Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-06
CHAPTER XVI.
Lorelie at Ravenhau.

Lord Walden was reading newspaper
one afternoon in the qufetude OF his own
room at Ravenhall when the step OF some
person entering the chamber unannounced
caused him to look up and he found Lore
lie standing before him.
"Hul-lo!" he muttered, throwing down the
newspaper, and startled beyond measure at
seeing his wife so near his fathers pres
ence. What brings you here?'
ITO claim my rights" she answered quiet
ly why should the wife occupy a modest
villa while the husband lives in castled
state?'
She took off her toque and mantle, threw
them upon the table, and, with the air OF
one who had come to stay, sat down in an
armchair opposite him.
For some moments War frowned darkly
at his fair young wife, and was obviously
dsmayed by her determination.
When the earl. few weeks previously.
had urged upon him the necessity for mar
rying Beatrice, Ivar had lacked the courage
to confess that he had wife already, know
ing that the statement would be certain to
evoke his fathers anger, and War stood
in considerable awe of his father.
Accordingly, he had made a pretense of
submission and had gone so far as to de-
Jude the earl with the fiction that he was
paying successful court to Beatrice. This
contemplate subterfuge was not one that
could be long continued in any
circumstances; but Lorelie's sudden
resolve for recognition threatened to bring
matters to a climax that very day.
You have come here to create a vulgar
scene before all the servants, see,' scowl-
ed Ivar.
II have come here to redeem my name,'
she answered Indignantly. do you know
that at the flower show yesterday ladies
turned aside to avoid me, and that l caught
the half-whispered words, Lord Walden's
mistress?' Do you wish me to return to
The Cedars to live there under such
T will keen silent longer. To-
day all Ormsby shall know that L am Wis.,
countess Walden"
Vainly did War try to temporize, to per-
suade, to cajole, to threaten. Lore1e con-
tinued infiexible.
Take me to your father" she said. My
maiden name will compel him to acknowl-
edge me-"
charm him?' asked Ivar, in surprise.
Nothing, but much In the name OF
Rochefort," she answered, rising to her
feet. Twill you go with me, or shall 1 go
alone to inform him that l have married a
craven who lacks the spirit and courage to
tell the truth?'
Ivar saw the necessity of yielding. Look
ing with a very i'll grace at his wife he
touched a hand-bell on the table.
Where Is the earl?'' he asked of the
footman, who appeared in answer to the
summons.
His lordship is taking the air on the
western terrace was the reply.
The viscount rose and moved off in the
direction of the said terrace accompanied
by his wife, while the footman stared Gu
riously after them.
Lorelie had come to RavenhaH for the
purpose of verifying, If possible, the
strange suspicion she had of late begun to
entertain that the present Earl of Ormsby
was none other than Eric Marville. II this
surmise were correct, it behooved her TO
make known to him the truth concerning
the murder of Duchesne. But of what
avail was it to clear the character of Eric
MarviIle from the guilt OF the long-past
crime If her other suspicion should prove
true that he was the slayer of her father?
She was precluded from denouncfng him
for this latter deed by reason of her posi-
ton as his daughter-in-law, and by the
thought that Capt. Rochefort, IN faillns py
the hand of the man whom he had wrong
ed had met with justly merited doom.
Ii the earl were really Eric Marville, II
followed that Idris, as his elder son. was
being unjustly deprived OF his rights by
the younger haf-brother 1var.
Ignorant of the causes that bad contrib
uted to render Idris an object of aversion
to the earl, Lorelie, nevertheless, deter
mined to compel the earl 10 ackno OWE ss
DONE And in coming to this resolve Lore
lie tried to persuade herself that she was
actuated simply by the desire for justice,
whereas her heart more truly told her that
secret love for Idris was her controlling
motive.
On reaching the western terrace they
found the earl standing at one END OF II
with his back toward them. He had Just
come from the library after long spell OF
study, and was now refreshing his tired
eyes by a contemplation OF the lawns ana
the woods that surrounded MS casteiiateo
mansion.
On hearing footsteps he turned, and his
cold gray eyes lighted upon Lore1fe-not,
however, for the first time since her pew
in St Oswalds Church faced MS own, Out
beyond the fact that she was called MADE
pi1y{ar knew nothing WndC-
ever respecting her, and, 1T may De aooeo'
had no desire to know more.
He supposed that WAR had been showing
her over his historic mansion. portions or
which were open to the public on certain
days. But this western terrace was pr.
vate ground, reserved for the FANNY. w hat
did Ivar mean by bringing this young laoy
to him. who had no desire for an introduce
ton? with something like a frown upon
his face he awaited their approach.
Could this cold and dignihed peer OF the
realm. thought Loreile. pc ,ne man VINO VINO
a feIor,'s cell in Brittany? Was this really
the father of Idris? 1t seemed too strange
to be true. Was his the face that Beatrice
into the Vikings tomb? A chilling sensa-
ton seized her as Ivar escorted her toward
the presence Of the man whom she Deileved
to be her fathers murderer.
Lord Ormsby was the first to speak.
.Mademoiselle Riviere believe" he said.
bowling stiff1y.
Not so, my lord"
mo" queried the earl.
Nor she replied. with smile that an
noyed him AS If it mattered to him who
she was!
Hum. some mistake. What name, then,
may ask"
"Vfscountess Walden. my lord" she re-
Piled with an air as stately as his own.
For a few moments the earfs surprise
was too great for words. He sank upon
stone seat, and stared from one to the
other.
You hear what this woman says he re-
marked in a harsh voice, turning to his son.
els 1t true?''
I'VE are married-yes." returned Ivar,
sullenly.
You have given me to understand" con-
tinued the earl. that you were paying your
addresses to Beatrice
Father listen to me-" muttered War.
II was already married at the time you
pressed Beatrice's name upon me, and see
ing how earnestly you were set upon the
match II lacked the courage toto state
the truth.
Lorele heard her husbands words with
secret contempt. The craven was almost
apologizing for marrying her! With an ef-
fort she controlled her feelings. and re-
manned silent.
Casting contemptuous glance at his son
the earl turned, and with coldly critical
eye surveyed his new daughter-fn-Iaw
Yes, she was undeniably beautiful. with an