numbered and there s
been a mistake.
The astonished Mason began to express
fluctuations. Harry was petulantly short
with him.
"Oh. shut up that, my dear man, and give
me some champagne" He drank a glass
off and then observed, II hope you two
have had decent dinner2' He had the
manner OF host now.
IL hadn't much appetite" stammered
Neeid
Well, I'm hungry anyhow" and he fell
to on his beef, having waved SOUP and
fish aside impatiently. Tell them ali down
stairs what I've told you. Mason, but. for
heavens sake, don't let there be any fuss.
Oh. and suppose you'd better keep some
thing hot for Lady Tristram."
Mason's exit was FASTENED by the con-
sciousness of his commission. The moment
he was gone Nina broke out:
Where's Cecily?'
Il left her on the lawn" said Harry,