The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-21
THE WOMAN. IN WHITE
BY WILLIAM w. COLLINS.
(Continued.)

w niic the QueStione anC answers Wet
going on we had all been strolling Quietl!
back through the plants tions. As soon Al
we reached the house, the first object tina
we saw in front OF II was Sir Percivari
dog-cart. with the horse put TO. and th'
groom waiting by IL In his stable acket
II these unexpected appearances were Il
be trusted, the examination OF TIT
housekeeper had produced important re
suits already
"A fine horse. my friend" said tn,
Count. addressing the groom with the
most engaging familiarity OF manner
you are going 10 drive out?'
II am not goins. SIR" replied the man
looking at his stable-Jacket. and evident
ly wondering whether the foreign gentle
man took II for his livery. MY Master
drives himself"
Aha said the Count. does ne In
deed? l wonder he gives himself the
trouble when he has got you to drive for
him. Is he going TO fatigue that nice,
shining. pretty horse by taking him very
far todsy?"
Il don't know. sir" answered the man.
THE horse Is mare. II you please, sir.
She's the highest-couraged thing we've
got In the stables. Her names Brown
Molly, sir; and she'll go TIL she drops. Sir
Percival usually takes Isaac OF York for
the short distances"
And your shining, courageous Brown
Molly for the long?"
Yes sir"
Logical inference. Miss Halcombe." I"
continued the Count. wheeling round
briskly, and addressing me; Sir Percival
Is going long distance today.
l made no reply had my own infer
ences To draw. from what / knew
through the housekeeper and from what
saw before me: and 7 did not choose to
share them with Count rosco.
When Sir Percival was in Cumberland
U thought to MYSELF. he walked away
long distance. on Anne's account, to ques-
tion the family at Todd's Corner Now he
II In Hampshire. is he going to drive
away long distance. on Annes account
again, TO question Mrs Catherick at
Welminghsm?
We all entered the house. As we crossed
the hall. Sir Percival came out from the
library to meet us. He looked hurried and
pale and anxious-but. for all that, he
was In his most polite mood when he
spoke TO us.
u am sorry TO say. I am obliged 10
leave you" he began-"a long drive--a
matter that ! can't very we'll put of
shall be back in good time tomorrow. but.
before 60 should like that little bust
ness tormality. which | spoke OF this
morning. TO be settled. Laura, will you
come into the library? II won't take q
minute--a mere formality. Countess. may
i trouble you also? I want you and the
Countess. Fosco, 70 be witnesses to a sig
nature-nothing more. Come in at once.
and get Ii over
had passed In, followed them, and shut II
softly
remained, for moment afterward.
standing alone in the hall. with my heart
beating fast. and my mind misgiving me
sadly Then I went on to the staircase,
and ascended slowly to my own room
June lith--Just as my hand was on the
door OF my room, heard Sir Percivars
voice calling to me from below
II must beg you TO come downstairs
again. he said. 1T Is Fosco's fault. Mss
Halcombe. not mine He has started some
nonsensica objection TO his wife being
one OF the witnesses and has obliged me
to ask you TO join us I'm the library"
l entered the room Immediately with
Sir Percival. Laura was waiting by the
writing ia BILE. twisting and turning her
garden-hat uneasily In her hands. Nine |
Fosco sat near her. In an armchair. i'm |
perturbably admiring her husband who !
stood by himself at the other end OF the
library. picking or the dead leaves from |
the flowers I'm the window
The moment ! appeared the Count ad- !
vanced TO meet me, and to offer his ex-
plantations
"A thousand pardons. Miss Halcombe,"
he said You know the character which |
Is given TO my countrymen BY the Eng /
lish? We Italians are all willy and sus-
picious by nature. In the estimation OF |
the good John Bull. Set me down. IL you
please. as being no better than the rest |
OF my race. am a willy Italian. and a
suspicious italian. You have thought so
yourself. dear lady. have you not? Well!
IL Is part OF my willingness and part OF
my suspicion 10 object TO Madame Fosco
being witness 10 Lady Giydes sigma
ture. when / am also a witness myself"
There Is not the shadow OF a reason
FOR his objection" interposed Sir Percivai.
u have explained to him that the law OF
England allows Madame Fosco 10 witness
signature as well as her husband"
L admit It," resumed the count The
aw OF England says yes-but the con-
science OF Fosco says no." He spread
out his fat fingers on the bosom OF his
blouse, and bowed solemnly. as II he
wished to Introduce his conscience to us
III. In the character OF an illustrious ad-
Hilton TO the society. What this docr-
nent which Lady Clyde Is about TO sign
nay be. he continued. II neither know
nor desire TO know. only saw this.
circumstances may happen In the future
which may oblige Percival. or his renre-