Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14
CHAPTER XXXVIII.

The two women were alone in the morn
Ing room of Lady Carey's house In Pont
street. Lucille walking restlessly up
and down. twisting her handkerchief be-
tween her fingers. Lady Carey was watch
ing her. more composed to all outward ap-
pearance. but with closely compressed lips,
and boding CLEAN in her eyes.
II think Lady Carey said. that you had
better see him."
Lucille turned almost herCely upon her.
And WHY"
We'll for one thing he will not UNDER
stand your refusal He may be suspicious.
What does 1t matter? / have finished
with him. l have done all that l pledged
myself to. What more can be expected Of
me? do not wish to see him again
Lady Carey laughed.
AT least" she said. II think that the
poor man has right to receive his congo
from you. You cannot break with him
without word of explanation. Perhaps
you may not find 1t so easy as It SEEMS
Lucille swept around.
What do you meanT
Lady Carey shrugged her shoulders.
You are in curious mood. my dear Luz
ellie. What l mean Is obvious enough.
Brott is strong man and determined
man. l do not think that he will enjoy be-
ing made fool Of
Lucille was Indifferent.
AT any rate" she said, Il shall not see
him. l have quite made up my mind about
that
And why not. countess?'' deep voice
asked from the threshold. What have I
done? May not at least know my fault?"
Lady Carey rose and moved toward the
door.
You shall have 1t out between your
selves" she declared. looking up. and nod
ding at Brott as she passed. Don't fightT'
"Muriel!'
The cry was imperative. but Lady Carey
had gone. Mr.. Brott closed the door be-
hind him and confronted Lucille. A bril-
liant spot of color fared in her pale cheeks.
But this Is a trap!'' she exclaimed. who
sent for you? Why did you Gomez
He looked at her in surprise.
"Luciller'
His eyes were full OF passionate remon-
STRANGE. She looked nervously from him
toward the door. He intercepted her
glance.
what have / done?' he asked fiercely.
what have l failed to do? Why do you
look though I had forced myself upon
you? Haven't the right? Don't you wish
to see me?'
In Brotts face and tone was all the pas
sionate strenuousness of a great crisis. Luz
ellie felt suddenly helpless before the direct
ness OF his gaze. his storm OF questions In
all their former intercourse 1t had been she
who by virtue of her sex and his blind love
for her had kept the upper hand. And now
the position was changed. All sorts of fee
Die explanations of appeals to him. occurred
to her dimly. only to be rejected by reason
of their ridiculous inadequacy. She was
Silent-abjectly silent.
He came little closer to her and the
strength OF the man was manifest in his In
tense self-restraint. His words were meas
ured. his tone quiet. Yet both somehow
gave. evidence Of the smoldering fires be-
meath.
Lucille" he said. II find you hard to I'M
derstand today. You have made me your
slave, you came once more into my life at
Its most critical moment, and for your sake
I have betrayed a great trust My con-
science. my faith. and. although that counts
for little. my political career. were In the
balance against my love for you. You
know which conquered. At your bidding 1
have made myself the jest Of every man
who buys the halfpenny paper and calls
himself a politician. My friends heap abuse
upon me, my enemies derision. / cannot
hold my position in this new cabinet /
had gone too far for compromise. / won
der II you quite understand what has hap
pened?'
oh. l have heard too much" she cried
Spare me the rest"
her. ~ 100 NV Ae"io
Men who have been my intimate asso
c,ates Ior many years. and whose friend
snip was dear to me, cross the Toad to
avoid meeting me. day by day I am he.