The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-04-25
CHAPTER xXVl-Continued.

detect in Alexander the one thing she
had believed was laeking-the touch OF
the original Adam. But Lord Scroope's
face hardened.
YOU" he said grimly. you also
knew the truth? The action of the
others, l can understand. But-a
Churchman cannot lend himself to such
a 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 a
layman?" he inquired.
ut is the last thing l would dare"
replied Bertrand humbly. ut is l who
seek instruction. Does not the Church
respect the seal of the confessional?"
81 make no claim, and no excuses !"
said Alexander suddenly. Il have only
this to say. | loved Georgina Berners
from the day l saw her. When ]
learned the real position l loved her
more. Her loyalty and devotion only
increased my esteem. She Is the only
woman living that | care for; | require
you to remember that she Is my prom
Ised wife. And nobody in this ROOM"
said Alexander holly, shall address
n word of reproach to her!"
well done!' cried Aimee. "Alexan-
der, you're a man. I'm proud of you,
cousin ="
Thank you, Aimee" said Alexander.
1T is for me-" said Lord Scroope
sternly, ito 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.
1--WE been looking for you every
where.' he cried. "You-"
Go out - said Lady Erythea fierce
ly.
Pardon me-" said Billy, advancing,
@'but | guess my place is here. What
ever blame is, l take it. Lord Scroope,
l know that what I've done is past
apology, but
"Shu, up, Billy" exclaimed Aimee.
all there is to say. And" she added,
under her breath, flor once l think I've
made a better hand of it than you
could"
Before anyone could reply, Georgina
rose, sobbing, and made a dive for the
door.
Let me gor she said brokenly. 81
want to go away. l want to go"
Billy, glancing quickly from her to
Aimee and Lord Scroope, turned and
fitted out again through the window.
No one noticed him. All eyes were on
Georglna.
Alexander intervened-but 1t was
Lady Erythea who, with an extraordi-
narily determined movement, overlook
Georgina. Passing a supporting arm
round the girls waist, she turned and
faced the stupefied 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 Jeryaulx! l have listened with
an uneXampled patience. Hold your
tongue, Anthony / have welcomed the
alliance of Georgina with this family,
and Alexander will have such a wife
as | myself would have chosen for him.
Georgina, your only fault is your Re.
votion to the mad creature there, and
for that I give you dissolution. 1 re-
quire direction from no one-your mar
riage with my nephew shall take place
as 500 as possible"
AUNT" exclaimed Mr.. Lambe, joy
ously, 4"
DO not interrupt me, Alexander y
said his aunt. She turned to Aimee.
las for you," continued Lady Fry
thea, Jelly, 81 really find myself in your
debt. l can never be sufficiently thank
full that you did not come here as my
guest, and that Alexander was spared
your authorized companionshipi One
shudders to reflect on the possibilities.
You appear to have enlisted the
services of 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 Il scornful wave of her hand
towards the company, but you do not
delude me! l find in you no qualities
but selfishness and deceit-and l am
glad that your %sojOurn in my house has
been confined to the servants hall,
though l dread to think what your in.
duence may have been on my domes.
ties, from whom | require honesty and
decency."
Aimee, very white, suddenly broke
into Il flood of tears. The mex moment
Lord Scroope had his arm around her
and held her to him.
Not another word, Erythea !" he
said sternly. you have had provoca-
tion-but you have said enough and
much more than enough. Gentlemen, 1
thank you for what you have done on
my daughters behalf. And you. too,
Georgina. Come, Aimee, little girl. Let
US go home"
He led her away Aimee chung to her
father, sobbing as she went. Before
they reached the door it was opened
quickly, admitting Billy, who closed it
again. Over his arm was a long hood
ed driving cloak Of Lady E~rythea's.
ravished from the lobby.
"Put this on :" he said TO Aimee.
la. ~ IL