The Winslow mail., 1923-05-11
CHAPTER XXVl-Continued.


Lady Erythea stared at her nephew
biankly. A curious expression came
into her eyes. At last she seemed to
detect in Alexander the one thing she
bad believed was lacking-the touch of
the original Adam. But Lord Scroope's
face hardened.
your he said grimly. "You also
anew the truth? The action of the
others, l can understand. But-a
Churchman cannot lend himself to such
@ conspiracy as this"
"Under correction, Lord ScroOpe,"
said de Jussac gently; "a gentleman
cannot betray a woman's confidence
without her consent"
Lord Scroope WINGED perceptibly. He
turned to de Jussac and bowed.
"Am l receiving instruction from
Eayman?" he inquired.
eft is the last thing l would dare"
replied Bertrand humbly. ut is 1 who
seek instruction. Does not the Church
respect the seal of the confessional"
81 make no claim, and no excuses J"
said Alexander suddenly. Il have only
this to say. loved GeOrgina Berners
from the day 1 saw her. When l
learned the real position l loved her
more Her loyalty and devotion only
Increased my esteem. She is the only
woman living that l care for; require
you to remember that she is my prom
fsed wife. And nobody in this ROOM"
said Alexander molly, "shall address
one word Of reproach to herw
"Weil done!" cried Aimee. "Alexan-
der, you're a man. I'm proud Of you,
cousin !"
"Thank you, Aimee" said Alexander.
at is for me-" said Lord Scrnope
sternIy, 80 apportion the blame. Geor-
gina Berners Is here under"
He was interrupted by the volcanic
arrival of Billy through the window,
painting and eager, the tuft of hair on
top of his head erect like the crest of
q cockatoO.
ave been looking for you every
where!" he cried you"
go out ~ said Lady Erythea fierce
~.
Pardon me-" said Billy, advancing,
"hHt | guess my place is here. What
ever blame is, take it. Lord Scroope,
! know that what I've done is past
apology, but"
"Shnf up, Billy" exclaimed Aimee.
"I've told them everything-Tve said
all there is to say. And" she added,
under her breath, "for once think I've
made a better hand Of it than you
could"
Before anyone could reply, Georgina
rose. ,sobbing and made dive for the
door.
LET me go!' she said brOkenly. 81
want to go away. l want to go"
Billy, CHANGING quickly from her to
Aimee and Lord Scroope, turned and
fitted out again through the window.
No Que noticed him. All eyes were on
Georgtna.
Alexander intervened-but it was
Lady Erythea who, with an extraordi-
uarily determined movement, overlook
Georgina. Passing supporting arm
round the girls waist, she turned and
faced the stupetied company
"'Let me remind you ALL" said Lady
Erythea, in a voice that compelled
silence, "of one thing that is in danger
OF being overlooked. l am mistress
here at JervaulX! l have listened with
an uneXampled patience. Hold your
tongue. Anthony! l have welcomed the
alliance of Georgina with this family,
and Alexander will have such wife
as | myself would have chosen for him.
GeOrgina, your only fault is your Ce-
votion TO the mad creature there, and
for that | give you abSOlutiOn. 1 re-
quire direction from no One-your mar
riage with my nephew shall take place
as soon as possible"
'Aunt! /" exclaimed Mr.. Lambe, joy
ously, q"
do not interrupt me, Alexander T.
said his aunt She turned to Aimee
GAS for you," continued Lady Fry
thea, icily, Il really find myself in your
debt. can never be sufficiently thank
Eul that you did not come here as my
guest, and that Alexander was spared
your authorized companionship One
shoulders u reflect on the possibilities.
"You appear to have enlisted the
services or everyone but me to shield
your disreputable escapade, and to
have enrolled many supplemented per-
sons in your defense. You may have
deluded these men," said Lady Fry
thea, with scornful wave of her hand
towards the company, but you do not
delude mel | find in you no qualities
but Sel1iSnness and deceit-and | am
glad thai your sojourn in my house has
been confined to the servants hall,
though dread to think what your in.
duence MAY have been on my domes
tics, frorn whom l require honesty and
decercy."
Aimee, very white, suddenly broke
into a flood of tears. The next moment
Lord ScroOpe had his arm around her
and held her to him.