The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1896-11-21 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

WHAT WILL, I HAVE BEEN BLESSED." Once again the scene .was Count De Montrenil's lofty drawing-room ; the time, three nights:after that memoraole:dinner-party. It was a musical reunion, and fair women and brave men mustered strong, and fairest among them, as the moon among stars, moved the queenly daughter of the Parisian count. Alwyn Bertram sat listening to the music, that was all meaningless crash and uproar except when she sung. By his side sat Leonie, looking brilliantly, as usual, dressed to perfection, and lavishing upon the gloomy ingrate by her side all the sweetness of her bewitching glances and smiles. He arose, at last, almost rudely—she had bead him captive for over an hour—and, without one cord of excuse or apology, quitted her side. Mrs. Rutherford looked after him, with pale Moe and ominously flashing eyes. Had it been the days of the Borgia, that look might have sealed his doom. She saw him pause at the curtained entrance of a tiny boudoir opening out of the drawingroom, hesitate an instant, then enter. She looked round for her cousin; she was nowhere I to be seen. Estelle was standing gazing dreamily out at the wintery moonlight, when Alywn entered. At the sound of his entrance she turned to greet him with a brightly welcoming smile. "At length; Mr. Bertram," she said, gayly, "you are civil enough to come and speak to me. This is the first time to-night, is it not?" "You were at the piano when I came in, and surrounded, as usual. I would not disturb you, of course, and yet I have something leery partieular to say to you to-night, Mademoiselle De Montreuil.' " Indeed !" She said it lightly, but her heart gave one great bound, and then seemed suddenly to stop beating. "la it that you return to Italy speedily? Mr. Waldron has anticipated you—he told me to-day." "I return to Italy, mademoiselle—yes, and cry soon; never, in all mortal probability, to return. And before Igo you must hear all my folly—all my madness—all my presumption; for, Estelle de Blontreuil, I have lifted my eyes where scores of worthier men have lifted theirs in vain—to your peerless face—and I love you ! " The murder was out. He folded his arms, stood drawn up to his full height, Ids black eyes glowing, his lips set—a lover precious grim. " When I tell yott I would die for your sake, the words are poor and weak; but, Estelle, I would ! I love you as I never, loved woman, as I never will love again. If I dared ask you for love in return, your answer would be No. Even my nmdness is confident of that." You are sure I will say No," she repeated. "Oh, Alwyn! have yeti never thought I might say Yes!" "Mademoiselle !" he turned upon her, his face ghastly, his voice hoarse, " for God's sake don't stoop to trifle with me! Refuse me if you will, but be merciful. lam a fool and a madman, but try to pity and spare!" She smiled, holding out both white hands. "You are bent on having No, I see. Well, my sex are all contrary—l willnot'say it. Alwyn Bertram, you have been blind instead of mad, or you would have known long ago that—l love you!" He absolutely staggered back, so intense was the shock--the suprise. "Love me! "he repeated, bewildered. "'lon Estelle, love me?" "With my whole heart. Oh, Alwyn, so dearly—so long!" Her head drooped up his shoulder, her voice was lost in a sob. All her strong sell-reliance fell away; the weary years dropped from between then—the old time came back with an ecstasy that was almost pain. He realized it at last—his crown of life was won; lie had succeeded where every one else had failed. The "Refugee was his. He caught her and strained her to him with a joy that made him half frantic, half delirious that left him speechless. But she extricated herself. and at.onee. " That will do," she said, with a smile. " Ni need to prove the strength of your affection by such Bruin-like embraces. And some one may enter. Pray sit down here comfortably, AID Bertram and drop that dazed and ecstatic