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PURE, BRIGHT AND INTERESTIN( THE FIRESIDE COMPANION numbers among Its contributors the best o _ IWntt flction writers. ^ .'■- ;, '• *" •■ •■ •'■ Its Detective Stoiies are the most absorbing ever published, and ^ Its H clalties are features peculiar to this journal. A Fashion Article, embracing the newest modes, prices, etc., by a noted, .modiste, is printed In every number. The Answers to Correspondents contain reliable Information on eveiy cor 'mIMM* iMNect. . ■ - i TERMS :-Tmi Vww ToM Fiebside Companion will be sent for one ye< on receipt of $8: two coplM for $5. Getters -up of clubs can afterward a. .1,^ copies at $2.90 eadi. We will be responsible for remittances sent ^P^lM-ed Letters or by Pwtofflce Money Orders. Postage free. Specim* ■*^pta« tent free. • , GEORGE MUNRO, Publisher, p. 0. Box 37B1. 17 to 27 Vandewater Street, New Tor A WEEK OF PASSION ; OR, Tie Dilema i Mr. Georp Bartoii lie Yomier. INTERESTIN iniong Its contributors the best o < A NOVEL. jing ever published, and. its «r It modes, prices, etc. , by a noted? / () . <• reliable Informatloti' oil every cor ■ ' < [PANioM will be sent for one ye< •a-iip of cliibs can afterward a< sponsible for remittances sent Orders. Postage free. Specimt / By EDWARD JENKINS. O, Publisher, ^andewater Street, Nev Tor! NEW. TOBK: OEORGE MUNUO, PUBLISHER, 17 TO 87 ViNOEWATBIl 8tRB«T. \-. > ^V' ,i n. DEDICATION IN FRANK ACKNOWLEDGMENT OK MANY COfRTESIEil AND AS A TESTIMONY OF inrVABYlNG 11EGAHD FOR NOBLE QUALITIES EARNESTLY EMPLOYBD THIS STUDY OF HUMAN EMOTIONS CHIEFLY IN THE SPHERE WHICH HE ADORNS AND DIGNIFIES IS DEDICATED TO THE EARL OF CARNARVON. 1/ •^■^.1: t- COUBTE9IE8 ISNESTIiY EMPLOTBD IONS S AND DIGNIFIES RVON. A WEEK OF PASSION. CHAPTER I. A SENSATION. Ac'Hoss Regent Circus one June afternoon, at the top of the «ea- son, tlie 8un, drooping down over Notling mil, shot his briglit rays along the brond piano of Oxford Wtreet, on n scene ot motley and vivacious tumult. The tide of trafHc, which had been swelling all the day aloni,' tlie great channels of metropolitan movement, was oow at its height. Running with a strong Qush trom east and west, and north, and south, its currents met and commingled tlieir varied waters In this narrow lock, or strait, where the prisnintic toam and spray from the nristocrutic fountains of Mayfair, Belgravia, or Tyburnia Hashed lightly against tlie dull, foul, turbid torrenU tiiat poured from a tliousand fetid sources of misery and crime; and strong, impetuous currents ot trade ruBhed biusqnely by the calmer and more indolent eddies ot wealth and pleasure. Up and down Oxford Street, up and down Regent Street, poured the incessant traffic, brisk, noisy, turbulent, with grating sound ot wheels, and patter clatter of horses' hoofs and cries of drivers, the deep, sea-like murmur of Innumeiable voices, and the tramp and shuffle of count- less feet. The lumbering omnilmses, perpetually coming and goinir, discharged or embarked with feverish haste hundreds of eager pas- sengers, while conductors and drivers exchanged injurious compli- ments with the harried, badgered policemen, who. exhibiting an Argus-like vigilance and mercurial activity, strove to give some sort ot direction to the jangling currents ot humanity that swirled around them. Now and then some odd impediment vould be rolled into the melee, an overladen truck, a broken-down cab, a fallea .''orse, an omnibus with an obstinate driver or tinraanageable team, which would choke up fhe passage, cimnge the currents into a whir, pool, and set the surging tides a-roaring all about It in hideous tijm'ilt. Here and there, through the more vulgar ruck of wagons, carts, cabs, hansoms, and omnibuses, fine horses in magnificent equipages where rank and beauty aired their gay plumage on silken cushions, picked their way in stately pride. On tlie pavement, the crowds ot foot-passengers circled apd Jostled; hurrying, idling, sauntering; ogling, staring; busy, vacant, alert; sly, mean, ele- gant, shabby, flashy; timid, brazen, guileieps, vicious, or criminal —a strange congeries ot misery and gayety, of sober diligence and empty lolly, of light, hopeful youih, and hopeless, disillusioned. ^ A \\V.V.K OF PASSION. . . r.,.>.>iritv_i>ll ordi'tlv In tin- initUf of disonlor, ninl ex- }:3vt."lil^?om- l"S-^ thWr ....sou,s ...uncH ot V.suvinn imssuMi mill iiilminmi or iinsodiil Hcntliii.nt. . ' llT,. iliin ihiH Tliurx.lav ulteruooii. on ll.c JOlli of .Ii nt IK , ^; ir "uiS n"o the .ur ro.n hun.ln..lH of i-nlo un.l nuivcinj; l.ps. i^iiiiii rnrr?"^S.^ot l.laC&ruL ^^^-l hisHtUeUger. tiophe hns humane . 1'^ »"^V^,^« ^P;^"!!*^" mml.lcne.l horse strug- gling to recover his tooim^.ia^^^ firmly clinclied between his SrSh^u ESin^U proaucin«j;.e no^ fSon'hS KeTirnsely TocllS-mnrpeople had been rtelonat on had heen im^^^^ excepting always the prosl rate tnay' Terror ?oCSlicemeu specJdily ran from the vanous Jffi . Je l^ley l^d .J. staUoned^^Jhe on y v^e .. Um ot the accident But i.vu s ^uey " , . ,^ ,jgj .heeked-.hey »oo)^-\;Xsc . bS^irboXTr u J ironf the crowd j;'p,Sd^hoSttTops ol the omnibuses, from coachmen and (Ilsordor, nnil ex- lluinus of Vcsuvinn 2()lli of .Tiiiio, lb;)-, I lie watili (it Scr- )f till! tinu--lnsliin- r oulci-y, H louil I'X- L'irciiH.'ttli'xik cvury leiir iiml tl(■llll)lill^^ ■fill, tliL'ii II uiiiver- oiTi the center, mid Bl shops tor shelter. " Niiro Olyeeiiiicr* iiml (iiiiveiiiin lips- i:. lioiseu siurleit, (1 Iiml iiiinine;! their p fiUeil the ftir. One lU been close to the , rcHreel liiiih, paweil J neck covere.l with fiiik', ovevturiieil the U chI), driven liy « .e between hi» lips, a inn, Imvini; conic up I Deloiu lo allow an iiiirluihlu lor liis cool W(J ol his lillle tiger, had suhidecl, it was le of llie Cltcus, not .1 strange, instinctive )t which some catns- ng wfiB to bo seen ex- iiddeneil horse strug- enable Jehu exteuiled linched between his e little tlRor, wlio hud I a hand on the bridle the explosion, which owd, was visible. It the depression which fall ot a caunon-biill ave expected to have e noise and concussion that the elTect ot tlio jny people had been ; always the prostrate rim from the various t the only visible vic- ived, their course was on ot mingled wonder n-, up trom the crowd. }, troin coach men and A WEEK or PA8.>«I0X. 9 liveried footmen, from ladies in the rarrliige«, and people who had been picklni; their way across tlic Circus on tool. " lllood'" lllood sprinkled in a fine rain, and hero and lliere in hir^'o drops, on fact's, on hiinds, on brifrht dtrsscs, and liiilit bonnets, and silken siinsliiules. and delicate-tiiilcd irlovcs; on shiny lints, and Ivory shirt- fronls, and Nsliite c-alsteoals, and with it hiio anil there smal! knobs and piirticles ot soniethlni,' which made people Insiinctively sliuddiT and cry out, when they liccame conscious of its presenca on skin or clotliir.p! W hat had happened? Amid a scene of wild terror and confusion, the babble of a thoti- snnd tonirticH, the gatherinjj pressure ot eajrer mobs that came riin- ninij; up Keu;ent Street, liown from Portland Place, and aloiij; Ox- ton! Street, ICast and West, breathless, clamoious, asking: " What is it? "What fs it all about? Who is liurl?" Ilic police vainly strove to keep bark the crowd, and to acfjuire some Ideaof what hud actu- nlly occurred. It was no easy task. No one could l)e found who had seen anvtlnni;— no one who had felt anythint; beyond n shocK ; no bodies layabout, excrpt that ot the younu jfentleman, who afipearcd to l)e alive, though senseless froni a cut on tlie head, but he was evidently untouched by any ex- plosive. There were no palpable sij^'us except tliat rain of flesh and blood, which had sent a irlinsily thrill of horror through the crowd, and a dent in the roadway aliont the si/.e ot a Frencli wash-baBln. ^loilern science had ai'iiieved a fresli marvel. A horrible crime had been committed in the piesence of a thousand people -ind there appeared lo be no truces left, either ot the victim or the perpetrators. Sergeant Tugg. of the Y Division, alone seemed to have retained his piesence ot mind, lie rapidly gave orders to the two or three policemen at hand, and induced a few bystanders ot steadier nerves than the rest to assist in keeping back the crowd. One policeman flicked u]) the prostrate ircntleman, and he was conveyed to a niourn- ng shop at the corner, where the young ladies, trembling with tear, and palpitating with the unusuui excitement of having to tend a handsome beau under such circumstances, fluttered alioul him with kind but useless attentions. The sergeant himself seized the horse's brid'e and managed to pull him up on his teet, the broken shafts dangling at his flanks. The animal stood trembling; his face and silky chestnut breast seemed to have been dashed over with a mixt- ure of crimsoQ and black. The policeman looked at his hands, which had touched the breast of the horse, and saw with a shudder that it was blood which had drenched the noble creature. Looking round keenly he could find no trace on the ground ot anything which woulcl account lor the explosion. The iittle tiaer, standing on his Iocs, held the horse's head on the oft -side, and tried to soothe liim with his voice. The boy's eyes 'ooked as if tliey would burst from his head, his cheeks were deadly pale, his teetii ciiuiterod "What was.it, .young man?" said tlie sergeant. " Was your master acarrying hexplosives ilirough the streets, hey?" Ills eye had the severity of .lustic*! in lier first inquisitive mood. " My lord, "cried the boy, " carrying explosions in his cab! Stuft and nonsense, bobby. Why, didn't you see what happened?" [*:: 6 A WEKK OK I'ASrtlON. " No, sir. or fUo I wnuuln't n liMkctl yo>i "— wllli tllgnlty. Tilt! Imy «tr<:tili('il his linnd. " .IiiHt w we wiiH iirrived iherc, righl by llii) Innip, »iul n:y lord— " VVlml lord?" " Why. llic Kiirl ot Tillnirv. 1 hliould Imvo tlioiiKlit you d uUnowM liliii. Mv lord hud piilU'd up ritm-tliiil's Hit! lior»o'» iinim!— to lul an oiiiiiilniB piw*. niiil I wirt- n looking round Iroin bo- liinil to HIT what wcru up, iintl lluri!— iIkIiI iUcru, wiicrt; thiit llttlo hole Is— ilieri! Wirt! a. irfulli'nmn, H short gciilli-ninn, llvi! ffet six or so. )iii8«inn rinhl in fioiit ot our hornc, when all of n siulilen like— widlll llifri! wftg u nolBi!, niul hf WfUt into ten thousand million pl«i«H. 1 Ri-e it in u thish. ami 1 ilon'l know no niori-. Thai thero ou the hf.rsu'H nrck and on your hands Ih what conu' troni hint, ser- geant. JMayhe it's one o' llieni ilinamighty-ists." Hergeant Tukk examined tho boy for a monunt sternly, as became a mfud)er of the Force, listening to such a tale from the lips of horsey youth, to see wlielher he vva« trying to " ganuuon " him; Imt the tiger's aspect and manner were altogether too serious to admit of •uch a sunpleion. lie wasdrcadlully liighlencil. and in earnest, and the policeman, while he tried to clean his lumds with a dirty hanil- kereiiief, was so stunned by ilie unlieara-of explanation tlie boy had griven, that he was rnly awakeuetl out of his reverie by tho press- ure of the crowd upon him, wliich had become dangerous, lie drove his elbowB out vigorously. " Hack, 1 say! Hlgby, Wiugels, .lones, keep eia all back I " What is it? What is it?" cried tliu crowd. Tlio fiergeant could not lesist so great an opporlunily ot showing ofl his ollicial perspicacity. •' It's a Fenian houtrage! A man has blown hisself up! " 'What docs he say?" shouted those who were out ot hearing, A stentorian voice, near the guardian ot pulilic safety, bnllowcil in a tone ot raillery. ,^ ,„ •' He sav.s it's -i Fenian has blown hitnsjlf up with dynamite! A London crowd is as clmngeablc aa yeast. It ferments or goes flat, tir is sweet or sour in a momeiil. The concourse, which an in- stant before had *)een sliuddering with an Indertiiable horror, now suddenly burst into u rattling peal of derision and hiugliter. " Ila! hal ha!" "Ho! ho! ho!" " Say. bobby, where is he? Where's he none to?" '' Pick 1dm up. bobby. Save the piecosil" " Run him in!" etc.. etc. Nothing witty, but chall— none the less aggravating to a dignified officer of the pe'ace. The laugliler was prolonged oil round tho vast concourse, Tnhlcli had berora*; massed in luu Circus, uud through the skirts of the crowd, now extending far down tlie udjacent streets, as tho report ot tho sergeant's theory went from mouth to mouth. The idea of a Fenian blowing himself up in this sensational manner seemed to be diverting. Sergeont Tugg looked round ot the man with the big vuice— a stout, llorid, yellow-haiwd lorkshlreman, with great broad sUoul- r. '—Willi dignity. li\mp, aiKl n:y lord— " huve thoin;lil you'd in — thill's Ihi! lior»t''» lolting round I mm be- liiTu, when! thiit llttlo L'lnnn, llvii feet nix or nil (if II middi'ti lilte— ten tlioiiHiind niilllon no more. Tlml there I conic trom hliii, ser- Is." till slurnly, ns hecame tiile Iroiii the lips of ' giiniinon " him; l)Ut loo Hi'iioiiHto itdmit of id, iind in cnrncst, and ds Willi IV dirty hand- ;plunution the hoy hud reverie by the press- conie diiii^crous. llo ep 'email back!" d. [iporlunily ot showing n hisself up!" lore out ot honring. uliiic salety, hnllowed lip with dj'nnmite!" It ferments or goes incourse, which an in- detlimbiu horror, now and laughter. me to?" ;ravating to a dignified vast concourse, ■which )U};li the skirts of the t streets, as the report mouth. The idea of a 1 manner seemed to be with the big vuice— a ilh great broad sUoul- T A WEKK OF PASSION. 7 dcrs, dro^Hcd in n li);ht lionicMpim suit, and showing on his umple iMiHom iilioui liiill nil iirro of liueu. " Vouriiiime, n\r't" he said. " .My imine! What foi?" said the other, laughing. " You're not goinjr i<> arrest mu tor Iclting them what you said?" " No; I want you as a wilness. " " Me!" tried the Yorlsshircniim, looking round appeallngly to the crowd. " 1 know nolhlng iiliout it." ' Dim't you? Tlun I want your coat and waistcoat and shirl, " lie poiiilcd to the articles. The YorlvHliiremiin looked down, and for the llrst time hccamo aware tliiit In-, too, was splashed with .s]iul8 ot cilinson and hiack. Ue I limed pale. "By ! What's that?" " Ulood! ' said tlie sergeant, with a solemnity which at any other time would have struck the observer as comic, as ho pointed with n huiri' toreliiiger. " Hits of a man's tlesh among it, I think. I'lierol see, on 3 our shirf. a few liiiirs— some bits of wool." " Oh, diisli It— I say, let's gel out of this!" said the man, lifting his jiowerlul arms, and struggling to back out through the crowd. " Not so fast," said the sergeant, (luielly, putting his fingers on the man's shoulder. " Your name and adilrcss. 1 must have those thinifs." " So you shall, but tor Heaven's sake let me go and take them off! Samuel Hilton, beverley, Y'orkBhire. 1 am at the Craven Hotel." '■ Good. Y'oii will let mo have your clothes tonight? 1 will call for them. Stay, do you mean to say that you saw nothini;?" " 1 saw nothing at all — on mj' honor. 1 was there — coining this way— but 1 was looking round at— at a lady. Suddenly 1 hoard a noise that nearly deateiied me, and a strong wind like went pqst me. Tnen 1 liad to jump out ot the way ot this trap, or It would have lalien on me. That's all I know." The Vorkshirenian went oft, and the policeman turned to look tor others. Thereupon every one who had on him any ot those small, ghastly marks of the disaster beiran to button himself up and get away as fast as possible; for Londoners are not fond ot going into the witness box at the Old Hailey. It is too rude and open a con- fessional oven for the most pious of men. Nevertheless, by great energy and activity, the police, now that they had seized the idea, worked at it, and succeeded In gelling the names ot about thirty people who had lieen netir the spot, and had either felt the shock ot the explosion or bore some traces of it about their peisons. Not one ot the crowd was hurt. No one, except the tiger, appeared to have seen the victim or the agent ot the explosion. The police were convinced that the boy's account was correct. An unknown man, dressed as a gentleman, crossing Oxford Circus in broad daylight, had suddenly exploded in the middle ot a concourse ot moving humanity, and* gone Into a hundred thousand pieces, leaving no traces except minute spots ot blood and bits ot flesh and clothing, which had fallen in a shower over a large space There Wiis no clew to this individual's name, position, address, or to the ^ 8 A WEEK OF PASSIOX. motives which had brought him there, chiirgcd with tlie fearful torcea liy wliich he lia means of the lndefatigril)le reporters and the unwearied praters ol our colossal service ot journalism, tlie whole of the four millions of London were able to form a cleur idea ot wlif t had happened, and to learu how much and liow little was known about tlie incident, its victim, and its causes. The account of "Tlie Thunderer," which was the least sensational, will inform the reader of all 1 hat had been discovered and suspected within the few hours which in- tervened between si.\ in the afternoon ot Thursday, the 26th, and three in the morning of Friday, the 27th instant. (From " The Thunderer.") " Yesterday afternoon, at about lialf past four o'clock, there oc- curred in Regent Circus one of the most nivstertous and horrible events wliici* it has ever been our lot to chronicii' in these columns. In tail daylight, in the midst of acrowd of pedeslriaueof all classes, flnd a current of vehicles of every description, a loud and startling explosion took place, quite close to the refuge eslabtislied for the protection of foot-passen^eis in the center of the Circus. The utmoBt terror was excite(t ui the varied and busy multitude which is always, at thai hour, to be found, especially during the season, con- centrated at that junction of trafflc. " When the explosion took place a sudden panic seized the crowd, who dashed toward the pavements and into the shops, while the disorder and commotion produced in the vehicular traffic beggars •fescription. Besides the main actor, agent, or victim, as we may please to call the individual thus incontinently blown out ot exist- ence, and into atoms so minute that it may be said nothing remains of him. there was only one other person seriously hurt, anil that un- happily a young and distinguished member of the Mouse of I^ords. "We regret to have to report that tlie Earl of Tilbury, who, at the moment, was driving across the Circus in his cab, and was close to the scene ol the explosion, was, owing to the sudden frenzy of his horse, thrown out on his head, and we learn, from inquiries made at the last moment, is still lying insensible in the faniily mansion in Orosvenor Place. Sir Alfred Marks and Sir Claude Crarapton were summoned to a consullaiion by the family physician, Doctor W'il- hraham, and liave remained with his lordship up to the hour of our f:oing to press. Vi'e are deeply paineir millions of of whft had liapp^iied, and 13 known about the incident, lunt ot "The Tliunderer," nform the reader of all that lin the few liours which in- 1 ot Thursday, the 26th, and h instant. iderer.") : past four o'clock, there oc- uost uivsterlous and horrible o clnonicii' in these ooluinns. d ot pedeslriaue of all classes, sriptlon, a loud and startling le refuge established for tlie center ot the Circus. The . and busy multitude which 18 icially during the season, con- • iidden panic seized the crowd, and into the shops, while the the vehicular trafflc beggars airent, or victim, as we may ntiuently blown out ot exist- may be said nothing remains an seriously hurt, and that un- >mber of the House of Lords. ■ Earl of Tilbury, who, at the IS in his cab, and was close to V to the sudden frenzy of his re learn, from inquiries made isiWe in the family mansion in iind Sir Claude Crampton were amily physician. Doctor Wil- lordship up to the hour of our ined to learn that they have : the case, and Lord Tilbury's i been summoned from Liutou A AVEEIv OF PASSIOX. 9 to het sou's bedsid". >'o sooner had the crowd begun to recover trom the terror c::used by this extraordinary incident than it was ob- served that no other damage had buen done thni the formal on of a bli'dit deprussion iu the roadway at the spot where the victim ot thi°s horrible death was standing, and the incidental injury to the tarl ot Tilburv, whicli is in itstlt a stdHciently grave matter. 1 he voung C!irl only came ot ace a. few months since, but his dlstin- '■■uished abilities, his rare promise, his vast wealth, and his position ?u society, will cieale au -iety on his bch ■U among an immense c r- ck of eiiiiuetit Irieiida. It was some time before the iwlice on the spot could lorm any consistent theory of the cause of the accident. At first it was supposed that Lord Tilbury might have been carry- lug some dynamite cartridges in his cab; but this was promptly ( e- uied Dy his tiger, an intelligent young man named Liglitbones, wlio is slated to have behaved with reniarktble coolness, and who has given the police the most important informaliou they possess as to the circumalauces of the accident. It appears that the Earl of Ill- bury having pulled up suddenly, the young man, Lidilhones, peered rapidly round the hooil ot the cabriolet to ascertain the cause of the delay. At that instant he saw— only for a brief glance— a short, square-built, sientlemanly looking man, clad in iome dark vest- ments the color ot which he had not time to determine, who seemed to be hesitating tor a moment whether to cross in front of >he horse alon<'side an omnibus traveling trom east to west. Lord Tillmry, who had come trom Piccadilly, was going up Ke^eut Street. Light- bones had scarcely set eyes on this individual, when, to use the ex- pression ot the lad himself, ' he exploded all to pieces, with a loud report scattering blood and minute fragments ot his body all aiounfl for a considerable distance. Uats. coats, parasols, etc., received a shower of this dreadful human debm, creating a very vivid Im- pression oi horror on the startled crowd. The neck and breast ot the horse Lord Tilbury was driving received some portion . of the shower, and yet tue animal was not even singed by the explosion, which seems to have gone directly upward, and not downward or sideways. Singularly enough, however, though the ^e"B anil feet and boots of the author or sufferer of the accident have entirely disappeared, along with tlie rest of hi» body the trace left by the explosion is comparatively slight, the pavement being indented to the depth only of ten inches, to a diameter of about a foot or sixteen inclies. At the moment ot the - explosion the man was standing between the head of Lord Tilbuir a hor«e and one ot the omnibuses ot the L. G. O. Company wh ch runs to Netting Hill, being about equidistant from both; biit the force ot the explosion seems to have been rather in the direction ot Lord Tilbuiy. tor, on examination, the paneling of the omnthus • shows few signs ot its proximity to the dreadful catastrophe, although its windows were tractured. Hence it is conjectured tliat the explosive substance, whatever it was, was placed on that ^ide of tlie individual which was nearest to his lordship; but this is mere coniecture, and, in the opinion of some theorists, the fact is taken 10 prove exactly the opposite conclusion, namely, that the greatest force of the explosion was exerted in the direction where it encount- ered the greatest resistance. This, and otuer interesting problems m A WEEK OF PASSION. arising out of this curious and mysterious cnse, will, howevov, wo are iutormed, be submitted to Professor Green and other experts, and will doubtless l)u cleiired up in the inquiry which lias been ordered by the Home Secretary, who, acfompaiiied hf the Chief Commissioner and Mr. Sontng, head of tlie Detective Department, visilefd and inspected the spot at a late hour last ni^ht. ■* The coroner for the district, Mr. Waipole t*amuel8on, was im- mediately notified ot the occuirence, but we understand that he has considerable doubt as to his power to open an inquest, seeing that the destruction of the subject ot the catastrophe was so complete that there is not even a remnant for a coroner's jury to sit upon, and consequently no means whatever of identification. Tlie matter has been relerred to the law-otHcers of the Crown, and the coioner will bo Riiided l)y their decision, which will probably be giVen in the course of to-day. " It adds an additional trait to the romantic horror and mystery of this event that, up to the hour of going to press, the police have been totally unable to discover any trace or clew to the identity of the person who has met his tale in this strange manner, or to the perpetrators, if any, of the outrage. No one appears to have no- ticed the defunct except the lad Lighlbones. A Yorkshire gentle- man, who has given his name and address to the police, and who had his coat, waistcoat, and shirt spattered with the remains of the deceased, states that though he was near the spot, and felt the shock of the explosion, he had not noticed any one in liis vicinity answer- ing to the ilescrii)tion given by Lord Tilbury's servant. No one has as yet come forward to reclaim a lost relative, but possibly, during the day, the publicity given through our columns (sic*) may lead to some communication being made to the police which will give them a clew. Meantime all is buiied in pure conjecture. The flrst idea of the police authorities was that the Fenians were concerned in the outrage. But the incident is too strange and unique to admit of such an explanation. The Fenians have not yet shown any dispo- sition to risk their own lives in their wild and wicked efiforts to alarm society and mystify the autliorities. bupposing the individual to have been a J'enian carrying a machine to be used for the nefari- ous object ot frightening the English public, it is quite conceivable that it might have prematurely exploded, but it may be presumed that It would have been charged with a much greater force than was sufficient to blow only one human being to atoms. A far more plausible theory is that some chemist or mining engineer may have been carrying in his pocket a small quantity of nitroglycerine or a dynamite cartridge, for experiment, and have become ihe victim ot his toolunrdy carelessness. However it may be, the affair is one of the most mysterious than has ever tested the detective capacity of our police, and their inquiries and investigations will be followed by the public with feverish interest." " The Thunderer " also published " Another Account by an Eye- witness," who, as it turned out, had seen nothing ot any conte- * " The Thunderer " never acknowledges the existence of anj- otlier means of publicity. ON. I cnse, will, howevni , wo 3reen antl other experts, inquiry which has been 'onipanied hy tao Chief c Detective Department, r last uifiht. )ole t*ainuel8on, was im- e understand that he has ) an inquest, seeing that itrophe was so complete er'a jury to sit upon, and ication. The matter has wn, and the coioner will obably be giVen in rhe intic horror and mystery to press, the police have ir clew to the identity of trange manner, or to the one appears to have no- E. A Yorkshire geutle- is to the police, and who I with the remains of the I spot, and felt the shock le in liis vicinity nnswer- y's servant. No one has ve, but possibly, during lunins (sic*) may lead lo ice which will give them njecture. The flrst idea as were concerned in the and unique to admit of ot yet shown any dispo- Id and wicked efforts to supposing the individual be used for the nefari- c, it is quite conceivable but it may be presumed nuch greater force than g to atoms. A far more ning engineer may have y of nitroglycerine or a ve become the victim ot 5" be, the affair is one of he detective capacity of rations will be followed her Account by an Eye- 1 nothing ot any conte- tence of anj- other means of A WEEK or PASSIOX. 11 nuence, but who was al,le to say so with a cerlain graphic apparatus of suggestion which hail struck the editor, and several Idlers from persons who were more or less near the scene ot the rntuslrophe when it occuncd; also one letter from an enterprising iradesmau In Piccadilly, who, glvins: liis name and address, declared that he had telt the sh()(k of the explosion in his shop, and that his watch had stopped at the precise moment ot the catastrophe. There is nothing London loves so much as a mystery, and this was one ot a novel and romantic order. 1 he excitement among all circles increased during the whole of the 27lh of June, and arrived at an intense pilch when an evening journal issued a " sptcml, staling Ihnt a single trace had been found of the chief actor m this horrible tragedy. A i>holographer'8 assistant, in arranging the blinds of his studio at midday, to reduce the brilliancy ot the .ight tor a lady ot a certain age, who was sitting tor her portrait, had discovered, Iving on the ledge ot a window at the top of the house, which was situated in Oxford htteet, about two hundred and fifty yards from the scene ot the explosion, a human hand, bearing evi- dence ot having been violently torn from the wrist ot its proprietor, and Ihe police now had in their possession a valuable, it imperfect, clew to the identity of the deceased The hand was a right hand, apwaring to have been that of a muscular man of past the middle age who, however, was not accustomed to manual labor. It was sprinkled on the back with line hairs, had no ring on the fi^er, but exhibited one important peculiarity. The upper joint ot the little finger was bent, as if that joint had once been broken. Ob submilting the hand, however, to the inspection of eminent surgeons, they gave it as their opinion Ihct this slight deformity, which would liave passed almost unnoticed when the owner was living, and kept the band closed or in movement, was congenital. , „ ., The excitement now rose to the i^>' power. The roofs of all the nouses within a mile ot the Circus wore searched in Ihe hope of discoveiing other relics of the mysterious unknown. Scotland Yard was inundated with articles gathered on the housetops, embracing every variety of rejected rubbish, like old toolh-brushes, broken spectacles, remnants ot worn-out boots, plecesof whalebone, broken combs, and ragged pieces ot clothing, an intlnily ot things which it could be seen at a glance were the casual jetsam of the dwellers Jn the house-tops of London, and in no way whatever connected with the individual whose ghastly and original exit from London society bad created such a sensation. ! ; ^i.r ,; CHAPTER n. : ^ v -, ' - ' ' ' AT THE HOME OFFICE. ,. ' " Then happened something which always happens m London when the identity of those who have perished by crime or disaster is a matter ot doubt: a thing which affords the police and every reflect- ing man so much to think ot regiuding the hidden history of that great ocean of humanity, the English metropolis. No less than Uiirteen persons of the male sex were, within the next two days. n A WEEK OF PASSIOK. si"nnli7.e(l to the police by nnxious lelnlives or officious fritiids as niissiiiii aa answeriiiE; more or less correctly to tiie iiieuser dti'crip- tioii "-iveii bv Li<>litl)out'8 ot Ihemiin he hiui seeu; and some of Ihum as ha'Ving a ■(letoriully or the liUle finger of the risiht 'mud! It is impossible to form any theory about such ii singular mania. l)ut there is no doubt that persons exist, ot wcnk iutellecis and a perverse, TU'llyconceit, who, iu default of any other means of acquiiing a temporary notoriety, will try to gain a laciitious iraporlauce by as- sociatin" themselves or their friends with some sensational drama. Theyliave lost a relotive or a trieud; they wish to put themselves jn evidence, before the gveatCBt possible number ot people, as being- connected in some way, however remotely, with that about which oil the world is talking. They are pertectly aware from the first ibat the victim or the sullerer is not the person in whom they are iiiier- ested but that is of no consequence. If they can, only lor a tew days 'pose as relatives or connections ot any one whom crime or accident has made notorious, it they can only uet the whole ma- chinery ot justice set a-going for a short time at their instance, they fancy that they have acquired a certain importance in the eyes ot their friends. To do this, they will even stretch a point and mako false statements about dress and appearance. They are able ever afterwaid to say something like this— " You remember the fellow that blew up in Regent Circus? Well, vou know my aunt's husband's eldest son by Ids first wife, who was a clerk at Batty & Levisou's, in the City, disappeared only a week betortf the occurrence. The moment 1 r^ ift ^^'. '. ^ ibit \ red I A WEEK OF PASSION'. 13 lOK. ,'es or offlciouB friends fis ly to tiiu meager discrip- i seen; and some of Ilium of llie riclit 'mud! It is i\\ II singular niiiuiii, l)ut k iutellecis and ii perverse, lier uieutis of acqtiiiing ii ;iilioiis iniporliiucu by lis- some sensational drrtiiia. [iV wish to put themselves iinlierot people, as being , with tbat about wiiieh y aware troni the first lb at !\ in wiioni they are iiiier- they can, only for a tew anyone wlioni crime or n only uet the whole ma- ime i\i their instance, they iniporlance in the eyes of stretch a point and make nee. They are able ever pin Regent Circus? Well, n by his lirst wife, who City, disappeared only a iieut 1 read of it in the Jackson.' Joe was only jlolhes. "^A'cll, sir, 1 went rUen 1 was introduced to jt. Then 1 had a corre- They laughed at me, sir, loinplained of the conduct ?, sir. 1 wrote a letter my- i reply from his secietpry. thousandth time from his jme Secretary to acknowl- astant, relating to the con- ippearance of Mr. Joseph 3 been referred to the Chief !; he bad run away with a sver 1 have occasion to go lO they have to deal with. 3in an awful wigglngi" the lime and tax the ener- hei Lave been kicked down ble to say that he had been las disappeared will exhibit r him with some discovered d, and will insist upon their dismal fancy In the face of patent impossibt i les. Altogether tit policeniaM, out of comic operas, may siug, will, a good deal of dole- ful emi.lmsis, that in reality his " lot is not a Imppy one! When en.'a.'ed in the pursuit of a criminal he not only has to meet and comuerael all the wiles and tricks pt confederates but ^^U being oontiiiuallv hampered by the children and mibec les who throw Ihe.nselves betwtU his legs. Crofrs of idle suggestions a id foolUh coniuelurc'S, of feeble criticisms and commo.iplace co'insels, spring- mi,' from ..onceiled and ignorant brains are harvesied and delivered i,n,n-^ 1.1 Scotland Yard; and abuse, which is severe in °"i«""»; " J" Iv Lotliers of these statements are anonymous. And one natiirally nuestions the good faith of anonymous communications Ihey Kcnerally proceed from two classes-confederates or imbeciles-lho fatter prcnonderating. Vet, now and then an anonymous commu- nication may be worth attention. One can readily conceive tha K may be personal or family reasons why the writers do not wish to be known. There are others which are obvious hoaxes. It is hardlv credible, but it Is true, that there is a class o persons so low and b>ue n their moral sentiments as to fancy It Is a clever or humorous hing to hoax the police. Two or three come from the clubs from idle men, who, 1 believe, abound there--you know probably more about that than 1 do-" The min ster bowed with a smilMor he was a member of the Whig Clnb-" They are our od friends the officers of tho army, who seem to l^''^ "° »"°«^;^"«^ '^ do than to write ridiculous letters to every department of ^tnt«. and totheuublic press, wheuever anything happens about which tliey hink they know something. This one. for instance, from a Lieu- tenant-colonel Smith, a retireV»f »° ''"^"t^X'l "11 a The People's Cooked Meat Company. Limited, of which 1 am a director and that 1 distinctly noticed sitting opposite to me a short stout man apparently of about fltty or flfty-flve years ot age, of florid compSn?and clad in a suit ot Justy black, llils "un attracted my attention by the singularity of his manner, ^e was breathing heavily, as if he had been running, and he wiped h s head wl ch was nekily bald, with an old bandana pocket-handkerch el. such as one wal accustomed to see used by military men ""^ l"»^,'a|7hen serving the East India Company, or the Government of l"d'a. »» 1 have had the honor to do tor nearly forty years^navlng joined the company's service at the early age of twenty His ag'^tetl manner led me to watch him closely.and 1 overl.eard him f.^V to his neigh- bor who appeared to be a friend (or coufedentte), 1 had a narrow se A WF.KK OF PASSION. color, and Ills muc ""b^-r ""'^ Arrivi'd nt the Maus on House, lie cteclpllo.,. 1 have '»''»''»" tr, ;■;,",, » or,..-, u.ull session ot the police, iiiul 1 m.ij . '| t'^^ ^''^lo ^^ , , , („,,,.,. SriJ'K'f le^v'r^ ^i"at"ASiv,u^^ hissu^all eyes u,ejn Jr one or t.^ s.ruc. - v^ foruW^^^ ^^ ^,,,,,,,,,,, ot n,y missins, ot whom three "'« «^'''^J^*f;^'^f ven^thaf is «r. incredible six a detorniity of tl**! 1'" le ftnger ^/«f ^^^, ,„ j^.^^.g become number when we ^0°"^" il a they are ueu«r« ^^^^^^ missing within the past ^S^, ami that t^^^^^^ ^P ^ ^^. In the population '[i"»„t « "SoVo nuSer oi one fitth ot one per nute traction. sav%ut a guess not one quant millions. cent. But aSI<)X. n undfl," or words to the Citv, vrUich 1 to ReKui" Circus. we nrrlveil i Kiug 1 old porlcmonniiie, il coppiv cnins, and star, with Ids lifrht. Ithhiiii'sof iiu'dilisli ut. Iroin Ihe oUiers, Mausiou House, lie vn Loinl)iird s^tifci. ihSiiiin') •• l'\'e Ave wn mind, lioiii llie ,t Una wiia llm very in the circus, and 1 n Bermonilncy as to vcn is luissiiiir irom ,w lliclmnd I slioulU my omnilius fare is iiand now in thepos- inie, hP uMe to give in winch the in([Uiry ins in India assisted , in his invest iual ions eeived the thanks of ving the letter ou the , that have emanated oihins; to do, and no he detectives giinned, y operation, of which g. and his small eyes iR his large shoulders, ions than that. 1 re- n continuation ot my ilearly »>verlap one an- are quite apocryphal, ne thirteen persons are ^er-joinU injured, and that is an incredilile iilareil to have become the number o£ persona r-joiuts must be a mi- • or one fltlh ot oms iier , out of four millions, twenty thousand per- )ear in a iortni-.'ht. or ;tly 7 decimal 80 in the 1 causes, tor the entire 'ou see it is impossible. nn(l.ycl these iieojile who send us the intormation appear to lu' i|uite sincere, giving minute iiarticulars, names, addresses, ages, descrip- tion, and so on." ■ , „ . JO.. I . ••Have you made any Inquiries at tUe places indicated? asUed th(^ minister. .... " .N'ot vt!t, at all of them, but the police report— do they not. .*iontag'/-^that four ot the cases appear to be authentic' •• they do. Sir llenrv," answered tiie detective, shutting Ids mouth up sharp i.Iler leliim: out these words, as it he were apiirc- liensive lest olhois should run out of it, us the sliot used to do out of the old-fashioned shot-belts, imless they were ciinidngly handled. " Hum!" said the Home Secretary. " It is very odd!" The chief detective shitteil in his chair and changed legs, and with a pieliminary " hem!" to nltiucl the atleution of his superioi, he said: „ . , ... " Has It occurred to you, Mr Secretary and Commissioner, that perhaps some of these letters were written e.vpnssly to throw u-i off the track?" . , , i , Ihe Home Secretary, struck by the observation, looked round sharply, first at the detective and then at the chief commissioner. " or course that too has occurred lo me," said Sir Henry. " It is so old a trick. But just think how wide and in:poitant a com- bination would be needed to carry out a plot for ndsleadintr us in tlve or six different cases, by a new and dillercnt lictiou each time! AVe are a-reed in discarding the notion tliat Feuianism has played aiiv part u\ this dri ma. and 1 can conceive of no other organization wbicli could command either the resources or the machinery for such a plot." , ,. ^^ . ., _, . '• 1 am not so sure, Mr. Commissioner," said Mr. bontag. TI118 is a very curious, profound, and ingenious prol)lem. 1 can not brmg myself to believe that this is a case ot suiciile. It is hardly conceivable that any one contemplating suicide would be so diabolical as to corcmit it in this fashion, in the middle of a crowd, where the lives ot many other persons might Lave been sacriOced along with his own." .,. , , ,, , , » " But it could scarcely have been a murder! cried the minister. " There is not a tittle ot evidence that any one in the crowd threw " u cartridge or bomb in that neighborhood. Besides, the person who did it would himself have run considerable risk." "True Mr. Secretary," replied Mr. 8ontag, " I have put that aside as Impossible. Moreover, the statement ot the lad Lightbones is clearly against it, as well as the other circumstances. The man seems to have blown up spontaneously r.om within. Now, no one ever heard of gases being generated in the liuman system of suffi- cient force to "produce this explosion. The man must have been carrying the explosive on hts person— probably in his coat or trou- sers pocket." „ .^ , '•Precisely. Then he knew It was there. You can t escape from that conclusion. Well, then, he was either carryinsr it innocently or with some criminal intention. He was going to try some experiment or commit some crime— in which 1 include suicide. It his intentions were innocent, then it is a case of involuntary suicide. He has piiu- ished himself for his carelessness and a breiich of the law. It witb 18 A WKKK OF I'ASSION. >ife trliinipliiint smile. gnucezo for a tnorrcnt, ns it .hi 'h';r.re ;;i..^earhJt to .UiC. you .m .o.«ivc .ne fo. re. call'mn your atlentlou? ' " \^ Iml'.'" n.n nviilriKlvp on Ills person without ..;S ;r"YrMr u aS. !;;^"£i-i'^.u ...t ... i.npo... "^'•■000.1 ^'raciouB. Sont.g!" put In the diiet cpu^missioner. •' that ,, ,S.H.^r ..e,.nu Uu, hoiuulB o pn^^^^^ ^^ , ,^ ,,, „„, .;;,S i::'ln^:..u!^sl ;a^nt...u.. ,.ot tos,--;^^.; w;y -- nuu. who wa« "''''"^'''l't;;*ru . o^ JeS tteutio.', Irom the ''!if ^'Z ^:::: rwilr^olf^KS^^ .hat there was "il'^rC'^li'olS'moSt^oryou pn^sihly conceive of for such an infernal pblV i"H')|.f«;} J''j;;';;;«,;^[.- „ rte.crtivcB are very cau- to vour question thus: J^'^'';" .'^,^^" "'fj •^s,,i,,,, to net ri.l of this or •family. I'f ," f'^^'J^llf n^^ Z^ dev" n-Uliahollcal ingenuity nmu. ami a plot ^ ' f " /'J^ / ,•- as lornua 1o deslroy him. in such we have ever hail to t'*^"' ^'' ?^, ': ' , „„,u.r such coinliiions.that l„r;l^ollSouia hSft adopt the .iicory that it was a poht- iScrim'e or an '-tot political -'^K™' „„,,,,3i„„er. looking at are not living in th^e thirteenth cenUirj in A cnjc^.^^ ^^^^ , I em society .iS in ♦'^fp" nXrUs b en fo owe 1 t.y fresh develop- development ot 'nteneclialism uasocen j . j^^' ,^ i^lo move- ments ot crime. ^ ^'•'"J {'•' ^"™'^ fi^ i se f to one dl.ection. the ment. that movement will not ^o™ '^^ ^^^^ ti,e entire social l^^tta::>^X%TucmZ. w4llasthegood to excep- o a II n a t( F b y ii II n tl li o u V h 81 h si fi 8) ^A 8 t( J. A WKKK Ol' l'A>SU)N. 10 \—l\w stuff went < ff iTciicU of the !iiw ; or Ih u suiciile Q'l'^'f 110 Stcrc'tiir., , with h (or a iiiomont, us it 1 wipe nwiiy the mlu- 1 miollicr liypothcsis, ill torsive me foi re- \ Ills person witlioiit Imt lliut WHS ihipossl- commissioner, " Hint 1 to mc—raiiy this not I mil of the "wiiy soii.e ,liy persons, in sntli :v LTt utteution troin tlie ^ of the means eni- :ii(im?" he lileu that there was ■ conceive of for such tcrlives are very cau- vay from the main oli- les as to motive. Still theory. 1 should reply icli or eminent person, lins: to net ritl of this ml (liaholical ingenuity o licBlroy him. in such er such coniliiions,that ahlish his ideniity, and •cry tliat it was a polit- mmissioncr, looking at csseil in his face, " we !iiice or Rome, or in the ederick the Great." " and the result of my ■ is always the same, and he committed in mod- ic Miildle Ages. Every lowed t)y fresh devclop- s quickened into move- It to one dliection, the lervades the entire social ill as the good to e.\C€p- lioMttl acllvlly. In our day the improvement in the organization ot h.. he Inslrucleil hy Ills siiperiois; he had assumed rather the tone md manner of a peihigogiie lecturing his pupils, '[he Home Seere- lary was moie struck l>y Ihls alteration in -Mr. Sontag's manner ilian the chiel commissioner, who knew his man. Fci ^onlag was a type ot the modern deteitlve, inslructed, rellective, philosophic. .\n I'.nglishman by birth, he was, as his name Implied, a Oerman by descent on his father s side, and he united much ot the imagina- tive temperament of the Oeiman with the practical (lualllies of the J^nglishman. The two superiors remoiniiig silent for a lew moments with as- ton!: ' nient at Mr. Sontag's sudden evolution, he ventured logo on. " 1 have told yon before. Sir Henry, that 1 can only nccount for one or two rennukable crimes which "have happened of late years, and which wo hiive attempted in vain to elueiUale, by supposing that they were committed at the instance ol some wealthy and un- scrupulous jierson or persons, wliose iiositlou and character were menaced, and to whom a large expenditure ot money, in order to assure absolute secrecy and immunity Iroiu punishment, was r. mat- ter ot no consecpience. You remember the case ot that young French lady who was found dead in her room in her lodgings in Moiilton Mtreet? rthe was about to become a mother. You know nc had reason to believe that she had been met and seduced in Paris by one ot oui most wealthy and re8i)ectable London bankers, a youngish man, Jl.P., In good society, and who had lately married into an ailstocralic family in England. The girl herself was ot n noble French tanilly, but in reduced circumstances. They knew nothing whatever about the lialtion, and when she came to England they supposed she ..as in Normandy. It was certain the intimacy had continued off and on tor two years, and yet all the researches of the Paris police could not discover where and how they had met. Only one person could be found who knew anythintr about it —a woman friend, to whom she had confided her condition, and to wliiun she had written one letter from London. The poor lady, having heard of his marriage, had come here resolved to make him sdtle a handsome lorlnne on her and her child, or else to denounce him. That she had seen him once in London we knew from that single lettc". In it she referred to bis name only by Initials. Her friend had never seen hiai, did not know his name. In her letter she said she had asked him to settle on her half a million ot francs, ^vhicll proved that she believed him to be a man of princely wealth. She was a beautiful woman, and everything about her — her dress, toilet, baggage, iewels— all showed that, whoever he was, the man A WKKK 01- I'AfWiON. It "0 o.ulcl iln.l .... trmr ot 1.. .. ' ^ i\u1v's roon. aIm.i.I hM liiiiiiii This was .1 bli..a. 1 l.e '•.' >^ . ' uv lie noliccl a ncimlmr odoi worketl at .t Willi any tneitj . '",''«, ,„ ,,,,„ hanasnniclv to 7heuian v,lio was conceruea co^.W alio 1 l^W/^"' There 'was A \V|;KK 111' I'APSION. «l Well, nil cvliU'liLi' k-. No (MIC llllll (,'VCT •iris. Ill l-oiiiliin, a> iiilliiily, «li>! iiiiuli' III'' 1)11 (liiiilil I'lii "» 1"'' llllXiOllS lO iK'lll lll-T. hhe WDiiM siikI li<'>','* ivcr Been il;,'ilill. V\ c I (loclor I'uinu in tin' lily's room ilioiil liii't li)"tLMauio«, iinil went- Irosscil in 11 liu'lil trriiy ■11 hurii siltTiiiiii;- niixi- lio liindliiilv. lioweviT, ,imllurl.iil-;cniioli>'ii- Immii',' I'y lii-'t siiii'. ivas iiilii'il in Wiis lolii't'il II pcdiiliiir oiloi sUiii, wliicli WHS vory a iM'i'ii iii)i>lii'il li> ll'L' ler nlulitilit'ss luul Hic iiik'iii'bkMnmuliiy, luiil scuUcrcil iilio.it. TliL' 1 wliultsvcr or poison." Iter. inc by iipplyiui; to licr iro of cliiorotorni ami li killed tliu celi'briileil I its etleclBon the em. like a musk, tlio liiun luUliucreiiselheirritiint r the redileneil uppriir- ( had disiippeurod, but r lU-niy. Uuvc you ever jury that this last vis- ml who luurdcrt'd hw'l and 1 will tell you why. I woman. Moreover, 1 and 1 weiu to penetrate Jur subordinates never something behind that. 1 10 pay handsomely to I say more. There was lUt it, and who niaungt'd jc there was no ividenco delicate approach lo him thing whatever about I lie ials in the letter, and Ihe iarance, which is a slrik- mystery to be cleaied up ent, Mr. Sonlag. Vonr a is better omitted trom vcur ..mdal iippreclallon^ I am atnild that nil V^usay and isii^pwt liiM.iit tliiii fan.' Monlv too nciir llu' mark," siilil n. - ' hlct iMiiiiinm sloiKT •■ I Imvn nUsiw* Imm-ii dissallslli d alioiil it. ilie Iriilh l» tlii.t without iilisdliili' proof, we can iml liik chiiri;e« ii-:»iti»l |M.'oplo ot hi'di posllioii and Bical wcallli. .\>< ynii nav. they have Mil Im- mense power ol piiiclianluu' or Heciiriiii: the HiipprcPHion ol cvidcnm • Well, Sir llenrv, wliv may not this cum- lie one of the kind I havn retei'i'ed lo'; It Ih not nn'onlinary caste 'I'lioiit'li, on the lace ol It it looks so '-uiu'ar Mini stupid, and oulra,:,'cous, It Is altoi;ether loo I'nvsteriiius lo be accounted for l>y any commonplace tlieorie». Take "my word for it, the real crimlnals-fot I am Miire it was no siiici.lo— are citlier podlical con»piriitois, and t'.iat 1 don't liellevp, tor if 1 am not mistaken, the man was an Kngllslimiin, ami neither Fenian Nihilht, nor Socialist— or thev are people who ar " reclfon l,t >^^^^ tukeu iu leaving the which they tohl '"« ;7;V ^ [h1 U^^^o^^ exactly nine min- S^'aml'Sf;j\r-ona^-SthiV.ot where the catastrophe o. givinf: his let eyf ul. '■\^^^^J'^ a" ess maicstic persou. have been ^rt of twite, ^vhiehnghljn^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^\ ^ taken lor a winU J°'\.'°" 'ko„i ,„ ,,low himselt up in Ke-ent Slcus^'ou^^riorl's^a^ftUeitwith hin. into the other ^''?- Mr'^fflary. ^^•ith submission. 1 don't think the indiviaual ia question blew bimself up at, all- ^,o^„ i,-,,,, up.- ::S'i'"hr\\tsth>n?SS'S°^ l^i« >U« up tl«h^'SlWuee^^us<.- ^n^t^o^m^^ ^^^, ^,^ The two K\'^'\ ,'^S" '^^^.rni^cTo tlie chief ileteclive's astute- iavorable opmiou ^I'^y ]if ^ '/^^' q" ,„,„n and philosophic siae ot Srnatu'i'r^^lS'tblKe oSspracticalUse. Mr. Sontag realized this change 'n/•;•;'y,;?^'y"f ^ .. i^[\\ produce this minute pie;;^^^£"n"ce^«SlXs t^^dThtr^ong a^n influence on my "^S';;ok out a.<^'/---i;|;. 's^^^s^i:^^ it a small piece oI/,°»^'^,f,,7,5'YoK " ^!°^'^- second piece ot to Wed P'^P*'*' ?""„ ',,.° „,i.e upon it, he rose and ap- ing it carefully aside so as not to brea^he^ ^j^„ ^rSe -arr The'SoUl wa^ evidently, in Mr. Sontag's "P^TaVonlrM°"secretary-M Commissioner-will you kindly hold your breath while 1 open this paper ,oreflngers very He pushed back the edge of t^^^^^^^^^ who is abou^ to per- fSa'mira^cuE tJlck! whicb h'e knows will succeed audconfound "\ttSe middle l-^'L;i??i„tSss. the detective pre- Takingouto his pocket a "'«f '™ =^;'^^ face so as not all the while, be said ^, " Do you see, fciTVV alter r the face turned his nose J^t^ Il^ejtffas^^ -S*^'.>- to the chief commissioner^ said, " a small piece of white enamel, and on it three very small letters, which 1 make out to be ham. A WEEK OF PASSION'. m the watcb-muker, in ett to be cleiinud anil ell, 1 walked out of . to vara the I'ircus, taken iu leaving the le exactly nine min- ere the cata8troi)he ol nn air of raillery, ami jhief commissioner, a tic person, have been Mr Sontug, that you himself np in Kegent h him into the other hink the individv.al in have blown him up?" , shutting his lips up inls. a. reaction against the lief ileteclive's astute- id pliilosophic side of cal sense. Mr. Sontag ill produce this minute 5 an influence on my itiously, extracted from ;led again from that a liaby's powder. Hold- pon it, he rose and ap- lommissioner also rose, untly, in Mr. Sontag s sioner— will you kindly ilh his foreflngers very or who is about to per- ill succeed and confound jout the size of a lady's ite. .rliiss, the detective pre- °away bis face so as not e on the precious nioisel he face, turned his nose led the glass to the chief e enamel, and on it three HAM." Sir Henry, who had examined the thin;:, .lodded. •• ProciBely," said the detective, as he cautiously refolded the pa per. " .\nri what do you make of that?" •' There is no use in putting conundrums to us," said the Home Secretary, testily. "Be good enough to tell us, Mr. Sontag, what vou make of it. • Well, Mr. Minister, and Sir IlenTy." said the detective, grave- ly, '■ the watch which Mr. Burton usually carried, and which he had on him that day, for he took it out of his pocket and hud it set by Lund's clironometer, was a beautiful chronometer watch, with a white face, and the maker was Frodsham, of the Strand." The two otflciais started. " The other watch, which he had left to be overhauled, was a Swiss watch, a valuable one, and he said he meant to give it to his sou. 2sow if 1 can prove that this minute piece of white enamel, bcarini; the last three letters ot the name of Fiodsham— letters pre- cisely like those of a veritable Frodsham, which 1 have this morn- iui; obtaiued from the maker " — he took out of his pocket a watch, and touching the spring of the case, disclosea a while watch-face, bearing the maker's name in letters incontestably similar to those on the piece of enamel—" it, 1 say, 1 can prove (hat this piece of enamel came from the bo(U' of the man who was killed iu the Cir- cus, will that have any influence on your minds?" " Where did you get that fragment?" cried the chief commis- sioner, astounded. " Vou remember, Sir Henry, that a Yorkshire bailiff named Hil- ton was close to the scene of the catastrophe at the time, and wns sprinkled with the remains ot the deceased? Yesterday 1 submitted the clothes to a careful examination with h powerful glass. Hilton was wearing a homespun suit. At the told of the collar 1 found a clot of blood, and held, partly by the clot and partly by the wool, 1 discovered a minute fragment of metal or glass, which nearly es- caped me. 1 was curious. 1 look it and placed it in a wine-glass, and waslied it. You have seen what it is. 1 instantly guessed it was part of a watch-face, and 1 examined the names of all the watch-makers in the directory for any which gave the combination of letters existing on the fragment. My inquiries lead me to suspect, at least, that this may be a portion of "Mr. Barton's watch, and if it could ouly be proved that it was, 1 should require no further proot ot the identity of Mr. Barton with the subject ot our problem. Ills son was with me last night. He is a clever and reticent young man, but after learning all that 1 have just told you, lie stated that he was satisfied that his father was the person who had perished in the Cir- cus, and that he should act accordingly. My belief is that he en- tertains similar suspicions to my own, for some reasons known only to-himselt, and which 1 could not induce him to disclose. But 1 shall know them," added Mr. Sontag, shutting his lips with a quick movement, and nodding his head. " But," said the chief commissioner, " Lord Selby and Lord Sel- hy's solicitors have been moving heaven and earth to discover Mr. Barton's whereabmits— they say he has run away with a lot ot im- portant and valuable papers. 1 really can not understand, Mr. Son- tag, what direction your suspicions are pointing in." Wm f^Q A WEKK OF PASSION. Mr. Sontag «.m kept }]--^^-'}l^'^}fl^,:^'iC^^^^ ?m ntcss ot Selby His rental was over thirty thousamt a X'^ar He and noblemen may be freemasons, no EbrIisu peer \>m uc associate ot conspirators and assassms. Oo that make wonderfully sliarp hits. Bir Henry laugued and took his leave. [indput on the air of \t you like— 1 know at lie (lid not imimrt rowing himself back me see. The young .;url of Selby, her fa- ns very fond ot her, Tilbury. Vou know )n tlie Continent and L'ars before his denth, hem about the late thousand a year. He iton, which he left, 1 der to her son, and a good terms with her slates. The late Earl uted the present Earl rs and guardians ot us ago. Tilbury came fuss about it- nearly ngs, which were held lutely above suspicion linguishcd men in the ul at him, 1 anist tell ire only wasting time, certainly, but you see must look somewhere i tightly and remained tul and said nothing, face of his chief, and L'ct any further at that ecietary, in a tone half 'eutonic love of poetry ;:nglish common-sense, dihough royal princes L peer will become the )mmissioner, when his thai sometimes he has n by induction." asniile. "If you were frequently people who A WBBK OF PASSIOir. fTi CHAPTER HI. 18 HE SINCERE? Ox the morning of Monday, the 30tli of June, at about eleven o'clock, a young man, carefully dresscil in deep mourning, and who, though lie did not e.\liil)it"(liat aulHle distinction and quiet as- surance of carriage which is ^iveu by a consciousness of aristocratic birtli and bocial enuuence, yet had "the uppearauce and manner ot one who has l)een accustomed to mix in the best society, presented himself at the door of the great lauiily mansion of the Tilburys, ia Grosveiior Place, one of tiie largest and most imposing, if not tht least ugly, of the structures which, some twenty years since, should- ered out" of that aristocratic quarter the dmgv brick shops and dwellings erected nearly a century before by the original lessees of the Duke ot Westminster. The gray-headed servant, who, to answer the modest appeal ot the bell, had emerged from his leather-hoodedseatin the hall, where he hail been perusing at his ease the " Jlorning Post," and who bore on his wrinkled face the traces of sleeplessness and anxiety, started when he saw the young gentleman who wta standing under the portico. " Is her ladyship at home, Simpson?"' said the visitor. " What, is it you, Master Barton? How you have changed to be sure! lou have grown a mustache. Will you please to come in a moment? though you can't see her ladyship." The yoimg gentleman, who appeared to have great self possession, said nothing until the old man hud shut the door and turned toward him. He glanced rapidly round the great hall, with its marble floor, its scagliola pillars and panels, its lofty ceiling a la Kenuissance, vi- olently gilded and painted by Italian artists, its furniture of rich mahoijany, and the heavy Moorish curtains which acted as portUres between the outer and inner hall, and said, in a low voice, . , " Is there any one within heariug?" "No, Mr. Burton," replietl the man. "The two footmen are down-stairs having something to eat. Vou know everything is up- s^'t here. We are kept up all night— hardly- cetting any sleep— doc- tors coming and going— people calling to mquire — look at that bas- ket of cards— there's bushels ot 'em in tiic library— lawyers prowl- ing about, and what not. 1 tell you, Master George, 1 don't know whether I'm standing on my head or my feet. I've had no sleep tor four nights, since thej' brought my lord home senseles-s. And tliere he is now, lying just as he came in a Thursday night, and we every minute expecting to hear that it's all over with him, poor fel- low! Oh, blaster George! Master George! 1 don't know what I'm doing or saying, and can hardly hold myself up!" And the old man sunk down in his great chair, and covered his eyes tor a moment with his skinny hand. " It is dreadful!" said theyoung gentleman, in a short, hard tone, the lines of his face setting like ihoje of a wooden image. His com- ,Si- -t 2§ A AVEKK OF PASSIOK. plcxlon wnB brown "naa'aSecSe"^" ri«!.tf"?i^t?^-^ power, n.l ^'""'VTno, r h » ^^ '"^1^^^' '""^ with lliiclychiselea n"«'r''^ '"? " ^;:„ "' „ magnetic: power lo a luminosity the "^^""f' .,;^'^^ Uv' aow^inT^^^^ over „ brou.l (lark eye; imir '« ,, ''"J^-,*;," 1 ^"1,; organs ot perception ^ve^e torelRMul low nil tu . n ^.„„.,,,',,pc\ hvonil of pLMTcption were I cyel)rows piojeelecl nil(l Simpson l;ept l>is eyes I they loolced red and , to see the countess— in accent of snrprise. I have had to shut the hy, tliere's l)cen tele- slie's even seen 'em- see Jlr. Pollard— he's nlieie three times, and lin't no use; slie won't rd Selby lias spoken to 1. He sees 'most eveiy- Perhaps that's what nphasis and a deepness iitellipent observer than ul emotion, at Simpson. Then he ler was lost?" it, Master George. Why : me when 1 saw yon— 30 his people say. Ay ! his lordship, one ot his lej; pardon, Mr. George: er was always respected moment when the fatal d, alarmed. ry, hard voice. "What •• They say he has gone oft with papers worth hundreds of thou- siinds ot'pounds. " " It's a lie!" said the young man. Tlien suddenly checking hfmsdt and recovering his dianity, ho made a tremendous etlort to subdue the violeul llame in liis eyes and tlie terrible contraction his features had undergone us lie utiered the di-nial. , , ,^, . , " Sinip«on," said George Barton, solemnly, and with u forced urntleness of tone and munnci, " my latlicr is dead." " Dv a fecstiire he showed the servant his hat, which bore a broad niouniinirbaiid. , ., ,, •' Dead!" exclaimed the old man. " Mr. Rnrton dead! It can t be. Mr. George. AVIiv only an hour ago, as tliu Kail of Solby were filking there, at tlio loot ot the staircase, with Sir Alfred .Marks, Sir Allied says, ' Heard anything of your steward yet, my lord?' And the earl says, ' No, d-n HUn. 1 expect he's in Spain by this time. " Il'm,'' said George llarton, irrimly, halt to himself, " Lord Sell)V also has his cJoitavix m Espugne .' lie does not know that mv father is dead, eh?" , . ■" Wlio is Ihiit talking so freely about Lord Selby? snid a sharp, clear-toned voice, as the thick curtains were thrust aside by a nerv- ous hand, while n loin:, thin, anil strangely powerful face was pushed forward, and two keen gray eves peered into the hall; one ot tliose faces which carry the marks ofathousaucisiorms, a thousand varied experiences- of passions dead, of passions still airlow, ot intellect worn and weary, of intellect still quick and active, of faded hopes and living ambitions, of desires extinct, ot iieslres unsatiated— wllh coolness, reserve, audacity, haulenr, slirew-dness, torce, all shown together; in the gray eyes, wllh their corners drawn down by a net- work of wrinkles; in the full lips, round whose edges played sucli a varitly of expressions; in the long, deep, narrow chin, whose point carried a tliiu gray tuft; in tlie tall forehead and high arched head, sparsely covered wllli gray hairs carefully barbcred; while across the forehead tlrere ran delicate horizontal lines, wlilch changed and ciiilvered at the emotions of the spirit within. Young Barloa did not reijuire to study that face. He had known it from Ids infancy. It had a stranije charm tor him, though he had never been able to regard It with confidence or aflection, though ho could not but ad- mire its force and even majesty, and though it was tlie counteiinnee ot his most noble nnd respectable godfather which now appeared so suddenly before him. The earl, by a quick movement, parted the curtains and loon a step forward. Like lightning his eye had taken In the figure ot George Barton, who, thunder-struck, nevertheles,^ by an instinctive movement made a bow and drew himself up. _ Everything about this extraordinary peer, his perceptions, his tlioughts, his judgments, his decisions, seemed to have the quick- ness and vivacity ot lightning. In an instant his face passed through a marvelous variety ot expressions—astonishment, anger, scorn; then it assumed a sudden gentleness and urbanity. . " You here, George JSarlonV" he said, modulatinsr Ins voice, and making it almost paternal and caressing. " How are you? Have you come to give me some Kood news about your father? 80 \ wr.r.K oi' PASSION. ;i ji' .. T rinn't know mv lord, how vou will coiiBlfler it. wheilier gomi nrll" reSrUi^vou « mnn. in .. pt-culiar tone; "''f^'-l'e '"^.^i:;.rcd«n£i^'^'' Al^you sum of this, now do you ''""m'v lord-tlK! imfortnnale person who-wastlie cnusi- ot the ac oLIpnt to the Farl ot Tilhury-the myMerions lu-ison who- •''''' Stav!"ntmupte.l the ^cer. putMn^ hi« Imml «" '^ 'J.'Tnto he vouiig man. " W« will not talk here. Co.no with mi- into the ^"in'tliia attitude, halt faraillarly he dre^v young Barton between the cur ains Suddenly he Btopred. released the younj; man s arm, „ nil n t his head hack Into tlie hall tor an instant. •• S r nson I am enfingpd. L.t no on,- disturh us n the library. A^iiried the way. this time without approuching ' ^ v^itor nnrton who caucht a side Rlnnce of his t»ce. could see that it «as Pi^lhZt witli cSctin« emotions, and he nerved himset forapain- ?^ oft ,re k n" u w that it would bo no holiday play to break a anci with o, e ot the most redoubtable social am. intellectual Pi nmnions in F.nL'land. ft man who had sat at the Forei-n Olflce. aKHis ownKvith Gorlchakoft, with Bunsen and Cavour and ^'when'uiev had entered tlie room, and Barton, coming second . V 1 .= rt tL .loor tlic earl wlio marched a few slow steps in the ^}f nln ot ho minte S^ with his head .lown and Ids hands in hrnock." u.Men V Sieeled round, and fixing the young man witirhis gray eves rtashlnir, sai.l, as if he would draw an avowal out ''^'.'K GeTrgrClon: -Jy I ask you what the devil you want ''*'ti!o vounc man's eve did not flinch for a moment from the cM-le ci Jnce wroh was fixed upon him. On tlie contrary his dark orbs, g ance w iio i ^"* "^ V, ense if apparently more subdued flame than KK 1 e e^rl-s eem d to seTch the^acc before hinri steadily. St e were resolved to penetrate behind the mask and read the louiwUhin. But that mask was inscrutable. He was. how- pver°eml)arrass(d, lor lie (tid not reply. ... '' Is vwir tongue tied?'' cri.d the earl, impatiently. ; ••Kiveme earl," said the voung man. bowing with dlK.iity. *° - GcS Barton dead, you say. and in so absurd a manner? 1 can nrbelieve it! What does this mean? Is this a ma«q"era1e n? mo irnin ' and is it possible you are assisting in a comedy ot de- ^I^nnn? Your father's disappearance is one ot the most evlraordi- '^^Inw^terir^l ever heard of. He was to liave met me in Portman Sqlr^on mrretura from Selby, on business ot vital importance to 1 b 1 y c a b a A WEEK OF PASSION. 81 ler it. whedier good r tone; "but "—he In lil« nnguish, niul Ihii? How do you the cnnsc ot the oc- I'lson who—" 111 on the arm ot the e with mi- into the mg Burton between e yoiinj; man's arm, nt. •1) us in the library." rouchinj,' his visitor. :oul(l see tliat it wns L'dhimselt forapiiin- oliduy play to brealc cial ami intellectual , the Foreign Olflce, sen au'J Cavour and ton, coming second, ew slow steps in tlie wn and his liamls in :ing the young man, 1 draw an avowal out at the devil you want oment from the ci\!,'le ntrary, his dark orbs, •e auluiued flame than ; before him steadily, le mask and read the table. Ele was, how- iliently. bowing with dldiiity, y last niijht that 1 ac- s victim of the awtul to-day." touched by the young e delivered it. but the ixpression ot sarcastic absurd a manner? I Ts this a masquerade ng in a comedy of de- ot the most evtraordi- ve met me in Portman 1 ot vital importance to me. He never camn. You came to mo on Thursday night, and told me that cock-aDdbuU story ftbouf his engagement to dine with you at ' ThcHalnbow.'and his failure to put in iin appearance. 1 bet the detectives at work. Not a trace ot him has Iwen found. What can 1 Buppose? 1 have not seen you gince. \Vh«f have you Ijcen doing? You seem to have been keejiimr very (luiet. Now you sud- denly turn up— wrapped in conventional gloom— and tell me that your father, R^ steady and unromantic a man as overlived, has been t.e.slroyKl, blown to pieces beyond all possibility ol idcntillcation, in a sensational pyrotechnic flare-up in llegent's Circus! ^Vhal does tills mean, I say? ]s this to throw me oil the right scent? If so, 1 am only astounded at your simplicity. If you imagine that I am to be hoodwinked by such tactics you are liardly worthy of your character as my godson, on which you are unfortunately able to pit voiir motlK-T iiwnro ot ihiaJ '•'^H ••■ r( -orue utolu h un.l .■o.,fusc..l. •' 1 Imvc ^ K though 1 Unow Shi, 13 In a tc. rlhl. slate ot anxiety. •■siK' h:is hotli wrilleu and t.^le^'mphed to ine.^ snl.l the earl; " ami I renlieil .w kmilly ami sooihinuly as 1 could. ■' I thank v<^u, n.v lord,' said IJaiton. with jvnrn Ih. That is A 1-imlX wor V ot vou! 1 ^'as g.-iu- to sav 1 wi.h the pi oofs to fj nu "if more r m plete hefore I trll h. r the dreadful truth.". Th, arl slmT dH head with u Koleinn and dlssatislleson had overlioanl yon say something not IpI^- IniS ntav^^^^^^ mvtather to Sir Alfred IMarlcs "- the ^rtdiSs-'Hu winch 1 consider yor.r lordship is mistaken. It was unfortunate vou sliould have overheard It. "Well well-sai.l the peer, who had been rapid y rcllecing ^.hlle t he >o. ■' man spoke, and had suddenly decided Jo adopt cemlet tactic han he had hitherto employe.!, tor be ^^•«^.•nward y Sf ulKvV/'''- I'v <>>« visil nml the visitor's mannc . \ ou are yoanj,, anil i ' • , ,. novice, as yo\ir god- ;Xr' an an o d m .1 ^ftlte world, an.t it is this-never open your .n.^onnnv subject whatever to a menial Never waste a thougl V send n. il .iown to the scullery with the broken meat, wliere it ,;tuhP thrown to the do-s, Never make a confidant ot a man Ssvvm own sti on in intelligence. Never give a s,•r^.mt a chance ot picking vour brains or guessing your secrets, an.l never Xw a servant tS tell vou the secrets of otliers For every unit you i^banee to .'"in in'tbe course of a lite-timeby disregar.lmg these nnlimsot an .)lacvidc. vou will lose a h.uulred units in .bgmty. Tsd" esteem ami n v-ur control over the condition, of your o(vu insett-esieem ami , ,,,.,„ ^.,„, And now tell me what have w. ^earneir Whiu is i, you wish me to believe about your father audi this horrible mystery in the Circus? " 1 rp«llv iinil sincerelv do not wish you to accept anytiimg from me my ffi. a rePS tl'e «>'"3ect. It ^as the cldef ot U- detect ve Tl;,^L^n who fast ni'-ht "ave me reasous-which. alas! I teel to beSMoo win toitldedlrio, believing that my father hu8 beea HI tl to si w "I .1; (Ii til sli he ot so 8h scl en Lc Fi'; s!i] su; eyi lOE dci 8p< Re (tes Sir we she of tioi ivL \ui\ to I lift I tiv( cal! rigl all A \vi:i;k or I'a.-jsio.n. 33 Kit think I was pre- I'Oiiilition uiiiler tlio I'O siitisiled ynurst'U icT iiwiiro ot l\m'l" •oiifiisi"!. " 1 Imvc ■ it I Imve IwitDiid to iinxiuty." nie," sftid the earl; wnrmlU. " Tliiit is I wi«li the pioots to LMulfiil truth." (llssiilistkMl nil, nnd 1 eyelids more lieeiily re Hiirton the peer's ilmngc tlio Biihject. lit! stiiil. " wlml you jts? You seemed to imd if 1 lieard aright ssure you— you were ii Spain— u country 1 ■etion. 1 WHS really n say sometliiii); not Alfred Marlw "- tlie xpleiive to Simpson's is mtstalien. It was •en rapidly relied ing sniv decided lo adopt tor he wiis inwardly i mnnnc . " You are i)U. We will say no ndvice, as your god- tliis— never open your eetillftr, long-drawn Intonation. 'A murder, I);irton, In IJegeiit Circus, in dayliglit, and in such strange ('ii-f'umstiuiccs! You aie half out of your mind. 1 don't Wdudfr at It; and the detective is a dreamer and an as.*,! i >epend upon it. wlioeviM' the man was wlio was blown to atoms on Tliurs- (liiy last in llii' Circus, it was a case r)t suicide. Had youi father, (li> you know or suspect, any motive for comndtting suK^idc?" As he put this (|iu'sii()n, the call teuucd forward and keenly scru> tiniM'd iIk! young man's face, ticoix'e Marlon's eye did not blcnirh; it was full of n strange nnd startled liiiht, A slight shudder hud passed tlirough his frame, and Lc drew a long breath, foi the words, [\w movements, tlio emoliou of tlie iMci hud sent a sudden and uwtul conviction through liis soul! Why had the eirl started at llio word " murder "? Why should lie argue for suicide-? llowevct, lie nuist command liiiu- self. He rejiiied to the peer's last iiuestion, " !None, niv lord 1 urn as .satlstied of that ns of my own exist- ence. No one knows that belti r tliiin your lordship, lie was up in London on your business— he was here lo discliurge a giave and fiiuntul duly — on your liehalf— not his own— and no man that ever ived was less liliely than my loved and honored lather lo have slirunk trom his responsibilities, or to have sought by a cowardly suicide to evade them." A Hush tnuciied, with a tleeliiiir color, the earl's pale cheek; his eyes seemed to change trom gray to green us George Barton's voice lose to loudness nnd vehemence. "Mot so loud,! pray you'" he said. " Y'ou know I am not deaf. Hut tell me, please, what are those iiroofs ot which you Speak, wiiicli the sagacious Sontat; has so mysteriously unearthed." " Ten minutes before the catastroDhe my father was in a shop in Regent Street, wliere he had culled l^or u watch whicli he— which he destined tor me." lie paused Irom (Muotion. " lie went up llegent Street. Xi the time he hud o-i him a watcli which you remember Well, for you gave it to hi'ii." The earl noddeU, iiiul his face showed an intense inter(fst. " It was one of Frodsliam's. A piece of the face ot that watch has been found. It was found in a posi- tion wliich leaves no shadow of doubt tliat it came from a watch whicli was on the victim at tlie lime ot the explosion. Again, 1 have examined the hand wiiicli is at Scotland Yard. 1 am prepared to swear it is my father's hand, lie had a slight deformity in the little linirer." " My dear George," said tlie enri, " 1 knew him tor over twenty- five years, and this is the tlisl lune 1 ever heard of it." ' It was scarcely noticeable unless B])ecial attention had been called to it. See, my lord, do you observe anything unusual in my right hand, as I hoid it and move it— so? No. But I straighten all my tiugeis. Now you observe that the Inst little linger-joint re- 8 A WKKK OV I'ASHIOX. 1 Itxhorlt tlmt p«culli\r- 84 m..lMS nt nn mi^'lo to tlio plnno of my imlm. •• Hut. OeorK'C. »nM '"^ i;*";. ,' 'g,„iiiv lotrlnil im.t cxci'llHit. ThiK iM a (irctiin, iv tiincy . > •''>;'."' V n Th. v' ..u; Immul to c.,uri.a uw.y l.V t mi !'>';; ,,^:''' ,.; , e'lrml .bun I .lu." L-el up 80I1U! theory, ^oi'i "''"\ '„"„,,. „,,,„ Uiiil your tluwy *■ ..iwoul.l nUl>er he v eve ''^ "; .•^.''l^^rve run itwav from wcrecorro.M. Georu'e '»'^^ ''\ '>''',;,'', S,.uin or ..Isuwhere. v„„, or with nny piii.cis of V^''"; 1 f on. iho niuurc ot tliO Vo. know, fro... thi. '^*"^'V'f ?'^^"'\ v.r ." . ."king 't^uy with s«i.l, "Will P'ohuhfy «"\^'^'-- .^'«/fe'!^^, 1.1 have h.ul ...ore tn,Ke.1y in that »* '"^"'^.•-''''„, J" .jo o m^^^ '"'l I forgive you; si.n»e thi.n to mala- s.ich "" "' ^7"^,' '" , "^ w.; have spoileil you yo.. .irey<.un.tl «''^'"''''l'"'''"^';'i'Iu That the privlli",,'ed ot a i; Utile, 'l «'r'''\"^^^.hl u^ '• "y presumption to godson .10 not ""'^^'^ *° If "r.e s poo ol the iealn.. In any f,l8 godfather, especially when Its '^ ' 'J^' , „,„ r,j,m.r stilted case' ,nay I he P^""'"''' '" ';^K "S \oward me .lurin, this in- ;^l,;X,^t^>^.ramE^TiuL^V i>e.hapsyou have date ot delivery. It was the 23d of June. " You have seen a «■«<:«•?•/ ^^^,0 ^heii he was ! papers nad the A WEEK OF fA'SIfiX. 85 iprlt Umt p«cullivr- Iml." c young niiin, wltU ;lln« nnil suspicion lent iiiKl fX't'Hi'"'- llillitv. Do not he Tluv'iiH! Iii'uiul to (1 tl'lllU I II. u." 1 tliiil Yi'Uf tli(!nry •wr run iiwuy from imin or clsuwhort'. iU(! niuuro ot llic iimUiiiL' iiwiiy with ihicli, 1 venture to ply to assist mo to ly unilcr wliosu roof I soliilion." 1 Hoinc; olIiiT CIIU80, y, Thcrowiis soiue- Innnoyeilliim kccri- )ung miiu. will) lu'pt the peer's gelf-coni- l in 11 steiiily voice, liul of Tilbury," he ut ot any domestic iiild hiive li!«l more ; l)ul I forgive you; we have siioiled you t the privileges ot ii 86 or presumption to the realm. In any fess the ratlur stilted n\ me during this in- ires me— will you, I ) know thiit such ini- Teihnps you have iicre they are, though linnaed them over to 'leam ot liirht tlasheil Pollard 'A: Pollard? ,t?" Ing the papers nud the ■e aware, when he was ghisquaiters." ig his anxiety. " your my business— to you? "Pardon mo, mv lord, 1 have no hosilallon In an««\cilng Ihc niicMtlon Irankly. For llie piisl two vers there have ht-eu no wcrels lletween mv lather and me. lie di-' ussed all his linsineds cmll (h'ntiallv w'llh mo, wideli In tn siiv iil oiu tnwlntss. It may have Im'.-> an' indiscretion, hut I would fiiii. -ope It wiii. nol a dhhonorn lile one. You will rerncniher, your lor.Nliip eneourajed us to hope that 1 nilirhl siieeeed my lather In tlie posillon ol your acenl. le Houeht to initiate rxie into the Im-iness of the post whieh il was his amhition, though I conless it wa.', not altogether mine, lliat 1 should •' Do you mean to tell nu!,"»aiil the carl, excitedly, " that your father conlhleil to you the ou really suppose your falhi'r to he deeeased, are vou wlllln" for some ohjeet ot yoin' nwn, to hlucKcn his memory to his emplov'rr, as a IrUHlwoiihy and discreet man of liiisiness? I never should have lielloved this ot George IJarton had I not heard It from his son!" , , , , ,1 , The peer had begun to move neivously about the room, for llii» Informiitinn h'ld evidently troubled him, but suddenly recollecting himself, he sat down wllh a loreed air ot Indillerence. •■ Mv lord," said young llarlon, " 1 am sorry If you teel inchuKl to blame mv poor father for placmg loo much conlldencein his son. His condiu't is, perhaps, open to critieisrw. Hut he felt that lie could trust his conlldant (as 1 humbly venture to assure you he could Implicilly). and he really ot laie seemed to teel the need of some second person to lean on and advise with, no great were his anxieties, and so overwhelming the responsibilities of Ids position, You must remember that lie was, unlortunalely, i)laced in asilua- tion in which he became, In a sense, the tiuslee, or depositary ot olhev Interests than yours— a situation treated by yourself, In which il was impossible for liim, as a mau i>t honor, to look only to his duty to you as his employer. You know that he was a man who. in It'll ho did, constantly lioie in miiul the uncertainties of lile, and was always trying !o lake precautions to jirevent tliem fri>m injur- ing any of the inleresis eonhded to his care. Tliis peculiarity, mnuy who had business transactions witli him thouultt he carried lo ex- cess The bufiness you speak ot was Ihe most troublesome, ills- a'Teeiible, and imporlant of his lite. It welglied ti|>on his mind aiid depressed Ills spirilK He deemed il a speiMal duly iu that case to lake special precautions— for he had lost all conlldence in Pol- lard A Pollard— that, iu Ihe event of any sudden calamity— tliomrh he could not possibly have fore.sten anylhinu .so dreadful as that which has actually occurred— some one should be in a iiosition to see that no ones interest should sulTer by his death, especially those ot his friend and mine. Lord Tilbury, or those of the coimless, who has always treated my fattier and his family with such kindness and consideration." , , , , i ■ The earl had not lost a word, though he seemed to lie looking over and bevoncf the young man Into same far di.siance, while Ihe latter was speaking. 'He started, as it from a reveri?, when (ieorge IJarton hart finished, but he remaineil still wrapped ir; thought, with his hands crossed liehind his head, lie seemed to be pursuiUK some train of thouehl which h;id suddenly been suggested to mm, to be 36 A WEEK OF PASSION". revolving some unseltled iihi.; tor once or twice he opened his lips to speak, nnd quicUly shut tlioin again. Then, taking down his hands, he spoke quietly, and with an appearance, at least, of cor- diality. " George, " uc said, "what you have just told mo conges upoa ine as a surpi-ise. 1 was not aware (hat lliere was another creature living, except your talher, the Bolicitors, and m3'8elf, who knew anything ot the exceedingly grave aflairs to which you allude. If hehas, indeed, conthlcd ail the particulars to you, yon must know what 1 mean by qualifying them in tliose terms." George Barton . bowed. " AVell, it may be tor the best after all. For the moment 1 am unable to judge. You are young and iuexperieuced. 1 must reflect. I must seek for further intormaliou. 1 am in the Lauds of Pollard & I'oUard." " Unhappily, my lord!" The winds suddenly escaped from the young man's lips before he bad taken time to think. The ear) threw a glance ot irritation at him, which, however, he immediately suppressed, and resuming his calmness ot look and speeeb. went on: " Well, you can understand the delicacy ot my position. Your father was arraniring to relieve me trom it, at a great sacrilice to me which 1 was anxious and willing to make. The means ot doing it were in his hands. They Jiave disappeared with him — unless," said the earl, his lace suddenly lighlenini;— " unless the papers are at your cliambers." " They are not, my lord," said George Barton, with decision. ' 1 have already told you that Ihey arc at Pollard «k Pollard's." " Humph!" said the earl, thinking aloud. " The m\-stery thick- ens. You aie certain you have seen the receipt?" " Absolutely certain, ray lord. A sort of co.jy of it is in a place ot security known only to me. 1 had it in my hands this morning. Jly father had the original on him on Thursday when he left the Temple to meet you." The earl's mind was evidently working at some hidden problem, for he had spoken, and continued to speak, absently and mechanic- ally. " You are certain you have it? Humph! well, that requires ex- planation. I am more puzzled than ever. It is like a maze— one rtnds an iii./'osne at every turn. What could he gain by disappear- ing? He could do nothing with the bonds. Pollards say his ac- counts nuist be in disorder. " " They lie, my lord," said George Barton. The earl bridled at this lude interruption. " Strong woids ore a mistake, George, except on very rare occa- sions. " " This is one, my lord. Forgive me, but 1 can not hear a word, from any one whatever, which either directly or remotely attacks my father's honor." " \Vell— 1 can not blame you— 1 must take time to IhinK this over. Gracious heavens! AVliere is your father? "Why has he dis- appeared? All this has profoundly troubled, harried, upset me. We can do no good by talking turlhe'i at this (nomeut. If you have any tmdm on. twice be opened his lips Tben, taking down liis (caiance, at least, of cor- net told me coir.es upon ere WHS another creuluro and myself, who l;new to which you allude. It , to you, you must know terms." George Barton [■r all. Vov the moment 1 d inexperienced. 1 must on. 1 am in the hands or ■oung man's lips before he him, which, however, he Uis calmness ot look ami cy ot my position. Your it, at a great sacrilice to me 1 The means ot doing it '(i with him— unless," said ." unless the papers arc at . Barton, with decision. " 1 )Uard& Pollard's." . .)ud. " The mystery thick- receipt?" . , •t ot cow of it '-S in a place [, iu mv hands this morning, f huTsday when he left the ,g at some hidden problem, eak, absently and mechanic- nph! well, that requires ex- ,er It is like a maze-one could he gain by disappear- bonds. Pollards say his ac- irlon. |J,°except on very rare occa- « but 1 can not hear a word, directly or remotely attacks oust take time to jhhiK this ■our father? TVhy has he dis- ubled, harried, upset me. \N e his moment. If you liuve any A WEKK OF PASSION. ' 8t recard for me. tor my family, in which you have always been treated as a friend— if you have any regard for your father s mem- ory— vou will do nothing hastily." . The earl once more keenly and anxiously acruUnized the young man's face, as if he would pierce to the very center of his l)ram. lie had not forgotten George Bartou's admission that his object m coming to Grosveuor Place was not to see him. He had the suspi- ciousness of a man who hud a giave scciet to conceal— over whose head hung a sword of Damocles. . " You will do your best, let mo hope, to assist us in clearing up this business. In your father 1 have lost, at a critical moment, a wise and devoted counselor. He only could understand and appre- ciate the difllculties of my position, and do justice to my intentions. To you, 1 can only say that, it your father's memory is cleared, as 1 trust it may be, and you will behave with discretion, 1 sliall know how to prove the sincerity of my obligation to you." I'he earl uttered tliese Inst words with grace and feeling. A strange liiibt clowed in Ihe dark eyes of the young man. Some grave predetermination was strucgling with some flash ot comfort or pleasure, which the words tie had just heard had sent tlirough his being. He took the earl's ottered hand and pressed it. He did not venture to speak. The peer did not detain liim, observing tliat he was under llie intluence ot secret emotion. He simply rang the bell for the footman, and turned to the table which was covered with papers. He also was troubled and preoccupied. Geoige Barton, seeing that it was useless for tlie present to pres^ tor an interview with the Coi ntess ot Till)ury. and perhaps not now so anxious to precipitate matters as he had been, (luietly accepted his dismissal, and left the house, so buried in reflection as hardly to be conscious what he was doing. " Simpson," said the earl, entering the hall a few minutes after the door had closed on his involuntary visitor, and buttoning his gloves, while the footman stood attentive with the peer's hat and stick. " whom did Mr. George Baiton ask to see?" " The countess, your lordship." " Well, if he should call again, and 1 am here. 1 will see him. If 1 should not be here, you can say tliat her ladyship is engaged." " Yes. your lordship." Tlie "earl went out. " What do you think of that, Mr. Perkins?" said Simpson to the footman, alter he had placed a couple of inches of oak between himself and the peer. " We aiu't my Lord Selby's gentlemen, and neither the countess nor the young earl would be pleased to know he were a-interfering with their visitors, be they great or little ones." " 'Xactly," said Mr. Perkins. " but he does what he likes, does the earl, and what he likes is to have his own way. H 1 was you, Mr. Simpson, 1 would just mention it to Mrs. Collops, her lady- ship's lady-in-waiting, and take uer advice about it, before 1 car- ried out such orders as them. He's foxy, the old earl, you know, and the younc lord was always very tree with that young Mr. Bar- ton " "Ay!" returned Mr. Simpson. " And old Mr. Barton is dead! 1 *,t t\\ .H gg ' A WKKK OF PASSION. ^,ess tron, wbat M. George suul he is .be very man lUat assfiKiatod &Mn Regent Circus the other day. ..\V— w— what! „„„„n,in(T verv mvsterious about aU this. " \es. And there's s"'"^^'''"^ jeiN ™ysi«- ^^^^ys\\\Y, likes to nUdvise with Mrs Colj^p8,.i8you^^^^^^ Hex^lady ^l^^^ Imve her Owu way, too and no "icneric ^ ^^^ ^^^^ ""ff^Ti run "iSn'stXCi Vat a little snacU. Cards and tlcnian." ,;,' CHAPTER IV. ' A CASE VEUY IMFEUFECTLY STATED. Mn. SOKTAO had not V^^-^!^^^^Xoi T!^^ papers of his ,^^\P}^'^ZoT^'Z^^d)^t\M encouraged life;ht ^■ho had Pe"«l»<=J^ '" S,^f °t' the gay reporter, to have her ^^ ay. He rumor, the sweet De\>l'*>' » "''^ f J ' ^^ iu^iirect and underground intended ta,P"'?f.«nJpi?ues accurate, he was sure thai he would manner. ^ Were l'^' ;?« " f .^"'^'jHes "o w«"" «"^ ^^^ particulars ot a not be able, by any direct iiquints to ^^.^.^^ ^^^^ resources conspiracy involving people of tl e ^^^^^^^^^^ the assistance of people who had evidently b ete as o gv i o ^ «ce^f ^/.^^..^^ ,„ order to BO paramount was this object that »»«) j^ Hence he con- secure it, trom 'mperilmg "le Im^ ot o^h« ip^^^ ^.^^^ijo,,. ] „t eluded they were f^J.«Pf"^^\'°P^ag' so desperate that it prompted ^vhat was the 8>l-^»t'o°„^i"^\ t7|ucl% horrible speci.-sot crime, some person or persons to .eso t «>J»^^^ \ ^ ot a peer? ^ , in order to lid themselves ottlebusm^^^^ ^, j,,^ A I Young Barton liad gone I o !''e |^^ fcuve i ^ tavorably suspicion ot toul play, ""^''-^tu'irnfL George had recognized , impressed Mr. Sontag , who felt obliged ,aier u .^ circumstances S lather's hand, to communicate to 1 m^|^« ^^^^^^ ^ led to find relating to the watch. Mr Sontag '^o^^ • ^J terrible suspi- that young Barton, l\'""S^'}*'":L"„|e with regard to the business cions. preserved an obstina e » >?"^\^^^"^, t^^uis relations at that which had btoiight WB.f'W'^cr t« ^^g";^^*^^' ''^na not press him. He time with the Earl of f'^^yiJ^'Helmu not the least ideaof worry- Ko-«-^StloiXs"^^^^^^^ iry man lliat assfl stated steriouB about aU this. 1 Hor ladyship likes to e Do you tbiuk, Mr. he door tor a tew min- ittle snack? Cards and ir." willing to oblige a gen- • STATED. It to slip into the uews- lenlily ol the individual ■■ rather encouraged ligut ■r, to have her w ay. He idirect and underground ,e was sure thai he would m out the particulars ot a 3t position and resources, mroand the assistance of In such a case he must usand ingenious obstacles ■ayed and sold by some of aer to lay a firm basis tor V hint ot his suspicions, 'on with the Selby family, weded his disappearance. ad evidently counted upon trace ot his identity: and lid not shrink, in order to jer people. Hence he con- desperate situation. JJui aesperale that it prompted a horrible specii'S ot crime, I agent ot a peer? ve Department at the first nd sincerity Had favorably ifier George had recognized , the striking circumstances ivever, was puzzled to find siranse and terrible siispi- rith regard to the business n or to his relations at that ac did not press him. He i not the least idea of worry- e took the instructions ot eftort in endeavorinsr to dls_ of Mr. Barton. He asked A WEEK OF PASSION. 3a those pcntlemen no questions, acceptinir any stntomcnts they mudo williout pressing for explanations. What those statements wire will appear hereafter. In the newspapers of iMonda/. the day on which young Barton liad made his visit in Grosvenor Place, the following atlverlisemcnt had appeared : "£100 REWARD will be given for information of the wliere- abouts of George Barton. Solicitor, op Manor Calliani, Dibdalo, Yorks. And I'SOO-FIVI-: iIL'>iDHi;D I'OUNDS-for the recov- ery ot a number ot documents, last in the possession of the f-aid George Barton, consisting of deeds of lillc, l)onds, and other papers, of a confidential chariicter, and ot great value, a list of which may l)e seen i)y any jierson who can i)i'ovo to the suliBfaction of tho undcrsiRned that he is likely to be able to give any information of their wheieabouts, or that ot the sai 1^1 English gynipnthy and ;rc?v5 t^SboSl'-a sS"g -lca^no;the top of .hich is cov- ^"^i^c miiXs thus passed in a silence which was as manly as it was affecting. wiiiinc the tears from hiscycB.nnd ^r\:^ ^^:'!^Z.T:elr■':^^atSfoi theh^sual fire; -^rXK^yoJin^a^tewdaj.^^^,^^ voice, "f. youSow. there was Bometi.m| - •^--'K.^rndcrlis arm. yS' B"^ton suddenly recoverin^^^^^^^ C^'old la^er. snatched the newspaper *'°"^.^f,^Xmarked, in solid lines of ink, ^ith the instinct of his r7i<=!?'°^'i'„ column"' Barton's eyes had „ small oblong space in ^^^.^^^l^J^^em^ eyes shot flame. ?aken possession of 'ts contents at ^ g^"?^^;^ Ji,;„g the paper on the ground" ^^ AidEntSv^ know't ill the ti^me he was talking ^°S^-Ud at^Le f'-I^SI^ti^'^SS^-"-'^'-^ that the latter drew back insliuciivLi). «t b ment, and stretched out his hand ^^.^^ ^ ^^^ j, i ^d KftS. ?S;irUCrt'm"yoak/^Yemustnotbem. ^TeC^cccded to shut his outer door, and when he returned to the room his manner was «=«]« and decided. ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ •• Le Breton," he ^a^Vn/p first who has called my attention to bi8elbows.onit.'*voyre hefira^^^^^^ 1 ^as closeted this advertisement, and ne\eriueiew, uu with Lord Selby!" su vc Hi A WEEK OF PASSIOK. il As and tlie tears ran licacy, appeared not ; baud a pipe which libenitiou, ;;'e atlornuys "^"f^'^, *-' "f,,7„8y "or an Ingenious ,hey p/eseul a case for our '>i;>»';;"i„J^,'^,^ ^^^, ,';',\ ,o,ne iuiportaut attorney who wants to ";«1^«^";»^^*^ usXs him in plunsing a facts, and so to gel an »P " °^,;^\';„^o", Si has lost his case, ii Is client into a lawsuit; and ^^if" '''", ,f !^,,^'' '"gih j^ lies-it is. 1 ex- the circumstantial evirtence 'f]"^" f, "ff^'j^'^Se le^ is already ac- had perished in Rep"t p[<;"«. f^ ''i;'£ j come up to London wltli quainted, first statina that ^f J^ mos'f vh" interest to Lord Sel- regard to a matter of H.^8»°cf„\of„|Hf,i?'buV'u^^^^^^ had in his by and his sister, t^e Countess otribu.yMUainen ^^^^^ pWssiou papers which were f° J^^^^^i^^^^S ible for them; peared; and a list oi '"^ ""^"V' ^" „„,ej vvith the oi Rinal receipt, hi™'" . ,„ ,„io«o tii«t ft verv violent scene had taken place He then went on to relate ^'^^^f^jy^.,, between his father and SbetfTbre Erd'L ?«rroTS?b^»be,«g: .b.. / ind, and do not ask )ld barrister, leBum- titude, " tb&l laai si matetittl lads nre ■ally Uie tate ot our ct or carekssuess or J whole irulli whea asy tor an iuj;enious !eul some iiuportaut } him in plunsing a las lost his case, ii is )ililv lies— it is,. 1 ex- insel. you aie very »r any opinion given see what 1 can raalse me." etoie the barrister all ity of the person who ! reader is already ac- le up to London w^lth 1 interest to Lord Sel- at he had had in his important as to liave responsible for them ; )llard & Pollard, who George Barton, had 1 ot the day he disap- 'in the receipt, which h the oiiRinal receipt, ■, was now lying there I'nior. but could not at ipers were therein par- )llard & Pollard lljem- particulars of the loBt the perspicacity of the then, I suppose there do 80 directly." Le Bieton. I— it disappeared with it scene had taken place jctwten his father and gree to a certain line of that, on his return Irom expressed himaelt with 2 in the profession th»t tliament," the only IK«- 1 a paradox— in stronger George Barton ever re- auy human being; that A WEEK OF PASSION. 4d the nc\t moralug they had brenkfnste ' togell.er in his chambers at !• TU1.X a icr which Georce went lo read in the library, leaving hU tn 1 er writing; that the elder Barton had received a letter from Kf" rl orS ^ho had l.een absent for three or four days in ho rmmtrv statli c that lie would arrive at St. Paucras Station at f5urS/k ,S r^'equeslii.g Mr. Burton to meet him at the family Sanson in Porl man Square, at Ave that afternoon; tha he liad Zml to return Z the Temple after the interview, and to dine with his son at ' The Rainbow ' at seven o'clock. •Tkft him silling there, writing," said ynung Barton, with emo lion •' He smHat me as 1 went out. and sahl, * XVeMl circumven Ihoso rascals vet if the earl only holds true and has courage. I never saw Him again. You know, as 1 am not yet called 1 keep no clerk The laundress left at halt-past ten, and he was here then. The next trace we have ot him is his calling at Lund the watch- maker's in Regent Street. He intended to give me H^e -^"^tch h« used to mry before the Earl of Selby presented him with a mag- niflppni chronometer watch, made by Frodsuam. , , , , , YoimrBarton t^en related the other facts which he had learned 'The'^oUnawyw had listened with close attention to this history and spite his sympathy with his young friend whose genuine aftection tor his father could not fail to excite emotion, even in one wl,™,fi Pntbusiasin and faith in mankind had long since gone out^ la rsC o?now only glowed in faint embers, he could not repress the suspicion of inciedillity which too long an experience of the world IXf human nature had made habitual to h m. 1 was nipossible for him to iH-lieve that George Barton was the ind victual who bad met h?s deafh in Regent Circus. It was inconceivable to he old Wend who knew George BarU.n so well that he. staid, timid about Are ams and by no means givn to curious inquirits or experiments^ should be cariying about explosives, especially in the crowded stree 8 ot the metropolis. Even should his an.x eties have turn^l Krain toward suicide, that was certainly not the method of self- SlstructVn he would haVe chosen. It was supposable that the man rniloZt Circus miirht have been contemplating suicide, and that he?ad furn S himself with nitro- glycerine for the purpose and fhatithadgoneott prematurely -but George Barton wa. not that ""Moreover he was one who, even in suicide, would have thought of others He svould have spared oihers any pam or danger in de- stroJinThimself He would, if anytning. have taken a poison. t3 Le Brrton argued to himself. Well, how could such a man J} .i.«<,P.l with dvnamite or nitro-glycerine without knowing It? fid some mSousperr^ a c^artridge into.his pocket in the rtreet? Tl7e i lea seemed too absurd to be worth discussion. Such fSonranthrrlskof being himself blown up. of being seen of beC caught Le Breton did not say to his young friend, but ue Sht that the lattei's confidence in his father's integrity, and his anx"ftv to prove it/led him to accept too readily the very naperfect evidence which was in possession ot the police as substantiating his ?heo?r The hand, he Emitted, was a very strong PO'at; but after K was so easy to b« deceived by a hand, especially after death. 44 A WEKK OF PASSION'. a-. •^1 t Tho lililc fln^er was a. coincidence inUTesting but cone usiyc. ilain Mr Soilag's watch tl.cory was inccu.ous. but trivia . FStnm'9 watcbS. IModuct ot n>orc tlum a century ot ma-uifac - re ?e'cuo mnlK.Vi.lbv Imn.lrecb, but by scores of lliousa u 8 If il.o wortliv Yorlisliiremau bad also caught a piece of llie Swiss ;;atch as "e^l on his clothes, that wouUl have becu .nuch more cou- '''TMirolon felt wluU pain it would cause the young man to combat th .^st iuiar u^^ that his latner had n.et his death u he m.n- .^ uig^sted. but he was too honest to conceal h.s « ""^ •■ Wllliout inoie conclusive proof, he said I think «e must abandon your theory of your tather's death. 1 tlunk you luive ac- ''••■'ieV'^K^^^^^^^ that be has nm awayr cried George, ma tone of anguish. "Is that consisteut with your nd,vcr vila> *"-'ftoy'nol'tollow, my dear Barton, that your father is not .lead has not been ma le waj: with. It is'that wliich 1 wish to impress ;;;lrj^i.. While you are pursuing thischimera, you may beiosmg *"'.?l5o '^'airGeS'B'lton; •' 1 have so firm a persuasion that 1 am St Ua Ido not teel it worth while to tollow up any other dmve imniedUtelv to Scotland Yard, 1 visited every place where I Jould fan" ye had gone. 1 went to the hospitals to satisfy myself W ad Seen the victim of an accident or ot sudden illness The ^.?r hil been to Loid Tilbury's, lie was the first to tell me of that XibleSSs in the Circus. Somehow the conviction flashed S" mo there that it was my father who had perished unfer Lord Tilbur^s eves-an incident which, if you only knew all the tacts wukl appear to you to increase the improbability of iny theory, so ^conceivably strange and dramatic does the coincidence appear. ThrvoTng earl as you know, has never recovered consciousness lie knew nu" father well. He alone possibly could clear up he nu.stPrv-he mav have caught a glimpse of him-but there is Ittle one of his recovery. Since that tinfe 1 have hardly slept a wink. ^h^avetliouSot nothing else; my con .'iction has .rown stronger the morel rev?cw the Circumstances. That couvfction 1 can not S^^ke ofl The interest that certain persons had in destroying the undoubU^d proofs of their crin:inality «:h ch were in my fathers nowession-an immense sum of money which was involved- He Btojped suddenly He was forgetting the caution be had imposed "'rSe^oTd bairister caught at this hint, but he saw that George did nof wish to compromise some important personages, whom he nat- S?K guessed to be either the Selbys or the Tilburys He said, •• By the way, did you make any inquiries at Pollard & Pol'ard s? " Yes The partners said that in the circumstances they did not A WEEK OF PASSIOX. 46 ig but conclusive. jHious, but trivial, ntury ot inanufact- corea of Ihousnnils. piece of tlic Swiss ueu inucli more cou- 3ung man to conibnt is ilcntli in tlie nun- liis opinion. " I tliink we must thinli you liave ac- ' cried George, m a. your ihk'jer ritm lur lather is not dead icb 1 wisli to imjiress ra, you may be losing n a persuasion that 1 follow up any otlier me very toolisb and { anxiety began witb r nigbt— so soon as 1 ; eleven o'clock from put out, my father's cion of foul play. 1 every place where I tals to satisfy myself t sudden illness. The first to tell me of that lie conviction flashed 1 perished under Lord ly knew all the tacts, ility ot my theory, so 3 coincidence appear, overed consciousness, ily could clear up the im— but there is little ! hardly slept a wink. 1 has "rown stronger t conviction 1 can not had in destroying the I were in my father's was involved — " He lution be had imposed 3 saw that George did onages, whom he nat- Dilburys. He said, t Pollard & Pollard's? mslances they did not consider llmt they would be justified in grflntintt nn: nn interview They instructed a clerk to tell me that Ibcy bad placed the nmltir in tlie irniuls ot the police, and that 1 must communicate witii J 1 ii»,> inii.roMt In ilie sniretromtheBfttTicto the • I tell you 1 saw 1 he receipt. '.' MySher hn.l 11 in Uls Imn.l on Thurs.lay morning." rroristrs^yuio:!;^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ "nSaTe?'jJ4"rSisT"p5enUy. for these Identical p«per.r' "Were no other documents in question? :: SXh'ey any interest in s«PPrc.inga^^^^^^ y^r./drnr.! 1 .lon't see how tl'i7 could Irn^e ^ '« ^J'^^„°^;^J„° some bonds to =^£ ^=r ^ffi^- --d wUh a PU. ^^'^A^rhtn c^d SSunVEl^i ot Tilbury come of ager ::{?av?KctlnuTihe executor or executors of the estate ^f^t'slSeK-nTjJt' completed. Lord Tilbury has^absohde confldence In.Lora Sell'i; '^« ««'f„fSrhe eC e aSlnls^^^^^ :i''\Tpolfar'r&Toffl''?Kstltw^^^^^^^^^^ million and three complicated. Lord \''""jy "' , ,h! ■ nothing to do with the admin- Cr. Srsh»go"l£S traSunTs with the Pollards, and ''■"H.Snd "there was a disagreement?" said Le Breton. ;: ^'h • '1^ .hf« " «i" d Ihc'barrister. turning upon young Barton and ^ying'C £n."" yoS base a theory of Wl play on the part ot such a^rm as Pollard* Pollard?" " I haven't said that." • • ?doD'Teven imply U. 1 tell you there are other clrcumstflnces. which all Jour ?ng"nuV would nV enal.)e you to guess at, which ^E-^d^drt^P^KSCl'urr . th. direction ne .nntinuedtosKtbelistbetorehlmasit he were endeavonnc to exSict some Kfratlon from the bald statements U contamed. A AVEKK OF PASSION'. 47 , tliesfttncto the —hum, liiiui — rge of €50,00(» ' li, .lulv con, ion e United Pmtis lonumcntiil! Do 1& roHoid?" ling." Ml lett tiK'iu on lie on Tliursiliiy otiUl have called lonllcal papers?" hese documcnls? if the (locunients je, son»e bonds to V with such docu- jcted with a puz- age?" iters of the estate bury has absolute Ijorit Selby. over- entire admlDislra- niillton and three ^ears are long and in my father. He with the admin- 1 the Pollards, and Breton. ipou young Barton ul play on the part ther circumstances, to guess at, which this direction. He ?ere endeavoring to B it contained. ,'=>iiil(k'nlv he striicU his (iHiliciul wiih hit palm. ■ I'.iirion," he siiid, " I rcciill Honietliiii); viigut'ly which made soire n«)ise til tlie time. Did not the olil Kail of t^eihy dlsiuhuril the prt'si'iii onc'V" " Will, US far nx ho could. The family cstaloa were settlc<^.'«J° »\^Jfi7Jaon'rbotoo c^^^^^^^^ Li vour vou in the c rciimstances. i only say, """ •,""'",,„_., i-pijeve he is The? has perished in the manner y"" b^^P^/^^-^""^ dead till you have "^^olu € proo s-do l «pare a^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ A WEEK OF I'ASStO.V. 49 ,. lo wlilfU I he i(.unu TiUmry, Mulon (Irnrnto red lo I ho Eurl lie (loeil to have my oil a clmrgo 11 life Interest." , Still. LliUoa lis i\\i- countess ;o sum 111 L'ush, menl. It wiw ft fd, ostensibly to artcis ot B mill- ft larRO advance says." er, testily. " but f it. The situa- (nets you would in keeping these d to make known mornine that the ■ecL'lpt was in ex- Itold him of it." words. ave known of the I My ilear Bar- on, " really now, ■ou expect me to eaning across the ( and sincerity ot iviil never show ft have thoiiirht of you. Itiustj'ou yill forget that you t all you have told I't possibly advise 10 certain that your don't believe he is ny exertion to (lis- iny absurd notions in the proper quar- ters any Inlormallon you hi.vo whlcli may lenil lo elucldaio your '"••'7 Hilr 'li. .1 feartullv dlHl.nll portion," said younu; Ui>rion. • Wiih all niv Ine.xperlence, 1 have alone lo try ami counK'infl ft cou.plracv concoele.! by some of the .hrew^leHt and n.ost nim.lng hfads that ever eniruned In a great crime. I have to ^el at^ the bot. torn ot a mortt (llslionoral)lo ami criminal tranHaetlon, ami I Imve o tiv to do tlilH wllhoiil Inlus-licu lo peoi-le whom 1 have b. en liuitrlil to rcHpect. wilhoul injury lo in.ioeent perions who may l.e "V" ved in theeonk-.iuence8i ami yet, at all ha/.ards, 1 musland w 11 i" " « « niy lalher'H memory ami take care that the autliors o his duManl ly crime shall meet the punishment lliey deserve. To kill such a man! 80 noble, so pure, so gentle, so good! «« KC»crous to hi^t enem m^^ and m kind even to wtong-doers. sinners, and outcasts! I '""' •"''' the thought of Ihe injustice of It nearly drives me mad! And 'o tliliik that his murderers, those who planned and su^'ges ed Ills death in this violent and ignoble fasliion. may go uupunisb. d-may conllnue to live on and enjoy their ill-gotten weaitli! Hy ''f-"V<;» Le nreton, it I thought that were possible, 1 would renounce taltU in anything but evil and selrtsiiness!" ,, , . " Tut tut!" said old Le llreton, who was moving uneasily aiiout, in and out among the furniture, as it ho were ihiidding a mn/.e. ills hands in his pocuels and his ell)0W8 stuck out like the winus ot an untrussed foRd-six'ftking to himself, of course. " 1 don Hike this -overexcitement- brain lever-ciuile in the ' Lrcles vein. Hut I am resolved," continued Barton, and 1 tuist 1 shall have the courage and the strength lo do my dulv in the mailer. " \men!" said Le Breton, gently. "1 have unbounded confl- dencc in your abilities, but the task you are proposing to yoiirself , I can see well, would have taxed the Intellect and the audacity of a AVestbury. Above all, keep cool— as cool as you can— and remem- ber 1 nm always at your disposal." , ,, , , The old barrister took an aflectlonate leave, but be shook his head as he went down-stairs. " Never had a case so imperfectly stated In my lite-not even by AVest & Greenall, who never state one at all, but in any case they send vou all the documents. There Is some infernal and unheard ol mystery behind all this, or else poor George is in a bad way. The anxiety, 1 tear, will prove too much for him. Poor dear old Bar- '° As he stepped across the Temple there vyas a kind of 'Iry, legal moisture in the old barrister's eyes, which ho wiped away with his handkerchief. Barton, left to himself, paced the room for a long time, ''"r'edjn painful retleclions. Recalling with the m nutest care ^^y.^jofd and incident ot the interview lie had had with the Earl of Sclljy, he tortured his ingenuity in efforts to sound Ihe depths of that great act cian's mind. Wm not his conduct during that Interview strange and incomprehensible? Was the ha.shnessot his f^t '•eceplion put on'' Had he really suspected that such a man as his late agent had been guilty of embezzlement, and had run away to avoid the con- sequences? ■ ,j , r 60 X AVEEK OF PASSIOX. i/l The young man was inexperienced, and he was hardly able to conceive or correctly appreciate the protundily of the cynicism and unheliet enjjeudered by the long exiieriences ot such a lite as that of the Earl ot Selby— which was not, indeed, one lite, l)ut Inilf u dozen lives wrapped in one. So that Georije B:irton could not lind ,any excuse for the peer's acceptance, even tor a moment, of the base in- sinuations airainst his father's motives which had evidently been made by Pollard & Pollard. Theu'the carl's suspicion of him— was it real or pretended? Was it not the astute diplomacy of a guilty man, who, to divert suspicion troni hiinsell, accused his accuser?? Again, his affected kindness, and the alirupt and strange variations in his manner, his apparent anxiety to discredit t'ie id-^a that the elder Barton had met with any loul play, his elaborate sarcasms leveled at the Circus theory, his suggestion ot ."uicide, and the anger he exhibited when he discov- ered that some one was yet living who knew all that the missing agent had known ot his — the earls— weaknesses find wrong-doing? And then the sudden chaniie in his tactics toward the close ot the interview? AVhat did it all mean? The more the young man pou- Jered and puzzled over it, the more firmly he became convinced that Lord Selby knew something of his father's fate— was an acces- sory to tlie frightful crime by which his moulh had been forever silenced. B '^ain he shuddered at these awful suspicions which he cou!.; -JOt repress, at the consequences which loomed up befoic him dark and terrible. He shrunk appalled from the prospect of drag- ging this peer before a court of justice, especially when he thought ot the iSelby family, of the Tilburys, with whom he had been so In- timate, who had been so kind and gracious to him from his boy- hood ; and then one fair face seemed to rise up before him, in the bloom of early beauty, and with a form full of grace and charm; and eyes were bent upon him which had alwaj's seemed to carry in their soft, luminous depths the gentle and eternal brightness of the stars of heaven. Deep in the lieart ot this practical young Lnglish- man there was a world ot undiscovered poetry and passion. But when the vision had begun to soothe his soul with its sweetness, he checlied himself and waved it back as if It were an evil spirit, and strove to shut his eyes and steel his heart, as, smiling a bitterly sar- castic smile at his own weakness and lolly, he turned, with a dread determination in his tace, to somber thoughts of justice and venge- ance. Thus he bad spent more thr;-. an hour in painful struggle, when he was disturbed by a loud knocking at his outer door, which he had closed when Le lireton went out,Vith the hope ot discouraging any visitors. This one, however, was evidently determined to get in, and fearing lest he might lose some important intelligence it he neg- lected seeing the person who was so importunate, be opened the door. The Ear] of Selby stood belore Uim. le was hardly able to y of the cynicism auil it such a lite us that of B lite, hut half a 'lozen n could not fiml "^lt;f "f n'f^;^,„en is Lord M'Corquodale. He is est impression up t" ""^ niomem , , _„,„^ go very grace- honest and steady and eco"oni c una rt K ^^.^^^ ^^^^^^ ^ iuU A'^'\'^V"jfu'knoV° Beside^ S"l-"y'"g >'i- one ^s•ould ^iB™t.d Io'S^^^^S^'h strange green light when three in height, who l^f • "^i^^^^T^ the amusement of the in his national costume ami who ^^^^^ He used to carry young ladies and t»'e 1^^"" °_I i rremUiously into men's hats or tracts intosociety andslip em su^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^ ^f 1,,^ ,ooms hidies- mufts and bags. J' "JJ^'^.^fvfsion of the Salvation Army _ bad seen M^^orquodale lea ing a 'imsio ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^.^ through the strec s of "'« ^;«f ,|^""' ^"^ oue cruld have been more song to words of Pl«"\;o^; ' ^;,,„u u.is useful knave of hearis, awkward will. K'^'^'/J^^'i^y S so thouchtlessiy ; and he was ,vhom Lady Blanche use^ to P '^[ "'^^/''^ei^od I'is r«<=«- endowed with all "'tCihirvSg and gaunt Scotch Don Quixote It really was tl»e case that this jounga |.^.^ ^ ^^^^^^^ admiration had endeavored to «ii»"'i«^'' "„', jjg was only a Caledonian noble- tor the beauty of l''« ~°'i^^°"ear BuUhe earl, who had a keen • man with about six -^^""^"'i'^g^oon Uumped this particular card, for wit. and dear y l^'^^^.Vtoluncrand obliged his daughter to spend he asked M'Corquoda e to hino , a^a >, ^^^ delivered, in a two mortal hours m '^earing the Lngnsn fc n ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ somewhat ^a'-^'^^^^^^^ot a smalT /« 'f^«'«^ ot tracts, which he a •• wer^'aSiUra^a^^teVt'S ul^ and tastes of moder-rn ^^■J^'^^^^^l^lhl^arl^laughin^ when his gu.t had^^arted. •• if you Will let me know. BlanJie wnen jo g j j^ minister gacrifice." ., „ ■[.,•,„„ that rreature again to lunch, 1 .u;xrj.^'ii;ra^rme"5S4K j™*^.' so,..„n»o. will cost you dear. „,i„„D.i thp Scotch peer afterward in earl to be as far oft as ever. .-v^y) ■ir A WEEK OF TASSIOX. 53 t or reason to sup- lie sliouM, 1 will iiuse lie is such a e is time onouph, liosc tliitisrs. ^Vl»o .oukl £>ow against ' my sweetness, 1 illiink."nna here peer at her falhei ins made the dcep- >rquo{lale. Jlc is ami 60 very grace- t him made a cov- 3g liini cue would E green light when peer, about, gix leet ext, to array himself le amusement of the He used to carry into men's hats or L one of his grooms the Salvation Army g the tune of a comic ' uld have been more fill knave ot hearts, ;htle8sly; and he was ic conceit of his race, t Scotch Don Quixote a violent admiration y a Caledonian noble- earl, who had a keen • is particular card, for his daughter to spend guage delivered, in a ater, the torture end- (s ot tracts, which he ,nd toalea ot moder-rn J guest had departed, lu have finished those and a Scotch minister prepared to make any ture again to lunch, 1 Bician. So your lunch iotch peer afterward in game appeared to the Au hour after the Earl of Selby had left the Tilbury mimsion in Grosvcuor I'iacc, this j-oung ludv presentcil hcrselt at the door in a c'muniuu little co^pi; whicli her fiitlier Imd giveri her, and after a brief parley with Simpson, wlio (iefcudud the pate mantuliy, slie broke through all the defenses, routed ]Mvs. Collops, and was soon sitting in the boudoir with tiie Countess ot Tilbury. The countess had been for years one of tlie most dignified and cstiiniible figures in London society. Though she was not liand- soine, the pleasing traits of lier face, whicli was full ot intelligence, her tall and commanding ligure, the nobility ot her carriag- and manlier, invested her witli a distinction which had been recognized in many of the most brilliant courts of Europe, and had won the re- yard and allection ot her sovereign. Slie had nuich of the clever- ness, and some ot the cynicism, ot her brother, without any ot his malice. In experience and tact she was a thorough woman of the world; vet her heart had not been hardened, her natural sympathies had not' been dried up by that incessant contact with selfish and ignoble passions which an intimate knowledge of society involves. Tliat she had piejudices. It would be useless to deny. She was aristocratic to the backbone, a conservative of conservatives, ami she cherished with pride the privileges of rank and wealth. But her natural goodness of heart often led her to unbend from these rigid noiioiis, and to the surprise ot those who knew her best, prompted her to acts which appeared to be quite inconsistent with her proud and lottv principles. TV hen', upon the insistent summons of her niece, she came out ot her son's sick-room, and entered' the boudoir, her firm and stately features were disorderec' ■ ■ careworn. A charming jjicture indeed r'larming cheek that laid its downy sred skin, a charming mouth that '" French tahion, and a lovely little miuu luui H"""--" '"' ""- ■ -h t""Ch over her hair, abundant, but sprinkled with gray, which she was too proud to conceal. But the chords of her heart were too tightly strained by anxiety and soirow to allon- her to show much expansion under these affectionate tond- •' My poor Aunt Dora!" said the girl, in a sweet, musical voice; " how pale and ill you look! How is he?" The countess had borne up throusrh the terrible days and nights with iron resolution. Slie would not allow herself for a moment to doubt that her son would recover; but when this simple question was put to her by Lady Blanche she suddenly felt as it an arrow bad gone through her brain, and putting her hands to her head, she said, in a voice ot anguish, " Oh, don't ask me, my dear. It is simply dreadful. -Not a word— not a movement since he was carried In there senseless. My heart Is breaking!" , , , , ^ , ^ ^ She remained tor a tew moments with her hands clasped over her CV6S Lady Blanche stood gently stroking the hands that looked so white anu thin. .,.„,, " Aunt," she suddenly cried—" Aunt Dora, can 1 do anything? " You, dear!" said the countess, letting her hands drop, and look- was that which awaitec li freshness against her d; " kissed her on either aiuo hand that passed its soi 5^ S. WEEK OF PASSION. -nurse him.-or do anything to re^^^^^^^^^ ^„„^,,„, trom A taint smile passed ior «", "«^^";; 'r^e of be countess, ami she acloua-wiappeclsky across the worn face o^^^^ ^^ .^ ^^ earnestly examined the 8^««>' <;""^''^ii^''/i^"^ A slight thrill ot read the thoughts that were written n tuem^ a b j ^ .3 pleasure had passed 'I'^^^'If'VJherS^esumrdlVs troubled aspect. »^in'^^*inrS.^^rcoS°"Sh7s£i;n not come and help y".*? W dear, it is because you are -ly ^s co-.n jUaUuc^^^^^^^^^^ 19 out'ot the q"««)'°"-„"-Vlier niece's del ate cheeks. "No watched tlie co.or come and go '" ''" °\^o7 itjng myself. My poor ^fl^^^^^^ .aid -if.; rnlfenloTworthK^^^^^^ ^- '° -"; Inz him?" , . , „a» Tiianohe'a checks as she uttered Wblushhad deepened m Lady Bla^^^^^^ ^,1,^ these words, and the co»n ^^ co"W not ^^^^^^ "b^ she said, modesty and grace and courage of her uiecj. ^^^^^^^ ,^^ •' Is this an avowal. »'a"<','^V,„,'^ Vnows whether it may not lie happy to hear it than 1 tliough God knows wii«-iuer 1 y ^^^^ too lute-be only the „b„^S"|eriouTe^^^^^ youV" n'a^iVBlSe-s^CrSsleZ"^^^^^ v^iolet eyes, andher face ^~ Cunt, nothing but lun, you know, little coquetries, tut- ^'^JhTo^ntrdfyTuteSr Kue^^^^^^ -man who re- ^ylTo^tSersta^mrit^^^ self-respect to throw myself at any «"« » I'^^^'i^f j „t ^11 evente no am a Selby. Perhaps 1 am ^OO.'I''^- '°'?»°i^^;,e7^^^ a word to me, one will know ot it but y:>u.E^waul has never sa ^^^^^ ^^ but 1 am a woman. <'J'^±^^^.XJTi\x^-l\iiioyf you will call longing to say. And- what 1 felt was ';"« ^.^ ^ ' jg pooi Ed- s; J^,JSttS?= 2i''4i" YSn sx.'h^ " iiiSff, A -WEEK OF PASSION. 55 enly grown ciim iny ot her aunt's and assist you to ot sunMilne from countess, ami she jtore ber, (is if to A. slight thrill ot the mnitien's eyes its troubled aspect, ery good ot you to lot come and help 1 that such a thing tePi hesitated and ijate cheeks. "No J myself. My poor I about it, my dear. " you said it. j'ther Edwant and 1 with it— if we were e help you in nurs- hecksassheutlerea miring the mingled lut she said, one could be more ether it may not he you. Has he ever jed between youV" eteyes, and her face tie coquetries, Vut— sperity in her voice, ked in her features. No woman who re- itting her hand over going to say, please! »; 1 have too much 1, fa m sana dire. 1 but at all evente no rer said a word to me, 'elt and what he was I know you will call b: ' Here is pooi Ed- fes me as 1 think he le a comloit to him to ive his life.' So, my dear aunt, 1 thought 1 \vould offer to come nnd help you, because, you sec, supposing it v ere not as 1 thought, 1 am liis cousin, and no hiirni would be done, every one would think it uutural lor me to come and help you; uiid if it should turn out to bu the other way, you know, then 1 should have done my duty, which is to save him, tor you, and tor his own sake, for he is a good and noble tellow— Oh me, what a stupid girl 1 am!" And Lady Blanche, throwing herself on her knees, buried her face in the ample folds ot Lady lilbury's gown, and sobbed like a child. The countess was greatly moved, blippiiig oft the charming lit- tle hat, which Lady Blanche's criet threatened with destruction, she caresacd the girl's hair with her fingers. " We folic .'" she Paid to herself. " She gets all this exaltation from her mother." Every weakness ot the llesh or spirit is traced in England to foreigners, even if it be necessary to go back to the Conquest for it. " Is this love, or a sacrillcev" Presently she leaned over and murmured in her niece's ear, " Blanclie dearest, tell me, tell me truly, as you would have done to your 'nother, do you really love him? Would you give yourself to him body and soul, with all your heart, if he were well now here, and were to ask you?" Blanche trembled. She did not reply. The countess's face was gentle, but a shadow crossed it. " What do you say?"she asked, a little more decidedly. Still no answer. Blanche was trembling more and more. The shade deepened on the lace of the countess. " Then," she said at last, in a deeply disappointed tone—" then, my dear, this was not love, but a sacrifice!" " Aunt," cried the young lady, suddenly throwing her head back, and looking straight into her ladyship's eyes, " can't you under- stand? 1 am a Utile goose--l know 1 don't love Edward enough to marry him— if he were quite well ar d out of danger, but to save his life and make you happy, you kno'/- well, don't you see?— 1 would do anything!" "You little Idiol!" cried the countess, clasping her in her arms and Kissing lier with an emphasis quite out of harmony with her wonted calm and dignity of manner. " 1 hare a great mind to take you at your word, and make you nnrw and marry him— there!" " Well, aunt, 1 am quite ready," " But you don't love him." " 1 am not in love with him— no. Hove him— yes, like a brother." "My dear Blanche," said Lady Tilbury, "this little romance, which, let me tell you, was a very absurd and perilous one, shall have no denouement. God forbid that you should ever pi ve yourself in mar- riage to any one whom you did nol love with all your heart— better, let us hope, tlmn you do your ' brother '—Alfred, for instance." There was a little malice in tliis remark, for the eldest sou of the Earl of Selby was by no means a lovable person, and certainly not one of Blanche's favorite heroes. "Well, dearest aunt," said tlie blushiu,? girl, looking a little ashamed, but appealing to the coimtess with ber hands together in a pretty gesture, which she, no doubt, also got from her mother, for 56 A WEEK OF PASSION. H it I' K- It i I 'you you? to or al least the capacity to describe it. ^"'"•S^'T.f ',...„ ^'^y^ been *".^i?onU fiort he is saved!" cried the conntess, risinc; and running «l,.to''.S£""a?aSop"»r dlgpl.,: •■ Wll. y.« Ple.» como with mo to the hall door?" :".. CHAPTEK VI. - DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND. t™ .>ori when he letl the mansion in Grosvenor Place, took his A WEEK OF PASSIOX. 57 I ted it, "you le, won't you? )Tii about It to a." t sorry to have 1 lm>l begun 8— the world is nd our young iny dear, tliat lUst liavc a talk women writers luinian nature, racious, wlial is ! we bave been 3. See who is itter in her dark ly excited. ;n— he i8 asking ing and running will send a note tin the corridor, d Mrs. CoUops, , and fi?:ing her ititul face betore ngs. ly recovering her you please come r Place, took his never alloived a he driver the ad- But as he drove )een close to him expression which ns were agitating his fingers were Ills brow w as con- iracter. All this, e world from see- •iccadilly, or from on the pavement liim, made a sign 8 a little surprised lies, and far from ir "Welter Grandl- son, leaning over into the hansom, with a solemn and confidential air said, " Earl, have j-nu heard anything yet of your missing steward?' ' "No, Sir Walter Grandison," replied the earl, regarding his Interlocutor with a mixed expression of hauieur and suiprise. " 3Iay 1 venture to ask what is the ground oi the interest you take In the matter?" " Only," said the secretary, with a benevolent smile, " that 1 am anxious to spare you unnecessary annoyance. Do you forget that 1 am practically head policeman? They have taken It Into their heads in ^^colland Yard that the person who was exploded the other day in Regent Circus was j'our agent, whose name, If 1 remember rightly, was Barton, and, naturally, they are making every e2ort to ascertain wliether there was anylliing in his position and circum- stances to make it probable that some one had an interest in putting him out of the way." " Forgive me, S*ir Walter. " said the peer, with a smile, " if 1 had for the moment forgotten the distlnguishert olTlclal attribution you have properly reminded me of; but although 1 am prepared tor any- thing under a Birmingham government, 1 assume that you are not proposing to make an inquisition, in this time and place, in relation to my personal responsibility for my ogent's fate?" The secretaiy smiled too. The earl's manner was not In the least offensive. " On the contrary, my dear earl, 1 was going to fell you frankly that 1 think they are on the wrong tack; but, you see, 1 can not prevent them from following up such clews as they fancy they have, and it occurred to me. on seeing you, that their inquiries might cause you and j'our family considerable inconvenience. Are you taking any steps to ascertain what has become of the man? 1 should sincerely advise you to ieave no stone unturned to discover his whereal)outs without delay, and thus put a stop to this absurd inquiry, which, 1 am convinced, is only diverting the energies of the police In a false direction. 1 liope you will not considc that 1 have presumed too tar in giving you this friendly hint?" " On the contrary, it is extremely obliging of you, my dear Sir "Walter," replied the peer, calmly smiling in the other's face and J speaking with great cordiality. " to have'gone out of your way to give me this intimation. Tliele was nothing in my own relations with 3Ii. Barton to niHke me at all anxious about any inquiries the police may ibink fit to institute. 1 place myself entirely at their service. Still, as jou say, no one cares to have private and family affairs ripped up before the public. 1 happen at this moment to be on my way to my solicitors, and 1 will urge them to push for- ward theii inquiries about Barton's fate with all the energy they can. The whole affair is mysterious and inexplicable. Barton had all my confidence, and 1 can conceive of no leason, under any cir- cumstances which are known to me, for his running away or being murdered. 1 shall always feel indebted to j-ou for this considerate act, the more that you anrl I so seldom have an opportunity of ex- changing courtesies. This is a real kindness." Smiling again, the earl held out his hand and pressed that of the secretary with an im- pressive " Thank you— most sincerely." .:iii: 58 WEEK OF PASSION. ht'camclonAcrnna .inner The llomesemu^^^^ ^^^. ^^^ n smile of ««»'»»"«' '""/.J »onf was a qSn on which we i^^^^ Whether iiv^xreni'ulidouson^^^^^^^^ like to liiive hud Mr. ^"""*S a opm o". i,e really had nuy- cial. He l'«'\K»^^'" 'I;?, "/IX of theToHcc ooe that he certainty thinu' to fear from '»'c,c"'^''^7,,P,\. ;!:,iX,l man. It was true that. wouT.l not l'«X« >^^,''^;° ''iVl'ffi y ^^^^^^^ care, the Homo after having sitleit ^Ir. Sontag s {W i,i„p,.- v,„t hi warning Secretary had pronounced t to be ' >"' ° ^'' j .^ ^,,,„„ce. and as theeail.hewasno £V,ngthechi^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^.„,^. in ihoomcesot ^l«?"^^.,^"^;^^t faiS^^^^ in Lincoln's ttllcd every room in Iso. l-^.-f- t"^, '"J^g.i;^^^ mn Fields which had <>"?« ^^^^^^t^^Jcc A^«Se tin box-marked tound them engapcd in close X"«°^|..;j„'; ,!" f. a., deed " -lay -mate of the ■'«v^^t'-"-t„^nrPntou8 array ot papers. The faces open on the floor, disclosing W'«,2 °"' "'g^^^^^^ been hav- oihoth the parttiers "«"«/"«»?i J J^^y.i^oEsccptiM was very ing an i.gilated '^'scussion. The earl. ^M»o 'appreciation was deTicate. promptly «PP^f '^'f^VoSs whe^ spoke, conflrmed.by the ton« "U»''^^«^i%S was a middle-aged stout Thesenior partner. Mr. Josepuio^ , plebeian face, thick man. ot meduim \'t'S '»- Jlth « t^J^^'y \^ , ^{^^^ ^ square fore- but nrm lips. « '°V,rihfsS ot he same ctaracter. His gray eyes head, and brush-like T'™'^?' Zg short-sighted, wearing power- were bright and P'-«°l'°«,^/- B\X'^° Ilia lower face, closely ful glasses i" ,'J, S°j^f ".^[^"Siin heavv. L^^ animal, but not shaven, was full, "ntj, "'«; ^mn »<- - • , ^f the senior, was moial doggedness Tl^ ! "SaUve He whS daik. tall, and thin, strikingly diflerent from >is '^e'"tnr^ ./ ^ eyes, and an alert, fop- with rather tine-cu tteatmes W*cMi« r a J^^^^ ^^^ pish manner ^lo^.'^^^^'^ft'iycoat ot somewhat ancient cut. and while the elder P'^'-tn«'^T°[^,i^,*^°"i,ich would have been more in exhibiting a tendency to pohshwldch^,^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ keepiDK on the 8«rtace ot ^ muhogy m ^ ^ ^ ^^ ^.^n ^^ ^^^. was the gentleman of '« pi« tiers m^^^^^^ ^^ interviewing ful member, and usually >^«'*^\°;^f_3er were to be tound in the arisocratic clients, ot whom a l«'f "™[j,^a7xisted for tour gen- long list of the firm's c«ie«r.!te. The house^^^^^^ ^^,j^ ^^_ erations, having o^ig'f^'^^^^'^.^Jr^^ieSuot a brother, Mr. Sanu.el tirely a family business. The early "eain principal some- Pollard, had W0V«^^^^^.-n wTconSstenf with the historic ante- Jta .»a .t»ut b,»lne.. vMch fX7^^' «>ld Ibe younger ot -ife..,..- A WEEK OF I'AS.SI(>\. 59 llie peer's face it ofl, too, Willi n friendly act. •liich we should y was not juiii- reaily liarove(i that George Darton's suspicion in this respect liad been unfoundca. " Who has been advertising? and about what?" llis tone was peremptory and insolent. " iMy lord," returned the j'ounger Pollard, shrinking from the firm glance the peer had fixed on him, and convinced that Ids client was speaking candidly, " in a conference which— ah— my partner and 1 had together yesterday, with regard to the— ah— very impleas- ant slate ot— ah— your affairs, and in connection especially with tids mysterious disappearance ot— ah— Mr. Barton, we came to the con- clusion that it would— it miglit, my lord "—he looked at the earl with a subjective meaning in his glance, which seemed to puz/.le the latter for an instant—" be discreet, 1 might say a good couj), for us —your lordship, you know, and ourselves— to appear on the scene, and evince some anxiety to discover the whereabjuts of your late— 1 meant to say of Mr. Barton." " Certainly. Why not? That is precisely what 1 came here to urge you to use every effort to discover. " Mr. Joseph Pollard moved uneasily in his chair, ' * • " So, my loid," continued Mr. Charles, " we drew up this adver- tisement, which we supposed would have met your lordship's eye." He took up a newspaper trom the table. The earl, with a nervous movement, snatched it out ot the solic- itor's hand, and ran his eyes over it in a couple of seconds. Uls face expressed a vivid dissatisfaction. " I wish, gentlemen," he said, with some asperity, "you would consult me before you take important action like this in my name and concerning my affairs." " Well, my lord," said the elder Pollard, who had been sitting silently watching the peer through his glasses, and now spoke with a suppressed defiance in his tone, " as the matter is in our hands, and to some extent— 1 must remind your lordship— concerns us jointly, we thought we might take the not very important step we have done without troubling your lordship." I'here was a curiously signi'ticant undertone in the slow, deliberate utterance of the speaker which struck the earl unpleasantly. He glanced quickly fiom one to the other, and for a moment his «vonted hardiness and aphmb appeared to have forsaken him— he even low- ered his eyes under the glassy stare of the attorney. But he recov- ered himself instantly. " Gentlemen," he said, in a cold, stern voice, '* circumstances have, to some extent— as Mr. .Joseph Pollard has expressed— placed me in rather disagreeable co-relations with you, in a matter which 60 WEEK OF PASSIOK. I. concern, n,y c^--ctor nml J^^lon -1 ;^^^ WS al^o'un '^b are iiw.iie ot the iiD-xk-ly 11''^'"' 'j\''^.";" "'"•., i|Ue„ from the ii large portion "f ni> '""""^' V/, .leifree to misplacca contidi'iicc the enri Imd already admiueil it. We lm%_e '''' ^^^^^ . ^^ ^.i,,^ ^vr^ting it it »« "<;~;>;J^^^^^^^^^^ Xe mi.eeptiblc peer lisiipiiiss ^^^^rr^^l^r^iSrit-lf Sier to mycredit-nor to ^°S two legal gentlemen .hrug«ed J^eir .hould^^^^^ their palms, and gazed at each o'^^^^/'VJ^'''""! two angels, into which might have been expressed by " « ^est^sovwoange ,^ whose fair laces 8°'"^«•'t"' .Vns h tL kind o grltit^ude they the speaker. „ ^j situation lias been mado pression. rei IStll un rtM .'I I goi crl un tri( spl Hi wii tru of otli stii ear jcc wu sav we bee tha — n do but ma all out the in \ he pro snn hoo pen seal S eitli the Son assf con itse] A WEEK OP PASSION. CI e« yours. \ oa ! nlso witnesses lysclf from llio met sny it- by jrhich von pur- untorlunivUily, jn tlmt, ir 1 im- liich luy iiouor, society" nro im- icpil contiili'iiiM' 1 assure you I nllowed niysclt )ial)lc ami crini- •0 Btnl loolv, ciicumstunces," lier wfiiilily, lot LI prools here ia ho poinli'il with BU8(;eptil)lc peer [\t tin l)ox lying iijj;, thtit it quan- r it uninnitacha- iirl Involiintarily Uio woitliy part- remor passed tor lin, with II lively ly credit— nor to ■8, and ttirueil out ot astonishment if two angels, into L-n trying to save ot gratitude they ing compromised I a perilous situa- mnch devotiou, " ttd hence the awk- 1, Your lordship ■ofessional reputa- peril?" B tragic solemnity ords. The humor ooUed curiously at Ion has been made tely happened." liter for both your- to transpire," said ,h a malevoleut ex- ■ " Possibly," snid the eiirl, " though 1 do not think (hat those con- ■ rernt'd would be likely to treat it as such. Mv preoccupation, Mr. ■ Pollard, unlike yours, 1ms not been to save m>selt Ironi a crimlnai ■ piocusB, or trom the Icfiul conseciuences of my own wrong and fool- ■ ish acts. If 1 irnve been anxious, at whatever sactlflco, lo have that ■ unforlunato allnli settled, it is because 1 iiave deeply and sincerely ■ regretted I he course 1 took; it ia because a disclosure would wound ■ ,1 uunibfr ot innocent and hononiblo relatives and friends, whoso ■ good opinion 1 should lose forever it tliey cair.c to know of my ■ criminal weakness; it Is because 1 would save others from a great ■ unliappiness, and not alone. 1 hope, Irom the scKlsh motive ot ex- ■ tricutlng myself from an odious position." ■ 'I'ho earl had risen, and ilclivered these words with foice and ■ spirit. ■ The partners were evidently disconcerted by the high tone adopt- ■ ed toward them by the man who owned to having been concerned with them in a questionahle, or, as he termed it. a "criminal" transaction. Ills attltudu was unexpected; it dislocated some line of action on which they had previously settled, hach looked iit Iho other, as if to innulrc what card lie was to play in the new circum- stances ot the game. Air. Charles Pollard, liowover, answered the earl. '• Well, my lord," he said, blandly, " is not this precisely the ob- ject we have in view? \Vc always thouirht that your lordship ex- aggerated the imporlanco of the bearings of thattraniaction. ^'eithe^ we nor you had any criminal intentioii. The object simplv was to save vou trom inconvenience and a great loss. All would haveirono well but for the intervention of .Mr. Barton in the business, and his becoming cognizant ot tacts which need never have gone further than your lordship and ourselves. In some aspects ot the case, his —ah— disappearance, to whatever circumstances it may be duo, is— do you not think?— a distinct relief We have nothing now to do but to complete the arrangemenU which will secure the burial of the matter in oblivion." • My partner is quite right," said Mr. Joseph Pollard. " We are all three in the same l)oat; the question is liow we can best extricate ourselves from the diflicult position in which we are placed." Something like an electric shock went through the peer's body at these blunt worils. His face assumed an extraordinary expression, in which shame, revolted pride, and diplomatic caution seemed to l)e struggling tor mastery. He, the tenth earl, and one of the proudest and most eminent of the English aristocracy, " lu tho same boat " with a couple of vulgar attorneys! Tho splendor and honor of his peerage, his supremacy in politics and society, his own personal character, and his Immense forlune, thrown into the same scale with the interests of a couple of money-grubbing solicitors! Such a thought Hashed across his ndnd, but he was abler thaa either ot his interlocutors, a diplomatist of the first order, with all the advantages ot social superiority, lie summoned all his forces. Somctiiing told him (be moment was critical. Even in this base association he had a moral stipremacy. Even in this inicjuitous combination the superiority of his rank and social uositioa asserted itself. 02 A WEEK OV I'AaSlON. „on. " it .v.. lire an y"'';'' ;. •„;'!' .i^rario .nk. H.e •l.el.n? leant llun periu.l X\ 1*^ kj cu 1 m^l I i» '-rouKU "■> ll.l>» un- nlfiisiinl vll«cut*Hioii. 1 muilc ''^'^|\ . ""' , ^ p,„,r ISiirlon wuh ono Vou ou^ht nolto have '" ^J- ' >v l^oi.l I'" ^^ i*",!, aavlsal. The „<,vi; ot It; I do not hw tl o o^Ji'i-l «•'"•- J "', , ,„^ y„„r !,„r.. 1 rolU-cl ..POM '^ '':^:, ,u.V Vt K v . w « anuoytll at ;|,oorvof llttrto.i'H ilisMi.peanin ('. '^ "'Y, ^^/^^ j uantily a.Ioplfil y„..r suggcBtio..- tcu.e. tL.^l omcl. K »; |J^«^,,.„, ^i,,.. „„ ,„ co..nlH. Now 1 .loubt 1 . ;y >' '; '\'^ ,,oif,,,v lie was iMinaned then^-if he had tl-'\^,„ J^^.S^'perrof^dl^^^^ Wha! - arc not "<-"f>V'^»''" ,^%°" "\\'o?ijrnentB to ? And that l.riugs «.e earth would he carry »" , ^ , ?i^t v tr.r two reasottB. First, before to this advert IbCjoDt. It a "'1'^ > ^'^^i^/g aiZpeared. it would makinfr p..bllc the t&cl ll''}^ "^ "f ^^'^ ,'^"0^^^^^^ surely 'have been ^'^"il'.f ^oLdW bJ foirot the ndv'ertisenient private detective n!j«"cu». Secondly, im-ioin ^^^^^ 8 objectionabe ^«» «"F^/o "^^^'^L.. risk an exiwsvire ot the ments: Thl« i. '"^.^^^'/S'^JSin^ No o^ knows ot the ex- [KJundtaTu t^i 'a I^^Z^ to .eet so.e uuex- ^•t^J Si ^S^f^^^^^X:^^^ explanation. rrirg^rrmarweKtraiSumr. ana where are those ^Sdng with a good deal ot ene^K^^^^^^ ac^ were a j.idge '°S"~«'^"°fn?h s tlow^con pira ors. the earl, as he brli^SrffS'XJir^ErKad been sitting V A SI b v 81 S( t( t) h Cl II r 8( U 81 W b( ni di B w in tL m ui yc q> to th se cL garcntillc intoim- bout." w\\\ .V"i>t np- 1 111 ml vised. The n'd to uccT'pt your 1 I \vii8 iiunoytil ut 1 Imsllly udopltHl lie wiong 111 Ills ttc- onient wliun ho so Ilo was iMiKHHod out the record ot ii respouslble. Why iler PoUiira. jutli- mnn'oeriniinnl or eul for twenty live nccouuts." ivery year by Twy- , could he do wUU I. \ou know they utectloii. What on And that brings me iwonH. First, before sappenred, it would es of the poliee and of the ndverliseinent f the niiasing docu- an exiiosure ol tbo me knows ot the ex- cept ourselves. You bout U to her sou. on 10 meet some uues- rrassed. lucst an explanaliou. f that Barton should thought he had done Honie dilllcullies had d to the lernis of that and where are those rlvacUy, and as it he 388, rathei than an ac- irators, the earl, as ho dward the senior part- d keenness that mJKht lie had been sitting \ WI'KK or I'A.SSIOV. (§ bftoro Lord HpUn- with hi* licad bdiwmi IiIm iliouldcrx, imd hf^ two fat hands cluiipod togHlier In a lump on hJM solid piiiini h \V|,pn this quiTv. "lined at lilni like a tocket, middcnly burst upon him lu- Hlnrtcd. Ilifi f.'lft«srg lurneil IntcrroKallvely lo bin nephew, who « lih a ncrvou* movement of hli head, throw an uneasy glance at bit 'Ihc carl (iurprl«pd IhM cxcliango of look«. '1 1 Kay niiain, .Mr. Pollard, where arc they?" "My lonl," nald the younger of llio two nollcitors, " vnu will nave observed ihu adverllsenient nays — " " D— n the iidverllsenicnt, sir," "interrupted Ihn eail, rmsinK h!« void, and Hpenk n« In a tuiy. " The M(lveitt«cnienl iireten.ls that Mr. Barton mill has tliox" docunienls, which it had lieen aurcod — Nettled— shoiiNI \w given up (o vou, and. as 1 liad every rcKson to suppose bail boon placed in your liandH, In !aci. this niornlnc. bv pure Inward n lew mlnnten before I ciime here. 1 had an Jntc-r' view with young George llarton, who, 1 can tell j'oii, is a youth of snrpriHlng ability, and by no nicniis to l>c trilled wllli. fie Is re- solved to fift the whole business to the bottom. Mr. Oeori;e Rnr- lon, jnnlor. then Informed me that lils father had banded von all till documents— had taken your leccipt for tbem; a riceipt' which ids son peruBcd, and of which, I l>ellcvo, he has a copy. That re- ceipt, 1 understand, wasdntedon the previous Saturday or Monday " riio partners looked at one HnolLcr, and at the carl, with im- telL'ned astonislimcnt. «" )."!,""■', '^"'.'""'^ "''""y ''•'^'""' f^"')' 'o ''0 surpassed," said old Mr. Pollard, " by bis fnther'.s indiscretion and want of good tnilh. lie has cvi( ently shown to bl.q son a paper which he was bound by profesfiona honor, ami by bis duty and obligations to you, to keep secret. 1 Ilia throws a good deal ot light on his charncter. 1 con- fesH I am deeply dinnppointed to bear this of him." " Never mind George barton's character just now. Mr. Pollard " said the earl, coollj . " Was there such a receipt in existence?" ' My lord, this was precisely ono of the matters on whicli we were going to speak lo you," replied Mr. Pollard, "if it had not been i.rematuiely brought forward in thls-ah— somewliat unpleas- ant manner. There was such a receipt, and we reirrctlcd to have discovered only this morning, (hat, in our blind confidence In Mr Jiniton, we had carelessly omitltd to ask bim to return it to us when we handed him back the papers." " \ou handed him back the papersi" cried the earl, not nttemnt- ing to conceal the increarentlv quite lacking in discretion, since he should have addressed liimseft to us, and not to you, It he had any communications to make re- garding it. 1 say it is perfectly correct that Mr. Barton broujrht those papers here— on Friday or Saturday, 1 tSdnk— " said Mr Jo- seph, with the air of a man whose memory was too valuable to be charged with a matter of small importance— w. e4 A WKEK OF PASSION. ""'^^^^^^T^^ the nephew, nue a teuor In au ''^''''^u l^mlon called here. He sei-n>ed agitated nnd out of Sorts after he bad left?" dav-and he threw out a hint— . ': ^Siotr iS -SS « .r.i.g .l,.sc Occu™»U 10 S 1.™ "yS, Incased, in «1>, vie^>^ Iho™ Uhe documents would disappear ^^^^^ ^^.^ j^,j^^^. •r JN. right; whenever it was, t WHS given for them iu weie placed in our sale, uin. On the nflernoon, )hew, Hive n tenor in an igitatecl nnd out of Sorts, itions as to the part which )nsiclered to be extremely ibserves. 1 tliinlt, Charles, ner, and remarked upon it running on merrily. By '. Joseph had managed to ■ that was to be sung, ills suspicions, or whether rdinary amount of work, the past few weeks had nre not accustomed to the are forced to endure every . larling those documents io comiileted, and especially )ur written instructions to juished by this line, but of lut of the safe and handed g, and we never saw them jurview, the suspiciousness o h«d been listening to all •atched the laces of the two p" 'ollard, with a smile, "we my fault. But in any case itlcr of much consequence. ' thiit both Mr. Barton and ihould affirm that his fallier the Temple, where he was your theory?" inquired the heir explanation. Polhird, with an ingenuous I'- theory about a clisappear- suppose Mr. Barton would all. He ought, 1 presume, A WEEK OF PASSrOJT. 65 to have deposited tliein at your bankers. We thought so at least, and we accordingly in(iuireou u.s P^r^i^olireiSasi^thlfrclicking his lips together in a manlier he liad when he wished to be decided. Tliev were silent again for a tew seconds. "We di'd all we could. 1 think?" said Mr. Charles. „ " Everythfng But he ran away from us the first moment, said ^^^r. i^S^'ioBonli 1 never saw you more masterly-thut oxpiauiilion tha, c»liamiSHrl"ud »t mL. she 1. lying off U.«.«se» believe in. Bntton assumed tbal the earl anxieties are not small and "fJ "";^j,7tl,rowu off mv bulauce. seemed bard and msjmpaieic iH-iimed and unwel- "■■Do 14a Iblnk you could 1k«. It 00.1; »ld ihe ml. " You '°^?;drru';/ir,s;pc'rcon'S^t'oLv»a»yo,eui„, 1.SI ^00 aw nJl do in« lie l.ouor 10 mate ai,]; coo.muolc.lion 10 X Know, uijr . which vou are pliicea. and by the ployed, at ineverju position of delicacy and em- m endeavorms to ^5^™^/^^^ ppjs^ng whose advice you have Sruen-to wiros^eS^^^^^^^^^^ have beeu lending an ear "'"'ThW^anC'iiue, Gecge Barton." said the carl calmly ^-i]SeESn^e!!!T£yKS^^-^eS •l^huve rZ y nd rS meineap^ judging and acUn« with the ^^"K^KS^S'^oS^^M CS ^U^, Wit. a suicaslic curl ot tlie lips. o il ti d n h ri y a .A h si t< h d a s; t( a: tl o 1 1 tl 1 C( ri w .il tl £ ni w e\ III ci ni m ia n< ■w led tbal the earl lerfeclion. eorge, " be said, you. My own lie critical siuce off my bulnuce. ing, 1 must have of it, and bence nied nnd unwel- understand and, explanation— the which be leaned tlie earl. " You ft rbursday evening ^ommunlcatioD to For reasons with in more vexatious ppearnnce at this in communication m Ibis morning, 1 in llieir hands." e nlniosi imposed pliiced, and by tlie en. But, my lord, d been your f liih- century. Was not our generous con- es to your lordship without clear evi- neccssarily biased lencing your lord- ship's niind— with y, deserved at your 3ge, tor he was eni- id so mysteriously, )f delicacy nnd em- e advice you have been lending an ear 1 the carl, calmly, liich 1 bad resolved Bel— 1 hardly knew these events placed —my own anxieties and acting with the pect of me." Gleorge Barton, with A WEEK OF PASSION". 71 " Do not imagine," said the earl, " that you have been forgotten, or that we have not all ot us toll pained by the strange and incred- ible theories to which we seemed to be driven in order to account tor your father's conduct. Your mime has been often on my chil- dren's lips. 1 am sure Lady Blanclie and Charles, your early play- mates, Ijoth lympathize with you sincerely. Lord Charles would have been to see you, had 1 not felt obligeil, by the advice 1 hiid received, to forbid it; but they have not ceased to ask alter you, tor you know the regard tliey feel for you." IJnilDn's eyelids fell, his cheek glowed, his heart throbbed with a pleasurable feeling. Then lit; checked himself. Were these bist wi.nlM the outcome ot candor or of diplomacy? Was this a Mephistophelean whisper, or a Hash ot real kindness? Spite of the horrible suspicions George Barton was nursing against the earl, these simple words, for some subtle reason, acted like a soothiiiu' balm to liio irritation ot the young man's feelings. For a moment or two he yielded to the swetl consolation they afforded him. But sud- denly he glanced doubtfully at the peer, became pale and somber agaiii, and said coldly, thougli with a courteous and respectful air, " 1 thank you very much, my lord, for taking the trouble to call and express yourself so kindly. 1 am particularly grateful for the sympathy <>t Lady Blanche and Lord Charles, if you will allow me to acknowledge it to them through you. Considering the suspicions as to the reason tor my father's disappearance which you owne(^%*^i,im. struck sense of inferiority was ^»^"« ''" *P™,' „ emoti^^ which he had down by his accusation Territte at tic em^i^^^^^^ produced, he was too «g 'f „«^/° ""3pge Was it guilt? Was he causes ot the earl's extraord nary collapse v h ^^ .^ it the horror ot Innocence at «t°">X,e Questions. ^ sudden actins? George did not "«»^ '^''"f*" ^J^n rmoS-ali the feel- revufsion ot pitv and ^«S;,f\«ron.erspLch-W9 more implacable Surl^'InSy ZTCuAT^Io^X^^^ ^^een to allow him wavlnc; the olive- i speak only came w with PolUml & )Out, It, but 1 ex- cest te.ms." lie a mistake. It B to suppose that, me, tliere was not Hard & Pollanl." nded him that the t inglorious secret ready hunted and nds of this young, away by an anger ledge through your ble and gratuitous ler you Imve tlone. lie knowledge you go, George IJarton, ur silence?" ly— or, failing that, rdered he lias been persons who could putting him out of e solitary confiJaiit resture, as he threw J in the teeth ot the lie with passion, his bed. But suddenly s staggered, and fell his breast. :s mo a murderer! that relief he must -bolt. His trembling SB of weeping there, rit with shame and t of his own words, ■itb reverence and a before him, struck lotion which he had mnke any analysis ot Was it guilt? Was the charge? Was it uestions. A sudden moment all thefeel- his more implacable Id been to allow him A WEEK OF I'ASSION. 78 self to be betrayed out of the self- possession he had resolutely sworn to maintain until suspicions had been CDnverted into certainties. Nevertheless, he stood there silent, puzzled, trout)led, gazing al the earl, and not knowing what to say. As for the earl— what were the emotions that had given so sudden asliock to the moral andphj'sicalequihbtlum of this imu of fastidi- ous and importurbat)lQ cynicism, which had unsealed louutaius of feeling, the very existence ot which he had himselt forgotten, so long had they been dried up? If ho were innocent, would not honest wrath and indignation have been the ruling emotions ot tlm moment? Were he guilty, would that involuntary cry ot anguish and surprise have escaped liis lips? But this strange admixture ot weakness and revolt, ot wounded pride and passionate sorrow, was quite incomprehensible. There were a thousand motives pressing George Barton to interpret the earl's emotion frankly and generously — early associations, grate- ful remembrances of kindnesses that went back to the first notes registered by childish sense on the tablets of memory, aQectiou for the earl's dead wife and his living family, his own personal interest. As we have seen, bis father had always expccled him to succeed to the position beheld in the earl's establishment, that of the supreme agent or man of afiairs ot a colossal estate, but the young man's own ambitions tiew at higher game. lie would have sacritlced those xmbltious to his father's wishes, which for him had almost the sacredness of a divine prescription— for, in his family, the pure and noble character and lite of the elder Barton had evoked (he rev- erence and devotion of a cult, wliile his solid intelligence, tine human sympathy, gentleness and warmth ot heart, had drawn his wife and children to him in bonds of the closest attection. There- fore the son never contravened his father's decision, and Lord Selby had almost allowed it to be taken for granted that he would trans- mit to the sou, should he prove himself worthy of it, the trust and regard he had in and for the father. Then there was anotlier, a deep and secret feeling, at which we have hinted, which made it almost impossible for George Barton the y3unger, in this awful crisis of his life, to arm himself with the firmness and implacability of a Spartan revenge. One of the brightest recollections of his younger days was the image of a lovely little fairy, always dressed in gay, coquettish cos- tumes, over vivacious, sparkling, mischievous, and yet full ot in- fantile dignity, chattering French in delicious accents with a gracious bonne, and filling the vaulted halls of the grand castle of Selby with the echoes of an exquisite folly and gayety ; and later on, as she developed from girlhood to womanhood, discovering charms more luminous and enchanting from day today, like the waxing of the moon in the month of harvest. Ay ! he had watched her, watched her long Defore he began to know or to suspect the secret ot that spell which love and fate were so irresistibly weaving around him, and which was to carry in its silken web the issues of his life. The footins: on which Mr. Barton's children were admitted to the free- dom of Selby Castle was sufficiently familiar, but of course could not aeceive or mislead them as to the exact nature ot their relations to their pations. The intimacy which grew up especially between A AVEEK OF PASSION. 1 I /«r.i flinrlps Liwton, nml incidentally voung Geori^c Barton mid 1^°" .^^^3. '4'\C H^rcBarao.l, l.y tU.; ^i,b lady Hlanche ^:'« •^'tr^J^^'t.'Tany „^^ U« consciucnc-s Ukoly earl witli Uml sl.ituly 'l" "f'^"",, ,"' wa.s natural lo a n.an ^vlJO to tlow {ron. such an »"l'"'"{J.„^'t„,'i)ie« in lau'lan.l al le tairly to knew that there "^^ '»^ \f ^^^^,„T v o luul the con.ulenco that pretemUo an cHiuality ^ ;\lllWl'''^\ ,.„,npromi«o their a.islocrallc {lone ot his < !''^'\^-' :^': !'U ml he c/ Uarton'8 ^ood sense, an. sui.remuey. On the olhw 1 am! uie ^^^ ^^^^^ ^ ^ ^ thi a.ln.iral.le '1"'\''^ ,'^^* 7, ' *„ree U.at the tan.iliarity ol the rela- ,nauners. was '\ «"' '^ ,•; 'i^fX" .^^^^^^^^^ wouUl always be em^ tions between the castle an l tLnia c.)nvcnlional lines iieteil on both siilcs with a il le J,^,»' , V, ' tliem lUit tor Goori^e l^'l^^ch birth and ^1^^^^.:^^^^^^^^'^^ surrounding a Ballon, living within te /"'^^ ^'\;','^,i„ reserve Ladv Blanche was a glil 't I'";,, ," " ,orirlnir rich with promise time when the blossoms of » '^^ """!?, ^'^,ni'ii. youui; girl had Attractive truittlieCoun ess of bcl^^^^^ J.j;;^)^^^^ ^^^ ,, spent much « ,/l'« .^'^'.f 'If Jas aiW at Selby when her talhei Countess ot Tilbury ;l'UtBlit was .^^^^^ Opportunities ol intercourse came down, and there ^^^^"^ "^™"iy George Barton, whose between the clever, capHvaUng l^tauty auu ^ fe ^.^^^ iieveiop- heart was capable ot a sr^^'^n^^S^olT hm^y Blanche, wiili Ing Into one of exceptional flnenMaiowe j^^ (Uorgo'^ her quick appreciations. «°"\'^,/° V.^^i " gravity, the distinction Hurwriority to other young men, ids e^""'^^, ",■„'• i.im with the 3o?igi'nality oi >''^,rlo'X e.^tl« ^™^ ^'"" and Oxford by chums who were brought to •'*" <;";V" 1,^ or hunllng, or on the Lord Layton or 1-°''^ 9•^''''*'«f^!?' f'' °S^^ much healthy pretense of reading P»F''f.?;.;f ^i^^^'i'^ ui. k ing. and smoking, she exercise and much ""l'«'f \' = '^ "ant gcs. Among these young ^..W forced to take ""^Xlder and more distinguished guests who arlslocrais, as »'n°"fi/.^^?iS castle with brilliant life, George Bar- in the autumn filled the great ^as^e w i ^ p.edicled ton was alwiajrs a «>f ^K^l at t^ba^ am old statesmen congrat- SaiTthVriralolrro^ -um shme in political life, it he exactly how to hit the >««»^.''f,\7 a^u. reject wli lorcing regard mesumptlon. He ^''^^^.^^^J'^^'emUicnt, he l^new liow to avoid ^liough his mental Bupeiiorily y^"f/„ ', ," .heir sports he siiowed imping it on his youn. associate ^^J ^^^^ gave their minds to Luual enthusiasm and address with '^°f,^ ,;,">; g uence, so far SinTelse except the 'i^velopment o^^^^^^^ Ef^as little besides a8 mannerB and ?PPe?^^f°^"7f;^„^°°ue^S company which bis name to distinguish him trom lue ai ^^ tliem all surrounded him, whereas 1'^ sood out clearly ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^.^^^SX^rZ^t Swrthird in the lis, oi wrangiets. A WEKK OI' I'ASSIOK. r5 nml incMcnlally IsrcBftnlod, l>.V tUe iiseiiiicnci-H 'Ikuly il 10 It 111 nil who likiiil iiMc tiiirly to If; coiiiiilfiico tliul ) their tii istocralic 8 nooil scMise. ami t rare eiillure ani llarity ol thu rda- ilil always be teni- jonvcnlional lines 1. IJul tor Goori;u lion surrouutliug a ikiu'ssand reserve, i soul. The sweet nselve* arounil bis I oil. cl, ami .jiisl at the ' rich with promise riu! youug ii\r\ biul rt-ilb her aunt, the by when her tathei lit'ics ol intercourse jrgu llatton, whose miml was devolop- Lady Blanche, with struck l)y George's vily, the distinction .linR him with the ilou and O.xtord by r bunting, or on the into much healthy ', and smoking, she \mong these youug iguisbed i^ucsls who ant life, George Bar- Old judi^cs pi cdicled Id statesmen congrat- in political life, it be bitlous mother, Knew adulation anl lude while forcing regard, le knew bow to avoid leir sports be showed lo gave their minds to lodies. Hence, so far here was Utile besides ;ratic company whlcb ■ from among them all 8 culture. Bis father 1 the list ot wrangleis, iind first !n the classical tripon. No wouilcr tlrot Mr. l.o Biilou fXclHimed agidnst the idea of making sucli n -^iili the nguii .d u peer. But the elder Burton bed a horror ot ambition. Ho had seen 11 condutl to 80 many tiblpwrecks. Wiudever his ultimate intention!* were, he did not encourage his won lo look lieyond llio modetalo but honorable station in which he had found for himself iin uniil- loyed comfoit and hiippincHt.. So the old Kenllemaii wanleil ta iirilele bis son to a solicitor. George's ambilion was pressing liiiu to aim at sometblnt; Id^lier, but he tesolveil that he would carry out tile pattinal wislies at any sacrilice. Probably it was witii a some- whiit unconscious hyp•«■». lit llH- !"■'■'■. •"> whom hm s,,m'l| v.'con.o in H0.nrwi.m>. un.l ji.Rl Iktc tliny Imvc tl.c- lulvanli.uc of 11 lU 1. tl.r time ....reMMurv to iillow Ilu- furl to mv.v.T mn. 1. s "So (HmluiUlv u c.nVlrllo.. l.firu.. to IK-n-.trat.. into nuvtonj rniix tlml l.lH .ruotlon wiis Bincor.-. lii.l.'-M. lus heart l."an.nl all that wa nut, Ihe imHt low .lavs ami iik-hts with their horr l.I.. exroti- Tc^. th..ir powerful wresilluKH of .nhxl an.l heart. "''>•'■":;""' BorroW their epiaoiks of viiulictive ,m8sion hml not. lelK.e.rno l?arton us he ^>as-Kenero.i«. contl.lini.', lu.refi.l. youn«. He im.l nature, more In tl...so .Icsolato hours than he hn.f In K»» "' ''» rev o ,9 life. Kor in the hot-l.e.ls of norrow un.l passion the soul HkeHn .lulek an.l morl.i.l -rowth. ILs faith in men was forever shaken 1 Is 1 eliet in tlie victor of truth and virtue was ru.lely un- dcrmine(l nn.t the natural K<'ntleneBs of his nature had given way to n llerce an.l tloirL'ed ilflermiinition of vengeance. ,, i„. Tline rl H!wke tlrst lie had somewhat recovered liimself, hut is hreas Ids 1. i mis resting' helplessly on the arms of the chair, •i (imrvo it! • he sai.l, in a hollow voice: " I deserve the out- race and gliame of this foul suspicion, for liavin« once nllowed my- seft to be the" Bccompli.'e of a . lisho.ioiul.le act. But it is hard to bear. 1 thought 1 sh.iuUl have fallen d.-ad. . ,„ i.i. lie mit his hand to his henit. and then, as if reassured as to Wb vitality and strength, he straiirhtcned l.ims.^lt up. and with a com- posed face looke<» <(teudily at George Barton. , Q ,K„ .l,n ^'•Barton." he said, ''vou have struck the Earl of Selby the hrdcst and foulest blow that was ever struck at a Layton, ano m the time they bnve ha.l to ,.lve and take Imr.i blows enough. For such an i^. utation as you liave now so unjustly thrown «t me my a c Viors w-ouUt have br..ken you on the wheel, or starved you o death in n dungeon. My tathJr would have run you through with n sTor," I nee.l no such weapons. \ou are young-you will nl- wavs regret these wor.ls, thrown in my teeth In a moment ot vm- dlctlve S iou. The recollection of them wtll pun.sh you mor.3 than anylluug 1 could say or do-for the suspicion which prompted hem Is t isehin.t has no'foundiUion whatever except in the lane es ot your disordered brain. But, yon will say, being young an. in- exnerienced, ' Why. then, this emotionV I wil tell you, and let my words sink deep into your mind. When an I'O""!"''!^ •"«" ''"/ once taken a false step, has once lost the golden aureo e of that ner- sonal dicnity and sense of integrity which not on y ilium nes ^ith- ou" but manateslrom an illumination within, his moral s reng.h ha; departed, as Samson's went from him when he broke Wsvow^ A few months ago such an imputation as you just now cast in my ter tre in. Ill thi in. an xhi sill thi evi ( at o\\ <:01 tw nl> ser m. th. ha wi lat wl bh ex wr fat ph y of yo en n.) of toi he ha 80( Uu pr ret no It OCI an up you pri/.e «0 Mioii, anil tlint MMV far iiln'iul islu'il. r to I'liiililo llie OcoiL't! llurlon 1(1111 lii» NiX'Ccll liuintiiins must i(! lulvaniiiuc of cover from Ills (■ Into navton'H Icaninl all that liorrllilc oxpcti- ilicir hours of lot It'll Oi'orno Dim;;. He hail In ypiirs ol his )a»8lon the soul lien WHS torcver WHS rudely uu- id given WHy to Bd himself, hut n Bllll lay upon if the chair, leservu the out- ice allowed my- iut it is hard to ssurcd ns to hia nd with a com- rl of Selby the Lay ton, and in ?s enough. For rown at me my r starved you to ou throu!,'h with ng — you will al- momcnt ot vin- unish you more which prompted pt in the lancies g young and in- lell you, and let inorable man'hns reole of that ner- y illumines with- 5 moral strengili ; broke his vow. now cast in my A WKEK OF I'.\S,sri)\. ,, teeth would linrdly have excited my Indi^'natinn. 1 should liave treated it with pliy mil conlciiipt ; iind yet JiihI now you have mrix mi', almolutely innocent of Hiivihin^' most lenuilely iuNlilyliiu your filKliliul siispli'lons, (tiihIh il ill a iiiomeiit aliiuxt totlieearlli, by this iiiconsidiTiitu unit horrible accii»alioii. Why'.' Ileciuise at tliiit moment then- were Hiidili'iily revealed to my iiiiiid lliu full e.Ment anil bi'iiriu^r anil eoiiHeiiueiiceK ot an act ot wcakneNS commllted — or shall I say perniitled?— In a time of on'rwlielpiiii^' an.xiety. Vou say your father Iihh coiillded all my secrets lo you — tlien you know till' iiiels. It lii'orge JhKton told tliii story, he would imphasi/e, or ivin exaggerate, the circiimstaiices wiiieh were extenuating. ' (ieorge llarton the younger invoiiinlHiily btrelclird out his hands at tlies'j words, as it he would have taken the earl's l)etvveeii hl.s own, but the earl repulsed him wilh a gesture ot dignity. " 1 don't wish to extenuate them, l''rom this hour they have lie- , es tlian it lad been when he had last seen her, before he in- =rifl=i. nndsiniis and intr KU ni; social ambitions-but Ue lliougui sue ?S all he mote cl arming and spiritual for that. 8he h,.d de- looked all the mote cuarj, 1 aspect and carriage :Se1".wUarofrred^^^^^^^^ tTa^isMcal.y perfecj alUio^^^^^^ Si 'id chiseled nostrils, with indeflnable characteristics of force curled _^ia <;"f '?",„',, «'med and ruddy, within which, wheD SeS«; pSrf by S cl..n.... ...a L»ly Blanche ».s .. qmclc '°^ f S teSSSe"'. Ml," «l.e ».ia, .imply, c..ltos » 5^^'q v>,i» 1 wanted to see vou lUSt a moment, sal iia\e ureoseu Sriy: Sh Mr BanoD. lam so sorry tor you! You don't Know ^ Wi'n qukk.'halt-involuntary movement she put out her hand ^e t'^d^ kJe^^wTrhtwa^'o^^^ seized the lit.le hand and pre£!f U to his lips. The act v.ould have been daring in a I ii !) S c s f c I a e li t t( y c b ii ii C n B ci tl a a U B hi ai 8J di b( al tr se ki Sfes^- --F. A WEEK OF I'ASSIOX. 81 e finest texmre, )ut ot the tine, ai its petal, loso ug relief by tlie tinir was coillfeil -angelic appuri- licli were beam- nted tone, as lie 1, with acliarm- jrjust an instant ijeit 11 uinguelic than ever, now sh young lace, a 1 excitement and r, before the in- icnl worklliness, lit he thought she at. She iriul de- pect and carriago It that lier beauty '7cse»ihk, it rt'ould what they would id, with delicate iolet and lustrous, ght weariness or violet, as it the e. lier nose wa» 3, and exquisitely icteristics of force hin wliich, whea ;eeth shone white i^ed— the dimple proportions ot the it intellectual than epose, was simply ig dress before; he hite shoulders and necU and bosom, iiadvertent expres- is unconscious ot nche was as quids I, simply, casting a St loLadyParting- sfr 1 have dressed You don't Know e put out her hand zed the little hand e been daring in a prince, and what it was in the son ot Earl Selby's late agent, defiea an estimate. She snatched away her hand quickly; a flash ot feeling passed across her face which it was impossible to define. She wi.s con- scious, among oth«-r tacts, that at tlie toot of the stairs stood six feet ot curiosity and garrulity, majestically pretending to be engaged in sttulying the fair proporlious ot its silk-enveloped leg, biit keenly following every word and movement; and then this was an unheard ot liberty. But Barton stood before her in an attitude that wiis not undignified, though it seemed to imply surprise at his own audacity, and supplication for pardon could be read in his dark, expressive eyes. The llame that liad shot for a second from under the l.tng lashes ot the lady was, however, quickly subdued. " 1 wanted to tell you that, Mr. Earton,'.' she said, her voice and maiiDcr altering to reserve, as she arew back slightly, though he, on his part, sharply watcaiug, had detected a flush which, like a touch ot rosy down, flitted over her neck and face—" 1 was alraid you would think we had all forgotten you, but 1 assure you both Charlie and 1 have telt the deepest sympathy with you in this terri- ble trial." " 1 can not tell you. Lady Blanche," responded George Barton, in a tremulous voice, " how grateful to me your words are. 1 have, indeed, been -dreadfully lonely and deserted. Please tell Lord Charles how much I thank him. 1—1 don't know how to express my thanks to you, Lady Blanche." "Oh, 1 think you have been able to convey them to me, Mr. Barton," she replied, in a tone which was slightly severe ami mali- cious. " But I must not keep you. The earl is waiting for you in the library. God help you to bear tliis dreadful sorrow. Good- night!" Ouce more he held that lovely little hand in his for a second; ftnce more he felt the glance of her beautiful eyes fixed upon him with tender interest and pity; and then she retired into the room, and Barton, turning toward the staircase, experienced the sensation of having suddenly walked into darkness. He took two or three steps, and only came to himself when the tall footman said: " This way, if you please, Mr. Barton." The man spoke gently, and somehow his tone was penetrated with sympathy, iiovi and then the hearts ot these rude observers ot the dramas ot great houses— and what strange things they see and hear! — are touched by the little idyllic scenes of sentiment which puss . beneath their eyes. " Thank you, Colston." said George Barton, simply. He knew all the servants, and was a favorite among them. "1 am in great trouble, Colston, and sometimes hardly know what 1 am doing." Colston made Jhe sage internal reflection that Master George seemed to have known what he was doing well enough when he kissed my young lady's hand, lut he said, " I know, Mr. George, and we all feels for you very much." His tone was low. and it seemed as if emotion of some rare order bad incapacitated him from proJucing anythme more than this feeble reuDark, for he hastened the long stride of his sturdy leg to avoid Barton's eye. .1 83 A WEEK OF PASSION. Doliutof -danger. '^"^^^i^^f^^j^^toT'.^'Re seemed to h«ve some ho said tollie countess ^ as Jauon. i.e ,^,^ ^^ define the borrible impression on ImjruUl^^^^^^^^^^ is seeing poor Barton S^ri- 'IrSwS."" havfb^en^oo precipitate in telling firmed. Yet lUere is » ^'»3'^„«°"'f^ /"^^Jer th4 most confident de- wUich lingers subtle '^";\^"«"«';'^£fee A moment betore Barton duciionstrom circumsta. tial e% u u ce^^^ a ^^^ ^^^^^^^^ would have maintained t e ,'=,«l"''°Jy ^^ .^"'iiad affirmed it in the who had met his death '" /' « Xtmeut of the Earl ot Tilbury morning-and yet, »°^^, ^ f.j^^f.^'J ^Tupon the son's heart like a put it beyond all <,l\'«f 'f "l/^^'^f^eaa-L"^^^^^ ''^ "'"'"^'^ ^'°" '" fresh blovv. Yes, his fathtTjas dead n w^^^^ .^^^^^^^ ^j.j^i, manner- was the subject of «l'e sensational ' ^ ^^p j^^.g i„ain i;il London ^'«V.'^l^''"^^':^dTu-e a biol^n J-a^clT^^^^^ ^s hands seemed to be whirling round ' '^« !* '['^/^^'^^''^n i.^i forehea.l. The irrew cold, the sweat ^^^''^ .1,^'J^^,^,^^^^^ ;!£\^n^^ ;:iSra^-^^«able grief almost weighed ^^Tir:^^;:^;S^they3n.n.angi^^^ the chords ot nature ^vh.cll v bra e to f^-f ,^f"^,'^ incompetence in Tlie peer was too hue a sP'"t «f '«. '«^'„,;\' ^^ in his voice, as he such a case ; but he rose nnd sau T^^J^^\!^^"3he ai m ot the chair, *°°^r stck l^al'^SrgreilU'^^^^^ Stay, let me go and get you a glass ot wine." s, ullered wUli no particulars of his I tlmt evening by man otherwise ot viiDls' hall, case, lie felt a new energy ihrotiiih his lit of Lady Blanche brightest and most sitting gloomily in hand. He did not er easy-chair which n sake, but 1 have tiuients were, 1 am le to himself; he is > ot the first things !emod to have some unable to define the seeing poor Barton recollect a, and they unconscious of what precipitate in telling IS gazing at the earl here was no doubt— nied him were con- ., some vague hope, e most confident de- oment before Barton tathcr was the man ad affirmed it in the t the Earl ot Tilbury the son's heart lilie a d in t lie most horrible mystery about which ieorse Barton's brain tch-spring; his hands Q his forehead. The ws ot death and crime grief almost weighed nguish. It is diflicult t \\^rd8 to say in such I with soothing fingers Hashing stroke as that, own incompetence in ion in his voice, as he m the aim of the chair, stay, let me go and get A WEEIv OF PASSION. 88 He made a step toward the door to fetch It himself, but George stop(icd him. " No, my lord, thank you," he said. " I shall recover in a mo- nunt. It seems so dreadful now that there can be no doubt about it. 1 will try to master my feelings." Still, his head sunk into his hands. The eail, nevertheless, went out of the room. He thought the young man would probably recover more readily if he were left alone lor a while with his grief, so, to makea pielextfor his absence, lie went for some wine. He was very uncomfortable. And then there happened one of those Urange and unaccountable things which no science and no thcorits of supernatural govtrnmcnt or influences can satisfactorily explain, one of those fatal incidents Jn which all the actors seem to be the puppets of some fantastic prestigiator, and are unconsciously entangling themselves in the net ot an inextricable destiny. As the earl was directing his steps to the dining-room to seek tor the wine, Lady Blanche, wrapped In a long, white mantle, came out of the morning-room, ready to enter the carriage which had been ordeied round from the stables to take her to the house of the Marchioness ot Wight, a cousin of the earl's, who was to be her chapeion for the evening. Her eye was quick. Slie read trouble and cousternalion in her father's face. He had not informed his children of the statement made by Lord Tilbury. Why, papa," she said, putting her two hands on his shoulders, nua looking earnestly at him, " you look quite pale. Are you ill? What has happened? Has George Barton gone already?" The earl, in his trouble, did not notice the familiar manner in which she had named the young man. " JMo," he said. " He is not well. 1 was goinff to get him a glass of wine. He has just heard something which has affected him very painfully." " Papa, let me go for it!" cried his daughter, throwing off her mantle on a settee which was near her, putting her arm through her father's, and drawing him into her room, a room dear and sacied to him by tnany memories. " Sit down there while 1 get it— you need something, too." " No— give mc a glass of water, and fetch some wine tor him." There was water standing on the table in a silver flagon. She brought him a glassful. " Papa," she said, " do tell me what has happened! What is It that vou have heard to trouble you so much?" " My dear Blanche," replied the earl, who felt revived by the draught, "don't trouble yourself about it -it is very painful news —and you are going out. You had better leave us— 1 can manage quite well— and you will hear about it to morrow." " No— please, papa, 1 could not go away now; 1 should be oa thorns all the night. 1 shall not go out tonight," she said, with decision; and she ran to the bell, which she rang with nervous force. " Yes, yes, my dear Blanche, you must go," said the earl, ear- nestly. " It is most important that there should be no fuss or gos- sip about this affair of Barton's, and you will only make people wonder why you are absent from the palace. 1 entreat you not to 84 A WEKIv OF I'ASSIOK. I nltm- vour nrransements. Tbcre is renlly nnihing to cull tor your *"u!lvX>'cheh.ul nltcaay P«t (lowu at her escritoire, aiul began to scribble aju.te to llic nmreliiom'ss. .. " Well imnn " ''lie s'lid, stoppinsr hor ren tor nn inslani, i i l,.n vou vl .1 • 1 .In. ni ask ll.e nmrchione«. to take '"e "P I'fre 0,1 la" way fromlbe Purl.ngtons'. a.ul 1 can go to the ball all the same." ••foHo;i"\driSl«my"o go ^-Uh the carriage to the Marchioness nf AViS "ami k'ave this note. 1 shall not want the can.agc agam ^o^ll'l/t themShmess ^viH call for n>e here on ber way from Pnrtbind Pl;ice to Huolilncbam Palace. ., T Icir ever carried on a discussion before bis servants. He WHS obliged to keep silent while this order was being given; be^ Tides lelcnew that when his daughter had made up one nund-to siues "^- ''"«" '"" . little use trying to make up another. ''' ''No^ pa;;; " Bhelid ll en n^^ had left the lOom, as she cameove? and planted herself in a determined attitude opposite '^^. Vv'\TV;:iiSe\yrll!rYsiipp°oTri may as well tell you ot it ut Well, you iiiiie \-> '"i; „ , „,,oken From the first words fruherldTsSf h rd\J S^^^^ th. victim of that uSrSuirss in RegentVircus was none otherthanMr. Barton. Ladv Blanche clasped her hands together ••nfn Mr Barton! How dreadful! What r. terrioie u ow lor poorG^JgeBarUmT But we are forgetting him. Go up to him; ^slIeS'vS;ed%TiouglftlfeSioor oefore the earl could speak. MP rose and has S the staircase, anxious lo see whether ^U vlaori ad recovered a little from ids emotion. George Barton Si saf^i h his head between his hands. The blood was coursing h oSb Ws body\.ith ciuickened impulse, his tenaples we e throb- wn^ R Brtfftt strueale was being fought out within his soul. Tlie bing; ftKr^-aisirugMe wao fr ^^^^^^ Barton's mind, from any '=''" TXm ?Sae crime which tws now certain had been com- Sc^ ffiesLemedlX so inextricably involved with those at BaiSn's lea wer corr c^o separate the earl from his advisers S,at when the wung man reflected on the justice which be felt i to 1 hiB sacm' dutv to pursue, he was appalled at the penis vhuh ^vould Imne ,v" the head of the man in whose b-use be was sitting Tud consequent y of the woman toi whom he had conceived a wild «nrt^,oneloss D-Vsion At all risk his father's honor should be vin- dicatStbat was a definite decree ot Geof^'e Barton's conscience, flfswore by no gods, and took no supernatura powers to witne s U wa^^l^e cllm! inflexible dictate of reason and justice that be should rdert^kVthat task, regardlessot nimsdi of his o^ ^nnaprnipnpes to auv one concerned. On tue otner uanu. uikik «ci<= U°rterriWe complications of the situation. The figure ot the ear Is eoUfather his father's friend, bis own generous patron, as he SadleJni that lay in his chambers, rose up before him. It seemed to bu vo wl toi tiK his aor d(( niK tlic tio: hai too Blf goi pal 1 sal' cy tab wo ove his I hor tlie Bar bua nov S que liasi out. waa pos( t< int of J my whi and bur; peci in in htivi unc A WEKK OF PASSION. 85 to cull tor your fffire, ami began [in inslant, " I'll tnke nie up here » thu ball nil the the Mnrchioness lie Clin inge affain n lier way from lis servants. ITc beinp; given; be- up one mind— to ikc up another, left the loom, as attitude opposite 11 tell you ot it ut am the first words \\i victim ot that Lhan Mr. Barton." terrible blow for Go up to him; earl could speak, us lo see whether 1. George Barton lood was coursing mples were throb- lin his soul. The s mind, from any ain had been com- Ived with those at intensified, point- [lifilcult, if George from his advisers, 3 which he felt it to t the peiils which •>use he was sitting. id conceived a wild nor should be vin- arton's conscience, powers to witness; stice that he should own future, of the er hand, there were figure ot the earl, arous patron, as he ore him. It seemed lo plead for forbearance luid mercy— metcy not only for lilmselt. but for the base, dastardly creatures wlins'e punishment mus't in- volve him in shame and disgrace. And tlien there was tlint vision which hud only a few minutes before Hashed its htiglitness on Tiur- fon's eyes and lieart, willi its voice ot tender symimtliy, llie loucli that thrilled him with a strange delight, tlie look wliic'h eleclrilieil his frame; how could he Ijcar to see iiku sullcrina tlie unmerited sorrows of a dishonored name and of broken fortunes? Cruel, in- <1' cil, was llie struggle wliicli wtis going on in llie young man's mind, "■id of the duration ol whicli he had l)eeii nuite "unconscious, wliile the silver clock on the mantel-iiieco ticked on steadily. His lelkc- tioiia were interrupted by tiie return of J^ord i>ell)y. George Barton hardly felt able to liold up Ids head and face to the earl, as he quietly took his seat by his side. " 1 went," said the earl, gently, " to get you some wine. 1 met Blanche in the hall "—George tfeinl>led at tlie name—" and she has gone lo get it for you. She is lilat it any lonj,'er. Hut ve tor coinmilling My itnasrination is Is 80 inconceivably concile it with the jions lire eviilcntly ; know all that n»y 10 have told you on .•rstand it, is ronian- iverythinj,', you will ■e taatened on those know, with icgnru \ disgraceful secret. ■e people had in pre- om taking place, in 5 of their criminality lelhing unconnected se to regret •;" to may be open to my father unearthed, rators, it is compara- lin for them, and cer- r, my lord, that— just [ father was the only complicated business me myBteiious provi- 0(1— one which he le- the important secrets : had called me iu to the responsibilities ot ch an honorable man at the ease and power f. The coaseiousness iddenly become, to no li feverish impatience. Ilia astute, experienced he destinies ot nations ily yesterday he would th languid or patroniz- orge Barton, "that I , tome, and ask you to wledge. 1 will, at the earing on your present A WKEK OK I'ASSIOX. 87 position and my father's fate. Wlien wo have our case dear]}' stated, as the lawyers sny, we may roiisult as to tlie liest course to be taken in your personal interest and in that ot Jiihtiee. " " iNolliini' could he l)elter. Vou remind me strangely of your poor lather's nietliod of doing tilings— tliough it is no injuslice to liiiii to itay that the son has learned to improve upon the lather." The color came into the young man's face at this compliment, which. Irom such u quarter, was no idle one; but ho said, simply, " The thoughtful son may succeed to some ot the accumulated wisdom ot his fatliei, as the thoughtless one too often does to Ids parent's wealth. 1 deserve liltlecredit if, living witli such a man, 1 have imbibed some of his spirit. But before 1 fu any further, 1 wish to diseliarge my mind of a matter vvliicli has, since you left me this afternoon, lieen weighing on it ratliei licavily. My lord, when 1 called this morning in Giosvenor Place, 1 intended td liftve had an interview wiih the Countess of Tilbury." The earl started, but was silent. He had learned this from Simp- son, and it liad troubled him; but after the ilelicato explanation with yovmg Barton, he would not himsell have broached the sub- ject. " 1 nsk you to forgive me the intention— which, fortunately, was defeated. Sly brain was disordeied with grief and anxiety, and 1 could hardly say what 1 was going to (ell her, or wlmt precise ob- ject 1 had in view. Brooding over the business day and night, 1 Inid grown desperate. But tor your frank and well-timed visit, it is Lard to say what grievous misunderstandings might not have plunged us all in ruin and confusion. Thank Heaven, my lora, for the inspiration which led you to my cliambers! Now 1 am able to ofler my poor services with a clear conscience, and will do my best to help to defeat this wicked conspiracy, which was aimed as well at your ctedit and fortune as at my father's life. The situation has become even more serious than ^ou suspect." " Well," said the earl, gloomily, " 1 must face it as bravely as 1 may. For myself, 1 am near the end ot life's tether, and 1 might manage to endure the penalty or wrong-doing, severe as would be the wounds to my pride and egoism. But— there are otliers; it would bt hard to leave a soiled escutcheon to my heir, though GoU knows there is little chance of his maintaining its luster! And there are Blanche and Charlie— there is my sister— and poor Tilbury, who already looks upon me as a father— and with whom 1 had hopes of knitting a closer relationship— it would be dreadful to bring them all under the shaUow of dishonor— more dreadful to feel myself dis- honored in their eyes— and with such a name and after sucii a career as mine!" The peer sighed heavily, not looking at his visitor, but gazing about distressfully while he spoke. George Barton's face became deadly pale as the earl unconsciously uttered the fatal words which reminded his hearer of the insuperable nature of the barrier sland- inc between him and Ihe fair woman who had onl}' a few minutes before inspired him with new life. In saving the sari's reputation lie would be helping to make that barrier more firm, more insur mountable than ever. For an instant a horrible thought crossed his mind, only to be dismissed with a shudder of horror and shame that ■% ^S 88 A WEKK OF I'AISSIOX. i' 4, ^1 !!.,>.:.. iiiilil tliislifu trom ilie Imlloink'ss pit or evil wiiitH SrfS";!:S-:'tor U^e i^^ ior:\J\::a seeded to put uu oxtin- guisher on a }:lliunierin,L' hope. ,„„,.,.,... „„v!,.t« in riMrilrd to— to lliose who urn so duiir to you. J.oril i iiuriLS anxK'tVHi ii'Kiiniio "'""" Tiil.nrv in one ot my most vulued .1,0 Jn.7«l.p?i'Sn ot I.. SU.11 1 u™ ..ate tte (.«. .= 1 «mW. '"He »rTn«l.led, .m. B»,.ou, luktos 0„t « «» -S-ii 'Si assl.t • I liave jolted (lonn liere »ome uiemotnoim "liK-lt "1" M™' ""In m- almo.t e.v.clly dsM 5««n "S". ",'= !""» '^"' "1 Tit f h V p II it tl ll ll t( o it tl t] Ir p 1 li: tl; 1)1 w r, ri Ik ir 111 nr ar Im so Pi ca by en •Kt 3r of the liumlH- ■l (or the liiiinlile 1(1 In luT v'"'"* lit thii wiis only pit or evil which lirinmnfia of tho in— iliiit U tosiiy, ly a harmless tluit ilisheit armor ot a lis Oeorge Huston id to put nil t'Xlln- , that 1 share your ,-ou. Lord I'liarles my most valueil ilanohe would he a to bhiuia her troin y father's memory, It 1 liope that may ■ttud those of yonr nmedlntuly, iiinl at lous situation." levise the means ot 1, In the trouble ot Barton's manner, hud \>cen as geuer- L-er. kindly. "You glass. He was the t me — more shame (I my heart to h!m death. You might lis candor— 1 thiuK Ijcrience, to his con- nderhls eyes— very A M'EEK OF PASStOX. 80 i\nd 1 shall try to Ihe f nets as 1 uuder- te-book, said. la which will assist llie late Earl ol Til- ole issue a son, the mense landed estates lis properly amount- You, my lord, and utors and guardians Your brother-in-law !te tor speculation — tore he died he had borhood ot liis great Devonshire properly. Tliey wore called Pcllon and J'JonilMaikT. ThtT cost toL't tlicr L'.V)(),()()0. He pnid down of this Mini IJtiiO.dOO, and by the n^irccniwnt ol I'urcliiisc, the liahince, niiiiicly, L':.'.")0 doo' was loft on iiwitlgiige at :i 1-3 per rent., which eharuc the curl, who had calculated IiI.h resources very cleverly, nrnuiL'ed ,slioiilil full due In 18M-. that is tills very year—iitmut the lime when his son would come of afic. It is, 1 lielieve, In connection willi ilic luiyment ot this chiirire at its malnrlly iliat your lordship's ililllculties arose." The carl a.ssented hy a movement of the l.i ml. " 'I'liow! ditUculllcs iiro.sc, mm lawvcis would siiv, out of the non- fensiiiice, mistcasance, and lleaNMiice of I'ollard .V: Pollard who had lieen the solicitors to tho tesliitoi, and wlioni you and .Mr.'Palr. wav had coniiiiucd as sulicitors to ilie estate." ""ies— andwho piaclically lieoame its mnnnRers. 1 ninst ex- plain to you hoiv that arose. When Lord Tillniry died, and loft nie one of the executors. 1 fell ol.liired to accept tho trust, all hough it was a very onerous one. It seemed to he the less luiidensome that Fairwny was my eo-oxecutor, and no abler miin roidd have been found to take such u duty upon him. I was deeply cn>:aKO.] In politics, u man in society, ovoivvhelmed with anxieties in ifitnird to my own estate, which you know is a very large and tinublimome one. It roijuircd all your father's time and energies to supermtend II, and I never grudged him the £1500 to i'iiOOO a win- he got tor it —for it was well earned. Fairway and 1, therefore, arrantrocl to divide the dutj-— he undertook to siiperviso Pollard it Pollard in the administration of the estate, while I agreed to take my nepliew In hand, and look to his education and preparation for the 1 urh position he was to till." ^ " He will do justice to your lordship's care and aileo'.'on." " He is a good fellow every way. audit lie lives through this crisis 1 predict lor him a brilliant career. 1 wish my eldest son were like liim! But to proceed. .lust as Fairway had begun to master ail the details of the administration — about eiglit months after mv brothcr-in law's fleath— he died. It \ya8 a grievous loss to me— 1 was left alone with this colossal trust on my hands. However Pollard & Pollard were an eminent firm— reputed rich, bevond sus- picion, and trusted by everybody. I thought 1 could do nothing better than leave the entire management in their hands, endeavoring from time to time to follow up what they were doing." " Precisely, my lord, and no blame can attach to \\m for trusting Ihem, especially as you were liable tor their mistakes if they made any. iNevertheless, out of this contldcnce sprung all your troubles and 1 understand it aro,se in this wnj-. The Into Karl of Tlllury was intimate with some of Ihe princes of finance in :he City, anil liaving a large ready capital always disposab'e, often took part in some of their combinations. Among others he had rt friend in 51 r. I'iuxton, tho eminent American banker, who. ,shortly before the earl's death, proposed to film to join in a large operation piojected by an American group. They had fixed their eves on a railway called the ' New ^ork, Stockton, and Tallahasfee'Hailroad,' wliicli was at the moment in an insolvent condition, but which, owing to projected linos, was destined to become an imporiant link in con- necting the Atlantic Slates with iho West. Tho object ot the "-roup *;i '.10 A WKEK 01' I'ASSrON. K I I 11 .1,,. .loirn ill llilH rnilwiiv, iiml Vii,\Uya lulvlHcd WHB to .uy up all th ''';'•;" J,;'*',,,, -, ,„u..r conH.leiainby to tlx^ curl to KO '''''\''',.-VViu,?s.lf il .1 tlK- movHiK'nl was /..'/i.« New Voik. tl... ••''V,;\';' ';;J''L!;;, (, ^ sb^^^^^ a. an uvrauo ^/,^ anti Kii'urc. Hi' '"^•-^'V \; , Io\^^, ,. ,,v..r i;r.(l-wli:'li -:avu ■''^•ti!?ioS you! fl«l&'.''S .1» ,n...cr !».. .1.0 ... .,p«l lU.lr allpnli.mr' i .hroiitpivi '^ UoM them respomiWe." coimtniclivc "'-'g^'^'y*'-/^ ' "^ In Xit on t<. thai there was the Tilbury cHate at east ''"• "^,^_.„ ("^^ ' \ren.l <.t •■acli voar. at Ave vvars- interi;st ^'l'''^^''' ^ ''"'T "^^//.t' , %,' liubilitv to „. arly the fer.1 rule of Ave per cent.. brouMit «MMOu_^ ^.^^^^.^..^^ ^^^^^^j^ £185.00( Decenibei S« '"'v^S^aCr ni^'n^omi; Z ;^.!ch io .nake up t.iis pro- '"'^^Th^r'^acUy seven -c^«- JJ-.^^^.^r US^rnv'SoS^^u lhuu.ler.clap. 1 suppose your " Jer Is to I j< ^, : ^ ,^ i';ruSlrlnrelo,r^? ^^^X^, ^^ « cablet mims. .The amount, calculated on the £144.000. wouKl brin^ the exact total to £183.784. . . yvars- interesi, ""'^''•;;' ',' , I" -, t „„ your liabililv to m arly ^S "%ou S;e^^no,lS'nt^u:i;' uioUn;.. 'i'^f V J-IV^'^ St. The youuK ^^-X^\:^ ^^ it^cJof Vaml- ) for Pellon ami Eion-Marley hatl t ^,^J ; ' " „„k^ .,,, u,is pro- i. Pli.xtou lulviswl coiillili'iitiuliy 10 a-iiK'nl WHS Ixiiiii. ■H, al im uvmiKO •,(|_wliW'll \'IIV0 thin "iri'f M'litu m, ii „: i.ii tm*.- „l.'inl.i-.''i'y. out Hir ( ily oii»i- to Imvc rciiiimli'il lou. Tliuy never to, lii 1 wlicu llio also ( > ..peel tUelr l8p01>*tU)U!. of tlu.'ir-iifgl('ci? —was very serious curl iuteiiileil and lulil liiive i-cali/.eii ould liiive Ih'.'II re- le pay mini of Uie vo estates. When i>n you the sliarci* tiol have Kali/.etl cglect '— and your ihUi to ninUe up to II to thai there was 11(1 ()t each year at r liability to luarly IS llahiirty *'i';ly ^^ ;l)ruarv— the ri.'iO,- al tlie end of .lauu- [jinake upiliispro- me upon mc like a u what my position liad lo pay Liiyton's y was lockea up in ptoii eslute, wliicli lis a Cabinet niinis- ■iuic the exact total to 1. ,.. *^.% IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // 4^/^/l^v. 4 1.0 I.I Hi 124 2.5 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" — ► J>V'# 7 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 L1>' i\ .^v^ N> fv '%■ «>:\/'^q\ >>. -i--.r<> <^ ■:v:Mr^fisr^,r!a'^»?55'^.'sjft'a?sssw'K,aiiS;:;4S3^ % CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques A WEEK OF PASSIOK. 91 ter, for thrcR 3'enrs and ollierwise, hart been very heavy. Your fa- ther hud ruiaed with great difficulty ilOO.OOO in" November to meet tlie more pressine tngngements, and he had warned me that the drain n ust stop. He required a large floating capital for the Cleve- land mines, but he siiid that in lime, if 1 would give him fair play, those and the Kensington property would bring mo out all right, and leave my landed estates unimpaired, lie was, as usual, 13rm and candid, and frightened me terribly by threatening to throw up the agency unless 1 could manage to keep down expenses. During all the period of our relations we had never l)een so near a serious quarrel. And upon this came Pollards' demand for over £180,000. You can imagine my distross. 1 was nearly frantic. It seems ridiculous for a man with a rent-roll of seventy thousand a year to say so; but you see 1 have sunk over a quarter of a million in tliose mines, which are now— only now— becinning to pay their way, and 1 have paid £300,000 for Layton during the last lour years. 80 that when this came upon n»e I was utterly nonplused. 1 did not dare to go to your father. 1 thought he would leave me in despair— a stupid idea, as was afterward proved." " 1 believe also that Pollards objected to his intervention in the matter. ' ' " Well, 1 had told them very franlcly what my position was, not only generally, but in regard to him, and 1 see now thai they took advantage of my difficulties. 1 suppose they did not want him to become aware of the ' laches ' — 1 think you call it? — of which they Lad been guilty." " My lord," said George IBarton, " you will see directly that the term is utterly inadequate to describe their conduct. As my knowl- edge of what ensued upon this is somewhat hazy and imperfect, per- haps ^vou will have no objiction to tell me, in your own words, what took place between you and Pollard & Pollard?" " Certainly, 1 will do so," said the earl, getting up, and walking up and down the room to collect his thoughts. CHAPTER JX. THE PEEK AND HIS SOLICITORS. 'f "Before," said the earl, " 1 detail the incidents leading up to the transaction which has caused me so much sorrow and humilia- tion, let me shortly describe the condition in which 1 found myself when that unpleasant surpiise was sprung upon nie by the Pol- lards. '• 1 owed the estate £185,000, in reduction of which there were the shares, worth, at the time, say £30,000, so that 1 had to make up the sum of over £150,000. The Pollards, however, told me the shares were rising rapidly again, and that 1 had better hold them. TJiey turned out to be correct in their judgment— to-day thev are at £25, and would realize £60,000. Well, the charges on Tilbury's two estates in Devonshire, amounting to £250,000, would have to be paid at the end of January. When the Pollards informed me of the oversight, there was lying to the credit of the Tilbury estate in ■M 02 A WEEK OF PASSION. UK. nanU Of E„,lan.i a^-'t J180.000; they sn^^^^^^^^^^ nephew c:une ot !.«<■ 1' ' ^"'^ /i'\ [.^e Uv th them that tW),000 remly nio.u-y al Ins 'V^'r^/.r^L leaS t e £100.000 uvaihihlo Bhonkl be lelt for tl.at P X'^"-' ''-''''1°''„4 clear, therefore, that- toward the payment o the "^P '^«- i'.J'e or else the mistaUe we 1 must make up ^^'^^ °'^f;,,'^}fZ^ ^^ h^^^^^^^ »« Tilb..rv; It iKul made between us ^^7>'';'J\'°„ excessively tinplea.suat, that „n,ht f.etout, am ' J" J c^J.ou be aSted to L hi dealing sucli a gross act ol n<-'K-*-"*l'-,,'^° '",,„. i,,.i,iw. In fact, my .( nwu v will', sueh an estate as that o ''™ ^.l L' made right at once. I proprc demanded that '^^,^'''ll'l'~^ tor which could not allow T 1 bury s '"»^'^'^, * !!f eoi Ud not have It said that 1 was morally and legally '•^f»,"^^°.''''';,./,Xrge debtor to the estate on the day when he came ";„f■l.,;;;'J3^KVere anxious that the lS:;:Sci^Sern.nS^^;Su%nce-theiraes,retoKeep your lather oui of the l^"^'"':'«-^;i'''(;^„°/^;, Barton, significantly. •Not entirely, ruy '"I^l;, .f"'^. ^h'b 1 will tell vou directly.'' • ■ They had other rcasonB for hat o ; c i wm ^ ^ ^^^^^^ k. > iiuc i.v,^"" -• ■ -.. hnirnnthinsr tO ( O UUl nana iiicui ".^.. - don in my sale. l^''\\^Xuh^ n^Mcv h"':'""«! 'ri'f ^TS estile are m- ense. .md there was no c.uesttou a time at least, ny '-*7,, .,,,', ' u,,,.„ .i-ig heavv slra n. Even if 1 ot their being able eventually o bear thmc.y ^^^^^^ were called on to maliC a '"^"il^f,^\[,,^fi"^p Hw the payment of the .' But about ten days l«to'e tjre time 1 xe or v .> ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^_ £250,000 to the mortgagees irecevo^ a visinm^^ ^^^^^ ^^._^^_ lard, the junior i^e"^^"; "f '' ^^ ^'"^^^^^ manner, but ^^ST:^£'^s'':Ar^>^'^U>.r^^y cunning and -"^^t^l good deal o; -cuml^cution^ari^^^^ -!;S'^.:eSs ;S^S!^ ^ffe^^lf ed^o advance the .noney declined to do so otr tl^V'^-«f°f;f .^^^."Sallowed n.e to remain nn- •' 1 was thunderstruck. Here tiL ' ' ^'^^^^ , ^^^^^ u.e matter der the i'^PresT^s""?^.!! ,'luied thenfas 71^^^ and ot course was settled. 1 had "«' '^siricted them as lo , ^^ ^^^^^ they would have charged >»« leavy <>0"»^^fJ«";,,,3 ,m,^, «^„,rv. re^;it;srSs^elf%rewhat''t;eelJ. %:. Charles Pollard simpfy i.inK Bbrr^..ed his shoulders ancU^.^ ^,^^.^. ,^,^, " • I assure your lordship we nave •'""*= '"'.^ .j ,„aiter was isted that when my ; a, iiiir nmoiint of them lliat tW),000 £100,000 uviiilalilo letir, therefore, that: ;lse the mislaUe we sea to Tilb'iry; it ily (inpleasuut, llmt ed to 1110 in dealing In fact, my (("»«(■ le riglit at once. I \ blunder tor whicli lot have it said that debtor to the estate rere anxious that the » laid them oiien, at Tills explains what -their desire to keep irton, significantly, ill tell vou directly.' r action. Ot course ;, especially without however, in what 1 manner, lold me it I draisenic the money and a deposit ot the deeds here in Lou- . Iiaud them over. I »d been arranged, for here was no question /y strain. Even if 1 ill be a rich mun. or the pavment of the rom Mr. Charles Pol- bably have seen him, an oily manuev, but rdinary cunning and many professions of j-htness of the moncy- 10 advance the mouey >wed me to remain un- luent, that the matter Q terms, and ot coiirsc ssion. Now they lold \\d 1 was rather angrv. Charles Pollard simply IV best— our very bist. ou'dit the matter was reliable— very skittish! A WEKK OF I'ASSION. 93 ~ '.'■-*f»# "When the i»mk-rato goes up they draw in tlieir horns— like snails, my lord, like snails you know; there is no getting them out of their shells.' " The peer unconsciously imitated Mr, Charles Pollard's manner in a nay that forced a smile tioni George Barton's jirave lace. " • Devil take your bankers, Mr. Pollard,' 1 said; ' 1 have nothing to do Willi bankers or bank-rates, i ou promised me faillifully to. find the money. 'Vhy have you not done so— or at least why not let me know sooner that you couhln'tV " ' We regret, 3'our lordship, we arc deeply grieved, your lordship, but it was quite impossible— quite. The .security, you see, is" not quite up to the mark. Now, if we had been able to oiler a cleau mortgage, tor instance, of your Kensington estate -not a mere de- posit ot the deeds— wo might have managed it -on terms— on terms, my lord. Hut just now— capital is skitti.sh, capital is very skittish, my lord — likeanails— everybody drawing in his horns.' " ■ You rather mix your metaphors, Mr, Charley,' 1 said, ' but 1 understanil you. Well, 1 must have the mouey. 1 will grant a mortgage on my Kensington estate. But it is a complicated affair; there are a lot of long leases already granted to builders, and new transactions taking place every week. Only Mr. George Bartou is acquainted with the details— he has the entire management of the property. 1 will telegraph to him to come up at once,' and 1 took a telegraph form to write the telegram immedialely— you know 1 am rather prompt in my movements. " 1 don't know why, but 1 remember 1 had a sort of impressioo that Mr. Pollard's lace turned paler at that moment. lie hastened to interrupt me. "'No, my lord, that is not advisable. If Mr. Barton is intro- duced into this business he must necessarily be intormid of all the circumstances. Believe me, it is not your lordship's interest .iust now that this matter should go beyond ourselves. Ihen, my lord, the character ot our Arm isat stake in this matter. We can not conceal from ourselves that this has been a very awkward anil seri- ous oversight. Allhough we are advised by counsel that we are not in any way liable for the loss which has occurred, our professional reputation might be impugned— the circumstances would be mis- understood— i)erhap3 misrepresented— even criminal suspicions ex- cited, to which we should be very sorry to see any one in .your lord- ship's position exposed, and— in fact, my lord— you will permit me to make an appeal to you— it is our mutual interest, I might say, your and our joint and several interest— that— just at this moment —your ward coming of age— a great event in .society— the termina- tion of one ot the largest— quite colo.ssal— administrations it has ever been our lot to conduct— your lordship's brilliant success in discharging the grave and important duties of guardian— great festivities coming on —all the galaxy ot society watching the event —it is— 1 may suggest— our joint and several interest, that— at all events for iheiiresent— this little matter should be kept between our- selves — sliould lie perdoo. ' " ' This little matter, as you call it, Mr. Charles,' 1 aai.l, ' involves about a tenth of my whole fortune, and I confess 1 don't see much Jn what you say. It will undoubtedly l)e very disagreeable for me 'i't. 1-1 ' ■!' ; i .■ \ B w :a •!.:v- A. WEEK OF PASSION. ist ration should come out just as ^ •'"',';" to talk about conH- ™ "oruy. Barton. l'"««J,« ' ;^e U^^^P"^^^^ ""^-"",' '''' rte. tial business, or try '" 3^°,/ce. ij Ihere is to be a mnvlraire. inoucy-olUerwisclbciei^nortsouicu ^ ,„in you. 1 woul I ■^'Tt.^t£^^^ H^at'Thls particnlar .nou.cat; i>ut if !;!:^;';^au'^no\"«rt m^ f'SSM^lS^ l^tic iorwan.. and loan- ' .' • ]Sly lord.' be saul, >»'^^j'" .V,=,!i "^^^ ' we Imve not l)e(;n so ins over towaid me In 'JJ""«/f„"/^ iS as vo" im««ine. We have fidenlly say 10 your lordsuip, wiu nresent embarrassment. p-n^rfl that is koo^ n«ws; -why didn t rrKingrgel so- unnemsnry tr^^^^^^^^ ,„,, , th^; TetvTLSnroSn^^tl^o legal advisers to your iordsh.p . sister, the Countess of Tllb"jy-. ^^^ j^^^^ ^^^ g„ia anything " ' Good heavens! l crieu, x i . about tliis to the countess! , ^ experience would •• ' li is not likely, my lord, ^ "|^P^°P'racter. But in the serious disclose anything of a <=«!"PJ« "'«' e^nert ?o u that, without being lo give us time to look about us- '•1 Interrupted him. p-,,,,rd,' 1 cried. * 1 do not wish my word then 1 must inform you that we can I / what our rie to you.. But T"- J^Jj^^'iVafe b"n down L Linton and proposal is. 1 VT^^ , „\ h Ihe has expressed her readiness to Li r oif suSSS: p^viS ^oVlol^ship gives it your sane ^'«.^• And What. Mr Pollard, said 1 ' is ^s P-^CThtf Ly " • My lord, 1 explnmed the P°'JJ°°4^,;"obscfve. a very general -huro-ha-in tact making, as >ouwu^ „nnecessary fit- ement of the actual facts-whoui emt ,^^^ ^^jg^ detX 1 informed her l«^y«'"P "i'^Vharces abo i to become due for a large sum of money ^i^Sres ^^ere realized, the es- on her son's esls^les-tli'*. "" ' ^f;^'^^^ ^ „t a very great rrir;irhlK!-t yTrVdluip .m observe, is str.ctly -l^.^*"lt^Vul?fe Mr. rollard.' 1 said, ' it you added that the cul'. 1 c ( ^ f c rj r B h S] If si 8] U D ■ h m h( hi si w fa sa ni bi nc ur is rei bo jfi an ist an< It pli ictol themlinin- ot my mpliiiw'a alk ftboul contl- Rul— find the obe a mnri rau'e. lilt you, 1 would inoinciil; but if irwnnl, and lo"n- have nol been so limine. We Imve tive, and 1— with vhich— subject ot tact, 1 may con- rdsbip lron» your news; -why didn't lome anxiety, and •t ; but you know lo your lordship'e not said anything experience would liut in the serious hat, without being client, with whose oually acquainted, U8 to raise it— so as ' 1 do not wish my ly way. You may your lordship's last )e of any further as- ueard yet wiiat our down to Liulon and 3d her readiness to p gives it your sanc- irecious proposal?' lountess in this way uve, a very general ncr into unnecessary jested call had arisen 1)0 t to become due were realized, the es- ccepl nt a very great I observe, is strictly ,u added that the cal'. A WEEK OF PASSIOX. 95 had arisen upon me, llmt it was 1 who could not furnish the nioiiev except at a j,'re8t sacrillc..' So you see, Hnrton. I was quit" a % to the moral phases «t .Mr. Charles, Pollard's statements to n.y s s er However, iiu avoided argument on that point. niiglt take some time to realize the shares, liiough eveuluallv Iho H. '.' .i'i'!r,'""."\ "T. '''! '"'"^ ^'"'^ '° '=°"'*' '"-"f '!"'' 've can not have the slightest doubt since you, my lord, arc respousiblu for it 1 further slated that you, as executor of the estate, would bccon,u re- siwnsil.le for the large sum we reiiuired, if she would advance II or help U8 to laise il. 8he might give a charge on her ii-o interest in L,niton Grange-It is not a perfect security, but wilii het known wealllj and yours together it will do-for say £50,000. Then she luis ioo.OOO in Lnited Stales bouj.^ which could be deposited as [io ''.r i'mfnno''^ or a further sum of toO.OOO, and she has iT.O.- 00(» or tOO.OOO on deposit at Coults-s. We ventured to put it in this way: that, as you had lo incur the primary responsibllily il was only tair that she should come to youi assistance. Meanwhile ot course, she wouUl enjoy the revenues, and have interest on her money. It tins could be arranged, and you would allow us lo de- posit along Willi the charge on Linton your lienslneton deeds as securiiy tor your lordship's bills or personal bond, we know a bank which will advance you the balance ot cash required. ' • 1 was very much startled," pursued the earl, " at such a propo- sition as tiiis-so clearly immoral, notwithstanding Mr. Charles Pol- lard 8 cunning way oi pniting ii-emanaling from a firm of such standing, and it ought lo have put me on my guard. Indeed 1 showed my feeling, and put a veto on it at once, althouj-h ho held under my nose a letter from the countess assenting to the proposal ^ molded 1 wrote her a note requesting her to carry it out 1 sent him away, telling him he nuiat tind some other way of raisimr the money. He quietly asked me to think it over tor twenly-four hours, no doubt expecting that during that time the devil would have a chunce at me. Alas! he was right. Instead of goinL' to mv 818 er and le ling her the whole story, and getting her sympathy ai well as her help. 1 allowed myself to d.. an acf which was mean false, and despfcabie. 1 am ashamed to say 1 wrote lier a note' ^"•^"5', ,1 c"""! «'J'ise her to act as Pollard & Pollard had recom- inende.1, thus affecting to cheat myself by throwing the responsi- bility on them, and as you know, lo this hour the countess does riot know the truth The only security she has is my personal underlakuig which, it is true, fs good euough. but you see the fact 18 this-what she supposes she has advanced to her son's estate Is really advanced to me-her mortgage and bonds and money have boeri obtained from her on false pretenses-pretenses made to her jointly by her brotlier and lier solicitors, both ot whom are equally ishrnrat " proce«ling8-an(l equally deserving of pun- .^A^ ^""^ not describe to you-you can nol imaglne-the torture and anguish of mind 1 have endured since that miserable l)U8ine«8: It IS not only that 1 am placed at the mercy ot two vulgar accom- plices, it IB the degradation of my moral dignity, the blotch upon a -SI.; 71 i A WEEK OF PASSION. 90 ,Ul.er.ount«nu«hc.a honor. n«.. a gnawiu« .en.c ot the hascncs. Cuoy mul boiHls wore to ;^J;«,S\ i^^^;;^ l.anUe... oltainc;} a celi.t tor nuMii. I l"\^f,,'^"'^".'i myself to the crnlii of T. - l„an on thom nncl rnul l''' ""*"'J„ "^"t.Vs interest w.ui made out. b„rvs eslale. » "'; '"', , f f m. 1 rXi'.nl the .Iced in n.y own not- to a ll'i"' r'^^^y- ,3 'J „"' -i,,. it ov'r to. ..ml engaging to hold custody. «*«-"\'"^"' '''^'L^ .idvaiiced the money-a nuserable. it in trust for. the banu ;^ ', "{^waa a Scoleh hank, and ac- contpHcaled 'i"ange.ne..t. b^^ t H^^^^^^^^ Kensingt.m .leeds as well. ffi;i:\;'ri;:d ^^rnyS^Jrc^rty U.nn hdng attached ex- -V^Stw^hat follow.. The dtar^e^n ^^^3^^ ^ns pai, f";';';,Tling "P. lor my sake as of liiixi'n olh'i', also wislieii f ^^^'"' "^ = „„ „„,! jn yonr tather. Sell as hi, own /.J^X tonll^oulf S asi-'l" tale .l?e matter in nnd he proposed that IJaiion »""""'. ,!v „n ti,p, accounts iis hand and with the h.ilp ot an accc, nUan^^ audU aM t^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^ Tmaiter ot 'o-^/^.^iffX" o" omi;^ anct'hen. for the first ninlit auo 1 sent tor 5 our »J'^'^ ' . ,1 wi,ole biisiuess. time. I'mbunlenedn^y n ltoh>^^^^^ V)oih bv my -' Your father was leinl>lj Sf"-^V" ' , toward birn. Clever- moral weakness and ray ^rfi*^.^Ss^^^ thcU-ss, he sbowei "^ue o. tl at ugM ^^, . ^f n^e delin- by moralists who have "« <'':,^*'™ ^3e, c He simplv said that qnenciesot olhe.s fro.n hen mn em c.i^^^^^^ « ^j;,„ g^t to , ,e Hitualion must be c'l^.^f^./ '^,^ fheVcast possible sacrifice, ^vovkto n"^ll'^V'«''"« "' '^^^''^, ov^L ty hould be released at any ne insisted t>-f /^f ..^^o " ' ' S al o t my coal and iron mines to cost, lie depleted H"' "oa ing "''^' '^ers aiul he resolved to raise free the United Staes bonds a 11^ "^^^^^^ mortgase of my a large loan. « "*> ' ^'^.^.f^l' [.r^ y a « ^ the great con- Kaisington estate, tov which "''^^^« y^'^'^,,^,%'^ ,iic sale of the Stock- tractors, offered me *;340.000 Then ot cour ^.^^^^ ^ j^^^^ ton Ra Iroad shares at U^h to ^'"^" "''j' j,ii scrutiny of the ac- provided £60.000. Mf "'.!"{« J^Ses a"^ n 1 'ell London only ,. counts and revenues of T' ^i J s es «i«s ^ concluded ii V a G E IT y< y" cc tb to an ne Wi CO an CO vo tei cyi in^ qui Sel ton fri( OSS voii (I givi otr tna; pnsi mid F liisi r of the basencsg mbilitj'. I mnde igh the Toli'irda it tbo countess's g.ivc my own re- iiUeis, ()l)ti\incil a liccmlii of Til- si w(i8 mnde out, deed in my own cngnuiiig >o liold icy— ft miserable, ich bank, and nc- m deeds as well, uing altaclied ex- [•ilbury's property idniiniairatiou ac- Polliinl & Pollard were so ininiense ml it would take UK passed wilhoul I'd, 1 berame anx- 1 all his afleclntiou up, lor my sake as i»nd in your father, take Ibc mailer in all the accounts iis refuse. So a tort- I then, for the first iC biisiuesa. nded, both by my ward birn. Mevcr- y which is assumed idging of the delin- Irle simply said that nd manfully set to ,t possible sacritlce. be released at any al and iron mines to . he resolved to raise a mortgage of my ,vnns. the great cou- lie sale of the Stock - d risen, would have il scrutiny of the ac- II Hell Loudon, only ad nearly concluded y equivocal position said it would be bau plure. Ill, chagrin, and anx- ay last, expressly to A M'EEK OF PASSIOX. n tew mmutes the scene was painful enoi L^ir E^en'^ h .Ta J ' 'I cynic must sometimes yield to the inornTfo ces wT.ich wiih^l "'^ ing and irresistible attraction, draw Zvi^r ll he ml i, ' r'"""" S:-IV' ^r^' ""' "'■J'"^^"^" action ,md Z t th was'hat S Selby s cynicism was more superHclal than nrofound if J^L ?i "ies— yis-l know what vou would say /eO fhp nppr. " f^, max: Believe me. 1 did not'S\?S or'^ep oach Zn * lV ii 1, JmTJ^*^ moment, ns George narton could not but see and feel his moral position vis-d-vis the earl was assured. Young as he wm. U<^- 98 WF.EK 01" I'ABfllOX. % f sion lut. Mhil.it.a to l.im \.m Y, in mTv'u In nnv.U a position fi sironir mmi u'liinH sticnvlH. i' "'"" "i „n.l immiroa- lie rose to tlio r,i.ii:l.t ot ti.e trust ^vl'l<■^• '» ' ?" ,"'," 1 '.ler.^a H'Vir ri-lati<.i.». and i;i;::u.^^.::ii:s,:;;';:unr;vn:';.a.i ....n .« .ron,..n.,w,. SI any yon .m; y^:^^;;^ ^^^^t vJ.nX to n.rry ont tlml ^liS^,:;; ^luimiyin.iei;'!:^^— t with ute c^^^^^^^^ ^'!?^;?,r !?££•• -If ,?.;;r"y?-,ue verity yon put up for ■• Vo.i atr," siii.l y;""f ';',;"• „ ."ry .iiic>^'i ' ; , ciiarj-ing it over wlille I "ly Tillnrys lite ^''-[f:, '"„ ° r't U yo" ll'-^t" llu'y «l'o-ea an ;:.!;;;S. S;^e;Sh S-J^ "-y- -- --^-^"^ "'"•^'^ "^ '°°' "'^C'Si-n. neve. ^J-.^I^.^J-;;^^;?^ ^^Ixl^^^S that. 1 .1.-1 n'^[.'>'f ;;:'l" '"^ Se t betn^eWeB. .f possii.lc Irom - IITS-V^ iS^^^^kSTti:; very tin..henti.c.o "".'Uell, 1 bave to i"^'^"^"". f :.on to t^ ml that money, tljeic people were pressinfi .""\' X cuOit "t tl <• Tilbnry adnilnistral .on. ond.t to Imve been ly'"*?'''''''" Vw. m.uleil tltousanil pounds more Ibem." "Good God! , ,-, , iio seen yon on .. Yes; my tather tend l.^^ «st ™;i y m of this momtrot.s that tatal ufternoon ''«;{";;: J;;:'-, '^ulTsesi^oundrels -ere .iv ng and damnaole tact. All Hit "'^;' . ,i ^.,,3 „ matter ot life and vou so iii'»'»'''"^'«'y-P''?Sn"\ ,0 join them inpractienRft the American railway stocks. •• w'Jmi' "''si.ouVe«l the earl, jnmpina to his feet. .' They admitted it to my tather on ^lon it to mv tather on lUonday, last week." ( c 1: V s fl ll !■( ll nl t. iu all >V v.] in toi ve 1\ toi till his aft JK'J Of Uur iou kee jecl tiflc trat Fail cert CUt( mmlt! lilm u con- lllCTll liii" <>" t*'*' 11 ttiicli a poHltion vflops Ills Ueble- ■fi»; lie rose to tlio (jinsctl II) pliu'c in liclr n-liHions, niul )o slrcmi; iiml w!i» »ct j'ou on 'Ilitira- 'rcnltT wicUcdiicM I iisU (li'l it "•'V'T •a to cnrrv out tlmt ouutfss of lilbury ty yon r»t "P '"^ loniiMn one from ft —hvpolliiTiiiioii 01 u.i'i'ng it over while iiif ihcy showed im menl tnmle by hooK ■ HTC nrc too cool for uriil niixicty to help es, if i)098il)le, from cry llnic when these 1(1 thut money, theie bury iulinini«tf '*"""• Dusnnil poiinda more cr revenues collccteu rs, and never piiid m mlsnppropriated hy Had ho seen yon on •oil of this uionstrons ■oimdrels were f-iving i a matter ot life nnd (hem in praclicinR ft . jcen lyini; in the bimlc Iton nnd Eton-Marley. sure the ilelUtieucy on feet. >', lii8l weelc. iced me ns confldenily victims." . face flushing witli m- only person who knew A WKKK OK I'ASsiox. 09 intahiTM.'u ''""'^•-■" """"'""'■• «"""''^" tlK. oarl..i„ki„K down -0UBedin'i^otl:;;.fcil.:'^'">- "•^"-■^-'"« --l-'-o- ""clle..^ out'this\w^l"Ml' If' '"•'■ '"^'"'' "'""*•''" " "'Ivlsable before he found mmsmsm mmmmm V -.,,fciiSJ WKKK or PASSION-. , iriinstft lor lho»u sbiirciV Is •' nitl you ever hIh" '^ i wl,o. ll.r.f veui'Hsn.c.' Lout: t^ executor will, u Ohh of ,„. ,,,.H.-u..>l '''•'\,'''^''' V\ /;' r wo r If tro... ll.iH fuel I < .u^v „viT tl(lt>,tt"t'. My lor.l, .1. >< wo.' ^.i„j,.,,.H I'olliir.l, ii larue Hn....l..i.>r It «ee..m lu H i'^« «' •"^•'^ r, hoe . ('....nl.t ' hIutI "t •'«'» _• l„„r..we.l tlie... Irou. <■'";''',• itl I'UJjH' »»""«>'' l»"'»' '"'^''^ "^?^;s:^^eriS^^;:p;^u...^^^ ,H-er» ...l.."- ''''VJ:;;!"';'\ ;S •• toUl me when he o.n.e ho.no ' ..Myi>oorli.iher >'«V," ,&^^^ He sl.ouUl have said ..olh- thai he ha.l co...n..tlcd ^ ^ '^'^ •;\f, V„ Uent his .liBCOvery. to ho .re- ins ahout the n..itter: '« " ,f , J"„ n,',a , „,n to verily the Incts hy ;:t^:ie;;c^lothnSe;^n.lfor;l.e company in Now .orW. Ln- ^'''!!':';^ow uTuXelo mlnlcateB are dated only three years agoV llftB the earl ever tranHferred the,../ ^^,^^^ ^.^ ^ut him. Inal prosecution '■• m im struck ofl the rolls— to lose ^"''..V,^ , eri...in.d prosecuUon^^^^ «nd broken be- tho greater part ot their loriuiii. w vend retlemplion. u shall be done! 1 will give you lull t I r t r. Pl k* of ca m th im po 111. atl thi tO( t^'_ ■c tinnslurretl— in • imiiHlcrH— Hoino iif in ilioNC slmruH I U!0 or i;7t>. iiml Dlll-y OHllllH III C~<» or Willi " lnt men in the critical position In which they wpre placed, believ ng tlint Geofgo Barton was the only man who k^ev^ ke'pslnu-'- '"''""' "'^^'""^ '"^^ l.clieve.1 the? could The earl started, George Barton paused. He saw n vivid flash of lluminaiioii pass over the earl's face. In ir dh llie earl had re- callec tlie circumstances of his interview with the solicitors in fho morn nir— their strange hints and their mysterious manner. Hart they then meant him to understand that he and they were equally interested In the closing of (jeorge Barton's mouth forever? Was it possible that having made him. the earl, n principal iu a misde- meanor, they had thought of trapping him into becomintr an accessory after the fact to a tt-lony? lie could hardly think it, but, if so thank lleavcn they had failed. His language and bearing had beeii too candid for them! " A WEEK OF PASSION said George, wbo i.ad been 102 " Had uuytliius occurred to you'; waitini; tor tl.e '-'o'V" ;'!^': J; , ^an r»ol l.cli.-^e it to be more than a •• Yes. a cuiious lilea; but 1 can " ' . „ particulnrs at the suspicion. Do 5"" '^':rV*';; i.^'^on ii^' ^«eem to bavo n sort ot lutcrview 1 bail wi b tbe m '>''« "°^' ' f, , verge of making me some eclin.i^ tbal . botb tbe 1^! " \'',,^,(.'^,i, ,a, possibly onv b^S to^^,^. iiupoilaiil disclosure, nn ''>''" ;''^> ;;*,.,, ,v,i3 very severe aud Oetlant? t i ng 1 said, or to my ""V,""^,'',?' .' ( • i m-ais to l)e only an impres- i " Wby," said George birioi, it iWf, „,e^, ,„Hy have been sion you'bave. bu, il is -P'-' , ', ^V^^ ^ statL>ent Ibat 1 Nvas ] alarmed and put upon tliei_i_ h'l'^ra i i \^ . "^^V'SSlli? '^S tbetrl. ^via> a puz.led expression. i^ow ■ ever, 1 interrupted you.' j conceivable tbat, wl>eu r '^ • • i vNas 8in>ply Si"<"S »« ^«^'^,^ '^_J\;ie\ tbougbl tliey bad only my br; ihey «ere llw'ealened w> i^l^^o ^g^ susp.cion-be may t* •fiitlipr nno you lo n-in, •>'"• , ,, ■ Vnr wisb IK bim out ot llie way. j^ ^ould bave ^°^. yS^ 8^ you .nnst l> V |« j^f^S^ ^ ^ wbal bad t>.ken place. '' l„>en to-day ba-l 1 been totally 'g""' *""' . ^„ ,„.. fatUer's liceping. i You °^^ i^-l»''^'«^^ "T Kbn 1 coubl bave told you notbing exp« enc«J. ^° ^«J«^^ '"' ' Wiih tbe securities tbere was still open ^ ?• But tbal be bad g"ne ofl w tb tbe ^cc r ^^^^,^.^^,^,_ ^^^ robbed tbe Ibeory tlnvl my fatlK-r ^;" . ^f "J"^/, ^'^^'a^e 1 onds in bis po«s«B«}0"; r ' LmiM bave been made m dvie I""*; .^^.V, " gyer learning anytbmg ' dmnces w^<' a tbousand to one aga.nj our.ever ^^^.^ ^ a out the dates ot tbe los o"^^.-^^ easily bave tbrown dust m tJelsappropriated money, tj :>^^'=X V^j i''''}'''\ ""^ '^torl - vour eyes by recasting *''.';,";;',, oUcinr to audit tbem, wbo, tor a some new accounf'nt or ^ <^''' )%f ° , ,' I tbe accounts were correct handson^^B bribe, and being «^.'' ""^^f 4a„ased to cover up tbeir In f^cl tboiigb not in form, ^o^],V,nr« ot tbe United Slates bonds lron"-doin|. Lastly, tbe ".""'^"^/^ decent delay a dirty parcel ^•o°nd bave been advertised, and atler a uecc .^^ ,,^^ M'ou d bave been tbrown into J" l;/'^'^^'^" . Tbiis everytbing un^ J t 1 s )l a y o a b P' di C.'l or o\ P< tic th cy ca W( Le pli da; plii ad I grt Is if J .yoi yoi eve yci A tor Hai son ., who i.ad been I be more than a lixiliculnrs Dt the 10 have ft sort ot uiakini; me some lyowiiig tosome- ereamlrteniml?" s only nu impres- ^T 1,1 uy have been Biuent Umt 1 was jres-sion. " llow- ivtible that, when tlu'V had only my suspicion— he may Bad as they are, 1 till, us you say, u 10 strongest, leasous us it would have I hud taken place. ly father's Ueeping. ' told you nothing sense and generous vou, as soon as you iiu which you had there was still open urderod, and robbed as in his possession , Pollurd & Pollard L had perished with 10, evidence of their )retexl or other, and Qg there, application certilicales, and the rer learning anything ■cl their rcBtilulioa ot have thrown dust in ssibly by suggesting idit them, who, tor a ccounts were correct ,red to cover up their I'nited Slates bonds t delay a dirty parcel sent you by post, ana Thus everything un- would have rendered latsing the money tor titude tor that, as well A WEEK OF PASSION, 103 uU^Zf Thol"wl,'i7"'"T'''''''^"^ keeping a certain Iransnc- ^ionld Imvp nX n> ' '"""-' '"''"' Tr"'">«» your solicitors, nnd Z l, ^, '""' ""- ">n"»gcment of your erlutes Tiiio 1 sav woulc ,„ n 1 prolmbilitK have been the Mtnat-o , i my .ti.er hiul not.Jhrough some providential premonition, made ml his con fl «wl!f ?■■• ^'^^■'^'^ "^ '^^■"'■«'' "'"■»«" ^ill' astonishment as i.Mhua fheZrcler '" ''""'''''^'"' '^ ""^^ ''''^ '"« s'^Uy auihors of ocen 8t their elhows overhcannit the r plans, your sketch of ilpm seems so liorribly like a pift.ire from lifel" 3 on see the mode of death selcoKd-suggcsted, no drul.lv rrrinV o|.t,ages-was one that almost cerlainly ass red the cs ruction along w.lL the individual, not only of evi-ry means o identiflca on' b..u..every,hu.g in the nature of\.v:dene'e wbic^^^ diabnIicV'"' '' •°^°""*^'»l^"^-it 18 horrible-it is nnnalural-it is " Kpithets. my lord, which, in a /rrcutcr or less de-ree are nnnll c,.ble to every crime by ^vhich a huninn life is sacrificed' GraS over tt ;;;:!:S"'" '"-' "'""' ''' ^"•"'""' '^"' -^3' rartly^esS ;; (lave you confided your suspicio ,8 to the police?" j.w V . ^ "°> convinced that that would be the wav in purchase immunity from punishment in this case Jf nn «nnnn,i ions be correct, the Kuilty parties would no hSteto Ir v^and bHh« ivf./nfT' ■"'•,'•"; •'«-' Detective Department !o Throw ausl in | r.^r^^.^:rt ha^rijrrx Svi^t'S.^ ^ £ day. under the most, tryiilg circnmstancTs InThicH mm waTeS placed, as possessed of qualities ot head and heart nliicl I .nvv n.ul admire-and to me personally you have exhibit"" a cc lerosilv « rt - greatness of mind which place me under oblig t Is to ou ,^c" as torn ''•"-' •"•"' H""ed these words with an emotion which vouched Sa. .'f.l'p'n'f' ^^' * ''[""S" "S»" «'«'"'""' i° George arU)n\se^^^^^^ Had the earl known what daring ambitions were blazing in his /o.l' son 8 mm.1 and pulsating in hishea.t. what hopes 1 s\o, s fe o .S-(,4-- *;(*• 104 WKtK 01' PASSION'. I-. 204 A \m:.i^'^ ^^ uudur the sense ot 1' * «' ''.f \'^" [".'^V ot all U>e perils which sur- le.ul hi.n a strong ham '» ^t^.^^'Sasu-crt liis words tnore care- rouiKled him, ^V'"'' ,^" ",l,^'''tvinK 'lie .lightest el>cou^.^renH■nt relation^ Willi rollardcVloUautuot^P ^^ ^^^ agcul.was he eiiterlaineU «"«'''^:^''"f.^"Vo k »ml gel the dates ot the iransters to be sflecteo to ^o to Isew ^^^'^ ' "'\,%g_ot the Stockton lailway !!and. it r^''^'iou'w>^'''c'os'l t"hmd George suggested that Le CIIAPTEU X. Tnorc.trrs or A socnm- BnixE. WKHH 1 a woman 1 mi.,l.t lY^tendto kno. som^^^^^ aJsfnner lite and egoism and mojmentsof^^^^^^^^^ .^^^ ^^^^ which, ns my Kh'SB m.sh oul too^ea y^ ^.^ ^vitherh.g pencil Time had hesiun to touch here »>i'' ^"V'r „.„,„orie9 of passions, like S; heart might be still ''""« ro""d w Uh m JJ'^ ^^^ ^,^ torth ^ded tapestries, whereon the ou "'"^^ ° jj .^j .^ere once so bright distinct, though Uie colors and IK trans ^^ ^^^^^^,^ ^^ and so vivid were S9"«-.^,"'J^^,ut8 and feelings which people tl^ what would ^«/lV« ^l°i°*,i^er be le of the sealon.rich, worsb.ped mind and heart ot a,^'^''',^'^^'^,,,^ thousand petty intrigues, of re- flattered, pursued, the " 3':«\«„'„i'^,1T^^^^^^ ^'^V'.^i* "^It furbished passions a«^V li iH^n.s the product of the highest art ot traineit and cou^:;"^,;""tS ^"gow'h in artificial lemperatures ot civilization, and ot hot-bouse M» ^t tint, reared in the Cuiious in elegance of ."•'"Xl'' Society,' exhibiting vaiiet.es tropical air ot the glass lio"8«^"' I'l^iuve »nd cunningly developed of chaiacteror «™^th unknown to i^^au^^^^^^^ civilized cuU»^« be- by human ««ifice-otten do these pnMtuc^ ^^^ somel mes see come strange, bizarre ^^""^X,! the rude anatomists o the from the current social ^^"^,"^10 pieces and expose their struct^ Divorce Court pick the tail Plauts to ,^ ^^ these aristocratic ure to vulgar gaze. Tuinkmg oyer lu strange thing for p ants. 1 bave otten .po'^'^^Sl te o ee hat it is shut^n from the the young heart bursting wihite to tern t^ ^^^^^^ sunshine: that wide air and ^^^^TTn^ShSwrnd splendid, is measurable the spare Jlotted to »V ^^""Lmfot an illimitaWe horizon, boiy.e- by inches, and not by the expansic^n^^^^^^^ ^, ,ler Umes it may be the rep essed e^^^ ^j „;^. sky which f.» healthy 1 ghl ""^Vr vp s to i,."h omi with a rank luxuriance- causes them lu nuuuier jeais 10 i- ( 1 1 I c t b 6 b S( t( t( P di tc qi tL w 80 m w: W( th it, he wl ^, coi A AVKEK OF PASSION. 105 if ses ot his untuTC bus slnrted up to perils which sur- voids more cnre- it encouiui^ciiH'nt latelu) expansion ir's heart a deeper ed ot, auil justity broke up. Geor(;e louhl continue his 1 any inliling that L secret ageul.was us ot the transfers Stockton 1 ail way suggested that Le t direction. metbinp ot a wom- eprt. With a tace >w me, old Father is withering pencil, •ies of passions, like figures stood torth ve°e once so bright unable to conceive .8 which people the son, rich, worshiped, ■tty intrigues, of re- it up within a circle !t of the highest art icial temperatures, it tint, reared in the ■ exhibiting vaiieties cunningly developed civilized culture bc- ; may sometimes see ide anatomists ot the id expose their struct ot these aristocratic ,e a strange thing for it is shut in from the outer sunshine: that ilendid, is measurable litable horizon. Son.e- ,se young hearts alter the open sliv. whicU [ill rank luxuriance - like those irreat palms at Tvew-until thev can no longer be re- coXi.'' ' '^' "■^'""' ''°'"' '" wLieii- their first gmwlh was j.n^!"?^ Rliinche was rather nn exceptional society belle, and per- tfn.^Tn n'"'" "^ "'«.»'""'■''' "f tlio«« sub-iropieai plants vl"-h are K^oTa r'ou.irnn'[''''r'^''' !^"'"'""' ,i<-HlouHly 'from the vieiss' Dknt bnM,', ? 1 " ''">'""■ '''"?'"''■• •"^'"'' '^"« "" "i*-'" sensitive plant, but h-i 1 a vigor and expansion all lier own. Her mind n-as strong enouirh to reject, and even to de.pise. some of the pei dices nf,>,f IrL • M ? 7'"""'° precociously, as all lui.nnn vegetables K,lnTJ" '"'\'"''«'"."<»'i<' «oiI. l)ut her mother's enilient effort had been to imbue h-r mind witli tiie idea that woman's spliere was bimea of human grandeur and distinction-intellectual eminence oftyand noble ambit ions, influences on the sncieiv in whici^ s^fe l.veil, which niiuht pos.il.ly extend far on into thb utiue o he? own race and of the world at lar^e AVhcn the ( oimless ot Selby" who was herself a noble and re- Xr"nf' m""""'-- ^"*^ ""^ '•""' "' her young dau«iitcr bvspeiki ,t to her of tho.^0 virtumis , ;ul lofty beings who. endowed willi 1 e graces of feminine beauty and with the^lelicnte f rame and 'ent e noten fnfl":^ "'" ^^''•/'"'^ ^T '"ft a luminous trail ot iSed and potent influences on the world, slie had been careful to point on to nr. ™l'V'i'^"'''.i'"°'V °* "^"'"^ «'«»' ^«'"'«1« cimracfers tho igb born to social distinct on, had not been spoiled hythecornii tin- irs Thev'lm^i'."."^ T- ''i'y, ^'.? *'^"r«* ^^ '^ conventional dfa tKrilii, <''V'">^'P»t«='' themselves in a lar different sense from h ",^rf f "'''^^ "''' '^™ '* "°^ "»«' ^y the ancient and hag"ard high^priestesses ot « new cult, called " women's rights." They had «^rv3rih„T; 7y^K •"?' ' ^'"'!^ Srea*- ""f* powerful, because they pre- served their delicate feminine individuality, their woman's cha?ac- tenstics and relations to family and socii y, and precisely those S,?r?.l'^?P'"'^''°Vl"?"'''« ^^'l^'^'' '' '« the custom of the modera ph losoph c harpies to denounce; and the countess showed her to dfteet'„;,f'iT '^"^ S"^'," '^lary-who alone had the intebgence r.nS= ^V^' .«°=«"">g.e «P<1 treasure in her infant son those innate qualities of divine aspiration which raise a man up to be a star in he firmament of intelligence, shining far above the vuWr crowS who gdze with gaping wonder, at His glory-do«rn tliroSi aH t he «S!?«°^ ^H ?^ ?•" "«Y«''«P"'ent. every era had had its Zneu of grea? souls and biilhant intellects, creating, developing, cultivating^am mu tplymg around them some of the noblest of thoL Eences which were elevating and purifying the race. The countess nde^ was considered by some ot l.er frilnds to be ratLr " Sf'' S they of course attributed it. like the word by Rl.ich they expressed wlfinifi iT"* '^*' more rigid and commonplace system ot educatioa Inf. ''^^ ^''•^P P"""'""^ ^y » ^"'•^sot instiuclresses, more or less penet ated with conventional ideas, had not effaced from Lad? Blanche s mind the influence of her mother's words. One of the countess's sayings Lady Blanche had never forgotten. It was thiv 'km -Q,. . A WEEK OF I'ASSIOK. .:k,,,, v~.. .»n .r,.M. ..^ i;n^,::ui;'|:S^^rrrffi vith ll>L- pure, clear tboimhls of ' « "''^ '^ ,^,^„e i.ave the right to noideclino.l to allow her r''/«"\«J^?/' ^^e she had discovered i a loaweiiUhy and "^0^""* ''^'^ v'«i ifher own? True, the sacnOce ids son qualities more m 1""^'""^ ^^ J' ^'Jall is not oile« Umt the she had made was uo very great «»^- ""^^^q,^. ualauctd: but she nlternatives presented to a 7™"° ''^^ar to surfer lor asserlmR the Lad at all events, know. ^^^ '»' ' 'l"' ,voman-the riiiht lo con- right which she had ^f >'";"f''J° ,f;^^ "Hence it was that she B der and to treat her hear as ^^ J^)^'^.^^,, ^i,^ threw her po«x'r- created some perturbation m SociU) „„,„.i,.ge ol one o he iul intluence into the scale "^^^^'f^l^, „ p„or but ptomismg wealthiest Heiresses ot the f.'fo^^^/.f ^,,e Foreign Embassies in voSg diplomatist, an "^''J^^'^f^.^rwa d v-„„,pha'utlv vindicated London. In that case she ^ ''« *^ ,''«'r,:ii,i,,„t eirc e oi advisers 1o .me ruhe is now one ot the s"*"" "° Vu o e but she would have de- her chivalrous interlerence „^„m„,,ip duchesses, marchionesses, golhat.'perhaps-torgiveme.mosium)" " . ,„ g^iyi_ C0unlesses%nd ladies "^J^Jfy.^* S,'^ an than t*lios.rother fresh l,aav blanche, being a good de.il »""^^ ","i,,:ii„„_iiu.e Leigh .m's or ffilies who com*^ "P Te mrSe 'ble o read and unUtand a Millais's new pictures— one maj "';»"'''' „„.,ioiu the workings ot K more of !.« licart Ibau he «»« J '^'lich jSisystem of educa- the curious, coinphcatw watch-worK wm i ^^^^^ tiou too trequently substitutes for n^)» J? , °f ^-g ^aii always a dreary ^^Tlds young lady. y^^r'^F^JZ^'^ZSSy^^^^^ comparatively affair and therefore termuiatlng Pf«r f "J'-'^^^.^ ^tt all her robes of larlv hour ot two in the morning, has thio^^^^^ Mnsequence, has endued herself. "« ^^^o"\S^f cool garment a soft. rSe lin^n. and l^'^'t;! Srse^her ^id 'nstead, then, of white robe of cashmeie. I' « ^-^'^^ '^eh her eyes testify that she is going to bed and seekmg "'" "J^^^'erselt back on a long, low Badlv in want of, she has ^'^™'^."r "» ,in under her robe, reposed uxmious chair and. curling her ^^^ ^^^Xh are clasped behind her finely-shaped head on !»«' \Yp_eTilh some coutidence, for he is "x ...» look. «'."i*. tssrei'^T.'ii.' sr^.S's i,re in repose, bul to «« »I>1'™.' '! ° 1„ uuick and turUvo move- tK ri £r.K .S?Ar.ra,ag .0 Lad, TU.ur,. .Ue 1 t \ J n !l 1 li li Si o a u li a I fi hi a( w fl( as ro th be ac ar or k ^^-«;.r^--- 1 nit it conalanlly ;lind, 1x1)0 ve e\\, liavu the ri^bl to ure ot wliicU you ,hegm? Had she heart and person had discovered in True, the sacriUce not ol lea that the balaut-td; but she lor asserliuK the —the risiht to con- ice it was that she u threw her power- fiiige ol one of the oor but pioinising iei"n Embassies in )hautlv vindicated, eoi advisers 1o one ihe would have de- in a lower rank ot loved him. that he i enough to prou.pt sses, marchionesses, urn going to say'.— mn those other fresh -like Leitil. lu's or d and understand a lain the workings ot ur system of educa- and blood, ball, always a dreary It the comparatively 1 ott all her robes of r purity, in the nncst cool garment a sett, d Instead, then, of .-es testify that she is ack on a long, low, lur her robe, reposed :h ure clasped behind . couhdence, lor be is tresh, young, human t now all her featmes Ihat is to say, there is ck and iurtive move- clear pool, a flash now destitute ot emotions, to Lady Tilbury, the A AVKEK OF I'.A.SSION. lor reco loclion ot which called up a little rose-cdor in La.ly Blnnchc's her n.ollR.r in Us ffraver and tenderer mo.nenls. It nciilled i/er M,' :''L'.''"[''fl ^^'''c'' '"y tl'«re locltal up in U.e silver "ispt" dmry on ur able as written down by herself years ,^o u. he own strong, clear handwriting, every letter and stroke and dot of wh ch before ;r "' ""'•'°'' '" '''' '''" "« '^ '^'^ P"«« ^-"« ly-i clpeS coiSnFdfv'nn. ^rT-ir'''''''^"-""'' gonerous moment toward her remikiiDlc words? Ikr heart was her own, "but her mother had never meant to suggest that she should «o and throw ft a v.% in a fi ilP"T7''^; '"•'''''^'''" "»'''«■ 1' ^^"s tl^e treasure-box of ,11 tie best and brightest jewels of her nature-when she ga°e that awiv she gave away herselt-cverything she pj.ssesseil which was worth having for any one worthy to possess it. "" In some fine natures there is a peculiar power of annlvais which Ll°.?"''.""^'/ ""««"*'«"y and imconseiously. while the rnin seems hovering betwixt dream and fancy. For the present La.Tv hirJii ' •• '^'"' "?"'*•' ''} •'"^^■" °" occasion'and reason o, things fS n?n nn^ '"'«T '°'^''*^"' T^ 9<^n,\sient fashion, was not in a mison Ing moo 1 She was rather indulging in reverie. W ithout de iber. ately setting herself to ask why she had taken that curious So in the morning of the day gone by-as a termination to a loa^'and wear some sort ot conflict whicl, had been going on tor someSimS r/.nV'Vm;/'""'!.'?.''^ ^"'''^:'^ '''"^ been precipitated paMly by ,u"onvIf Kn,!""*^!''""' "?' P"'"^' l>y a vivid realization of the agony of his mo her during those anxious, weary hours ot watching hm !lid']f»r rfl' ^''^/"^"'^^'y Pa-^^ing in revieV the causes wch had led her to take such a sudden resolution Was she "in love" with her cousin? Oh no! Her heart told her clearly that he had not touched the spring which makes the heart resound to the music of passion. ^ wmuj maKts tiio The experience of "coming out," which is looked upon as so serious an occasion n the life of a young maiden of theliigl ercW of society, though t has none ot the solemnity which 'ffliestol first communion." or a betrothal, or a marriage, nevertheless fo? a giil who 18 not absolutely vapid or vicious, wi.o is not ind^ued with the romantic conceits and pampered vanities of spoiled girl ho..d has some grave sides to it, and fives occasion to m iny serfoua and troublous thoughts. The world suddenly ceases to be a nursery Sas turnld n?J^ companions, and bright with beautifurtoj^, i^ has turned into a theater of comedies and tragedies, wheiein he acting is all too real. She has entered into a nei exLrnce whe o women marrv and are given in marriage; where ideas that only floated vaguely in the imagination loom nearer and more distinct as possible realities; where the>««. ;;r.m*,V. is calle.1 on to play a ,hi ;i^,"Pp*"'^''"'' *P*"^ '"'.'' '"^' •'*^f«''« a critical audience, to give I „rfi^' '"^!-"''^' '°.'*'"'"^', *° *«'«° <"• feel all the emo ions, to «m^ ?""" V?'** ««i8'.nnil realist. She who has been simpe and natural must learn social tact and diplomacy must acquire tim art of readme (be characters and designs of oihirs. while she hi 1m or deploys her own forces. If she be a beauty, she is a personagf f,^ jQg A WEEK OF PASSION. penet.nte.1 ^vilU tl'c "ne « e s of pm^^^^ ^^^^ bniMuntsuc- eess as a iUhut„nle in »>'« "'^^.i/;"™ l.orne hcrselt with difrnily. manugea l.. be S!'>: ^^ " " ', i^^fa"? But with all her suc- bri-lH ana fascinating without ^f'^J''^^^^^\^^ ^he had been pro- cess, an.i tor the very reason « ,,^f;^,«Xk had been «iv..n to foundly '"suppointe 1. A c 1. oius ^^^^^ ^^ „^ the romantic side of '"."f";''-,,^ other sex. she had found many least a tew social paladins of tho »i"er l . j^^, shallow Spid. feeble, and ^"^""sliS^o a^ bnre\.ett.-v qualities ot young prigs. A few ,^ '^/^™ ,\j./i" ^s of the heart. In society Lad were destitute ot » '« J"« ,;i"'?Key vere i^raceless sticks- slie thought t»'«V w-ere inhuinan.^^^^^^ ^j^j^n, , Bomc of them certainly will gold t«P\^ ^['"'j^ ^,y to estimate the mfn. She was too |"f,f If ^I™ ,^'^v lopSl ; und the maturer char- value ot characters ^yl ich ^^.^[Vl'""^''" i ,„ her ambition, to come aclers-the i"i°'l« ''^1^ jy^''Hv'„en^i who had passed out ot in contact-were those «/, ^ f •'^\y ,"'^"ii,.ov'dence and the leading iu- that era of priggery ^;^f,\ij'7rcreed that it shall be the tale of Btructors of English youtu have decreeai ^^^.^^^^^ eveiy educated Englislnnan to pass thiougu. p^_^^^^,^ too many of them ":;,7J,,^,°^.^'^^,e Seady i^ that stale so aptly and most of these niutured spims wtre aina^^ ^^.^^^^^ g^^, ,„^^ S^SiineUlie crnce."i sliU more rarely take It. of paying court to a lasbionable belle. 'The lookout was indeed ^^^f^'^^^^^^ brother. " Charlie." Lady Blanche was veiy f"";'. "/JfJI'^'J^iiticttl career, while his ^ho wasseriously preparing h.mselt tor a j«ni^^ca^^ ^ ^^^ elder brolher. Lord Lai^tor^ was ^^asU^ .^ his own few remaining rh> "^^. ,"",, heiuL' a ijenius. had qualities Snd debauch, f^rd Charles, wtl ml J« «> f^^j^^^ him from the which she could ^^'•"''^^vnje floating aliout on the gay currenis hundredsof young men who were noavK ^^^^ ^ ^^.^ ^^ i^jg ot Fociety. Besides, he oP^nj;" "'* "" ^■^ in her he had long Bister, for whom he '^^f, ^/"yJiXna'capacilV beyond his own. recognized a superior f^^\^'.^Slv^y often that in that brilliant She could not help saying to hersell very 01 ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ circle in ^^ich she mov^ she h^d not yet see disadvantage to the up to her brother Chailie. ^hw wa^^b with eo high a SIrdTr ne:^m»rrer;VhrcIi ^^as i=onstantly at hand to sug- nV^e^n%TeTrSer cousin the E^^^^^^^^^^^ »srmswrSe;w-.«^=^^--^^ iSSe oT^ricTaSar^uorarp^^^^^^^^ spixits. of elevated -i*'» gossip— ot flirta- pcricnceU. SUe iillUoiigU it was lent, wa8 strong ler biil'iunt sue- eaU'i ot society. ine iKTselt with us. to bi! silwnys villi nil lior 8UC- le Imd been pro- id been jiivcn to lioped to meet at bail louml many liant but sballow letti'V qualities ot learl. lu society raceless slicks— !u liviui^, spiritual le to estimate the the maturer char- ambition, to come had passed out ot nd the leadiny: iu- hall bo the tale of out of which, alas! lor Lady Blanche, ;, state so aptly and Bsides, such men as ,' take It, of paying rother, "Charlie," al career, while his ternal tortune, and Dwers, in (rambling enius, had qualities }hed him from the OQthegay currt-nis as his heart to his In her he had long ity beyond his own. ihat in that brilliant any one who came disadvantage to the a with "Eo high a ntly at hand to sug- ry, hei intimate rrom It he had carried her le had always liked mbination ot shrewd al spirits, of elevated A WEKK OF PA8SI0X. 109 and rcmarkal)Ie culture for his age, and of cynical humor. He had only ullaiiicl Ills majority a tew months ago, yet he had maile a clever little maiden speech in the House of Peers, nnd hud slarted a stable on Ihe tuff. He was a dandy, and he had a sharp, incisive wit. Pie frcijuenled at the same time Ihe Carlton, the .Marlborough, Whites, Ilurlini-lmm, and Tattersall'B; his name turned up in fira at Nice and Cannes, and in the races at Auteuil or at Tn.uvillo- vet he attfndcd the Quarter Sessions ot his county, and proved that he coulil tiike a sensible and serious part in county allairs along- side of gray headed men. He professed Conservailvo principles to which his cynicism trave an odd flavor ot J.ibcrailsHi. Amon^'all • he iray crowd which had passed under the very critical eyes of Lady Blanche, he stood out as one of the most nianlv and esliiiiable; and besides, he was just such a wooer as a " sensible " girl in her posi- tion would allow herself to contemplate with favor. Jloreover he Lad shown in his way a marked preference for her. All this nol- withslnndinK, he was not her Ideal! Nothing can prevent that troublesome, vaL'ue, volatile Ideal from floating in between reason and tiie Heal, disturbing the vision and playine moonshine with the sensible and projier cduise of men and women's inclinalinns. So that Lady Blanche, having arrived very near the end of the season, felt a vast and deep disappnintnieDt as she looked about her, and began to contemplate seriously the possibilities ot herfuture fate. It was useless for her to try to put the question aside alto- gether. That is one of the compensating luxuries reserved for the girls of the middle classia, and too many people, includine her father, were interested in the result to allow her to do that. Other- wise she would gladly have dismissed the subject, or left it to the chapter of accidents. But had no human figure ever presented itself to her eyes and mind, which, whatever its accidents, intrinsically seemed to Ih) at least a worthy embodiment ot her Ideal ? Had any one outside that charmed innermosi circle of the aristocracy, to which her views were supposed to be confined, touchen"} chance, which was as good as an ol!er, she had not been unfaithtu) ^°A8^she".y there, reflecting how disappointed she had been with evervbody and everything, she could not help thinking wh« a goose She had made ot herself in the morning, or avoid tee ing glad tliat nothing serious had come of It. She knew now that she had had the narrowest escape In hci life from doing an irredeemably wronc thing Phe almost shuddered when she began to realize how The wo«li» >«ive felt at that moment had she really been committed '°LeavSthat''sISJject. her thoughts turned to her father and his secret yet evident anxiety, and then, by a natural co.use, to George Barton and his troubles. The shortest cut to a woman s heart la th ough her pity, and when she began to rtcall his face, his words, i" ejected appearance, his cvi.le.it anguish, the figure of George Barton began to assume in her eyes a strangely moving and sympa- thetic aspect, tier impulse to see him and speak to him the night betoro ha.l been dictate.l by pure good-nature. tor hei fee ings toward him were very friendly. She would have done as much for eTmusU^master, Mr. Pistachio, who certainly had not inspired the Erand passion in any woman for twenty years But it was not pos- sible for her to think of George Barton after that evening as she had thoiight of him before. In the excitemeiit of the moment he had b t ayed too much to th€ quick-witted g rl. When she recalled his face and wor.ls and acts, her first impulse was to regret it al1~lo wish it had not happened-to say that it was most unfortunate, and w..uld put a consi.lerable restraint upon their intercourse-m fact exacily what a lu.licious matron would say that such a girl ought to have thought under such circumstances. ^ , „» „„.„ But all thfs was suddenly swept away liy a great rush of sjm- pnthy through her heart. As he kisse.l her band s^e had experienced rthrlU of feeling unlike anything she had ever felt before. Do what she would.^'she cmdd not forget the sensation. The IrouDled aonealing look of his eyes came up vividly before her. .bhe re- flS on the sharpness of his trial, the terrible nature of his hufler- ?nS a"° »Pp'eci»ted far beyond lis standard the nobility with Sh he bore bis sorrow. How glad she would have been to speafe A WEEK OF rASSlOX. ]J1 nt tliero must a!- slniivo posiUonn. icd, Hint Imd not itil his hciirw liiul I, just now niul soc'iety wiis si ill hull Ihiough lier nvtliiiiK SLTioim? Iiicros iustcuil ot tlisniiatud by Iho imirc iMiron, son *'('re only such a irlmilnrison, hart on her nicniory. iiislice to LiMly Cousin KdwanI a t l)cen unfailbtul 10 hud been with thinking whiit a ivoiil teelint; glad now that she liail nil irredeemably ;iin to realize liow r been committed er father and his course, to Gcorgo woman's heart is s tace, his words, figure of George oving and sympn- : to him liie night tor hei feelings done OS much tor Id not inspired the 5ut it was not pos- 3vcnlng as she had c moment he had en she reciiUcd his 10 reuret il ail —to t unfortunate, and tercourse— ill fact, such a girl ought ;reat rush of sym- le had experienced r felt before. Do m. The troubled, fore her. She fe- ature of his huffer- the nobility with have been to speafc some words of comfort to him, to help hjni to endure his .rrjefi lad he only been a TilSury or u Heauchamp! lla.l ii ul y I een p(.8.sll)le to regard him as a serious aspirant' "' ""0 nttn fn,,'I.'lM!l'i .""'''■'''*'' ''r" '"^^*^^o'"'"'f '''"""'•^^'•ous. and with George Har- t M,.hV''?' "I'l«^^"'"'ff. '"'^l'">'-'l'"ly face still before her eyes, Lady Jllrnu he 8tar ed-yawned, stretched lier arn.s. and crit-.l ^ ^vini^ or'sle . f."^ '""' ^' '' "^'"^'^' ^'"i'^K'". ""'' 1 '"'v'e not had a 'HlHv a>ln'! "H?'"^*-''^' •'?''"'-'"' '""' ""«'"tii»tM,tal that we may or iMorphous, for she ceases lo be Interesting. f ClIAPTKlf XI. A PETKH'IVK DKTKCTKD. Wi: have said tliat, when Mr. fJrayson reported to .Messrs. Pollard & Pollard that the Earl of Sell.y had gone straight from their o lice wif,rcoi5;teni;rti.;r"''"''''"^' '"^ '^^•" '-"-- '-l^-' "^ eaC. „ther But an inci^dent had occurred which Mr. Gravson did not think fit lllirEir'TiSxTet'f' '"' ""' """ ^"- T'^' ""^ l.avc?'sermHo soltfJ^li'^^'m""" i"'*^ j*?""""^'! ""■ e'Tl ^om the verv door of the " l|al''_ be said, " Pollard & Pollard?" i.„ .1 #•" rfll'^'*"* ^'r. Grayson, mechanically, tiirownoll his cuard by- the familiar manner of the address, which is in accordance with a formula m use ainoug lawyers' clerks at court or judges' cham- bers when addressing or asking for the represemative of a fl.m whose personal identity is unknown to them » '"m .'.' J '^o*;*''''' ^**- following up the Earl of Selby eh?" J don t see what business that is of yours." retorted Air Omv son astonislied at the stranger's impudence. " UMio are 3^u?" '"^ «..i,i .1 • .'" S'nitb& bmith. or .Jones & Jones, wliicheveryoi. please " Sfv ' 'H?.?r',.'T"" 'J'.Hl' '^^'- Grayson considered to be niplack wh il^'vn,,. i , 'T' •'*' '"■'."'«•-''■ '">"«'•• '° " confidential tone^ «1 iUk 'M 1*="° •''''^«>' «»r'» in a f'""il'»r way under that of the if you w 11 only i^crmit me tlie opportunity, I'll tell you why But n will take some time. Let's go into the ^litre Zu,m snack or a glass of something, and I'll be happy to explain " riie man was not a suspicious-looking person. He was woll dressc-d and would have passed as a respectable solicitor's clerk a gold Cham flourished rather pretentiously ou his buff waistcokt 7unZuT\'' '*-'""'H™ *'«'"'' """ faniiliarity about his Sne ' though his face was by no means hamlsome, and allogetherMr SKXd"KK" "■"'^'""- '" '"" "^^"^ '^'""- ^'^^ ""^^ ""-• The two gentlemen were soon engaged in taking a very consider- able snack togtther, iu the shape of a few pounds ot roas" C. -1> 4! 112 A WKKK «>l'' I'AISSIOK. wn8lic.l .lovvn l.y « l.oltl.i cf Mliony. I Im v« been told by n detect vo Urn 1 ■r(•i.no^i.,ui.l whid. bus sucl. virttu-s .m un oi)-"" o lb« I ear., us the ll.-ry sU.t! sold l..r sherry ut six shillinsa a l'" "e In r London r..HluurHn.. Cl.un.pi.Kn" »'f'-'« '^ TI^ ..'vV .h'.i!^ wil Fniudi Hiiy. but il reacb.-H only llio llgbt.T laci Ult«. excUes lb', w i I fbo spirit of .mis..b>d. and otlu.r b,ui .piriu-lt does ""^ ''"'^ 1^,« ■ecn- Hl.rinv'H ol be.n-. Heside^ II take» u good deal of *> *i_ ate on a seasoned cask, and it is ontly. Beer goes to lb« leel. QDd L'lvfs ibeni, and the brai.. also, a leaden tuelm^ ot W" or •»" 1 security and. it anvlbin(,Malber ten.ls to shut a man up tban .o raX bin eonunwnleativ... Port wine U d si netly an insolven U n ud les. but il kIvh no expa.ision. Whisky aken neat u s.mcie t .iu«''l'ti'--«. >''« "" HNvnkeninj; ellect eBpecially on a Ne.Keh. Zn imtoaeerlain point, but it exeites the wronK faeul ies^it mouses' the uarrelson'.e tendencies in some nu-n and the cautious in o ers lot \uib sugar, the patient who imbibes it son.etin.es be- cl, eo lldentilu al'ihe tUteenlh orsixteentb ulass. "»t. »« awym Bay time then becomes of the essence of the contract. The so olh^ lnL''e(Iecl8 of gin are too well known to needdcscnption. Iiut l)eIore a man is thrown oil his guard under its inibiences. his eoiuinunica- fio^s however conlkiential. be<^omo muddy and embarr.issing. For •'• louchinl' UP •• a man rapidly «"d giving him a general sense ot wellSg an^of atlection for L uex"; -ighbor. for oi.ening be BcS chambm of bis b««n. and bringing ibeir contents under the inspect io^^^^^^^^ thecuiiousin.iuirer. Loudon sherry, made in Ian- Krw»h potato brandy, is the article ^hicb in '!'« ^as^nia or y o cases has the most r./pid and deadly ett«:t. According to my in- ?orranl. " it touches up every corner;" it pervades, invades, ami ""tt^iman^viXl shown himself so gencrouB to Mr. Gray- Bon selected 8 my. and out ot consideration for his guest, ,«rmUtei l°e ?ale to consume the greater part, in.leed near y the whole ot the bo lie It was a long time since old Grayson had had such a Imt and though naturaflyof a cuulious and «il^nt emperanien . he when liisheail waa warmed up. and his temples began to beat crew conttienial with bis new ftiend. This gentleman had put Sim at hirease by telling him that he was engaged on llie same Set .e viee 's himself-" i>i »trM confide,ice, lie was a dcMecUve 5f^m Spoiland Yird " employed at the instance ot Messrs. PoUarcl & PolS to S ana S "cover the whereabouts or the late of Mr^ Barton It seen s the most natural thing in ;»'«.«°'- l^'T.eS one's self to a detective when one knows he is after somebody '"''"Of course." he said, with a meaninc glance at Mr. Grayson •• we've got 10 watch wliat the earl does, you see. because he waa ^"Sror'X'sf'^said Mr. Grayson, winking as it be perfectly comprehended the crjptical game ot the detective force, though he "'^^'ree^'iJrrrfSiVhrsame.'' said the delec.ive "Ah. you're dever people'. Very able firm. Pollard & Pollard; very Bbarp, eh?" ^ • " As razors," said Mr. Grayson. 1(1 by n (letecllvo ,n opuiiL-r ot tlio ^a a linltle in a iiintrdir, an llio , i'\cilu8 tin; wit, vB not toiicli iLe I'lil t Messrs. Pollard ir the lute of Mr. world 10 unbosom s after somebody B at Mr. Grayson, L-e, because he was as if be perfectly e force, though he detective. " Ahl 1 & Pollard; very A WEKK or I'ASSKIN. 113 of ihelr " And 1 ace bv your lonks and appearance you're one confldenlial clerks— an old 'un." " 1 have been thirty years at Pollard ifc PoUurd'H; and to tell you the trulli, you kimw, ibis Is ronllilential ImsineHs I'm on now," fmlii Mr. flrayson, witli priJe. "Todnv .Mr. .losepli Pollurd called mo Into the priviilt room, mid he mh\, ' Look here, (rrayson, this Is strictly private and conlidenlial biislne!Ir. Orayson winked -"sometimes, you know, these rich noblemen spend too much money, and need a little accommodation." " Exactly," nodded and said the obliging friend, as if he hatt been in the Imsiness, and understood It thoroughly. " And then they don't like to tell their own private agents, and so they go to a flrst-class firm they can trust— like Pollard & Pollard — and get them to make a confidential advance on deposit ot title-deeds— that's It— hey?" "That's the way!" said Mr. Grayson, tossing of! another xlass of sherry. " Pine wine that— dry—nulty— clean to tlic palate." " Take another glass. So Lord Selby has been borrowing pri- vately?" Mr. Grayson suddenly paused, with the glass half-way lo his mouth, and said, " I say Mr.— what did you say vour name was?" ^ "Dillon." " Mr. Dillon, now you're asking too much. What's that got to do with Mr jtl'urton? Mr. Barton never knew anything about it till a short time ago, a fortnight or so, and 1 expect that it was his find- ing it out that all the row's about." "Ohl there's been a row then!" mentally ejaculated "Sir. Dil- Jon." Orally, he said, m '%'S :,-9^,-*JJt 114 A WKEK OP PAS8I0K. •■ 1 (liin t wnnl v. .11 In tell mo nnjililnj; wlmtcvcr timfs c-ontl- ili'iiliiil. Mr. (liiiVHim. 1 HOC lliiil you wouldn't do ho nny wiiy. it I wiTi- 1() iislv you," 1,(1 iiiiM'Niiliiiii 10 voii wlmt my idea was. \im «L'i' I iliouiilil iliiil vmi mid 1 niiirld !•■• inuluidly •i^''^"' '"> o'>i' »»■ olli'iT III lliiH imslnm-im \vc are :>oth luuifstcd on llie sunui Nidc, voo know." Mr. (Inivson nodded. . , . . „ . • Nosv I am ;;oiii),' lo noomU Io you In llif ulrlclost conndiMiw. Mr '(ini\>on, and It you d..n'l kfcp II to yoursull, «oll. llicn, I sluill i:el lliL- Hack, and you will lose llio clmnci- ot niaUlnj; a uood iliinif out of it. You know ilicru 11 iiu a good di:al of iiioni-y Koln_(; ovfi IhU jo'-, and I'm vury muxIouh Io nuike u Jol) ot it. I luTf s 8l.\ hundri'il iiounds olU'ied hy your llim alont;. and thure • that Voun"Mr. narlon liaa l)mi talklu^i of oIli'iiuK live liundml more. 'riifn~l ililidi till' (lovornmcnl may oIUt Bomclldu),' ' — HdH was a liraluilouft and olTcnsivc slan.lur ot llm .-'n-tli^ln,,/ Mr. Dillon « upon a Liberal OoVfriiniciii, invcnti'd on llif spur ot lliu munu'iii. ' \ou si'O our l.usiness, Mr. tJiav.son, h a IiIkIi art— a very dinicull one. It Isn't atwavH 1)V Uk- Infoinialion we iret dlrucl from llie parileH tliat we llud out lHo ri),'lit ck-w lo tlicsu nucret eriiucH ami disuppcar- nnoi'S- It's l)y RL'ltinj,' t) know wlml's undeinualli. you kuow—litllu thinirs whioh people don't think to bo of nuy eonseiiuiiue. and lor- uet to tell us, or pcrliiips ilon't like to tell us, beciuise they ate com- promlsln" to their clients; (luite liarniless tblni;-*, you kno^v, which 1u8t uive us 11 hint, and which we always treat in tiir striclcM conll- dence 1-ittlo thinj,"* >n'*v hupi>.n--let us say, lor Instance in yo\ir ottict— which would escape the obscrvntlou oi bifi men like your Drlnclpals. und wliicli they would nei'er incnlion 10 us, and yet which might, vou know-mij-nl help to put us on ihe rii; it Bcent and so help us to fei ret out the whole mystery. Wei, a niim like you, who is always on the spot— always keeps his eves and cars open. 1 can see that- could give me a hint DOW and then of what was goln? on-witliout belrayiuK any confl- uence mind; wc don't encouraj;e that in our depurtnient-thut is not Kood policy, and it ain't honorable— but he miuht help us to make more out of the Information we i?et from the llrm-don t you 8ce— and he would be UclpinK thum at the same tiuu- he was helping us " •' 1 won't betiay no secrets of the firm," said Mr. Grayion, shut- ting up his Hds in the Chubbs lock fashion, as he hail done before his principals. . , » '• Preclselv; tbat is "« '"0"-' than 1 would have e.xpcded of a man of vour iTOsition and standini; us n coulldeutinl clerk, Mr. Grayson, and vou would be very careful not lo overstep the boimds ot honor and dutv But vou could throw a good deal of liuht upon the in- formation 1 have' from time to time-and so serve us and your peo- ple and yourself, Mr. Grayson, at the same tune-lor of course it would bo uudeistood that there was quid pro ijno, as you lawyers sav wo could not put you to trouble without siiarmg some of tlie protlt with you. Well, all 1 ask ot you is this; 1 clou t want to bo worrying your principals every lialt hour for little items of infoimation; 1 only want to be able, when 1 don t quite understand the bearing of anything that turns up, to come to -T IT tllllt's C'Olltl- lo tiny wiiy, it 1 idcii was. Vou iSI'ful tl) oiu> Itll- I tllU tlUIIKl Niilu, :;lost conflflt.'nco, I, ^^^■\\, llicn, I initkin^' H iiOKii of iiiotu'V Koliig I of it. There's wrnl tliLTu'g that ' iiumlrcd more. I),' "— lliis was u r. Uillori's upon inuiiu'iil. " Vou .•ry (filllfuli oue. Iioiii tlie |)i«riic8 « ami (lisiipneiir- lOU iillOW— Ijtlll) i|iu'nri!, iiiul lor- Ni! they aru coin- i)U k\ut\y, wliieh le wHiele^l eoiltl- nstauce, in yotir : men liUe your 10 us, ami yet It) on I lie rii;ht mystety. Well, »l\vuyH keeps hU ;ive nie u hint raying any confi- iiirtniunt — that Is iii^ht help us to ! llrni— ilon't you le he wtiB helping r. Gniyion, shut- had liouo before xpecleil of a man rU, Ml. Grayson, boiiuds ot honor lisihl upon the in- ns and your peo- — tor of course it (/. as you lawyers iriujr some of the lis; 1 don't want r tor little items in 1 don't quite up, to come to A WKKK <>K 1'.V^^H)^^ 115 you in ft friendly «(iv as It were, and unk your opinion alxiut It, and ^(f your adviee .ii to wluit 1 Nliould'do: and ot coiirMo ''*■ would !>»• ((Mf^TstOod tU:il If I well' lo tis|{ ailMhlll;; yi.lj lei! 'ouiul ill lioni^f not to ui^swer, why. then >X)il wnuld Just Miy so, fr.i ililv, you Itiiow llo orttnse on e'illier Hide -iitiil we slioiilil llien .ipi.r. oiUeially to yoiit [ JitmipalH to ^Ivo us thu Inforinullou. it's only ii> facilllale inatlers, yon fW;" Mr. (Jriiysoii M>ddeil. The duliento cotisMl^'ration shown by the dileollve i-lniek liliii with adn.lrnlioii. " Well, ilien, it's ii^reeil nn tluit foollni? that if vou will help nio In Ihls coiiildcnlliil way— ami sllicily between ourselves, mind vou will receive a reiniineralion, eertalii; iifid if we succi-eil in piiliiiijj the liiisiiiess tliroui;!!, iheti vo\i shall have ii hIiiim! ot the rewiird— all between oiir.xelve", von know— and it tvlll add soinelliini,' liaml- some to your vi'ftr's ineoiiiw." • " Tliai's all fair and wpmre enoiigli," said Mr. Orayson. " Ho long ns you don't ask me to Itelray any conlldenco, I'm your man, Jlr. — Mr. — Mr.-- " " Dillon." " Dillon?" Ills Jaw siichlenly dropped. " "Wjiv, you ain't—" " No, nol" saht the other, Inugliliig; " 1 ain't the Irish member. God lorbidl" " Well, Mr. Dillon ~ By the way, can't you give me your card'/" " No; l)Mt look here; 1 will wiite down my nimie and address- yon had lietter communicate with mo at my private nddregs— No. 50 Handall Street, Chelsea." .Mr. Dillon wrote ihe addtess on ft leaf of a memorandum book, which ho took out ot his pocket, and handed it to Mr. Grayson, addlnur, " And look here, 1 know you lawyers like a retainer— hey? Let mo hand you this as a llrst In- stallment. It's a ten pun' note," "Oh! Mr.— Mr, — " said Mr. Grayson, with a feeble gesture of deneijaiion. " No, no, 1 Insist. Qiiiil pro quo, my dear sir. Nothing for nothing. Unit's my motto. And now 1 roust bo Koing, to see what our noble friend is doing, lie must have got through his say with young Barton by this time. And of comae vou are goiii>; to mi.ke your confldenliat report to 3Iessrs. Pollard iV Pollard. Well, yi u will permit mo, if you please, to discharge the little liill! Happy to have made your acquaintance, Mr. Grayson. Hope it will coniluce to our mutiisl proilt, advantage, and behetit. Good-day, Mr. Gray- son. Your most obedient." From this it will be seen that Mr. Sontag was a man of ger.itis. lie was pursuing his incpiirles in what we have termed iin under- ground manner; and not content with looking for traces ot the miss- ing Mr. Barton wherever he coulil find them, or of the crime wherever they directly presented themselves, lie was also determined to wstch the pursuers, the persons who had given him his instruc- tions, or professed to be interested In the pursuit, and to acquire from or through them, nolenn rolcnn, a knowledge of the real rela- tions which existed between them and the persons for the problem of whose fate tliey had asked him to find the solution, flence he had given instructions that every movement of Messrs. Pollard & ^^ 116 A WEEK OF I'ASHIOX. should Pollard, and of their distinsuished client, the Earl of Selby hp carefully wnlc'icd iind reported to Imn. „„,„o, VVl'en Mr Grayson entered the olllce of l.ia em p oyer 8 another genllSanwho had heen slandinij and walking about in I'f r e g ■ Sood in an unoccupied way. examin«>g the l'0»^,f "»'' '^''^''"''^j irnne nlTordtd bv tlie Fields, tooli note of it and ot the hou., and ronUuedo wander about 'piomiscuously. lilie a.i .m.Msy ep r . lie was i oined later on in the afternoon by another Kentlenian with- out srecSi but with very bushy eyebrows. "•Inch were qu. e a. T^ddv taken oft as specta.aes. and were not so liable to tr..cture Sse two genSemen spied the noings-out and corniuKsin of the two partners iZl were t. Id olT to ascenain the names and addresses "persons wi^lh ^vhom they held communication outside heir omces From an eaily hour on SiUurday morning b(dore they liad ?et their iweclive homes in Regent's Park and South kensing- on Sl^srs Pollard S. P Ihml had been subjected to this most SeaucS: and «n.l5riti.h espionage Mr Bontag began to take uction before the famous contereuce at the lloi.ie Office. The wanderer witli the spectacles lollowcd Mr. Pollard, senmr, notice l°e SSn who sal at the next table, who seemed more Crossed w^lh the perusal of the " St. James's Gazette ban w, h the exeellen oint of mutton which was served at, that capital estab- Kimen and who somehow appeared to have as much leisure as hi weal hv solicitor, for he managed to take an hour and a hal to ,U r."rr\nd only rose to leave when Mr. Chat- es P'' l''«\^"^ mid hs bill ami taken his hat. In Fleet Street Mr. bollard took riiamom He of the bushy eyebrows also took a hansom, and re- niipoipd the drivei to keep the other in view. ^ The eader tollowmg the directions he had received drove down JouKh fSchuich Stfeet and Aldgate ^o Whitechapel. but ins ead of continuing along the Whitecliapel Road he took ;''?, Commercial ^oTand drew up at the corner ot Cannon it:,cet Road. There S» ia» oab M depatWI. Ue phmgrt Into . nm« ot '!"»• l™g I ?M. o?C»«non Bireet Road. «"»» t' ''»™;S"'sS "° n Rtrpet with the suggest ve nautical name ol CaOle o'^eei, anu ^Hi...Pii.ishv brows be at Ungth reached an old house situated in ^t „nrt riirtv rwiXsaV Looked at from without the house ^reTtcfbe Scupferbut the solicitor let himself in with a of Selby should Hjloyers, t.nollier )ul in the r eigh- ac8 and tlic liiiid- ot tlin hour, uud m iint'iisy spirit. geullL'niiin with- icli were quite nf> liible to triicture. oruiunsin of the lies ttud nddresses ion outside their ;, b(!tore they hud 1 South KensioK- cted to this most Uxji began to take Otflce. r. Pollard, senior, and had nothing hv eyebrows was 3 "Pollard did not QBtead ot turning to the Loi:don, at ease, lie did not who seemed more nzetle" than with that capital estab- ,s much leisure as lOur and a half to laries Pollard Lad Mr. Pollard took a hansom, and re- eived, drove down chapel, but instead )U "le Commercial .cet Road. There ped and discharged 1 emerged from the ; foppishly-dressed ;ht tweed over-all, the ortlce now en- formidable green !S from the brilliant s. Glancing round ize of lanes lying to mmercial Road and Cable Street, and Iged by the shadow Id house situated in without the house himself in with a A WEEK OF I'AS.giOX. 117 latch-key. The shadow was left kicking Ids heels outside for twenty minutes, durmg which time the twilight had time to deepen into darkness. There was no public-house in the court in which a mail miglit wldle away the time, or improve an hour which was by no means shining. So the man with the bushy eyebrows lit a pipe and stood with his back to a dirty wall at the extreme end of the iuclosure, wlience he was enabled to command the cloors of all the houses opening on it. He was in llie shadow, and could not be ptjrceived, though lookimr up toward the moutli ot the court he could see perfectly everything moving within it. Tlie spot liow- ever, had lieen well clio,» «" ";r' , , ( ,„ i,s ,|ay, had seen al- the Dutch Ln^;-";i-, 'V*""f,^'fJedor ot nohlemniVs castle in Iho most 118 much muiuity ns t»>e inttrior or i ^^ ^^^ ^^.^^^^^j^ °li.lclU. A^c. The P"/'f„'^"°,,t MoIm .out the top ot the street. down there .ilone. but ^f ,»f ^,T,,ie to con.e to the assistance of his an'^,;"l^;'[^;,'Lrn'n having a'rcvolver. even in that '^reerl^Bpot. co>'a not lend him one ^^ ^^^^^^^^, ^,^^ our detective knew h s ^"X'ftereiinguinst the swinging doors. Lugger he iliil not walk in, ^e f'"KSert" ^ brought up and almost fell lh'^«"t:^ '^'^"^ "'„*; i'^Urr eet^ the door. The sliaiD bv the bar, which stood only i"y^«5 1"'"' ,^^^■^^^ i,nve Sa'ce' was so full "^ t.^hA^tcTrncliied^to miufrk so ordi^ Noticed the '?'^f "^:;^'''f,, vVlvnx-eyel drab, with draggled lafr beauty 1" , , . „,, ,.._ „i,oul two ieet wide into a large, Ue tumbled through a half-door alo^^^^^^^ ,^ ^,,.,,,,, ^ low apartment, divided ^Y «^ P^^'eHf all nations and a few ' considerable number of ?«"\"""f„ I'^" oking. No one seemed to miseiabl. women ^^-^^ "Jj^, ^"S -^'^VpSek glance from beneath notice him. ^,^'"«''f ? V^" u in Uie whole scene, and saw his man the shaggy eyebrows '« '«' J ° ,'^e%X. with a broad-shouldered Hitting in a box at /he tar end t u e^ro ^^^^ ^^^^^^ gyrating ' pasou whose back was "™M' [<^\^"'oath. came to an anchor in cleveily flown the room, he. w "'"^"^ *" 'ig,,. There, spreading theneltbox. «»'«f 1 W>;" « ^e "^^^^^^^ f„, „ ,'b{e he let Srr^^^fairiSf SpTover'L Partition at the half- '*^^" n?"Sl"K" he said to the person opposite to him; " he's a collier's ;eaman, ^f^^ ^f^^Si^e wS^slniclTby the man's tone of The quick ear ot the "t-'icm^ «"» : j ^^^ ^^ ptrscu voice, accent, and manner of fPJ^jJ,'^ Saved by misfortunes or of cuV.uic and l-eeding ^' '^ J'^^^'^'^^^^^.^S „eVas not one of by vulgar associations. .> ^c . ^j,„ j, ^,^^^ the ordinary type. '^^ ^P"*",^ „„ „, 'Ljeiv. He expressed himself brought UP and '^ve mixed m good ^oc^^^^ „„^%e vulgarit es vvith a good deal o^ '•^'^^"?„,T^:,conversa ion contrasted oddly er bis face and ice of !i penman liilly rcluriu"! to ay, had seen ai- m's castle in lUo t care to venture top ot the street, iissistimee of his le (leteciive wa8 •cr, even in tliat iitcred the Dutch • swinginfi tloora, e was brought up n the door. The one woiikl have iniark so ordinary 'ith drasgied hair liich her vocation served this incon- )lied. • Oh, you , wide into a large, boxes, in which a iitions and a few No one seemed to ince from beneath , and saw his man a broad-shouldered r. Then, gyratitig lie to an anchor in There, spreading , for a table, he let nd-shouldered man r reason that it was rlition at the half- iteto him; " he's a V the man's tone ot ie ihose ot tt persc/ii a by misfortunes or 1 he was not one ot leak who have been le expressed himself and the vulgarities ion conlrasted oddly Id the clever, caustic ntlemen to substitute oranl. . ^ . iver, rudely disturbed '■<: A WEEK OF I'ASSIOX. 119 by the young lady of the bar. who. approaching with the hot stufl he had ordered, and finding her customer in a i)OSture iudicaling that previous potations liad already proved loo much for his stabil- ity, hit him a sharp i«p on the head with IHe bottom of the thick tumbler containing ihc beveinge, si)!lliug over him a quantity ot boiling liipiid, whicli certainly had the effect of stirring hmi up, wiiile she cried out in a strident voice that rang through the room. "Now, tlien, you boozy blank you, don't you know we ain't allowed to serve drunken i)eoplc on these premibes?" The niiui, though he hud been sharply scalded, gave a gnint, and Said, " 1 ain't d d-drunk a drop to-niglit, vou lying old . I'm all right:" in testimony whereof he took Vne tumbler from her hand, spilling part of its contents Avith well feigned tremor. " Here, I say, sweet Polly, give us a kiss before vou go." And drawing the Jrowzy damsel on his knee, he administered a smack which sounded like the aiiplication of a wet swab to a hollow deck. A box on the ear of eipial resonancy followed this daring exploit, and the miser- able creatures wbo had been n-alehing this scene laughed uproar- iously, while the bar-maid, having taken a gulp out of the glass in sign of a cessation of hosliliiies. marched oft with her hands on her hips, giggling, and winking to some ot her intimate friends as she Avent along. The man, havim; gulped down a few mouihfuls ot the liquor. sufTered the glass to fall on its side and empty its con- tents on the floor, and his head dropped forward again heavily on his arms, outstretched upon the narrow plank which served tor a table. This little scene, which had not passed unixjrctived by the oc- " cupants ot the next box, completely dissipated any suspicions they might have been disposed to entertain of their neighbor's capacity lor understanding their conversation, and they continued to talk freely, but in tones so low that the listener sometimes had the greatest diflBculty in distinguishing the words amid the drunken clamor ot the other guests of the inn. "When did he leave?" said the voice of Mr. 'Cliarles Poilard, pursuing some train of inquiry which had been interrupted by the entrance of the sham mariner. "Yesterday afternoon, in the 'Guadalquivir,' for Galveston. He will find his way from there to Vera Cruz, and the interior of Mexico, and thence to hell which is his ultimate destination." " Do— do you feel quite sure ot him? Is he trustworthy?" The other laughed. " You can trust him just as far as you see him, not one-hundredth part of an inch further." " But, good heavens, Yates—" " D— n you, sir! 1 thought 1 told you never to mention names under any circumstances! In such business as ours dead men listen, and sometimes even talk, and drunken men have ears." He got up hastily, and threw a quick but careful glance into the next box, from which at that moment proceeded a deep, stertorous breathing. It is internally stupid," he said, resuminir his seal and the con- versation. " It you must use a name, can't you call me Thrupp— af;.*u>'.-: 120 A WEEK Ol- I'ASSIOS. i«v' — .lift or vvl.y put vour.eU to .l.e inconvena.nce of naming me «t all? •• Ha! very gom • i ;^>„ °"^oClc. wl.al Ho you mean? Surely ;rhavfnot irie^a'a-Tn^uaier of U.is importance to an irre- kponsilile persou?" „ , , ,j 1,,^^ }„ a voice of rail- •• My dear fr.en.l and patron sau ^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^ lery. - is not my nee '" ^^"g^-^^a^ ^i,^ n>c stretcblng ot your ele- • to l.e better tlian 1 ""»-"' '„}"7?tei,, my l.osom any emotion be- gan! collar-stump would "" ^^'''['".Jtri" ,^a ^-hose interest it was to ?ond thai of renre tbamml \%,';Xx my own. 1 selected this be generous: but J, '''^;'^/""!^ '^-"erest operator that ever engaged rascal because he was \ '»« J'^^ ^^^^^^^ „„^ you know you gave bim in-m the kind ot business « ' „ Wl.v my dear tellow "-the de- deuced little lime to d. the ob^^^ j >„„r,, ^i„ec under ibm lective taucici he ^o"'^, ,^^;, [• ti7n he guessed that the speaker lamiliarity, ""•> ^'^""i "'" "Z^yuTihl^ <^o\iaXoT by constantly, as- look a savage I'l^Tirust no one 1 mean that 1 no mo.e believe Burning ll»^^»f-„,^„^'"'„a faith at whatever price you may seek - in our departed agent s ??"^' 'f""' 'Y„ .i.osc ot any other man who to purchase it. than 1 do in yours, «irin^ osc may \lLi a lunatic or an enthus «st. I'l^Xl^^^Ill, „na ,ood iaith. ior instance had fO'"« *=""" H"jf^„ "U ton to make those irregular or you would n"\,Y,''Ji':\,;°u"bsunce which have driven you to appropriations of ll'.'^^'' ?^,^''''':\^!., . ' "over up ycui little errois. 1 8Wk the aid of a scientd.c f^^Pf . ^« •^j^^.f^Xces. When 1 know judeeof a n'an's honesty romc ^"^cum la „j„.„n.^ce, 1 ibathe.hasmore to lose^l^m S^^^^l^^;;''^,, U qui^t tor the rme Sonharyoro™baU keep ,uiet-it is a matte, ot life and death to him to do so. . ,_c„p,aia_i mean-aien't vouV' '"^ fcVureS •• 'replie.1 the other ';.l - -S^-^jjlUS-;' You don't u :;^\Kig^r of^tlirworJ'cvniri'Sp- -d the broad- KciS S wm. a slight inflection ot scorn. :: fwonieT^riiTe it then. Sr^^^L^^inTtf WoVfiUut tutor, though I '^XJlTno^itZs .p ""dTwl »>^ "'« ^T'"'^^' this genll*^^nan^'^°J^,°°^S 1 suppose. 1 «ni sure of him quivir,' somewhere oft the LSpitVere .icain. He is at this mo- only liicause he daren tshow ™ 'f^ "& tor-a-well meiit aftectionatelv being '"^"""Lnri^.iiLfe demise of a lament- !^'o explain certain circumstances attetKli.fftl.edem ^^^.^^ ed old 'gent in H^ckiiev a sc on^^^ Ih^^ ^^^ ^.^^ ,, pawnbroker, wholefthshusiap easilv-poitable geins he eel ot '«a'n°'"^«-'" "In'^^^ re rement from business-took he » •if ming me nt all? try not to torget oumean? Surely )rlance to an irre- In a voice of rail- 1 ilo not pretend blng ot yoiu- e)e- i luiy emotion be- > interest it was to u. 1 selceletl this that ever engaged now yon gave liim r tellow"-ilie de- I wince umlev lbi» a llial llic si)eaber r by conutantlv as- II no moie believe |)rice you may seek luy other man who lain noble persons, itv and good laith, lalie those irregular have drivtn you to cm little errois. 1 ;es. When 1 know ijr my conluleuce, 1 keep quiet tor the I is a mattei ot life mean— aren't vou?" bad name '—ebV Do le-aU-" , ,, [oba»»ly? "iou don t ;e?" said the bioad- n. . not going to act tire ing to tell you about own in the ' Guadal- 1 am sure of him n. He is at this mo- ) police, tor— a— well e demise of a lament- ot .ludah and retired mlhs ago with a par- jly-poi table geina he ni business- took the }ar-' *j' '^ .;•*(■ ^ WEEK OF I'ASSION. Wonliln't the stuft btive klllecl l5J!i _„_a Utile f/.'^jvv/), isn't It, now? the nmnufnctuier?" ,.,„ ,nnnuf acturer. Allhoui-h he w^re a " It very nearly tliu Kil. me '"•";"'",, tor aupn) vine; lini with Sir while he mn.le his ''M''-'""-' " f • ^''.^.'on , „« a hull hev.ould have :: ?^XU^J Silt con^ri^to^ w e ; |a c^ jo .lo t,,o tr|d.. Thev were to nab the emperor in lV^?' ,", the m with one ot liis teS''^ Our mutual frien.l »''^'\«;''^|: '' ' , f , ! r eV,^clive role., an.l crystal stink-pots. 7»'ey "»^' " "f /,^ Z'lin his lingers when it one of them was 1";^^\?' f.^r/e Inlent reforuK-rs wc.,t the way dropped. Presto "'Vj,!, foUl Wi^li"tn-a proof that Providence, they Intended to have sent o d \V t^';'^" ^ ' „„^ ..^a ,i,t.n wakes wl/o seems of 'f^V^^^XSw s disc ox'red. T«-o of the German up. That was how tlit P ' ^^^^f ' ', ., „aiis, and opening one o police, in «c'"-«''>°S l^r..\T , riolr^^^^^^^^ ^'"""'^^ '" P'-''^l" try it. fell victims o t» "^, '■^fj,;, , ,'^,1 and only surviving bomb, wio would «n(lertnke to anab/tthe^^ J^^ ^^^ ,l,c evidence Our friend crossed '>'« * °""r^^'"„,an Uovernnienl, did not succeed ngainst him was '"^l''^'^^^^, ;, ^.^..V "ic il^.s uiven the :Nihilisls many in its deman.l tor an ^^t'^' '^ l, ,,, gUo" some of Ins damnaijle pre- usetul hints-they have ^yen pubbsU^o^so i„^,.n,ions labor Bcriptions it? their r^'J^'fl^^ ITZu^l-Ls to the operators that Sr :;? £K^t Sffl^s^^-t it did .. succeedascom. pletelyashemeantitto 3„„_contouud it! 1 wisli y?iv ' ' Confound it, ^^^-"^ ''^" ..^f™ would have taXen a less in- hnti employed some oilier "S^'nt.^ "":;', j,(. ,,,,3 only excited genious'anfl -n-.diona — '^.Zt^u Had 1 known it. 1 |^,K^C^c!o:l:eu;,;d^'" inyt>""g - "tteny monstrous and ^^J^K When you ^- -S^^^S "SJk -^ o^K odds does it make »}°^„^^f, 'I'^^'lasl hi«"\vilh a knife; push him head-shoot him ^•' ' '^i .l^'l^^.^Jt^ „p with nitro-glyce,ine-it SrcSrti;;:= S niflenmed tr'lend; and that tiun, .s- "Sclid not speak the fatal word nJ-d^MtUie^er listener on th^oMler shie of j^-^K";- ^fj'^o £ helper who gave a kind of caused a proioumt e.noUon 1 U e o ^^ ^^.^^ " "Well. 1 will tell yon. AYe had <» >'» '^^''^^^^J^^'ed up in this a cerValn no.leman, wbo sh.dl be -•»/^^^'',i;V^,erbk to'you that business, and we thought '< ^ o"'^'^ ^^^X'* it was the German who he also should '^I'a"^^^ '"lfP^.^'%ancv to be cleverness of the coin- ZS!:i;^K^^^e':i^^^^^'- l>is last appearance m A AVEEK OF PASSION*. 123 stuft have killed honi-h he w^re ft pjily'lng liini with n pontlratt'd into ill hev.oukl have irouijhV" IT to do thp trick. I in the Thiergar- m wilh one ot his ipeclive roles, and lis lingers when it lers went the way- thai Providence, iw and then wake» wo of the German nd opening one to > chemist in Berlin ly surviving bomb, id as the evidence 2111, did not succeed thcMihilists many ' livs damnable pre- le inventions labor a the operators that L saitt, done a little lU. This last stroko not succeed as com- id it! 1 wisli yo*^ (ive taXen a less in- Ele has only excited lliid 1 known it, 1 erly monstrous and ind to the end, what vnock a man on the II 11 knife; push him h nitro-glyceiine— it ; and that thing is— tlie eager listener on it was. It evidently , who gave a kind of aid, ^■'eiy?" iling, you know, inat vas mixed up in this agreeable to you that t was the German who cleverness of the cona- his last appearance m Lngliind as an expert by n B|)eciiil and Mijircine t>^iir ijrforrr You remember your instruclious simply were Itial tiie imrly. you know WHS on no account to be allowed to nieel I lie other niuiv. Weil we Lad to carry out our inslruotions '-lliiifs tlie iilinisi-. 1 iliink in fv'^n'A'M^"'".-','-"'". "" r""^"' '" «l'''"'^' 1' «•«"''> «"" -"U e,,,i,il V . w I ' n 'Tl ""'^ "■';■" "^ ^"e*-'"'^'- -^'"l we hit upon lliis ine hod as the bes , bec.iuse it wasliuely lo be iiiislnken for an IribU oiitiage. \\ asii t lie earl once Lord Liiulenaul, or Ciiief yecieiarv or some lung, o Ireland? Tl.e plat- wa. to gel the destructive ,,: ell. le slipped into he pocket of the gentlemau we are alluding I'.l set to go oil 111 half an hour, about ten niinules before he weiU into the houM, of he other parly-d'ye seeV Then, to p«ra,>hm e the no vu.gur o proverbs, we should have killed two'birds with one orpedo, beMdes enii.lymg a hamisome urislocialic hbiary of its books and furmture in less time llian it takes lo sav ' Walker" In laet, It would been u case ot jioir muiIc n hi Unsi,,'- d'ye see?" The explosive was of his own inveiiti,.n. He told me that it was ten times8irom:erl ban uilio-glyeeriue, and that u machine the size of a watch would blow up Imlf a house." "Good heavens!" cried Mr. Charles Pollard, startled by the fright ul statement which had just been made to him in a (one of quiet lev, ly, which made even the deleclive's blood run cold as he 'SS^.^^l^:^'^:^-' ^- "-"^ ^-e blown up^E^" ;T£«^iKi';;r-J^^iS=,!!;^^ a peer and a solicitor, is there? And my Gernian being « 8o i.dist and on principle opposed to an aristocracy, wished to vindicate his po itic.l progranime simultaneously with your jirivate one. 1 can tell you, although for your part of it he has carried oil such a nice heavy parcel ol her Majesty's handsomest coinage to soothe his dis appo.uimen 1 could hardly get him to leave the country he Sg so vexed at the failure of his combination." '' ' I' How was it upset?" "Well, you see he was watching every movement ot the-Ihe party we are speak ng o . There were three or four persons eZaffed u the service, for there is always some uncertainty in these opfra tions, and the German had alternative modes of doing the tn'ok iourtriend. on his way to a certain square, went into a shon in llegeut Street. Tue German followed him. under prele" se o ask g the price of something, and he saw the showman hand out a .tie parcel, tied up. which the party put in his pockt" Our friend, wh., is as quick as lightning, immediately saw his chance He purchased a sma 1 object la the shop, which Ihey wiapped ud n then own paper; it happens to be marked with their nauiT The party was detained a momem having his watch set and paying the bill. Leaving the shop and hastily going into a passage nLr bf he German set his ittle machine for half an hou;. wrapped U up in the paper he had taken ofl the object bought in the shop!" n 1 Suk out, beckoned to one of his pals, and instructed him to run^fter the gentleman who had just coir.eoutof the shop, and was goine up Regent Street, and say that he had been sent o shv they lad given him the wrong parcel. The old gent was sharp euouS and --'''^!« vu A AVKEK OF I'ASSIOX. lime, anil Belong tlml the ie«uer 8 nui j,^^ ^^^^ j, , jj :^,ivt.n iu the shop. '"» ,V.i^e il exS'lc 1 i„c-nui.urely-killc^'cagrea,^n^^^ Xve'suspicion . a'nd which ^iarded as rich. ^1)\''''^S keeps thousancls of men straight who otherwise is an "ccult^n Uhnl kee^JS i. ^^^_^^ ^j^„^ ^ have no natural c<^"f ff SC' ^c don't know that it s loo good name when one 's vvca U) . ^ not worth while if fynical to say in the P'^^.^" /'"'^to be sharp, keen, hard men ot one be poor. They were k°o^" !° °^° '^\j 'to win. When law- business, flindiing 'jff^'^XtS a rsped akin to tear. . They yers get that reputation they '°n>'re^ 1.^,^ ^,^,,,_ ^^4 iheir com- 'were flrst-c ass »«'^5«'^t^i^'^,ijaSry clerks, knew every turn and mon-law derks and thtir cuanctr^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^ si'i:!^>s;iS,^i^"s:i^'T^'^^''''' -*" ■»•"« ""» ; wotilrtn't have eel, llie machine )Oge, prt'sgeil tor outBiile of the the one he hail ket, ^samethii)); iirely— killed the Iho iluvil woiiUl n able to look nt I, he ^^olllcl have 1 upon it, while pou his tiice. iml liml 8<'l before imi l)c«m engaged d huve l)et!n done . The I rank, iin- Dcd and guulitied to lutirposc those lie casuistry, form conscience. This uder as if it wmo ents, 08 if tor uim onsefiueucc. Mr. r been imbued by lulime, Willi those ned sensibilities of nnstused through a ey have become a ho vehicle in which ig into a solicitor's 9 principles formed or by contact with rho arc governed at and morality as are 1 had been placed in ,t Pollard & Pollard se ot those external rm. They were re- ispicion, and which ot men straight who rth while to keep a know that it is too is not worth while if ), keen, hard men ot to win. Wlien law- nkin to tear. They clerk, and their com- new every turn and , be made of one firm e affairs cf their tel- English law. They on which made them ..,., j,^-. A WEEK OF PASSION". lU o Slof'S,'''" '"7'^'»n;' P'-'»«"<--«l udvun.Mgein .he profU tiie slnurgic with n consciousn.-Hs of being at n disadvantam. fliin v'nrl'T' TT^'T- *'"' ^"V .!'••''-'«« "re inmlverl,.ntly airected by the repute of Ihe firms (engaged in tiie cases tbev liav« o decide u,,o„. especially af .han.bers.NvI.ere now so muh of The n ^ Zv". """"• "";' ^"'"'-' "'•' ^'■"'"^ •" "'" intfrlocutorv proL -d! h^gs may have an important tnlluence on ihc fortunes of a »,ii TJierea sunplustatenu-nt mad,- in the na.ne ot Poll r. ^ P.,1 a i mheJ fi.de! ' ^'''^ "'*"'° ''*"' " •i"*''^'' '''"" "° "^"'l"^" f^«'» "''« It must necessarily bo so. In the maiority of oases Ihe judirc WIK, has prne iced at the bar before he sal upon the bet, h, inowi thein out. but he IS to., often driven to make a liasty generalization of the probabilities. In such a ca.«e Ihe stnn.ling and fZluZ^Tt M<^T'^irKr^T>^l'''^ "'-■♦"'•« »'"" "r? inevfiably'th^own ,nl . . ■..^''? J'"'^'" '" """"«n; he can not help it. He is unconsciously biased in favor of respectabilitv, and i.^ i ne casM out of ten justly. The tenth man is the victim o/il at clmn^ w£S!.=.X;;EL^..:t.:Cet^^^^^ ri::s?'a.i]f.drutS";s ''' ^"^'"^^ '- '-'^^ --'>• •- -^ '^ shiiwrwL"' •'f »«'■«''"'•« «pce ncfjuire this reputation tor sharpness, shrewdness, and success, they are bound tt laintain It. Hut they can not a ways be on the right st.le. The lar-esl proportion of affa rs vihieh come within the range of a l.uwer's practice are the Who„^'li?,?n"""'^''.*""'**"" '•i" ♦'""-■'■ ^'"^y *8 consciously wrong, ins .1 .vTn'n',",? «'"ce'«'y 'desirous to know and to do what is liist they generally manage to come to terms. Hence Pollard & Pollard must very often have been on ihe wrong side in (l^eeve ot reputation, to leave no stone unturned to win. In such a case men are obliged to turn over many ,ii,ty stones, and in doinA^nuist aUo fTnST'wJ/r ^'P' """","" '•^" ^'^"" towel otttir repu so bed and d sappeur. Now and then, at the touch of a chemical called publicity, they come out again black and foul <^'"'™"<^"* «.^.^i * ^"l"*^ ^'"^^ "'"•■*' character is yet to be "molded the at- mosphere ot such an oflice is not the best that could bcselwfted It IS charged with injurious inlluences. Theie are no urras flal grant immprallties. but there a.e all the daily l.ourh"petirtriok8 Z ^ff"*"^ "" '" ^?' •'^'^''"^' «* "'« «"'«r "W* througuout the mo- longed and complicated proceedings ot a suit. Such a case ad- mit^d to bea bad one. is being fought s.moly to gain tine^mot er mL^rrnn?';?'"'' I^<»vu8 is prolonged to force the poorer to a "ele- ment from sheer want of funds. The directors of a treat railway who have deliberately and intentionally charged too high a rate tor u 130 A WKEK OF I'ASSION. ' '"tvf^Wt^^^ transport ... ,oo.K arc .1 >-|2' ^ ^^""..^1"''"^."" inaxlm <.t Ihu E"K11«1' >''^^„\' :, ,« ^ Uo ar • very «hni.lu-. Hv ll.e tinu. l.o l.an "''>'*''';,,''/'' '\;,,rnmlses tl.u .ase K) B.ive hin.8..1t a |li.a>;rmil.U- ^•':; ,'''f, ;,,'',! ,.ns to l.avc very ele- f„r m.Mi who act a« ti.e »K''"»« '\' ,';\ ['.' , m other mailers live va,(Ml .noral H.n.inu-nls. iho, s "'^ " ,,^^" " „ ,,ii„a sido on the >vho aiworhs the ""««'"■"• '"SJ'.^BS^uh (liseascs the germs nmy cboleni or « lyphoiil. And \'^\''l;^: ,„,ver nmuifest itselt, so, be hurn.h'ssly ahso.hed a V, r^bh be >> k'l't l^^e lived and died without develop ng ^hc nio .. ' '' ,,1^ couilitlous ot develop- Z^:^:!^;^'^^^^ T^raisease began slowly to do it« "t'bad been strncl. in .oinfi -^SK'aci^'^TJh.U ^t^Si ceased Earl ot Tilbury, by "'; ' f "^ S^'^'-charn.eil and dazed and lucky peer in bis sPf*;" ^'^b \nS ^va8 detaileil before bis bv the colossal liguresot »'-\*«'V''i„\'"^l^,e carl's combination in eves, coveiousness entered into I'lf.^o ''; '.,,.•", ed the solicitor. u\e Stockton i"il«'^y «»''''-f .P^^"-""*^ "^4 a'sS^^ bad been He resolved to have bis part in ' • JJJ"«^' Mr Pollard in p.otes- w^ell Uei>t. f.nd which was o ^^^^ "^^.'^^ °i .^j the shares. TI.ey Bh.nal conlwlence. "« '^""^' '',„lf =; ,Vli t at an immense protlt. steadily V nt up. l*^. ?o'' , '°" 'If' ^j^ um,. tbe hook caugbi him. Baving onee b I ten be l>il «^a ' • ... /'a ""hares continued to rise. lie bad \.een advised to sell lor a tall tnc sua „„vemcnt though the general ?>^^f Vr Pinxton'went on unchecked. The foreseen by the carl ^''^.^ .^.^ '"^g° bb.^ tl,e stock. Thus Mr American group were g"'"^ f"^.i,f ^'^^i t;cn made acquainted with Charles Pollard and l^'«."°^j^";. " ^° 7o „ 1 the^^^ in a serious the success ot the ear ei ^^' \V"'„«f- '7'"" (luantiiy of Stocktons, position. Tliey ^me " shor ot I' "','^^^^' ;\\ ut Ibem in would l,d were effectively f,'° f^'i^o Jwe flgure and have mined the bave run Ihc 8ban« up o a n™8^^^^^^^ ^i Ut have laia firm, lu this extremity the i"""^^' 1 7^.' ' ,,cv,.loi)(d its presence, dormant through a long and s'|«*s^;"l /'/^ £,Xy estate. To They •' borrowed " the «l'f f„;''-27S'",^i^;''o'{ ue executor. The do so it was necessary to forue the "«"J« "\ j^ Pdlard Sltcrnative was very ^1^", J- dehtjed^ 1 ,^^lhe mud and be danced r .■'> . . .'" lutortuimte mun )j:li to oredil Uio vioiii; witlioul u •ry simple; We will llglit .r mri." ices out chiyilrlc < tllU (HSU to Biive H U not possilile i to Imvu vury ele- olliur iniiUt-rs live 1 blliul silk' on the cret-n svbicli liUtes icrclmiils who ur« I. hllc his oUuractor 111- WHS t'lking In y, Ihuu the vU^im i'hich propiigtttc a »es th(! gcTins may nmuiffslitsi'lt, so, Hive lived nud died id ateretly 1 listened dillous o! dcvelop- ;nn slowly to do its lio pupcis of the de- •ess of that shrewd ;iiarn\eit and iliizcd detailed before Lis [Ill's combiuulion in Hilled the solicitor. >ret which Imd been •. Pollard in pioies- J the shares. Tliey un immense profit, le hook cn»i!;hi him. (iS coiuinued to riae, fact, the movement on unchecked. The e slock. Thus Mr. lade acquainted wliu •niselves in a serious lantity of Stocktons, oujiht them I" would 1 and have ruined the liicb might have lain jvelopcd its presence. e Tilbuiy estate. To if the executor. Tuo thai or ruin. Pollard e nuid ana Oe danced e big wigs of tlie Law A WEKK OI' 1'A.SsrOV. I'v'r w.r . H f J'<^/1''«'' ""'': 'Ifnc. Other d.e(U followed. TliPy Tnrr r . ,''r'' ^"■'," "' '''* «"'"• ^''-I'l'Ted with a v.rv sincere h"-,, '"■"'■"';'' '7">' "'"' '•""'•"'8«<'f ll'o munnorin which iinnM "f,'="f«" "''"'.'« whirl, tlu- 8ollcltor-hm principal- «o m'l -e'lr; r"' '? 7?y !"'.'," ""■ ^"^"■" Wer ol ei.nhe'.Mtsm^ „„ 80 miikc 1 ,,.. re phlalahic to his (jucMsy conscience. Not tlinl he re- cre tt.,1 w mt he had donc-it hu,l l.cM'n done .U.|ilK.rntelv, as ... act of . wssily-lMit ti.nt he could not yet rcp.rd it with the cal oi s nddlcrencc ...M.ibilcd by his h.fi.mo.is ,..,^',1. Hence s JZl ad almost assuni.d the character of a .nor„l rca.-ion. M,, h of the moral i.ul.i;,mti,„. of the world Is of i.l.out the »vuv uualily thoud. lycns.o.iMlly it „,uy be a lillle hi«h.T in .leL-reo. ' ^' rhe disfcniiscd solicitor could not help exprt^sinL' the fcellnir "" ' ( 'aplaln-'' '" "'' ^'"'■="' "' '^''■'''■'•'' '''>» tluoat ami begnn; ^ «„!' „«'■","'.'.' ^';"t;.no«? D-n it, man, will you drop your infor- DM nirecti. Ion ? 'm not a client. If you do.^t .'are lor you „ "n Z'l ' ^'\'\ ^ ''? '"■■ •"'""• 1*'" "'"^Kv the fellow in (ho next ox is as dead drunk as a ho^-hsl.cnd in bond. Well. wl.Ht were joii going to remark, n.y lny:eni(>us (iu;,ck of t)iiiirrelsV I his iireverent gibe at his professional honor mid dignity seemed oortend the solicitor more seriously than other re.narks had done which were simply ,U the expense of his. ...oral character. So iUs Ih V vm1°, mT''-'' """ '"V" ^"' "'•^"'" ^^"'' '-■oo'l'lacency jokes at the expense of their personal purity, while they will ,]«enlv resent: inY ■■'■ e'nt .7 !"f !-.""''"7' ori^rofessional orcommeS staml! •^.' '•« """''f«s>«^«l 1>1« "lispleasure with indiscreet en.nl.asis devil r'"" ^'°"'' ""'"''' ''• "'"'• ^ "'■' y°"' ^•'" '"° * P"fect v2J""*' '"y.y^'ortliy pal unci pufron-alliterntive, don't you see? Never nii.id ail In- nan.es. I touche.1 yo., there in « soft p act- eh! Q>a,±oJOuan-,h! II,., ha! 'Pon my wo.d, liow 1 think of it, d-d tfood! Another alliteration by G-! MHio savs a ninii mus not iMUgh at his own joke? Ila, 1,;.. ha! And lookV". m? worthv pal ana patron-whcn y„u talk of me in such terms 1 should like to know what the devil you call voursclf-ch? There's a maxim m your own profession-tl.ough vou don't know lie das! C:%vh^t" m^m;?o;e'r i.:.'' ""' "" ''"' ^ ^"'''' ' «"°">^' '"'« "^ FoT/ar.l^"'''''^'" ^^^ ingenious, and quite sufflcicnt to silence Mr. iimfTil!^ i'!n."'?'%'°"°,"°^, ""'""^'' ""-' "stening detective judged xwiaf,*' ^''"•'.."L'' \'""'^ '^'"^'' ^'^o'' ^eisxTcn the Master of Arts ana the solicitor had begun to produce some eflect and he hoped now to obtain more specific information: but the sjeaker suddenly becoming aware that he had elevated his voice, dropped it, and said a few words which it was impossible to overhear Tho detective however, thought he could distinguish the 'words Mr. Charles Pollard now also spoke in a low and earnest tone. •<■' IM WKKK ••! PA^J^K'N' come ilowu willi Uif S«rKS Ki:"n^''A^^-^ io ao U. or are •• fJuppoMuK yon Ooii I.' sniti "'^, "",'•,, ,,j.,ount ot tlic whole :.,- .. Why only thl». il|..t n . tew >'«"""* "J' X°Xy will be jjlaU f^' buBlnens will be in Ibe >'"";« "f^^^^^.^'J^^o w o'is not a priacipH . l S:;^S'a"vi>ir «UaS S£la 'trcbbn^ wltb emo- i ""."JCv well. ^ ou Hto-.ll have it t"7°"7 "'«^M'expect people e,ul to-morrow n'i!>'\;. ""^ "''^^^Mnl anil seUle It U'cre. Come i( Turr.™.. .....1 11» evVnl.c..uy m.m »l . ,„„, ,„ T — It ic cDiiltl only now ixilltc"- ■ i>i'l"l- liuovcrhcuiil iiitie lou HH to lUo Wen- t uwiiy troin llib. inimn fricml look ,11^ out |>iil» wli" liwii i» titly jol). \ 11.1 Yunl to unriivel cr you'tf really lo ,i,,< 1 lirouulit you lilHflT of hOllKtlllUH iicrc iiru II tlioiiMiina onleiit Willi ll»*9 *"» iil^cly. ami dropping 11 of Hinisler mean- Ding lo tlo it. or are ilh a suiUlen tliisli ot h a ferocious latigh. i;.ount ol llie whole 10 ; iliey will be jslatl lio is not a priacipal, k i>t tiuarrol8. Hiil" lior upreail over the f.>r after u pause he ircmbliug wUh emo- nlgbt." I ciin't expect people t beggarly hundnnls. jriit— and no backing rcsaive geslure for the venue. We've met iiing down to Oraves- B 'Three Tuus't In settle It there. Come nv triend." uliow. who hud glided irators or by the spy. ched the broud alioul- ilm In the nri/ot of iho itlle sensation in the ig a tew sentences rap- laway to the other end \c end of the street tor lor soniebiidy. But 1 uRj-^^ , A WEKK or I'ASSfu.V. IV>!I a ;v,.y ,„ ,,t r„„„.l ,o y„ur ohlHo" Mmn "'[mI!I^ ■. '" '"" ^"" "' ".....n, ,, ;,;'T,;t; : i: ; ;;,. ,,;;';•,"'""" ' '■,"•■ "» „., 1 « • •' ' '• raril^ IIIIC will old iron. O (1 rni/S fiirnnnllna whero tl,„ policninn. hisrcrgUMrd >m.h »v,i Inu r """i^uV I5^t \u rlUT: '''^l'"^r5o8c.. poclu.led Ihc wlilsile. a, liWollow £ io,r.!:i',M' .'>'!''■'''• ""^'n«n<'v"nln.u'eof every .loor'^.yopr mw I ■„ . '"''*"'"'^. "*' *''.''»■ ''« '"""". "« I'e expecic I Hint a nar- ro \ Ian." Ifd up io ilio main llioioiiKlifnro. Tlie frrin of on., mnn only < ..uld ho dimly discerne.l at tlie oihe^ ei. n bo. t Ihir^ vnnl« i.„ , *■ "''^" ^*'"°''; ""•' >'"" "■■•* '* 'If"*' "in"'" said a voice whWi Le recognized as^thaf of Mr. Charles I'^ll.rd's conipnnioD. ' t 'ilM 130 WEEK OF PASSION. wliisper. "McLaren!" , ,, .^q lonc knives ■wore 8lph,°lio Wl '» "■« e'?"»'' '' °"'S;i 11,0 Diindpiil. c«lmlv. " What know?" CHAPTER Xll. A CHANOK OF TACTICS. TnK business o, the ,reat ^^^<^^ !^^^^^:^ on as briskly ana ie''^'"fi\y^.t.„7'Hke t^^.^e^^^ i" perpetual tlux ana messengers, can e nd ^ ;"^:„''';Vay Iron, this great and busy andrellux. »J""J-'\"K '°, "^^fl'^i ot^^^^ products ot legal in- cenlci ot legal allairs heavy J^^^^^f ^f ,,^,,0, . notices cf nppi.ca- gen'Uty-writs, Z'^^'^rZliSmi io\\o that notices to swear the lions, notices <" f^^ ' 'fl-^J'S.^on Law Division, and notices m other thing: notices in '>'^ C"'" V"^ court of Justice, or in Bank- the Chancery r);vis,on of the H^^'' ^°(\„„,t,. interrogator es and ruptcy, or in the County "^ \'''" "- 5,^ ^,,3 s^orn affidavits, affl- answ^rs to interrogatorjes; draft atM^^^^^ .^ ^^^^^^,^^, ^^ ,^^^^^^^^. davits ot service »°^, "°°„'l'^ fna affl.iavits that there were no affl- made in support otallidavit8,i^^^^^^^ wills and drafts of wills; davits; briefs "V^^ttit to sStle to appear-for counsel to ;tt- brief s for counsel f' ^^'^'^f • Jo settle J u ^ , . ^^^^^^^^ j ■end and consent, for co^nstl to niit g,utioner or the counsel, draft documen s of '^r\\y'^'^" flutter and agitation, all printer; and in the middle o ^" '■^^^ J^X^U this couie and go of this bandying to and fro of P^^^'^'^^" ^ ctorious. beaten, combat- busy, eager. '^"'''o^^^ii^ScS crov^d of clients, attorneys and ive. satisfiert and ^^'^fPf^X^^gTakiag notes of every scrap ot clerks a small ^not of employes taK^fc ^^^^^^^ ^^^ „ny busi- paper that went in and out of ^c^^^^^ ^^^ senior partner to ness by any one in the ™li8nmeni .^ ^^j the messenger hoys-ot everj visit aiu . j^J . ^^ „y to be Lrefnlly, minute by minue^^^^^^^^ ,.1,.„^ .. P„- consulted by trained "^^ ''S^"^*^' ];" »" a lawyer's bill, liculars " of that njasteri^iece o ^^ <^"fy; l^J, „t ,^,, partnere in Whatever agitation ""g^;„'''f '"ri^n" They musi receive their this Kreat firm. ^'"«\n';f^»;"',^,'f„Xrie88 proceedings whi oh were clients, supervise "'^^f/^^^ .intlvSStbemselveslnto a ta always running on and cons a^^^ interviews and corre- devote their personal »>^^'i"°rt slmrn clear, cool, suie-and some- I' ired up tor a nio- irlunatc detective, ildeu fear. Four caturefl, an 1 sud- cried, in a hoarse ong knives •were and, with a long , cnlmlv. "What )r, 1 should like to 'ollaid was carried id solicitors, clerks I. in perpetual 11 ux this great and husy oducts ot legal in- notices tf appiica- nolices to swear the iion, and notices ia lustice, or in Bank- Interrogatories and iworn atlidavits, affl- answer to atlidavits I there were no attl- and dralls of wills; • for counsel to ;it- oppose; opinion of the Elationer or the Iter and agitation, all this couie and go of ious, beaten, conibat- ients, attorneys and 8 ot everj' scrap ot devoted to any husi- ihe senior partner to r; jottinu; it all down ich, by and by to be ve the golden " par- wyer's bill. iBts ot the partners in ey must receive their roceedings whioh were einselves into a tangle^ 1 interviews and corre- cool, Buie— and some- ,t ot late neither of the A WKEK 01' PASSION. 131 Messrs. Pollard Imd found themselves quite up to these varied re- ""'-^^''''' ^^''»'.»«'-t""« ha*! "Sed them bo^h very Jai 1 • "ov *'.''■'■''' """^ P!:°f'^9«io"'»l brethren liad noticed if, and sai.t l,ey were too successful, and worked too hard, .ludicious fri..H s lm,l counseled them to take in a partner or par nors bu? pai I ner. 1 hoir doctors liad warned them that too much brain-work • l-fvvn^f n"'/-?'^'^'-^'^' ".'^^ '*^"'°« « consumptive patient in a shipwieck that it will injuie him to swim Mr. C'h:irle.i I'ollard's earlier speculations, when he had taken his n^n'^^'n' •''« P'^Persot the deceased Earl of Tilbury, had 1 .en re markab ly l,r. ,ant and successful in their results. Ho nu.ch so that estat.' t\Zfl '^ "'"" '.'"^ P'i'-'"«-'«-3liad purchased a largo bu.Mdin^ as , W.0 InL vn' P.T*''* V^'V •'''"^J' ''^"« «° ""--'^ resl.urccs, fo? as 13 ^vell kno^^n to those who have fried it, the mollo of a buildine nrnm J' '';","^ ''"' ^'^'^'^'^ °^ " «'""'! P^"«'«- •l"i<^'^ relurns '' Thf prohts > JUS be very large to fill in the blood wl.ich is bein.r drawn out of the body by the ever-sucking leech called •' Interest." and ^uJ?lVu'''1 ?^""1 •>' ^Pfcod over a long series ot years And Messrs. Pollards^ building speculation had not been a happy one 1 So^l,';^ ' ^""^r'""' «'"*'^""'' ''°°^^" """ "'«y wereinteresteS in it. Solicitors rarely invest in their own name, and they were supposed to be acting for an unnamed client. .Moreover, encouraged by Ihe^r primary success, Mr. Charles Pollard had bouglit a handsome but expensive property in Kent, where amateur hop-gro"ing a^d im proven.ents and building had swallowed ud what amounted to a KmIi. ur.ri ^'";\'r"^'' •"•^^ '"•" "°^ '"^'^^ ""» m WsgambHng I Copthall Co.rt; and tiie more he plunged to redeem his losses San.T' xi'lf •" T^ '" /''" """'^■'^ quicksands of the Stock E^I change. Thus, a firm whose resources a few years before could have been counted in hundreds ot thousands, and all in good lands houses, or mortgages, had bean reduced, at the time vvl^en our bis! tory opens to tlie most precarious expedients for keeping their busi- ness on foot and for answering to' their engagemS Some o those expe,iients have already been disclosed, others hinted at. From a desperate situation to a desperate expe.lient is only a short ste^ flm "Zl "Ff '"' 'A"'' .'"^'^ .""' ^''^P^ Srow long and quick The ?.,!? 1 '"'^^°.^"1' shrinking shame, soon changed into firm resolute plunges into frauil and crime. ' vVhen men who l:ave been honorable, and respected for tliflir biBiness Shrewdness and capacity, become crimTn'S tbey cS' otcour p into their criminal conduct all the qualitie^ which cave work they turn out is neater, more perfect, and finer than tha ot the vulgar operator All the acuteness of intelligence, all the comVre: hensive grasp of conditions and requirementt allthe untir?nTeu' ergy and quick, constant circumspection wLi^h m.ide them tTeat in oHirMf r ' T^^ '^r T'''':' '" ^"•"«- 1° reading t^SS of the Middle Ages, when the distinctions between crime and inno- cence were not so sharply deflne.l as they have since beconie am the greatest men made it a study, with marked success, to be dis^n gmshed criminals, we are all able to perceive to how ligli a stand- ■. '■■■ ..'*/*> J32 A WEEK OF PASSION. „n I e t.aincd skill in V^^\\l^^'^'^^.£j,7 vMh^mv.s of judg. ll,e shrewd, >'«"/"""'"*='• "on-irflne as we have said, all he menl and inflexibi ity ot ""i'^^^-^ent solicitors. Add to this the qualities wl-ich 1""\"'«'\« '^PJ^Xns °^^^ their lite, their prop.r^'. ?erve which enters l» ' 7" ^'J''Vellow.men are in danRer. and we nrid their standing before teire^^^^^ have the mukinc of a ^'7 ' f"K j,,*c Mr. Sontagand the Eail.of The task, therefore. ^''''='' j' ^'Sab one. ^-woable dHains Selby and ««"'"«« ""y'^trifJ^olSuo and t.. hesitate at 3lili:rMd^o\^S;^l'^-^-^- - ^'^' ^^'''' ''-'''' '' '"^KolJ'i^erview with the -fj^^^^^ ^SS^S^I^^. tbiWiiy. they l'-\ ^^V^* rEu"^^ B.monua t^lX^^~Bi^--Si^^ earl that the .lea- iraDoed him should be covcrel "1^ ««« "^J" ^v dj which they heS ves. formed a very e'^^ff^^f , fe '^^^^^^ ^a his agent by the ima<'ined had been crei.ted »Jet«een uit J^^ ■ ,_agthe peer, with Suture of the ^n^f.'^'^,^ '^^f .^u U"-^^ rem .rkahle aculeness. had ^f «- V' '"jroublesome intcrmeddler. 1 le fled l)V the disappearancj of '"?f .,.";^, 'Tjuto the business at the elder 'Barton, tUey knew wu^.n^^ oduccd nto^ g^,^^^ sneciai request of the Larl ot | '""'^J ' i,„n ^q letiise the nqucst. n'otifylng them tluit 1|^« was no m « PO^g^rd & t^oUard did not had bxptessed !''« ^'^^S"" a^ ''• »^^ ddcr Barton wnen the earl know how the at itme ass^imed fj^^^^^ ,i,^ .^r to the nter vcn- made his contession to.l''"",^^;! 'Td go much. Besides, they v^ere lion which he had previoasy dreaded so tmc ^^^^^^ ^^^^ not conscious to how ?l^^"^ "" SJes amUbey were unable ac- Seen lowered by tueii "'^ "«' P[" ;!^^;' tue act which the earl had curately to measure the distance b'-t^cen u.c ^^^.^j^ ^^^^^, commiUed once. «»'\''^":|iy/uuUnUn.dthei other delinquencies, had incited in oraer to cover « » ^ ^^^'^j, consequences. thU This blindness ot crmiinuls to moral i ^^^^^^^ ,^ ^^^ ^.f iucnpacity tor m™«'V'"S ^''^ 'X" ^tto i^^^ ot the emi.e nature the most' salient evidences o l»'SJi,f^°.8 suspicion was correct. eves of iustice. . , , „„ , .__,,„ .u^ cmi did not catch at the b d d P al <1 V( V( b( th m in in 81 1 A WEEK OF PASSION. J- 1)0 elevRteil. In lu.ve mnde crime iulelligeuce Ibey arlous opeiiitions .-Iwlge of law, ftU nlmm-^s of judg- havD saiil, all the Add to this tlie ite. their pi op^Tty, a danger, and we ociation. ig and tlic Eui 1 oi Twoahle yilhiins 1 and to hesitate at \ justice might be lie Bixlh clmpter of ritated conterence. tbem. Subtle and ere tlie oDjcct is to jverylhing, thai at- earl that the quea- fhich they hud en- uufoituuately lor J breach which they Id his agent by the 1- as tlie peer, with It be would be gi'ati- intermeddler. The the business at the ,e Earl ol Selby, in 3 letuse the request, I & foliard did not Jarton when tlie earl peer to the interven- Besides, they were (vn moral status hart Ihey were unable ac- tt which the earl had be crime which they ■ other delinquencies, id consequences, this 9 of others, is one of ot the entire nature uspicion was correct, •ound in order to see hey thought, by the ion to veil it Horn the irl did not catch at the Be had suddenly, of 133 h s own motion, releeled the idea that George Barton the elder had disappeare.! witn the bonds, or because, as they had sucgested hi" own accounts were not in or.ler. He had protested afainst that eJeyermoveo theire- the insertion ot an advertisement ofleriug a regard forinformalmn and for papers which were in llieir own hands w.lh the view of diverting from tliemselves a suspic.^S ngninst wind,, as Ihey ought to have rememl)ered, iheir sta ding r. r .In'T'i'H'"" "'iV '^ ^'''^'^} guarantee. Still nior^ were they dia? turbed l.v ll.e earl s proposal to offer a reward for tlie murderers so Znhoi^"?' 'n^'^^' *''"' ?H»'-g« lin^'on »'«'« been murdered? And the last deadly stroke to tlieir self-possession was strucli wheii irZ- VV'^'n"'"^' "t ''■'■ " '• ""^ i1"'nning evi-lence was not sup- pressed, tor George Barlou's son knew all that they supposed Lad been earned alone m tl.e breast of their victim. In a.lvertising ,« IZ I? . °"'' ""'y.l"'"' reckoned without that. They knew the e der Uarton was as close as an iron safe. W ho could liave suspected that he would make a onhdant ot a young man twenty-three year* «,. ZV ", '"«"";n^'o'y"'l? >l'e character ot a peer ot the realm and an eminent tirm of solicitors? "1 never heard ot such a thing!" said Mr. Joseph Pollard tiemblmg with virtnoi.s indignation." " Such a breach of confidence -so unprolessionnl! 1 couldn't have believeil it ot George Barton llZ' T\ ■•''■"'■", '^ "" '"® "" ''»*' ^"^'<^!" This was addressed, ot course, to his nephew an I associate. There was no doubt whatever that, in this instance at least, the d.mora indmnationo the senior partner was sincere; and very bkely all the piotessional brethren of 3Ir. George Barton, senior who read this history, will consider Ihat a st-rious hlit re^U ri?. «n .r^""'-^'- .^p^<'"wepropoe to defend his conduct, ex- cept on the ground that, had be behaved more ciicumspectly, a great ueal of the romantic interest ot this history would have been wnTili^'**?"'""^™"'?®.?" "^'^^ P^" of criminals. Mr. JosepU was old and experienced, Mr. Cliaries was young and clever The elder, trained in the old-fa.shioned scliool of the profession when suits pursued the quiet tenor of (heir way year at ter year and business was transacted by the great lirms witii a certain ma iesUc gnily and repose, was a sound, careful, practical lawyer, rather disturbed in his balance by the new-fangled, hurried methods of procedure, but cool, accurate, unimpressionable. The younger had all the faults and characteristics of the modern school. He was (luick, keen, n ert. not piofound in his law. but making un for his 1«,;.'V. " ^' ^^ ".P'd'ty of his intuitions and appreciations; a» versaiiie, as impressionable as a poet while he was as shrewd and voracious as au usurer. There was a physical difference, as we h.ave already intimated between the two men, which corresponded with llie distinctions of U^eir character. One was tall. thin, and active, the other was ot middle size, square figure, and deliberate movement. George Sand in one of her books, ;• Le Beau Laurence." makes one of those re- maiks at once quaint and profound, with which her pages are starred. bhe says: Ce„.v dont I'aul elendu embmm tout, sont piantiqueg; uu contrmre, ceur qui out besoiii de regarder de piet '%i^,': K' •« if i 184 A WEKK OF PASSION. P^wlwn Air riwirles Pollard liiul dcscentlerl upon the arena ot the one bad been u guurdsm! n, ^^at 'i 'an j cj. 'If'^;^.,^ ,vere barris- and commission agents /''^'^f,,^^l^ ""^,\\ o,eeks who had dealt in ^ti^Vfll^^^^Jr t p si Cl n Ie t): ai It (It i'r se an pn pil so tb( cei his ■:i£iiUJ&^~-'^ nrrieil glasses from lifiwU'8, ami it wii9 ty of objects which A always had heen, iwliichcamevsituia lie was, ns Gcoi);e ■tiling wliich came i\ hat lay heyond it. orces of his nciihew itly pursuing Is one L-h duly thu subtlest )le wohI " money," jiitroller, purchaser, Iciently explain the cct. NVo must look ich those w ho uiake ml the key to this on the arena ot the ion with some very he jobbers he totmd 11 pfotessions. Tliia tliat a Dissenting There were liarris- l)ankrupt merchants nders ot old clothes eks wlin had dealt in -journalists; a jovial lore lionotable opera- ves! but lioUling up jontaminnlion, some- ilfiar and dubious as- The spots on one's and the clothes make )ney comes and goes won and spent their le establishments at nvirons ot London, 1 cellar, imd a pretty Ihe Mite of the */«(- •tisies " and actresses, in:plete abandonment. l>nit and by itself, ex- whicli surround it— ,vn hiirher anil lower and ideas ot morality, shly emancipated, liad obliging broker, and come familiar with all ghl into contact, from tor if the demimonde its other is clasped by A WKEK OF I'ASSIOX. 135 mmmms urcie or tolly had been timorous and oirciiru'incct rio i.„,i „L cS anil lll^Sn;^?^';^.^'^^^!^' Yin '-^-^ ^-n S l!"^. mmmm§ :t 136 A WEEK OF PASSIOK. U V.' he nlaved rc-ulnrlv at his reninlning club an.l iu two well-Unown luloonraiul innile a very respectable living: in this way alone, llo aCssee e 10 be able t.. coininan.l pleiuy ot money or his vices. UiXl, tir" treans '' were nnvlbine but '• visible." He T^■.;s seen SSonX at Paris, at Nice, at Cannes, at Monuc... raiely playmg. EvH mti-rlous, and now nn.l then at Pt.th, wlure there is a «o%?''7,J''«/^'"Cle"po ' ready seen. Captain Yates was the companion of Mr. Charles 1 ol- '" Mr" CharSlgmSof the tragedy which had taken place a few minuWVa ter ho had departed from the captain on tt.e previous S L^ and uille imagining what grave events werem picldetor him Sfr . '" tl e 1 y tlal^nd dawned, arrived at his offlce in somewhat Kt ""siVims Uian he bad exhibited for some time. The captain was a"l.ar nail ''be admitted to himself, but then nothmg was too dear w icli assu e.l to Pollard & Pollard immumty from ruin and the ImnLman He .lid not grude eight or ten thousand pounds for that Schubz was out of ti.e reach of the police, another good job; for If he lad ben caught on the other charge, lie was quite capa- ble o frying trarrange^liltlebaigain lor gentleim^ «n condition of disolosing the plot against Mr. Barton The in Iss- ?nVrino nmcnts were In the wine-cellar of his country house, at the bouom Tlds oK Wn o'f port, which looked as if it had not been ^^'nut mI ChaX did not find his more sedate uncle and partner at «n in f humor to share his superficial content. On 'hecontraiy. Mr loLpl Pollard looked atrabilious; and as to the weather inside with iShe barometer was do«n to "very stormy " .He had beea- rellM iuL' With all his specialist intensity, and in the limited ciicle rtlSKical vision evervthing looked gloomy and threatening. Hi, ni^rwere blue and tiembleil as he spoke, lie had come in a Hide Klian his nephew, who was busily rearting the morning s iolresS^ideJ^^^^^^ *» ^^'"^^^ ^« C'^'*"'* " ""^'' ''^''' ^"' Chadie •'- Kid. " there is no use concealing from ourselves that we are'iu a very perilous position. 1 dare suy you are rlght- t lose teMows „re safe enough simply because their heads are in pawn S is not where our danger lies. We made a gr«at m s- tX n issuing that advcrlisement before we had committed bdby to it. Now where are we? Young Barton, the eail W fnows €vervlhing-it old Barton tol.l him on? thing, he to d l"ni all. Ue Tnows abiit the dealinc witl, the sharea-a bad business. Charlle- rheTSng of all our troubles; he knows about the receipt pofl- llblvhas it in his possession; he knows almiit that hundred thou- ^nd pounds thoufcdi. thank Heaven! that's arranged for. xNow. iu two well-Unown Ihis wuy iilono. llo money for Ills vices, l h note at once to police withdrawing the a"*^'-^'^?'-'"^" ;. A rocset And the youngeY partner went ofl like a roc set. ■ cn AFTER XIU. A VI8IT.-MB. SONTAG'S THEORIES ON SOCIALISM AKD CRIME. Weary as he was. and worn out by excitement, grif' "°f',f f ^^ nfV^tGeJfree Barton found it impossible, when he had lett the ZJ^o St the activity ot his brain, which continued to work lilh thpSiveanrt feverish monotony ot a telegraphic inBlrument TmoBltat environed l.ta »nl. lias ^lU.ry Deacon Sle«"«« '"i' S 5« none IM, lat ofl. bnl .UU «»W,°^'»'"! *;'°btaT.,no y «- Vl" «»" "S"'" W" tliongUle curiied to Her, «°" J"' "" L'.ot S;!?e' JeT^-IJS'Si "pLlST iS hi ".^^^^^ =r Ere„..^"f SSy-lUSfnrof^ff-S^^ w considering his own situation, the darkness only seemed to grow A WEKK OF PASSION. 189 ■ovc— unless Raiton lie iuto our i)08»t«- we must 3fC yoiinc; lliu probleni of his ■gaii!"— he snapl '«-'«! •f Tnr earl objei^ttMl ulviTtiseineul! He- , luspeclL'd thum on ision he took them Qi; a miips ot docu- safe! We thouirht a be able to sqneeze ) the papers auii the Mr. Joseph Pollard, lHoufll harm is done re're all right. The comes here to-day— In the wine-cellar at >res» at 10.30. I can ;raph to Tom to meet Ic gCM's like the wind. (• betore 2.00. Look 1 to the Westminster ir lunch. Just take a a note at once to the ft!" ;set. [ALISM AND CUIME. ment, grief, and want when he had lett the i\\ continued to work jlegraphic instrument, us. tie had seen and hrlUed with the elec- jh. Amid the somber beacon gleameti fair me taint lays ot hope. r, and his memory re- t, every glance, every le tone, the accent ot ious interviews. The le lost himselt in these I to those realities, re- Dg on his father's fate, IS only seemed to grow more and more profound and impenetrable. He was a joun";; man, but one ot cxlraordinarv power and lesolvc; still he vainly strove to shake (,IT llii- dismal iiinucnces which dosed In upon bin soul with denHCHMd MilTocalinK elTwa, simtling out every prospect of happi- ness. Si> (liuailful did the darkness appear all round the menial horizon that he would fiiiu have shut bis eyes to it and ceased to thmk at all. I5ut that was not possible. Like the anxious mtirinci lie felt obiii.'1'd to strain every sense in order to discover some way out ot tlie liorrible oUscurily by which ho was surrounded. Jlis interview with the Karl of Selby, while it sliowcd him more clearly the position of the roclisand shoals among which he was navi«ating, only served to involve him in thicker clouds of doubt and emliar- ras.s.iient. The iiaiiiful dilemma to wnlch ho had hitherto en- dearored to shut his eyes was now sharply defined. To vindienle Iho memory ot bis father, as he whs determined to do, was to ruin the earl, and strike a blow at iiady Blanche's happiness and jwace of mind— the maiden whon; he hopelessly, hut, as he knew by llio pangs and pleasures of his heart, madly loved. There seemed to l)e no ndddle way, and eacli ot the devious courses seemed to end In darkness and sorrow. Ilow coidd he, he asked himself, sacrifice his father's memory to insuring his own happiness, were tliat even open to himV And willi all the Illusory liopes love whispers or en- genders his reason warnc«l him that was out of the question. The satisfaction ot hi.s desires could not be attaineaced his room with uncertain steps, " it is a horrible dilemma. 1 think 1 shall go mad! ' And a horrible dilemma it was. The ghastly paleness ot his face, the hollow sinking ot his dark eyes in their sockets, and the nervoua contraction of his hands, seemed to verify his fear. Morning had almost dawned (for him as tor her, each keeping a late and troubled vigil) before he calmed down, and overcome by physical weakness, threw himself, dressed as he was, on his bed. he was aroused from an uneasy slumber by a loud knocking at 140 A WKKK OF PASSIOK. r A 1 • i„, ,. n,. I'liinroil III Ills watch. It was nroily ten o'clock. Ub t . ulre" u«S^J c,il I eiu'lit. nn.l He w.« vexed l« .l.l..k th.it ; c I 1 ivo S^ I" vnin .m.t l.ccn ohlif?.;.! to ro aw.iy. I ..w- ^v»r X.o ulln'' thiit she hu.l rcl»riu..l in the hope o rousii.« hin . ropeiieM ll!-cloor, his hulr and dress lu .lisonler. his eyen hhK,d. ''tnTchlur'uyton was st«n,lin« outside with the laundress. T^i.tli their fiices showed con8ldera\)le anxiety. > . , i ■„ •' \Viiv L'.od Kracious, Barton," cried the youni; lotcl, seizing his hand a I'wrU glng it with tremendous ener.ry " \ „e.er was more , ..^ aL v,Vii in mv life thouL'hvou never loolied worse! Ihis glad to see y()u in my lire in u^.^ Unocl;in^' for more than ten £..r""ve' erc'sT.le\i'rsmSiinK had l^ippened ,o you, and "S just Roing to ««•■«.» tor a porter t,, hreak n, your door, ^ou "?.7M^r.hinr-'sai"'B«.ff"'"dld not get to l.d till f.vo o'cA':anf;^.^"ser'''h;y down just as I was. You Unow how *'°V^I^^ }> ZiM Charles, as he put his arm throu«li his triend's lifJaiPrious reason which ho lias not oondeseen.led to t'Xpl*'". This think his conduct to you has been perfectly ridiculous and inde- *^"*Mv(lear fellow don't think so. There was a misunderstand- ing S U has all ^en explained. No one could have heea ...ore "''irwUU^llrtrju.iice'o say that he told me «> very frankly Ite'aar ThcTaineUrnK^KoluK your poor father Tn. hIenThe Vict m ol an infamous crime. 1 never heard ot such a B^w^aal «1.",0« takloB h»fS.r<. .ml teverten. It i. e»OUBl, ""•■"LSS'lflm'oDl. kn™ .n you would woM» my 1...^ «« nouily ten o'clock. VOM'il tolliiiik tllllt to no awiiy. How- pe of rousiiii; him, (lor, liis cyiiH l)loo(l- (vlth the liuiiiilress. ing lotd, seizing liis " I iw.ver wa8 iiioru Bokod worse! Tins for m(>r(! limn iim ippiMiwl to you, mill ill your iloor. \ou gel to l)€cl till five IS. \ ou know how lhrou«li his trieml's, sorKc; '""' 1 should [lers, >;iven lor some led to expliilu. This ht, tuul tlmt llio em- 's ball, fiave mc suuh mind to see you thfl with a shiUinK, foi 1 lidiculouB ftiid indc- ,'88 a misunderstand- luUl have been more i\ me 80 very frankly n hi"» repentance. 1 iiovc'd. But what in 'ahiri, of Eleusis, and er? What does it all hat your poor tather never heiird ot such a No one ever spoke a 1 the earl -mysterious Hamlet or Macbeth, o'clock this morning, sverisb. It Is enough wonaer my head was St ions, lean tell you is dead beyond doubt; ler and 1 are agreed in ; present they are only iusllty our mentioning >• ''k ' ' .*?! kppointment. know, 1 came here to A \vi;kk ok l'A.•?!5lo^f. Ul offer you my servitei. It i.s a Rrciil inisluUc, let me tell you, lo shut voiirsfff up in thin way and nmst! ynur troulilcs In secrcl. ■\Vbut is the good of ii trtend it you drm't iin- him? I lull you, vou must let iiu! help you. Open your hiiirl frcfly to nio, my dear fellow; am I not i'uhh (iiit/ijiu.iiiimiiii nmi mibiiii luuii'iix irriim itiniii liiiiiitnvf You can Iru.sl me iis it I were your own brolhur. " The moisture which spruiij,' into the young niau'^i eyest as bespoke teHtilliil ti) the sincerity ot his words. Ocorge Ihulon, agitated by u seiisii (it the cliaraeier of that secret wldeh Ibe young lonl was urging him, in thu sincerity of his triend.xhip to i)crnilt him lo bbaie, and deep'y movtd by the brolherly frankness ot the appeal, still shook liiH bead, lie could not trust himself lo speak. " Why, look here," continued F-ord CharleH, fumbling about In his pockctH, and at lengtli e.Mraeliiig from tlmt of his waistcoat, along with pome crumpled bankimte^ and gold, a tiny piece of paper, a slip liaslily lorn oil liie lly-leat ol some note ot invllatlon, " HIancli'J is Ibe most s(•n^il)le girl 1 ever nu't— no end of a bead. 1 would so(*ner take her advice iliiui that of any man 1 know; and besides, she has ii very high opinion of )'ou, let me tell you; says you'll be a very disiinguislied nu»n; and she spoke about you last niglit with real anxiety. What tlie deuce Is the matter? Are you in pain?" " 1— I hau a kind of spasm here— hero in my heart." " Well, I'll tell you what, Gforge, my boy, this won't do, you know. You'll get knocked up, you know ; and— and. It you don'tlook out you'll be seriously ill. 1 shiill go straight from here to Sir Alfred Marks and tell him to call and sec you— yes, yes. lly Jovel you know, it's time somebody came and took you in hand. You are simply killing yourself witli worry and anxiety, shutting up your griefs in this way, wilhln your own breast. No wonder you have spasms in your heart! Look here, George, 1 tell you I'm not going to stand by and let this go on." And the young lord rose and took a few distracted steps about the room, while he flourished thcvtiny bit ot |)aper In bis fingers. Ho wanted to hide the emotion which was swelling his heart. " Don'l!" cried George Harlon, in a voice choked with anguish. *' 1 assure you 1 am not ill; 1 am only troubled and excited. 1—1 will tell you all 1 ouiiht to tell, Layton, but don't press me, my dear fellow. It is enough to see you, to know that you sympathize with me. 1 teel better now. VVhat were you going to say about Ladv Blanche?" "Oh! ah!— yes— 1 forgot— well, look here. 1 was saying Blanche spoke so anxiously about you last night that, after the earl Lad given me a liiut at breakfast to come and see you, 1 sent a message up to her room just lo say I was coming here. I knew she would like to know it, and she sent me down this little slip. 8he says— now listen to this- though she is a girl, she talks like a book: " ' So glad you are going; poor fellow, he needs a strong and able friend ' (that's her gas, you know). ' Get hiut to open bis heart to you; nothing relieves sorrow or trouble so much as sharing it with a really sympathetic friend, lie can and will trust you. , My iraimest sympathy and good wishes, Blanche.' Xi I 142 A WKF.K OI" I'AHMOK. " Tliore " conllmiwl the vounu; lord, ii IoIIkIiI out nil Ihii itjrriltlo I.UMncHH iilom!:»ml. it m.cNwiry. wr II pi her to help m o-. ihe wly 1 cull lu'i- the tiuccn ol Slichu, von know, bociiudc ihc tjui-.n of Shclm WHS I believe, thctmly womiui whoever miinHMcit u^ Hiunip t'olomon kiiHil, he wouldnl have Imd any chance with the women If ho hnd llvcil In IheHU ilny» ot Girlon ond university uxanis., ' 'Tids Inlter lellection. which it'emH out ol pliice in so serious a moment, wns nilher a thought uileied iiloml thnn ii lenmrk nd- dreuMMl tothehenrer; hut Lord flmrleH wiis yonuKer Ihiin Ihirtou, and his humoi which hiul some ot the cvnioid Ihivor ol the earl h, was as yet not pcrlectly tmder hm control. Harlmi did n..t notice the inconirniity. l-ord Chnrless ^Kxlwdl was so jrenulne iind cordial, his tone and manner so full of sympiilliy. that those thoughtless in- lornolations did not destroy the eftecl of his more serious words, which hosldes had a lorrihly special ami esotoiic t()rce for poor GeorjtP In GeorMo Harlou's liearl just then there h»il suddenly L'ushedout a bright, pure tounlnin ot gladness, lie kept his eyes on that precious morsel on the tloor. over and around which the vounn lord's varnished slices were ihincinR as carelessly as 11 it wore n spoiled cignrettepaiHjr, while George wns burning to press it on '*'" 8lu\own!^Lavt'on-over here, pleas*. Now let me talk to you frankly I <'an not thank you lor this visit, and your kind words, Rml your sister's message, simply because my heart is too tu 1 to allow mo to express myself. Vou must not measure the depth of mv anprcclatlon oi this act ol Iriendsliip by the extent ot my con- fldences. It is simply inlinilc. 1 tell you solemnly, and wish you to tell Lady DIanche, that there are jjruve and insurmountable rea- Boni why 1 should not just now take your advice— and heis-and share the troubles and the fearful anxieties which weigh mc down with the two most generous and sympathizing hearts that exist within the circle ot my ac(pminlance. The same good feeling which brouKhl you here will lead you to accept this from me. What I may tell you 1 will, and it will be a relief to me to have Toiir sympathy. Believe me. that 1 know ot nothing-unless it liad been the return ot my poor dear father oUve-nolimigtliat could possildy have given me so rniuch comfort and solace as this visit. The two young men exckmnged a hearty pressure of the hniul, and remained silent for a minute. Then George Barton related to his friend so mucli ot the previoua circumstances as was known to the Boiice and as bore simply on the question ot the identity of the in- dividual who had died in Regent (Mrcus with George Barton the elder He did not hesitate to tell Lord Charle« that his Identity having been established, he should consider It placed beyond doubt that Ills father had been murdered, and should use every effort to unearth the authors of the crime. But while these brave word* ..^.^jfct ^^n u-z :Lf~. linH up llu! •11|) of iilch 0('or>;o lliinon up. " TLiiI'h vrliut I ooultln't liiive «x- not comtuon 8(>iuu? t help you? Conio, I out nil lliiiuirriblu ;) lii'lp iiH o'l I lie «ly. •IIU8C llic t?U('tn of • iniinHjiCMl 1(1 Hluiiip ice Willi lliu woiiieQ university uxaniB., I lice ill so serious a limn 11 lenmrk nd- iiinKcr lliiiii liiirton, Miivnr (it the citrl'H, i>n illil not nnlice tho licnulne iinil cordial, .lie!*e llioiightlesN in- niorn senniis words, eiic torce for poor there h«i1 suddenly ». lie kept his eyei il nroiind wtilch the iirelettsly tis if it were irning to press it on w let luc talk to you id your kind words, heurt is too tull to leuHure the depth of le extent ot my con- inmly, nnd wish you inHu'rniountuble rea- vico— uud heis— nnd liich weinh mc down ng hearts that exist giiinc >iOod tceling iccept tliia from me. relief to me to have it nothing— unless It e— nothing that could oliice as this visit." isurcof the hand, and Barton related to his as was known to the he identity of the in- Ih George Barton the rles that his identity placed beyond doubt Id use every effort to ill) these brave word* A WKKK OI' f.V.HHION. IM bv t Kliii: WMro on IiIh tongue liN voice Ireinltlcil ami his heart sunk wllhlii hlhi. Il<' liiiil Huld llioiil itclllieliilelv. lie wlHhcd In kt'i-p his rtHii- liition llriii. to lorce hliiiKelt to adhere t') the )iri'i|(>lerinliieil line of m:tl(in, !<• sirenu'ilien hi« resolve by eiiiiiirlating It In one ol those— who would convey It lo annthtr — who inusl lie the deepcHt HulTerers till' I'xccutioii ot that iTKolve. Iliil, a»i lie was s|ieakiiig, his eye mice I. wlih an irnslHtilile attraction, to the slip ot paper which lay iipiiii the lloor. lie turned pale, and a shiver went thioiigh Ills ttiinie. " Slay, ' said tlie other, kindly. " These contldenrcs iiro giving you pain. They open the wounds ntieHli. It is a terrible buslncMS, and full (if niyslery. 1 am here when you want nie— at any hour— for niiy duty. Don't hiwitate to send for me. Nav, 1 uliiill eoniu here every e that he dru's not shirk any responsiliility. liliiuchu and 1 will keep him up lo the scratch- I'll answer for It!*' And with ihcMo words, which were like arrows in llaiton's heart, so unconsirloim were they in their Innocent, ignorant good- will, Lord Charles took his leave. When the door had shut behind his visitor George Barton tiew to tlie spot where the pre(!lnus scrap of paper was lying, on which Ijudy Blan(!he's |i«neil had hastily traced her kindly IIiich. Therit wu« her bold, strong hiindvvrlling— there were the words which would for- ever rest engraved u|)on his memory, lie pressed them to his lips, and clasped them to his heart, not with the ecstasy ot delighted love, but with the terrible Joy of a mnrtyr who presses tho cross upon u bosom that lias been pierced by u sword. George Bnrton's reflections, which had grown lombct and more Eoigiiant nttcr those few moments ot jiaintul bliss, were disturlied y his laundress bringing him in the mornlne letters, forgotten up to this moment In tho letier-box. One was a sorrowful note from bis mother, who announced her intention of coming to town by an eaily morning train, whicii would ariivo at two o'clock, and Itef^ging him to secure rooms tor her at tho Salisbury Hotel, near tho Temple. The other was n line from Mr. Soiitog, recpiesting him lo call in Scotland Ynrd before noon. Ti.ere was little time to spare. Ho dressed hastily, and in half nn hour entered tho private ofilco of the chief of the Detective Department. There were some evidences of excitement in the room, and on tho usually quiet face of the prin- cipal occupant. A detective in plain clothes, a secretary, and an ordinary sergeant of the blue-bottle species were engaged in animated conversation, all standing. Mr. Sontag held in his hand tho end ot a spenking-tubo which ho had just taken from his ear. "Ah! Mr. Barton," he said, politely. "Glad to see you, sir. You have come in just at the right moment. Look here— do you recognize thid?" He took up a gold watch which was lying on the table and handed it to the young man. When the latter had glanced at it he neatly let il fall from his hand, so extraordinary was the emotion ot sur- prise which the sight of it produced. ,"'-^>:>i^-.:j.. 144 A WEEK OF PASSION. 8, " ■Wliy." lie pnsped, " this is my {allier's walch— the very one lie took to Lunil's to be repaireiU" . r> .1 s -i,io Ilardlv tnisliug his eyes, he touched the spring. On the ii)«i(le of the Kokl hunti'jj,'-case the words " George Barton, fthich had once been engraved there, were roughly eflaccd; hnl part ol the •' G " andthe latter halt of the " n " could he distinguished. He looked lit the chief detective In amazement. Were tliey oil wrong llienv Was it not liis father alter all wli' lad perished in Hicent Circus? Mr. Sontng by a sign dismissed the officials who were wilU him, and when the room was cleared, sa'.d, " You liave no iloiibts, Mr. Barton?" " None whatever." ...,,<,. , i " Remember, you had no doubt about tins "-Mr. Honing pom ed with His flngei to the large l-ollle, with the white ob.iect suspended in spirit, which stood upon a shelf along with other interesting articles. " This is my father's watch. " Is that your father's hand?" George Barton shuddered, put his own hand to his heai, and stared fit the inquirer in doubt and perplexity. Suddenly a light flashed in his eyes. " Whsie was this found? In Regent Circus. lie answered tlie question tor himself, as it the response were a matter of certainty. "No." With the natural, or shall we rather say the professional tendency of a detective to mystitication, Mr. Sontag was unconscious of 1 he min that he was intUcting while he postponed the solution of the Bineular puzzle he had propounded to the young man. George Barton, who was quick, suddenly became conscious of this as ho looked at the expression, halt&Tiused, halt-provoking, on the tuce of the distinguished policeman. .. , . . ., . "Excuse me, Mr. Sontag," he said, with dignity. " but to me thi» is not a subject of frivolous curiosity. It concerns the fate of my lather." , , . . , The detective took the rebuke m good part. " 1 hec your pardon. Mr. Barton," he said. The. ease is 8» extra-ordinary-that 1 wished to see how the matter wou d strike you without explanation. This watch was pawned m the Bow Road on Friday evening last." "Good heavens!" " 1 sent again to Lund's this morning. They inspected this watch There is no doubt that they iianded it «c your talher, wrappea up in a small box, on Thurf=day afternoon at a (juarter past tour How did it get into the East End of London on Fiiday at Lalt-paBt eight in the evening?" , , , .„ George Barton shook his liead, his ideas were m a thorouch .state ot confusion. He said, however, " Do vou know who the individual was that pawned It? " We have his description-' A respectably -dressed man-height iudged about five feet six, blue eyes, short, flatlish nose light yellow whiskers, beard and mustache streaked with gray. W ore a 1— the very one lie vg. On the iiwide irton," ft'l'ich had ; bill psirt of Uie listiiiijiiisbed. He re tliey oil wrong, lerislied in Hicent als who were wilb Mr. Sontappoiuled 3 ob.iect Huspendeil li ot'ber interesting a to bis beai, and Suddenly u light lie response ^^'tre a ofessionni tendency unconscious of ilie the solution of the (ung man. George cious of this as ho roking, on the tuce ity, " but to me thU ems the fate ot my " The. ease is 8» matter would strike iwned in the Bow hey inspected this it to your tatber, oon.atacjuarterpast london on Fiiday at in a thoroucb state pawned it?" Iressea man— height flntiisb nose, light with gray. Wore a A WKEK OF I'ASSroX. 145 black, soil felt hat. C4iive tlte name of Smith.' " Mr. Sontag read from a puper wliicli lay on his table. " Clearly not my father." " I think so. Curinusly enough the description, except as to the whisUi-rs, whicU ot course may liave l)een false, corresponds wiili thill of a man we are after with reference to another crime, which is almost as great a my.slery as this— the disappearance ot a wealthy Jew, who had on his person at the time a packet ot diamonds; but 1 fear it is a mere coincidence. That man, no doubt, we eball have in a few days." The reader knows how greatly Mr. Sontng's confidence was mis- placed. Young Ravton had recovered his self-po.vsession, and his mind at once fixed ilselt on the problem lo Oe solved He said: " 'I'lie (itiestion then is. Is the pawniuc ot this watch in the East End consistent wilii the theory that the victim ot the catastrophe ia the Circus was my father?" "Exactly." " What are the possible hypotheses?" continued the young man. " 1st. My father may have dropped the parcel before be reacliel the Circus. That is hardly probable. 3J. Ills pocket may have been picKed in going up Regent Htreet. That is not impossilile, though lie was always on the alert in going about London. 3d. This waicli — like the hand— may liave survived the explosion, and being packed in wool, may have been thrown to a great distance, picked up intact, and appropriated. That is just witliin tlie Ijounds ot possibilit}', when we remember tliat in greater explosions even human beings have been blown a considerablj! distance and yet have fallen unhurt. 1 see no other alternative, and they are all unsatis- factory in the extreme." " There is one other, nevcrtlieless," said Mr. Sontag, proud to show his superior astuteness. " Your theory is that your father was the victim of a conspirac3'. You say, Ihoiigli j'ou have not yet been good enough to inform me of the grounds ot your suspicion, that certain persons were interesting in putting him out of the way. Tiiey must be very rich persons, capable ot commanding tlie as- sistance ot the ablest of those secret criminal organizations which are always existing in the great Continental cities, some of which conceal vulgar criirinal objects under the disguise of political asso- ciations, others of bogus international financial or commercial com- panies, wherein we sometimes find men of exceptional intellect and education engasicd. Many of these men are really political agitators as well. Th!;y^iave so befogged themselves with socialist ical ideas tliat they have actually succeeded in persuading themselves there ia no difference between «ic«OT and tuutn. A man when he is per- suaded of tliat is, so far as all human law is concerned, already a criminal in principle. Some go no further; but it is not wonderful if many do not stop there, but become criminals in practice. The Irish agitator, tor instance, in the House of Commons, saj'S that the land whicli belongs to the Irish bmdlords is that ot the Irish tenants. The Irish agitator in Ireland really believes this doctrine, and falls back on it lo justify shooting the landlord. 1 am not a politician, but 1 simply take note ot a tact whicli, as a policeman, 146 A AVEEK OF PASSION. It 1 am bound to note, and which ia to me an alamlnR one, and it J^ thi" that the socialistic ideas now <.llowcd to be freelv propagated in all free countries, and which are beinjr propasated m spite of authority in others, are developing and producing a large Tjumber o" criminals, not ot the ordinary kind-low, vulgar, uneducated villains— but men of intelligence and resources. " \ou really believe that?" said Burton. „,,.., ■. " Yts " said Mr. Sont.ig. " Your disappointed Socialist tak^ it into his Lead that he can't ailord to wait for the millenmuni. The gene I distribution of property is too far oft. lie juslifles hiinsel on p nciples to winch loo many respectable competitors tor pohtcal poNcr g le a kind of patronage, in taking for himself that which ^ Se^t to hand. This vLry German. Dr. Schultz whom we are now seeking, is a distinguished chemist, a professed Anarchist, who tried trkill the Emperor of Germany, and who has slipped over .ron political to private murders. lie is mixed up with ail the gecict Lc eties. and^. I doubt not, with tl.e most dangerous dn m of Lon- don ana Continental criminals. We have never been ble to tlx Mm wUh a crime, though he is suspected ot comp leity in a least 8 X murder?, or attempts to murder. He uses l|<-'«e secret o" ganiztttions lor his private purposes. V7e have '>';eu looking for him for six weeks in every nook and corner ot Loudon. We can no laf hands on him. Yet I do not doubt there are scores ot men in London who know where he is at this moment. George Barton was astonished at the intelligence displayed by Mr. Sontag, but he wondereil what all this was coming ^o-what it had to do with tlie fourth theory. Mr. Sontag probably read a little im- nntipnce in the young man's lace, tor he said, ^ " But i must not take up vour time with my speculations. You TvHl see however, that tliev are not without their bearing on what ?ollowg' Tow, if you arc light in your opposition that very ricli andTwernil people were iniwested inputting your lather out ot ***?' Sravi^' interrupted George Barton, who began to be alainra' ■ the direction in which Mr. Sonlag's insinuations were evir^ i Bointine. " 1 don't think 1 ever used the terms you unpute .j 1 do think that people wlio conliol larRC resources may hav^ haL_ usellie potential-an interest in silencing my fatlier. 1 ceitainly dd notice the word powerful; with whatever ^l^'^^^^^J yo^J^^Y emnlov it the word and the ilea are not mine. Neitlier, I believe, have ttr led you to imagine that 1 had more than a suspicion, or thai I had any information which would reasonably justify it. The unfortunate young man shrunk from encouraging even a aulo cion in the min^l ot this astute inquisitor wl.ich ^jf ^ P"\bin3 on the scent ot the perilous facts known to himselt. Th« t"f ^ "\« would come when he must speak the fatal words-won swhch would destroy liis liappiness loiever. but he wanted to hold the Tarda in his own hands a little longer, to put ofl to the last moment the discbaiee ot his terrible duty. » n„ Mr Sontag. on his part, felt a goo.1 deal of disappointment. He bad spoken as he did advisedly, hoping to fn^'^P/.^e J«ung man who he was persuaded knew more than he had yet disclosed, into a tacit confirmation of his own theories. "^ ."^'-'>^'::1^'^'.^; -ri'i- miDR one, and it is freely propagated nftiileci in spite of ig a large number rulgar, uneducated id Socialist takes it millennium. Tlio le justifies liimselt, petitors tor political uiself that which is whom we are now anarchist, who tried slipped ovei from ) Willi all the secret jrous cliilm of Lon- er been able to tlx >t complicity in at 15 uses these secret )ceu looking for him idon. TVe can not re scores ot men in ft ce displayed by Mr. ing to— what it had ilily read a little im- speculations. You eir bearing on what isition tliai veiy rich ; your lather out ot gan to be alainrW ■ ions were evi<^ ■! 18 you impute ij 368 may havp hat fattier. 1 ceitainly r meaning you may Neitlier, I believe. I than a suspicion, or lably justify it." encouraging even a vhich might put him Belt. The tntal lime words— worils which wanted to hold the ft to the last moment disappointment. He rap the young man, 1 yet disclosed, into a A WEEK OF PASSION. 147 " Very well, sir," he said, dryly. " 1 am content to suppose! lint the principals in tlie iniaginury plot are wealthy enough lo be al)le to piiy handsomely for the worn to be done. Tliese people, who- ever ihey are, would easily be able to command Iheseivices of such men and such an organization as 1 have sketched to yon. Conse- quently, every movement of your father would be watched. Tiieie may liavc been linlt a dozen accomplices on his track that day. Our theory is that they were desirous to nttacli to or place upon liis person a dangerous explosive. They would see him enter Ijund's shop. One of them would follow him in. There is a curious fact, which 1 have ascer(nine(l and hitlierto concealed from you. A man— answering very closely to the description luven by the pawn- broker of the person who pawned tills watch— wita in the shop at the time wlien 31 f, Jiarton loo''^ it away. This person bought a sil- ver bracelet, winch was handed to him wrapped up in ii similar parcfcl lo the one which was given to your father. Suppose lie fol- lowed your father, and made some pretext for exchanging parcels! Suppose that the i>arcel your father took in exchange was an in- ternal machine wrapped up in the paper obtained from Lund's! Suppose tliat he was luld they had discovered at Lund's that the wrung parcel hud been bonded lo him, and having no cause to sus- pect any trick, took it and walked asvay with it in his pocket! Is not that also a hypothesis not absolutisly beyond the limits of proba- bility, and accounting at once tor tuo accident to your father, and the existence of tiiis watch in .i sate and sound condition?" George Barton was startled by llie ingenuity of this tlieory, which, as the reader already Knows, was a remarkable guess at the facts as they had occurred; for the lips wliich would liave confirmed it triumphantly to the philosophic detective had been forever silenced, and it was, so far as Mr. Sonlag was concerned, an instance of purely constructed hypothesis. Yet it seemed incredible, involving as it did so many suppositions that would scarcely bear the test ot consideration. So much is truth really stranger than fiction, " Now," said Mr. Sontag, " 1 tliinlc you will be disposed to ad- mit that my hypothesis is the only one consistent wltli the theory that the victim was your father- the only one that will account naturally for the presence on the person ot a man of Ids character and habits of a powerful explosive— the only one that explains the finding of this watch in the Bow Road." " Stay!" cried George Barton, through whose mind a sudden rec- olletion had flashed; " 1 am losing the use of my taciilties. There is now no doubt that my father was the victim. Ilave you not been told— lias the Larl of Selby not informed 3'ou — that young Lord Tilbury has recovered consciousness, and states that he saw my father in front of his horse a moment before the accident?" " No. How did you learn this?" " Lord Selby told me so himself late last night. Now ] think of it, he has hardly had time to communicate it to you." " Lord Selby told you this? ' said Mr. Sontag, keenly examining the face ot the young man, while his own manifested a curious mixture of astonishment, cliagrin, and suspicion. "1 understood tliat Lord Selby entertained no douiit that his agent, Mr. Barton, bad disappeared with » large amount ot valuable property. It -'J :i '0 ^^ 3#. 148 A ^VEEK OF I'ASSIOX. votir Inthcr's lilenllly with the victim of the crhne in the Chcus is CvpKbeyona ilonbt.what has become of the papers U was '^^:^S'£^t£''::^^ .l.e .lrea.lful embarrassmen. into wi; ci tl is Mueslion threw him, for Mr. 8or,tag was. hs l.ey - v lu U,ec i rtM.'sgame of hi(te-aa.l-soeli. getting < laii^erously ho. but a tlui moM.ent' fortuuiitely for the young nmn's candor, a card was l.rouL'lii in for Mr. Soiitag, who, ghincing at if. said, •' Wl^y 1 ere is the Earrof Selby. rroi.ul.ly comelp announce th s very tact.'" (To llic attendant.) " Asli the earl to be ttood enough ^° In t moment the peer entered, pale and n little haggard. Imt selt- poisessed lie b..w'ed to Mr. Snntag, and gave George Barton a i.iiir.1 nrcsmirp of the hand as he saiil, "^-l 'see rarton yow are here hetore me. Mr. Sontag, 1 earae to civevou some very important intelligence which reached me yes- fei^av evening. I suppose my y.arply trom the ear to young Harton. and f^mhm again to the earl, as they met. He was p.i/./.led be- vond measure at tl.e apparent cordiality of the relations be ween the man who had accused the missing steward oi a /;riminal eva- ?oa and the son of the person thus accused. He said, with a cer- . *"'.%T; lorf Mr.^utn has just given me the intelligence which of course disputes of the charge your sol ic tors have made here against your h!te steward. and.%y the way. have also published ta '^''Trm'lCpy'to say it does." replied the earl, with quiet frank- neas "And l.at. Mr. Sontag. is another object of my coming here Today 1 wish tha. charge to be withdrawn It was not made wit any strong conviction on my part, and 1 have expressed my deep sorrow that it ever should have been made to Mr Barton .s son who is my g-^ls""- 1' ^^"8 '^ charge brought with regrettable thoughtlessness and want ot judginent." ,o«i.,i«„ «f ihia Gcorce Barton stood paralyzed between his apprecia ion of this handsome and manly retractation, and his tenor a he perilous dfsclMure which the earl had made to the astuie Chief of the De- fecUv^ DeSrtment. It had been arranged the night before that S were to act in conceit, but the earl had resolved that at any risk lin wj)uld discharge his conscience to this extent. . •,„ •WVnd wha then." inquired Mr. Sontag.. with some vivacity. " is your brdsiiip's theory of the cause ot thU extraordinary-acci- **'"ThafaiSn!- "replied the earl, quickly, " is precisely the ques^ tion Mr fig. which 1 have come here to ask your depa.tment to St me to solve. 1 intended to have seen the chief commissioner ^ is Sfsent; and 1 was referred to you. 1 wish you to ciTer in ray name a rewnrd ot £2,000 lor the discovery ot the murderers of ^ Thf dSive'-'in-chief started, and screwed up his eves in order to get a letter look at the earl. George Barton was vkibly uneasy. ^•i^S^'^d-Lf rrtu^^faryourlordship.'^ said Mr. Son- gel Tl ^ZiS^^^ me ill the Ciiciw is Ihe papers il was embarrftssnieiit into was, US they ^ y iu ini;erously lio;, but candor, a curd was said, iiielo announce tlii^ to be tjood enough haggard, but aelt- 'e Genrfje Barton a p. Sontag, 1 came to ich renciu'd me yes irc has told you." rl to young r>:irton, He was puzzled l)e- (1 relations between oi a criminal eva- He said, with a cer- ^ i intelligence, which )r8 liav«! made here [ve also published in irl, with quiet frank- ct ot my coming liere . It was not made . have expressed my f to Mr. Barton's son, jht with regrettable appreciation of this irror at the perilous me Chiet ot the De- lie night before that solved that at any rislt It. with some vivacitjr, 1 extraordinary — acci- is precisely the ques sk your department to le chief commissioner, ish you to oiTer in ray of the murderers of up his eyes in onler to I was visibly uneasy. rdship," said Mr. Son- A WEKK OF PASSION. U% jV^ •e him? nny other peiaons 1 her own bu' iiiess, could <.le8Ciilif iho ■ thiit H was 3Ir. ig Mr. Sonttig hail !;h llie unforluimie jtivc, liml not liis- riUching. Vot Mr. lardhnilenlerwl his , and fresh us cvlt, liscovered that Mr. ht before, and how ing his rtport when low lie had done it. cl tendered an uni- in who gol out of a myself afterward, time, please?" lure, "Itwasday- ly be a friend's urn- led here Inst night, d was dining at his led In a black frock- f the other's persist- ■I'lve o'clock, and he :oat on his arm." uses, Mr. Garhett re- i of the members ot ?a8 a member of the lown wliether he liad lis fact. In the next ic-house a small pool i were traeed to the ind gone out by the t have done, since he 9 ot blood, connected most lively apprehcn- mrk in the river. A ring the whole neigh- rles Pollard doing in ? and so on. All this was conversing with 1 mystery, and horror leal with would stand ubility and resources. A WEEK OF I'ASSION. 101 ITf did not, however, give his visitors anv hint of the new tragedy whicli had sent u thrill of conslerualiou through Scotland Yard, and he had directed that the matter shouhl be kept out of tlie journals. The appearance of the Earl ot Selbv on the scene in a new «hflr- acler, that of a friend ot old Mr. Uiirlon actinj; with the son of the liite agent, and professing a lively nnxitty to sift the mystery to tlie bottOMi, imi)orled a tiouhlesome conlusion into 3Ir. 8onlag's theories. The solution which he had imagined involved the complicity of no less a person tliun a peer of the realm. Now tliis very peer was act- ing like an innocent man, and indei)endcutlv of, if not in hostility to, his supposed accomplices. The Chief of the Detective Depart- ment saw that he must reconstruct his liyiwtheses while carclully keeping on his guard against a collusive uttempi to deceive him and George Harton, wliose sincerity was not to lie questioned. This sud- den understandinj' between the earl and the young man was in itself verv suspicious. It liad taken place, too, immediately after the tarl had become co>;nizant of the fact that I^ord Tilbury could verify the identity of the individual who perished in the Circus; and the peer had not communicated this fact directly to the police, hut to Oeorce Barton. .- i . & All tliese rellections, however, Mr. Sontair kept to himself. Only, as the earl took leave, he said, in an oft-hand manner, " Your lordship will probably see :\Ic8srs, Pollard & Pollard, and Instruct them lo withdraw the ailvertisment with icijard to Mr. Uarton?" The peer was ju,st about to answer this insidious question, when his quick glance detected a certain cunning anxiety in Mr. Sontag's eye, which led him to alter the character of his reply. " They quite understand that. Mr. »ontag; good-morning." Outside lliedoor the earl .slipped his hand through young ijarton's arm and led him to his coupe, which was standing in Parliament Street. " To Grosvenor Place," lie said to the footman. When the door was closed upon his visitors, Mr. Sontag, with a curious smilt upon his face, turned to his desk, and picking up a letter ran his eye over it. It was in these terma' "{Confidential.) "pollard & POLLARD, " 155 Lincolii".s Inn Fields, W. C. July 1, 188-. " To the Chief Commimioner of Police, Scotland Yard, S.W.: " Sin,— Referring to our communication to you of yesterday's date, and lo our advertisement ot same date, concerning' the disap- TCarance of Mr. Geoige Barton, solicitor, of Manor Calham, Selby, Yorks, we now have the lionorto inform you that we have only tliis day discovered that, to our deep regret, a serious error has been made in regard to the supposed loss of tlie deeds ot title, bonds, etc.. stated in that advertisement to bo missing. Tlirough an extraordi- nary oversight, these papers, although forminir a )>arcel ot consid- erable bulk, had been overlooked uinonst u vast quantity of law papers lying in the private room ot our senior partner, and were 1-- &^ Ibi A \vi:i;k ok I'ASSIon. only (h'tcrlcd tills Mioiiiing, in llic course of ii senich for Ihe ilocu- nu'his in luiollitT cusi'. " Tills ot course, disposes of the clitnue wliicli wo Imil, by direc- tion ot tlie Kiirl of SoDiy, liroiijilil iipiinsl Mr. Unrlon, iiiul .enders it unnecessary, so fur in I lie enrl or we are concerned, to pursue nuy tiirtlier iiuiui'ries iislollie wlicreiiUouts of Mr. IJiirton, wlio. we lru«l, 1ms simply willidriiwn liiniself under tiie inliueiicu ot toiue tern- poruiy ulM^rrution of intellect. " Wc liiivu llie honor to he, sir, >ours faithfully. " POI.I.AUI) iV I'UI.l.AI!!)." " Hum!" said Mr. Bonlag, musint;, when he lind flni!^hed tho perusHl of this epistle. '• Wlml is ihe nieiinini; of this? The earl evidenlly did not know anvthin;; iihoul this letter, and lliey evidently don't know what he was doiiiL' here just now. Tlie two parties uro ploying nl cross-purposes. 1 bcfjin to think tiie earl is genuine; it 80, Messrs. Pollard & Pollard, you arc the L'cnlienicn who deninnil my parliculiir attention! Tliis is very lishy, to say the least of it, and iTicn of Imsincss who niislsy Important documents and accuse a brotlier professional ot felony one day, and find tho papers and withdraw llie charge on the next, must not be surprised if llie^ themselves become objects of suspicion. The secret ot Banon s murder is, 1 susjject, wrapped up in those papers, and 1 am resolved to know what they are." He touclied an dectric bell, and a sharp, intelligent-looking njem- ber cf the force appeared. "Send Mr. Garliett here." Garl)ett. aliai* Dillon, had a totally different manner when In the presence ot his chief fiom tliat wliich characterized Ids moments of social expansion. He was stilt, precise, brief, and business-like. He had two exterior signs of the taculties which his profession is supposed to develop most—the faculties, namely, of seeing and hearing. His eyes were large and disagreeably prominent, his ears •were simply phenomenal. His jaw— or rather muzzle, for It as- sumed that Character— was exceedingly protuberant, and his lips were large and sensual. Thev moved over the Jaw with marvelous flexibility, seeming to Indicate a large polentlaUty of that sort ot eloquence which is commcm smong a certain class of Uissenting preachers in Scotland and Ireland, where such jaws abound, and where the laige lips of so many weak enthusiasts are working to prove that they have been touched with a Hvecoal from oft Ihe altar. So little is the fine, subtle meaning of that /Ision of Isaiah understood, as Indicating that it Is only to one or two select spirits ot each age that the special Inspiration of genius Is vouchsafed ; that only to one or two in every age Is given the right or the power to prophesy to their fellow-mcii. Mr. Garbett, however, happily had not misdirected his jaws to the puniose ot feeble and bigoted con- ceit. He devoted them cbielly to a much more practical purpose, namely, the trituration of asiieenble comestibles. Indeed, he (juite discountenanced the principies of Lavater, lor there was not a closer or safer man in the service. His face, like an actor's, was cleanly shaven, to facilitate the adoption of disguises— a fasblon which ex- posed a vast area of blue black surface, deeply rutted here and there senich for llic docu- •li wc Imil, by tlirec- Unilon, iiiul .eniltTB iiiied, to pursue nuy irtoii, wlio. we lni«l, leucu ot tome tein- thfiilly. un iV l*ui.i,.M!i>. " lie had finished tlio i; of tliisY The earl r, and Ihcy evideully The two parlies are le earl is genuine; it llcnicn who deninnil o say the least of it, uinents and accuse a llnd tho jiapers and lie surpiiacd if they e secret ot Bar ton s rs, and 1 am reBolved lliuent-looking mem- manner when In the rized hia moments of f, and business-lilce. ich hi? profession is mely, of seeing; and ■ prominent, his ears jr muzzle, for it ns- iberant, and his lips Jaw with mnrvelouB iaUty of that sort ot 1 class of Dissenting :"h jaws abound, and siasts are working to ivecoal from oil the that vision ot Isaiah or two select ppirlts is is vouchsafed ; thai; right or the power to However, happily had ible and bigoted con- ire practical purpose, es. Indeed, he (juite there was not a closer I actor's, was cleanly - a fashion which ex- rut led here and there - * A WICKK OK PASSION". 153 Willi expresflivo valleys and riveTine lines of wrinkle, lie had a J) iiiit of holding the head in a stlfl, listeiilu!,' po^illon, which seeMicd to indicnlt! that he heard better with the liglil ear tlian the left iilllioiii;li in truth they were l,olh eipiaily sh-xrp; and it was oulv n liiibit whleh had g.-cwn out of exeensive nelf-conseiousneBs, liud 8i'ii-e of llie inipiirlmico of Ihe role wlileli, according to tho oa'e- clilsni, Provitlenee liad nssigneit him in the comedy of life. Tliis liiihit, by liie way. lie shared in common with many ill»linj>ulslicd mm ot leiiera and persons of " rultufe." In this position, with his lifiiKis crossed over the rim of his hut, which he held modestly in In ,1 of II promising i«:iiincli. he stood waiiiiisr for liischiet losponk, Giirbiit," said Mr. Honlag, "I am afniid :McLuren has been nipped." " Looks like it, sir," Nothing had stirred e.xcept Mr, Gaibctl's lips, but that is to say about one third of his face, Tliu large balls of his prominent eyes remained immovable, for, like a fly. Mr, (Jarbett could see before jiim or sideways, and almost all round liim witliout changing lUo Inclination of I lie nxiB. " There could lie no doubt whatever that he was on the track ot Mr. Charles I'oilurd," " Posiiive, sir," " Wliat could Mr, Pollard liave been doing in Wappiug, and evi- dently in disguise, at tliat hour ot the night/" " No good, sir." "And the man who was watching him is— made away with— • while lie gels home safe! Those two gentlemen must be watched more closely than ever. There is somtlhiug l)ehiuil all this." This remark, seeming to be only the o\itward e.xnression of some Internal rethclion of his chief's, the detective noteil in silence. "If. as I now strongly suspect, jMessis, Pollurd have something to do with the murder ot Mr, Barton, tliey must be in conimunicu- tioa Willi some gang whicli has its head (juarters in VVapping." Mr, Garbetl's head moved a little from one side to the otiier. " 1 hardly tnink so. sir," he said. " It's more likely that place was cliosen for a rendezvous because It was furthest away from their usual haunts." 3Ir. Sontag looked up quickly. "That is a bright thought, Garliett," he said, nodding his head fipprovingly. " You think, then, that tlie character of tlie crime rather indicittes a superior West-end Intelligence— eh?" He smiled grimly. " Itliink so, sir." . • > " Outside the Invincibles, where is there a man who is capable of conceiving and carrying out such a daring and clever design?" Mt. Garbett squeezed his large lips and lipped his heiid a little more on one side. " There's Schultz. sir." •' The very man 1 was thinking of. Clever, iinscrupiiloiis. a per- fect dare-devl,, it all .e he went to '''••Probably " said Mr. Sonta«; " and it is Impossible to suppose that MrPoUard's business tl.ere was -^^ ->>-;'/««-,, ^^ Sn^.S ""^f '^'.n^^o^^t^oTrLd ct'sX% bfu"«"ho!u rl't"r^Jn."Ce Suui'ra.; .he Vh.rge .and the a.lvert.se.nent against Mr. Barton. The papers aie found. .'.' vii'"' Thev metend thev were mislaid. I think you said you hadlfeUKnn^eUinS S of a useful source of informaUon iu- '*'a Et "Sy I'igl't filled the dismal crystal of the deteelive's orbs letection by doing Ti to act as If tliev •ly he Ims iiolted. 0U8 tiling to liavo iwn-tic'kot, he got ciy likely ho got It lie couldn't beiir ;, 1 Huppone. He- rowing UB off the a loolt for liim in he used to attend ik of who WHS ever My private opin- ird co\dd have got nli? Wiiere is tiio ot any one. But I nllenien wiio Imve bad reputation. In to its being ft resoit )ut tliere, and some- inlta ihey supply a ver, and the police vhiit we should call ■ very reason it wns B people he went to npossible to suppose ite one. Well, what I to-dav. Pollards, lout his l;nowledge, d the artverlisement I thin It you said you CO of information iu- t the detective's orbs of Grayson." low at what hour Mr. osepu Pollard is ac- A WKKK 01' PA8SI0>f. 165 ooiinted for; he went lioniu lo lUgijut'H Park, and slaved llierc— and whctlier ('iiurlcM Pollard was at liin i ub, aN Hialoil l)y liis serv- nnl? Jl(! could not have bucn tlieie long, as we are ceitaiii lie niiiBl have biun In Wapping. Have you fo'ind out what elul> he be- longed to'.'" " 'llie Tlialched riouse, sir." ' " \'ery well. We mu.st ascerlain when and how long he Was there, and in what company. The porters ot lliise club.s are very close; tlKv keep tin scrcls ot their members well. You will liuvo lo e.\ercisi- a little ingenuity." " Hasilv done, sir." " lll)W?" Mr. Soniag was tond of testing the inlelllgence of his agents. •' Tlie lioy who takes ilic Ulter.s to the post. You can see tliem nil soutllini; down Pall >liill loi- Cliarin!.' Cross (!very evening at about (|uarler to six, lie ciui nhvays .see the iioiter's renisier wiiii the name and hours ot entry and dqiarture, and he's tlie only serv- ant besides th(! ci'iiniiixxidiiiirtiiv who gels out. A soveieign will go a lonsr way with him." " Well, thai is yoni alTair. No one knows belter than you, Gur- bett, how lo maniige these things." A very; slight thrill of Batislk-d pride shook Iho frame of Mr. Oar- belt, wliicli, like many ot the earth shocks now go frefjuently re- ported in tlie newspapers, " ivas not attended by any disastrous conse(iuenee8 " to his stiUues(iue ligidity. " Then, Garbett. there is another mailer 1 sliotild mention. The Karl of Selliy has just bwu here with young Barton. lie has nuihonzed me to ofler a reward of tl'JOOO "— a second s)lj;ht con- vulsion in ^Mr. Garbett's frame, and a glimmer in the liuge eyeballs — " for the discovery ot llie murderers ot Mr. l{art '^ J,^ ' " ' , , ,i.„i j.„,i ,vill, in fu.thcnuu'e of |us Uc. ' "'^ ''\, ."^ t' ^^h^ „ list unU lie- boHrcr. Ml. Ocor^-c ( nibctl. ot ' f '' ' j^.^'X, l;ii .lly inform him Bcripllon of those ^•'':"'";"' ''!„,; ^i^sS^ he innpected s:t'S.iirh;^u:^tas::i^:; -'"j-t of this aepart.neut- etc , etc." this moment. Gflrbiti, "'"*^ '" ;^ ,. ,, . „. „ot very mre of closelv wrttched. Put four men ou the dutj . headed. ^^^''-^'^^'^-Jro V msm mUe iu R Circus, and alllrm- Illlo. clc' nUe>?e(l 1(1 wlildi you iui)- vc lii'cn foiiiid. iiml KnrI (of rtelby) iiml • Jmiuirieit iw lo ll»e O HIIV tlmt IlllH U KO 10 ilK! Hiliult! l>»ll>t llmlKi'""''"""'' '•"' iiiHinitii'il lis t(i llio •giiril to till! liiiilii^r illlH llixilppi'liniMfl', lIliH IllUcf lo oir.T 11 TV of ll'« I'l'i'^oii or liiH (k'lilli, liy ilyiia- It i;ircun, oil Tliui-9- on lo you ol \M 111' (.(I in liunsniiHHion. nw in llic possi'i'sioq idciiiiiy ol Mr. Hur- ropliu. oner (Iccma 11 mces- ly iiiloniiuil ol wlmt s it'fcrri'd lo in your (■(I wiih lUr. Ilurlon, iL- n;iliir(! ol hlH relii- vc liwn inlcri'sletl lu led lo hi-% thai yott I't conimisMoner, per It, wHli u lisl anil de- ) Idndly inform liim isunx' lo lie iiispecled ot lliis duparUnent— leaflt throw Bomte per- il innooeul. It ralhcr id 11 K'ves llivni some •prise lliem; but trom mist be i)liiced under Hie not very sure of lo escape, and it tliey )on'l > '»nie biu'.l,. wiili- trom uicir ulHces aio d into action by some nocli, and with a slift aled an adverlisenient,^ Jcwardl" selling forth •nt Circus, and alllrm- , of the Earl ot Selby, A \vi;i:k ov parriov. isr and ofTiriiiK U\ tlic ciirl'it name llie idiovo reward, rfc. Tliiswiis wrillcii out lo lie Hiiliniilted to ilie cidcf coinniliHloiicr, and tlie cliiff of III!' l)ilM:iivc Kcpiiiinicni liirndl lo olIuT niNsiciJiM Willi uliicji lux dec!; iiinl liriilfi- were (iiiwdod. No nilni-iir (d Htatc, wiili IiIh r.'iir or live ilinui'tind /«/• tnunnu, no juil>;c upon ihi- licnrli wllli an iMUiil fuliiiy, w.is rvrr ('iilldl upon to cxcil miii li (niccM ol inli'lk'Ct, Midi riciiriics!* ol jicml, siicli anxious mid inccMsinl dill^'i iici-, sucli I'liyKicid (iipiiciiy lor work, us iliis admluislnuivu ollluei iiitiiilica for u lew liiindredg 11 your. CIIAPIKR XIV. I.OUIIS (III (OM.MONM? TirF dlcep ot Lady Illnnclie I.ayton after lier remarkable vliril liarl been licalilic but hlioil. We juivc seen lliiil, at a loleniblv curly lioiir, HJic lifid indited a note, ciirelesHv wiiilcii, liiit wliieli now oc- fiipird a posiijon in the Hide pock,.} ,,f Mr. Ocort'c Iliirloirs comI opi>osiie lli;it eniipleni of iIkmiIi imssioii wliicli iintiire liiis iilanled in every liuniiin breii'-l. The wciikncus ol ihc hironir(.«i mrn is really deplorable. She had alno received and read a delicate lilllc ptneilecl note trom llie CounkKs of Tilbury. It was tlius conceived. ^ •• Moii.lay NiKlit. DrcAHKsr ni,.\N( in:,— He lias asked lor you. We liave t,o nincii Jioiie since we lirid thai the brain is so clear and the ii.eiiu.rv so per- lect. Ilm BlreiiKtli. too, is increasinu:. He saiil this i'vcnlnir • Uoiihln'l it be nice if lllaiiclie were my wili;, and were liure \o lielp you?' 1 let liiiii talk a liith;. Ah, wimi a fjoose I was to-dny mil lo take you at ynur word! However, my dear, 1 n)U8t see you t onie over as soon us you can iu (he niorninjr. " Your lovhig " AlNT.'' The ellect of (his missive njion Lady Blanche, who was 1h».i!* p(rusinn lier correspondence in lied, was somen hat phenomenal A tier a llrsl rapid dance over llie note, siie jumped out ol lad wilh nil II :• encrjry and iiiKovviancc of a school-pirl, srallerinn er(?sle(l notes iind cards and envelopes all over the carpet. Then, (inile un- iiiindiul ol iwo Utile (cet wliicli reiuaiiied iineov(.Ted in tlie'inimedi- alt' iipiudiborliood ot a pair of criir.son satin slippers, enibroidcied in f;old, she loaned against liie side cf litr lied and read over llie letter word by wiud, while an odd mixture ol mischief i.ml seiionsiiess lilayeil III her violet eyes. It slunild lie remembered llial ihc last thoni,'hl she had had hetore she went lo sleep had been (Jeorge Barton, and die ilrsi HiiiiL' lo which she liad awakened in llie moniinj; was Oeorpe Ihirton- and this I'lirly thoujiht was kinilly and expansive. J can not say that she lim done much more than liasiilv lliliik and write that filtlenole whi 'h ilien no iroid could have repurchased ; hut that slb-^hl ebulli- tion of senlimeni and sympathy Had leli behind it a beneficent feel- Ing of satislacton, the cause or ihe extent ol" which Lady Blanche 158 WEVM OF PASSION. x\-ilh which slic had iml the ""•; °7';r'"igiy,ic ;„ those beautiful at her word, the s"'*;"^\°, ""^^ ,. ,„^e ,i,e nmn to whom she gives live which stood l'<^["" ,;. ''^.if;'^', "f"sl of the hidy of tlie caslle, her thoudits, she had, "\''^"*'°";"'; " .nr>is than she had ever done . simply mean the mtru^tmg "f /^'^'^j^ BhindJa case it .vas put imbecile n suardumslnps! B^^^^ ° r "tLt '\;'^.af a£ ami willing, ,o"assume the responsibility, l\Ta?^l^e ^^Jtc^oVul"to^ '«he must fight tor her own '''U was later than she expected when the landau, tor the earl had mins, nor had the , and her report of hml sifiiialized the mliiist the teclings ted the other. In- ■ in those beautiful .1 her look fixed on hat on earth am 1 lundly serious than Lse words— the first acciipitd her heart, turned to her now ul not hfin "taken iirl Ihiit slie did not I to whom she gives ler's safxe and nol)le oeihw in this. No ken up any strong mils were sighing to 1(1 a melancholy fig- iiininions, uttructing liidy of tlie castle, leie in this note was f cousin was not out his heart. The ap- Udin. lie did love led to avoid the least 1 the lines with the ch she was too true, L'ar terms. one, that ot Lady Plie seemed to Itel at 1 not, or at least slie absolutely tree. But r this to take torni in other's words, begun n she had ever done that saying, " Your ! riftht to dispose of." Ihat npothegm would he weakest and most ache's case it was put fiections had revealed ine the responsibility, 10 it. ; for this little note ot ions to the lists: and er heart almost stand ust fight toi her own ndau, tor the earl had A WEEK OF PASSION. 159 borrowed her coupe tlat morning, drove up to the Tilbury mansion; in fact it was just aoout luncli time. A carriage turned out to make way tor hers, and she recognized her own horses and the family livery, " Why, papa must be lunching here, too," she said; and for some Inexplicable reason lier heart began to beat quickly with a pre- monition of some surprise. " Is tlie carl here, Simpson?" " lie is, Lady nianche, and young Air. Barton. Lunch is just going to be served in tlie dining-room. The countess is down for thn first time." Accordingly, in the morning-room. Lady Blanche found her aunt and the two gentlemen. The (iiiiet little emplnisis of her ladyship's embrace did not pass unnoticed by the quick j'oung lady, whose susceptibilities, moreover, were in a somewhat morbid .state ot in- tensity, and she remarked, with grief and regret, that this cmpresse- ment suddenly aroused within herself some grotesque monkey of anger or revulsion, not airainst her aunt, but against the idea she seemed to personify. This sent an almost imperceptible chill through the effusiveness of her reception and return of the count- ess's embrace, a slight languor of cordiality, which the fine sense of the elder woman perceived, but attributed to a wrong cause. " You seem a little pale and weary, my dear, 1 fear you do not get enough sleep." " It is rather hard work to be a fashionable lady," replied Lady Blanche, with a slight tone oi bitterness, which she endeavored to neutralize bv a little laugh, " and, uuhappily, tlie labor is so use- ■ less." The earl laughed. " Aly dear Blanche, ' he said, " even butterflies Jiave their place in the economy of nature." " And Ueas— and gnats," she replied, quickly, with a saucy glance at Iier father. " How are you, Air. Barttou? " The transfiguration of Barton's somber face, when at length the young lady turned to him and familiarly held out her hand, could not escape the keen eyes of the countes's, though the earl did not see it. An arrow went through Lady Tilbury's heart, and she said to herself, " AVhat dots lliis mean?" A man in Barton's position needs to practice all the subtlety and feint which Alachiavelti revin- dicates for government and diplomacy, if he would not prematurely betiay liimseU to tHe intuitive perspicacity of feminine spectators. Blanche was conscious of the mistake he w,i". making in allowing ~ his cheek to flush and his eye to brigliten and rest upon her lnce° with just a little too much emphasis of adoration, and she was angry at it. She withdrew her hand quickly, and turning to her an'Mt, ' plunged rapidly info a series of animated questions about her cousin's condition. The doctors now pronounced him in a fair way of recovery, unless some sudden excitement should occasion a re- lapse. Barton, in the presence of the Sun, was standing in the shadows. Lady Blanche took care not to give him either tlie occasion cr the encouragement to look at her again as he had done. 1 think she ■was a little annoyed to be thus obliged to stand upon her guard, and .*...' 160 A AVEEK Of PASSIOK. t,at possimy son. such "-.M -^ tiruleni^^^'^'^it!!- '^ that in matters ot 'ove men art I c wt ^^j,_^^ ^^^,, ,„g„p. actors. AltogelUer Rl.mc .e /^^ \,f^r»;\,rohension of wlmt was to pointed wlt\i l»"8 '"°^'';:,^';?io,r vlmtevJ^^ Itom n..iloi:'s presence Lmeafterit an( uosa 8la(^^i^^^^^^^^ tor the fu.lhtu She knew what hail l«'^«^",P ' j- ,",\,i i,e,- cvervlhin!;- except, of Lot.l Charles l^'"^^*^^™!,'^ v So ' ''»« "»''^' ^^''"^^ ^'^ TZ course, that one bii ot '" "'V V r.m.1 not reter to that interview m Si i.ave «»«F«'«'''«"; Jir'i^" ' rea V been established, there- Ze'T^n oTrSanlauSmiuy au.fcon.nu.nicat.on between these two young people. rj.,,^ count- Altogether, this lunch ,79""t a gay or haPPj^ ^^^^^ hnpplnessto «9S was too unMous about her «o^ f l^*-;^ 'Vu,. subjects which the be expansive; the earl ,^»«^„^;,'^' and Barton alter the slight presence of "'»'^" ^9^' j y\ " ,he a r huly. relapsed into mono- ?epul.e a«»'"'"'«'^'f., "J '';h*^.\e It the ne.dot saying somethmg to SjtrSHn .SS~; laltd on incessantly to a ve.y un- apptecialive audience ^ ^ „{ n.e lunch, " you *^J^ Blanche." said he ^ • «lyly;„«;^;'^„\, ^ay so much in the same fly. ^ might spin a cocoon- couldn't resist the rc- "^' Ami become a grui). ,,s id Jt ea • " ,. ^^^^ ^^ „^.^ ,1, , ,er loit " My ilear Blanche. ''V» r^mi to know the worries of hte. londly, "there is Jime eno^.gh to yo U, km>^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^, ,^,^, Tiwre is vour aunt there, ^^ no "'" '^'^" •',, Juch wee^ds grow in the fair, garde^. ,. ^,„„^,.,, " 1 am not talking of weeds, my dear ta er ^^^ ^^^ ^^^_ SSL:^i S -^^ - --rre.ay tigured by a mar *"'^''"c"bbage8l" cried the earl. "Onions, carrots, aspuragus, Brus- ^'llit'tle hand was put over his mouth r: , ,a, sha'n-t nvake tun »t me my >-d^.^,^_«^;X° at'me like a *'>E,r" iitilalea in the la- el' • Ami it is I rue most iimitislic of •oriJed nml ilisnp- ion of wliHl wi.s to n.iiloii's presence. . tor the fuilhtii'. ihiii!; — ex"'l"' "^ Le, which he uever thtit interview lu esttiblisheil. tUere- nuniciitioubetweeu y one. Tiie count- tiit\ire hnppinesa to subiecls which the •ton, atter the slight •elapsed into mono- saving something to anily to a vciy un- 01 the lunch, " you 90 much in tlie same ,Ve owe you an apol- B we aid all heavily iS with a melancholy lich, like so many ot deeply, and n-pliwl, stant at Barton, who think 1 have enough _it is because you do 1 you 1 should like iiore than the butter- couldn't resist the rc- » arm on her shoulder ,w the worries of lite. 3W soon and how fast r "siiidLadvBlanclie, iiiu; more of the com- ectly tigured by a mar rrots, aspuragus, Brus- You know you don t ou— you treat me like a 131anohe, ou whose fau'. -^■'^;': A WEKK OF PASSION*. 1 161 blooming cheek two little crystal signs of vexation suddenly sprurg to the liglit. Slie bit her lip, and turned away rapidly to hide them. " Go(i forbid, my dear cinldl" caiil the eail. taking botli her lianils in his and pressing them iiftectionately. " No one knows bet- ter than 1 do that there is a serious and clever brain incloaetl in tliat charming l)onnet. Your useful time is coming. 1 would only save you as long as 1 can from the vulgar troubles and trials of life." 'llie countess, who wished that this little scene had had no fourth spectator, brusquely pui hpr arm througn that of her niece and drew lier toward the dior. '■ Your cabbage-garden \>'ll be ready tor your little spade soon enough, my dear," she said. " Uood morning, Mr. Barton. God help you in your troubles! 1 should like to see youi mother as soon as 1 can get out and she feels able to receive me." " And please, Mr. Barton, give her my best love and sympathy," added Lady Blanche, " and say 1 will try to find that place in the City— the Salisbury — 1 shall remember the name ot the Omaerva- tive leader— and take her home with mo for u tew hours. She must be hear! -broken." The contrast belweeu the patronizing manner ot the countess and the frank, equal cordiality ot Lady Blanche's words struck Barton keenly. The ladies bowed as he opened the door for their exit, and the earl, excusing himself for a moment, followed them. The young man sighed, strolled to the window and looked gloomily out. Never had his love been more frantically intense, or looked moie intensely hopeless. With the delicate supersensitivencss of the lover who is not sure of his ground, he divined that the countess had guessed his secret, and was annoyed. !Never before had her tone and manner to him been more accentuated with hauteur. " Is it a plenary amnesty?" said the peer, when they were in the hall, putting on an air of half-comic, iialf-earnest anxiety, in this period of critical trouble his heart turned with an oactr longing toward the affection ot this daughter, the living image and reflec- tion of his dead wife. His feelings had been touched by those two little tell-tales on her cheeks, and lie could not bear to carry away, among his other anxieties, the thought that he had left, however minute, a thorn in her young heart. " Nonsense, my dear earl," said the countess, whom this inci- dent, for some subtle reason, had violently displeased. " 1 thought Blanche had ceased to be a child, and that you had long since at- tained to years of discretion. One can see that you are beginning to pass beyond them. Sucii a little scene before that boy George Bar- ton, was quite out of place, and ridiculous! Come away, Blanche," she added, trying, with ill-success, to alter her tone into one of good-humored banter: " 1 am going to be very angry with you, and give you a bfowingiip." " Poor Blanche!" said the earl; " I am afraid you are going to be committed tor trial; but, perhaps this time the ' beak ' will let you oil with a caution." The countess was quite out in her tactics — an error which must be attributed to eagerness and anxiety on behalt ot the patient up- stairs. Her niece had views ot her own as to what was discreet and 6 ;'^i 109 WEEK OF PASSION. nsbuuifil (.t having •-'''I'l'^ «'^ 'V'^7the couut;^^ rfferenco to huu foie Geor«e 1 .ir on, '""'^.XTunoVtKl he? WhvV Well, gentle or ,is •' that boy l»'^^\<=""°"''!,'l"'7,^hiks nnvthiul- is never au ei.sy ,ru«eulle. rentier ^vby a won «^^^^^^^ ,ue .no.t ere- (luestion to iinisvver; but '\^!"i "o'' iMimdie btid lu a sense I'es. lounger over tUcse pH^'os hat J "-^ ^"> ' „„,, i,„a vouchsafed „Ken youn- Harton umier '"-'' \^VV'^"-^^\'^,.a9rtero-atory to the him her royal «yn'r'^^''y ";"\;^";'\ , '1 "ct. or h. subject, ot those dignity ot lier 8^i"^''"«"'^^<^ 'iL .\e„i^ S us " tliat boy. • reoal senlinieDts contemplu""8ly •l';'^'""^"; 1 of the w^rlclwouW M any other time tl>e acute, sen. evo,^^ U-^^ ^^ ^^ probably have ^^collectea I . sxorn i .^ ^^^^^ ^^^ Ivpvinst the object "f/^/Xn as > tils case, that object is on« jreuerous. an.l «8I?'<= '^'^L.T' fi\' 'uy For no one Icnew Letter, or tgainst whom il is ^P^'fl, "J"r„^"e„v.ntess, tl>e sterling, maulv more hiRi'ly. '*PP'^'-'"'*'::i^ J "" Sfe h per. litteil heiselt to speak riuahtiesot ^^'^V^^°'\''^^,}^°Z^mxmt Blanche, surpriscU at tl.is iU lone of I'^lt-*'"'"'^ S nut S. herinseiluity to gr.ess the little ouU.reali, was ""^t* n>y P»^"''^",., .motive, her ladyship's cuse of it, and to attr^^u^ e o Us rod m , ^^^^^. ^^^^.^ niolherly preoccupation about he. so^^^^^^^ ^^,^ „„, ^wd bad tempers, we know f rom t le '^«2 "^ ..jih all her sweet- rtomestic exper ences and 1'" yJ£^Sl'rame..t. And just then uess. aliltle ''I'^^e^^ ^'"^1,S'' ^l" 'er Jsth^^^ condition-one by no her frame was in a f""^,^^^*'^^'' ^J^^'n^^^^ svbich the poor, anxious means favorable to be In t ™H^^i,,„,,«, „„.i pirjued to the mother, weaned and excited Dy "p^;". . ^^ impoliiic I'.^n-ton, S by that tell-tale radiance on the '^^e "t^^'-, ,J„,,,,„, i,,teacl wasdisposedto adopt. Tic jounfe^^a^^^^^^^^ . ^„^^ „„ sooner ot «aitiuR for the attack to l.cl,clon^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ j^.^^., had she and her «»«. f .""^J^jJ aon's hou e). Ilv.u she said, when she was on a visit to her ^o" s u > contumacious " 1 am afraid, dear aun you w.l ^^ ' ^^^ ^^i,;?' ^propriety the criminal, for I '^'J-'>'^'^"^,^J,"„ 'Sot r^^ to be meekly received, her aunt's proposed correclion was not t,^ sometimes had beeii matio and self-willed. inwardly nettled .. .' Well, my clear,'' saUlthe countess who w^nw^^^ by the rather perempory 5^«1^'°° J/'Sed to avoid any unpleas- her to explanations but «horeany d^^^o j.t only to b-- said antress. " y<»> see th're aie certain i" ' ^ j ^f^^ f„,„iiy. Don t and done among ourselv s « th^ ^^\" fi^'^^yg such a little scene-a you think that it was rather IPf '^^[•fl;„ .^ ^^ your cheeks -some peitect little scene, my dear Blancl.e-teais o. i A WEEK OF PASSIOX. ms iliment of rfbelHon ilicl not fi^el 111. all oniauly Ceelini: be- •» rffereiicf- to him V? Well, gentle or I'lj is never au eiisy , by the most care- idie had iu a sense xl bnd vouchsafed iisaeroi^atory to the hi! subject, ot those • that boy. " of the worlil- would i8l weapon to level I) she is vouuL' and :, that object is one one knew hotter, or Lhe sterling, manlv Ltedheiselt to speak :he, suriiriscil at this jrenuitv to .lir.ess the )tivc, iier ladrshiij's veo nniiels may liave ! (levilnnd our own with all her sweet- iieiit. And just then ;ondition— one by no ioli the floor, anxious ■ss, !ind iiiriiifd to the ho impoliiic I'^iirton, ced, resolved, instead ilh'il; and no sooner devoted to the latter \^iu she said, 11 very contumacious wliat impropriety the displeasure." Lady Blanche, whose ly clear indiciitionthnt to lie meekly received. 1 Romctinies had been V with Eood-humored e the younii lady hni to make lier too do;^- was inwardly nettled ;r niece had summoned to avoid any tinpleas- iit ought only to b.-suid of the family. Don t ire such a little scene -a on your cheeks— some pettishnoss in your voice— espocially, ycu know, before that yDiim: person—" '' " What, my dear aunt, Georce Barton?" cried the younc; lady in a tone of raillery. ■> o j •' Gracious goodness, my dear, wlial are you coming to? Yoti mentioi: this young peison's name with a familiarity which uston- ishcsme— '' '• Why, my dear atuit, what do you mean? George Bitrton is one of Charlie's best friends, and almost one of the family." "Oli:" cried the countess, deeply oilendcd by Lndy Blanche's tone, and more by her manner, liotli t)eing frivolous tind provoking, (Tlie.se '-'/(/«(■(■« of feminine expression nre indescribable, unless one employed (laerent colored inks and various fonts of type to whicli our publisher unreusonalily objects.) " Oh! ' almost one of the fam- ily I' 1 hat, my dear, is one of the most extraordinary of all the ex- traordinary things 1 ever licard you say. Tlds young person— a most worthy and excellent j'oung man, for whom, in his place, 1 have a great (leal of esteem— you speak of in such terms as that! Truly, 1 think it is time that some one should offer you a little kindly advice, for you are strangely wanting iu discretion. No wonder the young gentleman perinitted liimself, even in the solemn circumstances in which he is placed, to look at you to-day with u broadness of familiarity which 1 can (issure you, my dear to me was perfectly startling, if that is the light in which you allow him to suppose you view him. ' Almost like one of the family,' indeed' Is (hill, think you, the footing upon which the earl receives him?" Lady Blanche bit her lip. She was vexed that her aunt had sur- prised young Barton's look, which she hoped had escaped unnoticed by anv one but herself. However, in rather impolitically letting this out, the countess had shown the cause of these tears. She had seen with what perfect corectness her niece had treated Barton's too pro- nounced admiration; yet her jealousy on l^ord Tilbury's behalf had prompted the Busi)icion. quick as lightning, that there must have been some previous indiscielion or unconscious fanuliarlty on her niece's part, or the young man would never liave so far forgotten his position. Lady Blanche, tor all she was not an accomplished woi uiling, traced the threads of this little movement on the part of lier aunt quite accurately, and a certain annoyance and defiance against .i arose in lier heart. Thus, by a series of the minutest and most petty provocations, tlie two women who loved each other with such sincerity, and had not an atom of a desire to be other than true and loyal lo their allectiou, were gradually working up to a crisis of discord. For Lady Blanche tossed her head, and there was a fine movement of her delicate nostrils which meant mischief. She did not con- descend lo laugh oft her aunt's suspicion, which was the most politic course, or explain it away, which was the proper thing to do; but she boldly accepted the imputation and proceeded to defend it —a course which can only be characterized by us, who know the exact state of affairs, to have been most tortuous and vexatious But this comes of " putting up the monkey " of a .spoiled vouni; belle. .She retorted upon her aunt, whose remark the reader will linu, we fear, in the preceding page. A WEEK OF PASSION. . »i ii.P ftoti of a nentleman whom .. George Barton my am ';;»"»i^*«£ fr enlls he ever had. Ho n,v tutlicr speaks o ."f.""^^;;/'' n?' also said that ihc son was as Baid 80 only hist ni^ht '''■,^''""^,';,„"„s tiir more able and (>e-tiiin to ^orihyus'histulher.onlyl thc^^^^^^^^^^^ i>,.vfi .1 bri'.litinl career. Chat lie ana i i lu.camn a mau, s nee we V ero iu lou« clothes, and f,^^^^'^'^' opinion. 1 freely 1 elm always been reec ved "8 '» ^ .^"J' ^ X.m 1 have n>el is able eis that'no man of |'« "f„'',X'^Sted. and examined her to hold a camlle to hun / '';,^" '"" i^iy. " 1 mean, ot eonise. ece Willi a face ot a most ^ f ^.'^r^s knowle.ige and talent and T^T' ^ller^r ii. n ^f mJ^^ ^^«uished air and h..her breed- ^^t. vST^ef of ^[-I^j-Jl^D/gnhe cour^te.. who durirrg this ••Whv my dear Blanche, <^}^" '^,.,_,t „nd to reco'inize the long speech had had time » «» J-^^^J;, ^J,;, ,\g. •' 1 .nnst say you hrnLrer of the ground on which "»CJ wtn. i h ^^^ ^^ ^^^y e my chivtlrous in «1«^?"^« * >'\'^ -ou •discreet old aunt here well It is tortunule mere '%'^,'^/;"^ ''\\,, " your pa.tisan.hip is per- worthy vount; man." onmo neople would thinU- tried to Tlius'llie eountess-adroi Iv. some peopc ^^^ ^^^^ so^te tile young l'^'^'/ j"^" iron t h^ J.her side, before the souiewhat iionic tender «f ^^"^^^.J'"!^ u shut up the young lady :"uarrel was HClna. ly enj^aged ^as ^ ^^^ "."Sr nlned t^rthe moment, ami ^ojf.'^ T"**" left Ueca something f \"'"1\' "L^S^liuir'as mo her ami daughter. Since words.) " Now let us tniktogctuu as imimnte with you your own mother ^ied no one ^^^^^^^^^ ^^,^^, or loves you bet- tl»- I-rdri\rcSKi ove\ and look Blanche's hand Lud S i in her own. <"'"«f "KJ^orsS'to exhibit some reciprocal '^ Tie young lady tried 1° t«[,^« ^'^'ite moment she was on her -^S'^:^ii;z^lSetS^ '"^ Sgmvted an uiTectionate Pfsivity. ^^^^ ^^^ countess j I jientleman whom ho ever Imii. Ho Imt llie son was as able and ce-tain to ni hliu iili.iosl ever ? lie luciuno a luau, ly opinion, 1 frfcly I 1 Liivc nifl is able ., und cxiiniined lier [' mean, ot conisc,'' Mlge ami talent anil lir and lii!J;Uer breed- iiBB. who during this ind to reco'inize the 1,^ " I must say you ; ,uid you do it very li'scrcfl old aunt liere r piutisaiiKliipisper- wn8 tlie leeipient or ,ni(! crimson, for tills 4akevou. Don't let on 1 will own that ct of all the virtues, m'tencourfgehini to ,ke a wrecic ot a very (vould thinU- tried to V the elllcacy ot this ithcr side, liefore the nut up the youus: lady vicloiy; butwcUnow the superiority gaineU isis has been rcveised ' force and arms. , ot her face changing ir let us talk of some- t ' I'oot dear Edwurd, "ot dar.ger— unless tn- Bliglit stress on these r and daughter. Since nore intimate with you lictler or loves you bei- id took Blanche's hand exhibit some reciprocal moment she was on her trapped into any display opes. She therefore re- iltitude which might be ' pursued the countcssj to anx one who did not A WKEK OF PASSION. 105 know vou as well as 1 do it migiit sconi to be very strange and ro- manlic. proved lo me how sincerely ynu value aiid reciprocate my alleclion." " That, my dear aunt," snld Lady iJlanche, warmly, as she Uis.sed tht cheek ot the stately woman beside her, " did not require any fresh demonstration, riioi)e." " No; but this peculiar ' demonstration,' as you call it, was one that 1 iiiul no right to look for. one which only a girl of your rare force ot character and indt'pcndence would make; anil iillliough 1 iini far from approving ol it in the abstract "— tliecounlesssmileil — " it wiiH very pleasant imd loucliiug in the concrete. Now, my dear, yeslerdiiy 1 took the only rig'it and honoiablo course. 1 .should never have forgiven myself— tiowever strong tlio temptation— had 1 taken advaulayeot your romantic geii'.nosity and young inexperienco to bring about a result wliiub 1 desire and pray fi)r with all my heart anil .soul. 1 have lookeil society thiough and through, and, (pies- tion of forluue and all that i|uile apart, 1 tell you, though you aro my own niece there is no woman whom Tilbury could find so worthy to lie his wife, and to fill the high station to which it has pleased God to call liim." The countess still had about her some of those old-fashioned euperstitions which now charm the hearer because ot the contrast ot the naive and simple archaic oddity with the neat, exact precision ot modern skepticism. Lady Hlanche remained silent. She would dadly have given up every hope she had ot foituue to have recalled or wiped out that act of yesierday. The dilllculty she now had to encounter was how to reconcile her altered lone, atliliide, feelings of to-day, with that impulsive ettusion; how lo explain to her aunt that in 'twenty-tour hours hir generous tcelings had all vanished, ami given jjlace to n solemn conclusion that she had made a mislake— one tliat must not be repented under any inducements. She Ir.'mbled as she thought how nearly impossible it was to make Ihe countess a confldanle of the tiaiu of influences wliicli hadeflected so sudden a change in her feelings, or, to speak more accurately, had so suddenly chilled the enthusiasm of her self-devotion. T^ady Tilbury would look upon her as hopelessly volatile, and frivolous, and Blanche's conscience added, " with very good reason." " Now yesterday," continued the countess, " 1 was not so certain --though 1 was tolerably sure ot the stale of Edwunl's feelings toward you— as 1 am to-day. Dearest Blanche," said the countess, drawing the gill's head down on her liosom, and thus concealing Ihe scarlet blushes which began to mantle her young cheeks, " lie has spoken to me very freely, and there is no doubt liiat the feelings he enljrtains lor you are such as you would desire to find in the man who was to become your husband, those ot deep and strong aflec- tion. In fact, he put it in his own blunt way—' Blanche or no- body.' 1, of course, did not breathe a word to him ot what had passed between us." Blanche started. She did not like this apparently needless denial of what would have iieen a shameful breach of confidence. " Oh, 1 should think not, Aunt Dora!" The countess certainly had " not breathed a word to him of what r. A WEEK OF I'ASSIOJT. asks to Nce you. Bj: uc e. J/ « ""''//V.'Xa , i3,a„cUc released her- .Ic'S'io. wlml 10 .»>■. J-o» '°°^-r,'T "IrvOT ilv-not "■■^'•^My dear, my denr!'' cried the countess, "really such expres- sions^ ire quite '""^kcicled '• j^^j j^i^, '■'"i ff"'mW (he coimln. to Mrseli, while a chill went tUrnugh the e I ^ >'^"- ' ;. ,„ ,,,, ,^11 loreheu.l nn even ulicctionntely. " Poor old Dolly! she «'""• wm palled l>v his cousins and This was the nickname hv ^^»'"'' /\'^.,^„''f,,f .^ t «rf It probably, mtlmntes. and which >'"<' "'J^^^^ J/^'^o h tact ihat it had no like most nicknames, owed »9 ""h'"^" , , {..stene.l. or it precise applicability to the pe on on ^ '^^^ j ^^'Jn.'n.ion to rostnme SiajMmve been given bun iKvm^^ ^j^, ^^^ ,^^,,, „a and toilet. On her 'P*''"^",;"',,,' extreme limits ot cousinly ^?^M:a:S''.Sa;:;K 'n^^:^ -r you to .me: u makes me foel better to see > on! thin, but still nervous „l,lcU s|»rUh«l »lllj I*"'";,. ,.,,, „i|li « 1IUI« Jotccl kusli to o„;rr.«s„.ro".' „.?r »&. .«r * ^ .ot .,» „»« .o ^l,.l 1 mc«n. Illy "";'"•"'"■ ; ', i' n UnowDollS no mo.e, 1 most involuntarily. »"' Ifeing *-''V '™^/;,i ./,,« raise.l the little made a move to draw it away. His e^ es lui , ^^^ ^^^^.^^^ hand to his ips, «n. le it drop. ^ «,J°^;;,f ^^^ her breath held in ioK^S min^a S^rt thil little scene with eager eyes, and i flg to llic iiinmilfl- o iniiUc sickness Hip JDiiit I'llp of (1 liuiit, Mil iitinos- of 11 HicUclminbeT [•(•(I winters ot SI. about Willi ttracL- (IumI, ntttT an ml- tlon lliul iivnie to of siill'eiint;. p by tlie pillows. llni-'st linen, with in irlow of ninnly fullness from liis fnrelieuil nn even \liins liini appear Tlierc was also, on and In lii» nnm- ni the youuj; ttlrl, uul and pressed It hy his cousins and tiiVf, It probably, ict that it had no lieen fastened, or it attentidu to costume h the prettiest and limits ot cousinly it made him smile. of you to come! It n, but still nervous 19, the blue depths of Itlle forced laugh to had not the heart to nerentman. That's^ ittersall's as soon as w Dolly no more. I affection and respect there was no mlstak- ot his hand, and r.l- l)y the position, she I; lie raised the little 1 lato was decided, nd her breath held in, e with eager eyes, and A WEKK or MtHioir* I6d she read Its nicaniiii' willi tin >il)ylllno Inspiration of maternal sdIIcI- tude. She was astoulMlied iti llic caimnisH with wiiich her son, l)rK';i>ii; liliinclie Id take the claiiir hv his side, awked iicr a lew (jues- tfons ahnut her ocfiiputions, w.ih one or two mischievous »IIiihIom» to nun ivhoHC' attentions to liei' bad been conspicuous. Then sud- denly lie said. " By the way, have you sien (ii'orife llarton?" He turned his eycN. wliieh had been inovlnj; about with n sick man's nstlcsHncss, lull upon IiIm ncisin's face as lie put the (jueiy, and In -pile of hcrHcIt, to lier liorrorand vexation, she lelt the wuriii blooil ll\' to lier ch'rk as she icpllcil. " lie was here just now at lunch with the earl." " Gioriie llarton here!" cried lie youii),' peer, turning his slance upon Ills mother. " I shoulil like to have seen him." Tlie countess attributed Liidy lilanclie's warm color to the littlo controvcisy ihey had had dowiiNiairs, but she commanded her own face admirably, and now spoke kindly ot " that person." "Oil, 1 wish 1 had known it, my dear boy; 1 tbouKht it would have been painful to you. He is very bii.sy with tlio carl just now. We will try and get him to come and see you. Blanche, you can nianafie tliat. " " 1 win tell the earl to bring him again," replied niancho, with a sliglit confusion of manner, tor this colic fitci' ot the countess was really too shamefully linmorall " lie seeriis to have laken his fa- ther's place, and become the earl's rii. Id-hand man. They weie to- gether till one o'clock this morning, and they are together now. He suffered dreadfully last night when he heard the sad news you—" The countess's finger ivent up to her lips in a quick, terrified movement. But it was too late. " What!" cried the young earl, starting uneasily. " Then It was? —old Barton, then, is dead! Mother— Blanche— tell me tho whole truth. It only worries me with excitement trying to make out how 1 came to be here." After giving him a rapid sketch of the facts, the countess rose hurriedly, and giving l^ady Blanche a sign to retire, crossed the rfMHH to summon the two nursing Sisters. Blanche gave her hand once more to her cousin, and ouce more he Tiiised it to his lips. " Cousin Blanche," he said, in a voice thrilling wilh emotion, but with a soft and gentle pleadiug in his eyes, " forgive a poor sick cousin's fancy, and leave him a blessing which will do no wrong to the virgin purity of your heart. Give me one kiss on my forehead before you go. ' ' There was an instant's hesitation, but looking into his eyes she read there the epitaph of a hopeless passion. She stooped quickly and kisseil Ids brow. " Thank you!" he said; and he closed uis eyes. Blanche silently left the room. She knew that nothing had hap- pened which ought to alter her decision in the least, and yet— her heart had almost melted. The countess, who haJ slopped to give some diiections to the nurses, returning to the room fojnd that Blanche hai left. She approached the bed unperceived. The young earl, his eyes shut, .1 r.o WEEK OE l'AS>inN. coutBfil down liiit flii't-'lv. c,/,-. inHis,..m... in this "-;^^'^ -" ;, ^ ^' .^ "hJn^J:! ."hcr.elt, •• iiv Ur. way. C'oU..i s •''''' Zi 1 « it 11 oaii. 1 woudci? 1 uiu teiious! ' cnAPTF-n XV, TllK NKT TIl.in'KNIXfi. a, ,t wns bein, driven n.plJly ivom^^Scotlaml Janl In Che cmipe- as it ^"^ '"''"^u ..T l ee excluin«.Hl between the earl ami GeorL'e Barlou, ^^hill , lu "[ '" \,_ .emarkable. so crit- ot the pHV.hofosical P''V'""f "' "!,, 'f ,e c an iters whose tales, ical. big with 'i'«^''-'«^°if„l?,,^;"' emne cS^ within the Se'i.'^S" w"4^o7;«yi-iTis':^"tial that the reader should . ovciheai. , „ , ;, 1.- said the earl. '-^^^"^i^V^^^Cm^^ " your K'-ne'^""^'"«\" 't'h^eS 11 ttke^^^ suspects more '^^p^^i^^^^^ Br »■ "» '• looked silently out of the window, lie could not speak. li;; riuliallit' ot l\ r. Mother, 1 lUcl luulctual wiiimlU ilou lo sec lue. 1 IK'S!* of lUe young l■vo:vin^ it iu lier inuil to lierselt, m Imd ciillfil and 1 woudfi? 1 uiii uiilesn— no, surely y about his tatlier. ll is (luile u»y8- rom Scotland Yard iQnn<;d between the 111 a I rue conception remarkable, so crit- iracters whose lateB, •eutrated within the at the render should five just taken is not i) last night that we ef-" at however uratctul lad 1 been cousidted. A {•oiug to work. 1 may bo kepi out of ihese men lo book." fd 10 see how!" ies it more dillicult. ready suspects more lord— forj?iv<; nic tor ijuaiie to-tluy, that he Hhers In this melau- ly revolted against the t ot the police. )r a minute or two he not spealL. A WKKK OK I'ASSIOX. i:i Oeoruc Ilarton wm «orry lo have inllicti'd thN pain, hut It wim uu Inlimulion rthich, ImvlU'r regard to the foullMH <"• wliirh lie now fctooil Willi thf peer. It would have been cowaidly and wrt)M^r lor him til su|i|ir('fcrienccd to the velcran man of the world— the humble coiimioner to the liaiijrhly arislocral—who had uttered siieli words nn these? Once ||i(> (liiy bftore. in iIk! eveiienient ot a passionate .sceiie, the yo'.mL' mail had vcnmred lo <'|Tcr ii word of consolnllon when Iho iM'ir bad bewailed his fallen dij^nily: but now, In ihis moment ot cabii despondency, lie fell Hint both hl« position and IiIr force were lnadc(piiiie lo ihu duly ot olTerInu; friendly sympalhy and encour- ui;enieiit to such a man. So he kept siliiil, and the earl apprecialed his delicacy; for. so trained were the peer'.s e.vtraoidinary faculties, that H wiis almost an insliiict willi him to observe and to judtre every psyclioloi'leal phase of the characters wilh which lie was in acliial eonlaet, anil this even in hours ot the deepest emotion, \V1kii Hie countess died, and his sorrow was at lis helirht, a bishop, one of his most intimalo irienils, who hnd iillendLiI at her bedside In Uie last moments, re- mained a tew (biys at Sell).\. lie was a man of eminent intellect, renowned lor his remiiikable insiKht into human nature, his singular power ot spjiltual inliospeetion and analysis, his sympathy, his social ./(';«'/<«'. his relij^ious worldliness. So composite and difllcult a characier was hardly ever submitted to human observation, \et, amid all the sadness and preoccupalion ot the earl's .s|)irit, by ua almost unconscious action ol the minil, ho was, undei peculiarly unguarded conditions, aualyzinn his Hight Reverend friend's char- acter; and his iierceplion ot its inner lights and shades, its pro- founder faults and excellencies was at that time so keen, so exact, so Intense, that when, some years alter, the bishop died, and the earl recalled the judgment ho had then formed, he was himself as- tonished at the .justice and accuracy of his appreciations, although they hail not for one moment diverted liim from his overpowering grief. The same klml of parallel action of the laeullies lakes placu in the familiar instance ot Ihe orator when a train of tbouglit sug- gested by some face in the auilience Is carried on in one seel Ion ot the biaiu, while the main argument ot the speech, with all appro- priate emphiiMis and action, is being pursued with uuiutenupted clearness and force. But the earl's faculty was much finer in de- gree. Having reflected for a few minutes, and recovered his calm, he turned to his companion and said, " You are young to be a witness of these emotions, the confidant of these painful and comptoraising secrets; but 1 am gratified to see how modestly you face so novel an experience. 1 have tot long been accustomed to measure the true capacity of a man by the con- scious or unconscious estimate he forms ot his own forces. The t tr^ 'A r,'i A WF.EK OF PASSION. eI„.ciou. cs,in.nt.. -hid. Is o^Y tU;> aevejoped .^ failB from -?'*l^"*tV/iL 3,^1.^1. bcah to un.lcrvulu.; r.ud over- in.leflnilc (isl.male x .id. 1?' ''^ ' J^'"^, odeliberntdy sits down and val..e Lis own rowers \ ^^J)^,'',/', o^^si „„a is ra.x- Tl.e other cavetully culcu'iues his "^ " "f,^;'JX ^h.nrters. .lust now an im- constunlly '"i*'^'^''" '''^■«- '°So ' wo hnve sai.l son.fthing to p,Usive younK man ... f '" ,^!^ ^^^eviS , iLe man of the ^vo.•l(l, done to-day." r.rr.lml)lv unable at the moment to ap- Eveu Oeorge naion ^f^ P™|^?^k 5^^,"^^^^^^ bad extricated both of preciatr the ex-imsUc ^^^^.^J^^^^^^^^^^ con.plin.ent bvonght them trom a paiiinl e™^''^™^^'?]^ ,' ". ..je sense to feel that any ?Jlfl;!;;jl:{J;reln&r^Sr^^ Sd ss :Si^Si s^M^t^=>i 100., .hich Sflrmed the i-tice of the eurVs o,.mon ^^^,,,,,,,,, ^e "Now," pursued the 1'^^, -V„^^^f,\„ nVrse his suspicions, base will, for the present, leave J^^" ':°"\^f,,S, 'u" °o^v was hardly one as they are Ion see tl^J^t the st.p 1 tooK i ^,^^^,^, ,^^^^ about which 1 could «"ly ^;^^;^^^^^^ It was clearly my duty to yo.ir father in my 'i'*"^*^- '''^"^ ; "^ ' ^°"y^i\ i ^ould have asked or " My lord, it was very generous, ii -was an x ^ •wished." /,„„,„„ and that deserves no credit; though, " " ^'"',r^ SI; fn t^'semsroV r c«lturecl a^e, the simple as the world is going m }^'» ^^'"=^'' credit than it deserves." right is getting so rare as »« »'^"°^S„unt," said George Barton •'The only thing ♦»'»* s „^ hCs vou into direct conflict with -was, that this f"«^'^f'"S ^^\feeilitates a rupture. 1 thought K^ptrhtri mighT £vXir ;Ul to see them first, and give IriSe^ntimattn «/ your mtonUons ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ " 1 thought ot tliat l°o> ,f "V{^^"'concludecl that the bolder over the grave «™°2«°7'iVdrd n^^ to see you. bu' your "to-day it is Garbetl, a°^,i "'° "fJL onswerin^— and 1 mean to principais-with a letter which -^.^^^'^^^^^^^^.^^'^^ou uelovs-. and no wait tor the answer;. ^"1. «» J ^''^;^'™g n/ere can be no harm one knows of any commuucation between us n ^^ ^^^ ?n our improving t"";'°g Xt-You neednTbe alarmed. Don't of iniormatiou-quite unimportant you u ^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ tell me fuytb "g you don t -k^^^^^^^ ^.^^ asking toi a list of tli^f "Of,";"";" , ^g could give that to me." ton; of course only one ot the Pf ""^\?/'"" 1^^^. There's been a "'Yes. We know n«*^\^R J^'^""/.;' fo eK" ^^^ "uth, we all good deal of trouble about them But. to el you ^^^^^^ ^^^ fhink there's been f"P« "^^fi**-.,, Ji i,e ddn'l believe Mr. Barton r/e^rCaTaytLl'lkr pTp^s. "i.^Kelk knows what they are." .•Found!" cried G'.7«o°\?';^^'rBave you discovered them, Mr Garbett was satistted. wnai'. nave ju '""^'o you mean to say." said Mr. Garbett. " that Mr. Kelk did not know ot ilV „„.,i,i nnt imvp Bnokcn as he did. He lown-slalrs by the youi principals on ett, sir, t'oui tlie relating to the dis- r. CImrlea has gone nsoon; Mr. JosepU » into the wailiuR- to Mr. Garbett to ■le smiled and held well done? "Why, m a detective; your aw that his response I tact, was positively ig a good deal over bough he had spent ivor in his mouth. •1 thought it was ar- \>y letter? And, by ihe detective, coolly; see you. hu' your rini;— and 1 mean to ) you below, and no there can be no harm want an item or two Q't be alarmed. Don't I've got a letter here )peared with Mr. Bar- give that to me." itre. There's been a 1 you the truth, we all our chiet clerk, was Irt believe Mr. Barton nows what they are." nd'." •at Grayson. , an astonishment that you discovered them, ;, " that Mr. K(!lk did spoken as he did. _ He ossiping about it." suddenly planting him- Hships, andtixinghim ion, the chief commis- [ & Pollard within the A WEEK OF PASSIOX. m last two hours stating that those papers were found, here, in this office, only this morning, mislaid or overlooked on your senior's table!" Grayson's under-jnw dropped, and he jrazed at Mr. Gurbett with an cNprcssion of puzzled a.stonishment. He could not speak for a momeiii or two, and the detective, continuing to scrutinize liis face sharply, could see that apprehension, doubt, suspicion, were follow- ing upon surprise. Mr. Grayson was evidently recalling and piec- ing together things that hud happened under iiis eyes, and it was clear that, whatever the thoughts which resulted from this rapid ratiocination, they troubled him. He was of too poor a mental fiber to hide his anxiety or his curiosity. " A letter saying they have found the papers?" said he. " Certainly— on the table of one of the firm." Grayson said nothing by way of comment on this statement, but Mr. Gari)ett did not require that he should say anything, for it was plam enough that the clerk regarded the statement with incredulity. However, Griyson made a feeble effort to diplomatize. " You see." he saiil, " all that business is extra-confidential, and none of us knows much about it." " Oh, it's all right," cried Mr. Garbett, cheerily. *• In such a big business as yours, papers must very often go astray. But, as they ■were found here, of course Mr. Barton brought them here." "No doubt. He took a large bag of papers into Mr, .loseph's room— let's see— it was yesterday week— but such a bagful as that of course, couldn't get mislaid." ' " No; but did he leave the whole bagful?" " He must have done. The bag was crushed up under his arm empty when he went away." " Ahl well, then, it was only a part of them, no doubt, that the advertisement alluded to." Mr Grayson was refJecting. "It's strange," he said. "1 never knew any valuable papers mislaid in this office bpfore. Everj thing is regularly docketed and kept in its place." " Ohl but in a big business liKe this papers accumulate— briefs, deeds, and soon— eh? I know the sort of thing— tables piled ud with them." ^ " Our l)usines8 is so large that we can't do it in that way. There is a place for everything, and everything in its rilace. The partners' tablr,, are cleared every evening of everything not directly in hand. Tlie reason 1 am bothered about it is that 1 am the one wlio is to blame if theie has been any oversight, for I attend to that duty " " Ah! Mr. Grayson, Mr. Grayson, you're getting old. You have overlooked them," said 3Ir. Garbett, with a facetious leer at the clerk. " No," said old Grayson, who was obstinate in his conceit of bis own mipeccability, "it is not possible. Mr. Charles must have locked them up in his desk by mistake, and turned them out this morning." The detective was perfectly satisfied to learn this much, and he did not push inquiry on thiK polni any fu.ilier. Mr. Barton had brought a big bag, full of papers, wliicli, in Mr. Grayson's opinion, ^'' 1:8 A WEKK OF PASdlON". it was impoRsible lo Unve n.islJ.I In any case, and Mr Gn.ysoiJ vouT.la.a foV the tact that they could "«V\';:'",{u.r;SX To iJc d e pavtDcr8* rooms in lUe nmuuer suggested in their letlu lo the ciutt ''"AUhiTpSt one ot the junior clerics put his head in at Iho door. and said, , , . ,, " Mv rjriivHnn the senior s come 111. . . » The old Vlrk st.uied .md, bc-ging the detcclivc lo wait, went to anu umcp I in o Mr .foseph Pollard. Evidently the solictor did non' "aniline visit with gratiflcation. for he turned paler than he Sshy nature, ami before he had collected hin.selt the words had esciined liim in a sharp and querulous voice *''"what does he w.uit? Wc have written them f "' V ; 'VL ^'^■^^■ vWinv himself he said, " well, show him in, Mr. Graj!5on. Tl,e ctec^^^^^^ "'■inu' on the lookout, surprised an nDS misXce at htm from behind Mr. Pollard's pmn-nrz, but the ^olKitor PI on a, easv nu.nner. and invited him to ake a seat fl s Air Garbelt lid! after deliberately tnkini,' '.ut of Ins breast- Icket a hirtoc et.',ook.iinwin(linffayai.l or two of ^vhat looked Flkeofackshoestrinu'.and es.racling a letter, which he handed in "1"reak?nlI'it'ot'n with a nervous hand. Mr. Pollnr.t ran his eyes laiilV over the two pases, and Mr. Garbett saw that he changed Jn\ ■ His lace flushed hot. and became very pale again, He ap- predated n a moment the fme.4ronic flavor ot Mr. bontasj s epistle. . Snd his queasy conscience felt a sickening sense ot P"' : ^o' * ?ndep"'«'^»l action ot the earl was so sharp a slap '" ll'^ »??• «o clearly inconsistent with the line assumed by Lim-Joseph PoUa... !^iS8leturr to the chief commissioner, and, moreover, the demand I^see the pajers alleged to have been lost was so odd and so susp - ot^^s that ho could hardly sit quiet in his chair, and had the gieat- SrdiSuy in the world in p.eserving a semblance composure Ami theio was the uncomfortable figure of Mr. Garbett Perehed on the edceot the seat, his head on one side in his lavonte altitude «mlldf huge glassy eyeballs staring at him. To keep himself n counenance he reread the letter, this time very slowly. Then he Sed over his "lasses at Mr. Garbett. who. meantime, bad been ia^fstvin- himseff by a glance lound the room that Mr. Grayson h^d to Id him the truth, and that the " vast quantity of law-pape s Slleired to b^ljMngiu the roomot the senior partner was apocryphal A S number ot briefs on a table in U.e center ot the room were mnnledn the most perfect order, and a glance showed that 1 was hardly possible to mislay any considerable bulk of papers amid that *="^^^i^'^S-r'iu5iircd Mr. Pollard. . ^^ ' ^ ,. - .' l";^ed fn the letler. siiLoarbelt of the Detective Department.' ' ■ You are aware ot the contents of this let er t " Mr ^onta"' read it to me before placing il in my hands. The solfct wa^ eylncr the detective very closely, and the latter, accustomed to reading all the lillle signs of. nervousness and anx- fpu" iHhe faces ot men who were fencing with hiin, saw very oTear v that beneath the practiced calm of Mr. Joseph To\UvdH Ser, there was a profound emotion and disquiet. xMr. Garbett iml Mr. GiDVSOu ovcilooUcil in Uiu letUir 10 Ihu chief :ad in at Iho door, e to wnit, went to • ili(! solicitor diet •ned pnlcr than he elt tlie words had ully:" but, te-ad- Grayson." kniit, surprised nu I jiinci'-iuz, but the 111 to I alio a seat. r)ut of liis brenst- ;wo of what looUed licli lie handed in )llnrd nm his eyes V that he changed ale a!,Min. He ap- Lr. Sonlas^'s epistle, 3e of peril ; for * ap in the face, im— Joseph Polla... ireover, tlie demand > odd and so suspi- and had the gieat- liuce of composure, jarbett perclied on is favorite altitude, ro keep himself in r slowly. Then he neautime, bad been II that Mr. Grayson ility of law-papers " iier was apocryphal, r ot the room were ; showed that il was of papers amid that ective Department. " n my hands." )sely, and the latter, ^rvousness and anx- with him, saw very ir. Joseph Tollards s^uiet. 3*lr. Garbett A wrs.K OF PASSIOX. no iho!:.s;ft;,ir[g?^£,«;.'"«- -"" ^'-'^ «i««sy s.„ro, from Urn!' said Mr. Pollard, clearing his throat, anected bv ,i s.wi a d Umal failure, and continuing to watch Mr. Gaibett with a sur picious .ide glance, which thi other fully appreciate " You 5rBarlr-.i!'Se!'' " '"'''''''"' --y ■•"P>'''y wffil'regarj^to ir,J^^ feteotive though flie solicitor paused here, evidently oxnect. ^if P^';""\"[''• ^"""^i"'^^'' 8i'<^nt. niotionloss, alwiiyss " a- ' Mr. Pollard bt;gan to feel irritated by this imperturbable altitude -precLsely the effect Mr. Garbett wisheM to pr..duce as exptr .ueo bad shown i,i,„ that an angry man was likely to n^^kesomJ move men which would disclose llie weakness of his gan.e T^„ J Remarked, ' said Mr. Pollard, raisinK liis voice, " that vour Depar m.nt w-em to have arrived at a conclnsionabout Mr Barton's £v\ you gotTthisr '^ '"' ""P™'"'"* ""^ ^"«'^'- ^^'^""l--' tn,^.^/*'?'*' """^epien^of "11 the lower part ot Mr. Gorbetfs face fndica ed a sort ot derisive pity for Mr. Pollard, if he rrallv s,m iTsimSi; sa!r"'' "■"' ^-"'"^ '° *"^"^"" '"^" " '1"'^^'°" "^ ^ r^l'^ra^'*" is no'doiibt about it, sir, from information which we have recmved. Tou see your own client lias no doubt about it." lor badir' *^ ""' '■■'"" '^^ sl^oul'ler, and damaged the solici- " •'^".f see,'" replied Mr. Pollard, quickly. " but what is the nnt Air a " ,'" r"",''!"":" "'« voice and mnner were a little eaS ;; For the present Mr. Pollard, ot course, that is a secret." you .r inltnicUin'sr ''"'^"' "'" "" interested-who have given wilhdmwT"""' ^*'- ^°"''''''* ^ "°'l'-'^«'°°'l yo""- Instructions were " Well-of course— in a sense— that is so. Actina to the best of our judgment-on behalf of our client- we wrote you that leier this mornmg. It appears that-probably having received .omen expected informat on-our client has p/rsonali; given d1rectio'„sin he sense convoyed by this letter; but of course we are sUll uiin^ as Ins solicitors, and we ought to be informed ot all tha L -o "S on because we may be able to help you nialerialiy in due a'iu f this-suieide, 1 suppose it was. it indeed it si.ould turn out tobf " It is not a suicide, Mr. Pollard," said Garbett, his hujre eyeballs seeming to glow like the lamps ol a railway engine, •'ft l-asT Ci ,n r 'l"''^"""-'' '""'^•''■' ''''■" I^ was'impossible for Mr Pol- ard to repress a shiver at the word. " May I ask, sir, whether vou have seen your noble client this morning?" - " nf 'Jhlli"-^; '?.■■• ?''''''^'t." said the solicitor, putting on a severe air of rebuke to the impudence ot the detective, '' I fear you force str spn^^^^h '"'; '^'"^''^^^'"S! 1 rton't suppose the chief^con n i^! one; sent you here to crr-ss- examine us about our private business You ■'W'' 180 A AVEEK OF PASSION. / -will excuse mr from nnsweriiii; such n (HiPsUon. anil we will keep, if you i)lciisc, strict I V 10 the mutter in Imiul." ^ , .. , ... ^ "Tlie i.mtler in Imnil. Mr. I'oDiird." sal.l Mr. Gntl...tt, irclinlnit his l.eH.1 II little more on one Bide, " is the discovery of tlit nmrdererB ot Mr \ your client, tl.e Hiul of Sell.y. ot wl.ioli 1 imi deterinir.'d if 1 can to uel u sniire. Anv aid, and gave direc- tions exactly the reverse oi those contained in your letter, and I simply ask you whether your client had seen you, in order to give vou an opportunity of explaining." i^ u„>i ^ 'Nvhich 1 must neremptorily decline to do!'" said Mr. Pol lard, shortly and hotly. " \ on appear, sir, to bo exceeding your Instruc- tions. »nd we shall complain to the chief commissioner about your """"asVou please. Mr. PoUaid," said BIr. Garbett, with provoking coolness. " but, In the meantime, my specific instructions are to wait for a list ot those documents, and not to return to Scotland ^"There^again." salil Mr. Pollard, getting more and more Irritat- ed " 1 am unable to oblige you. The documents are piiviite docu- ments belonging to our client; they have nothing to do with your Srles. anil, now that they are found, there Is no longer any necessity for troubllag any one about them. ^' That is not the opinion ot my chief, Mt. Pollard. Y ou see you offered, In your adveitisement, to show a list of those cocuments and we ought to have asked for It before. Now that we know that Mr Bailou has been muidered. and that those documents relate to the business which was occupying him in London and which he was engaged in with gentlemen who one day accuse hira of running away with them, and the next day find them on their oBlce-table, you must see, Mr. Pollard, that we have some ground for inquiring that was the nature of the papers." H»«,„n,i " 1 see nothij:g of the kind!" said Mr. Pollard. "The demand seems to me to be quite Irregular. In any case I should not accede to it without referring to our client and consul mg my partner who 8 absent- and I muit furlhci tell you, sir, that your manner ot speakingto me is distinctly Impertinent, and I decline to have any more to say to you!" , ,, ^ . Mr. Garbett rose, calm, always imperturbably Btatmg. " "^ou refuse to allow me to see those papers, Mr. Pollard? "Most decidedly." »ncl we will keep, Gutbctt, ipclinlnir y of tilt nmrderm ii9 been olTuri-ti liy urmiri'd, if 1 can, rosv lij^ht on that j; with us in this ['•ility for obtnininj? [S iin inipt'iaintuce, ol your own state- re against Mr. Bar- xrl in the inve?llga y the l)yc, wo are some very impor- nccd sliKiitly, and ig on behalf of and ir, alter your letter d, and gave dircc- yotir letter, and I )u, in order to give ' said Mr. Pollard, leding your instruc- Issioner about your ett, with provoking instructions are to leturu to Scotland re and more irritat- ts are private docu- ig to do with your e is uo longer any Hard. You see you jf those documents, r that we know that documents relate to jdon, and which he Buse him ot running on their offlce-table, ground for inquiring ird. " The demand 1 1 should not accede ing my partner, who ial your manner ot decline to have any y stating. . Mr. Pollard?" A WEEK OF PASSIOK. 181 " You will not furnish the Department with a list and description of theniV" " As present advised, certainly not." " \oii must not be suiprised, then, bIi, if my chiefs, knowim: what tliey do, draw unfavoraVile coiiclustons as to your conduct. 1 have only done my ddtv. (Jrlo(^morning, sir." " They may dniw any conclusions tliey like," said J\lr. Pollard, furious. " We don't require to be Instructed by the police either lis lo the l;^l.«' wJ^"rGml..tt luul kit .lie room tho two '"i-^f '^ ";;;" jo,a i -h other ..t;>s,.rtlea ^es uj. ^;^|^i -^{ J .^^J-V Se'^whS £. U^^i^htS-llllU in Toe'B story. w.« closing ofinrl raril in tlieir handT . , ., old man's tone, but by bis manner, he seemed so desperate and ex cited " "Vou m:gbt be overbenrd. o o '^/:^ nf(i tUo door of the ■Ihurc is go -niicli lo igiiriliiij; lliu move- two liiiatTubli' iiifu ({giiril fiict'i*. They roiimk'il l).v iiu ii'>i> » story, wiis closing tliuni. (liitictl nl ll'fi <'l('vi'r- inissini; iloriiniinis. 1(1. ill luldition, i;i\m 11 it WHS a in nil IT of 1 out of llicir ImiiilH, occcdinirs vcrv torn- •lesl'oHatdcinK'lvlei-l itorv of liii* own iIh- ild "Ik' sun- to ailvlsi) lilt Mr. CMiiiilrew all ready on board. "^V" simli dear for Ilavie but we tvill cut Hiiaij-lit across for Montevideo. It Is lucky 1 seat that money to !''uijh. And 1 have about rlvo ihouaand ou Iward la asateiMace. " " We ought K) leave tonight- to-nii^ht, Olmrlje. Mark my words \ve have not a moment to f^pare. Vou Klu.iiid have Fm-u how that fellow looked at me. Did yon ever watch au engine with two liirlits coming up on th. undeigroiii.d railway'? Vou fancy for a Ioul' tiiiie the.y MTb "tationaiy. and by iis I by you become conscious they are coming— coi.iii)--coininj;-nearer, I have often thought wliat a liornble fascination they must have for a suicide who is waiting tor them. A\ell, 1 tbou,t;ht of that whil.' lUat wretch was lookluc at me-lhere-8ltting-8taring like a liasilisk. By G-, Charlie, 1 can't stand It any longer; we'll be olT— tonight, Charlie— toni.dit'" Joseph Pollard's own eyes se(!med lo be starting fronriiis head and the sweat was reeking on his brow. * # ♦ » * * # Garbctt, lounging along the pavement outside, spoke to a seedy- loojung person who was banging al)out by the railings opposite No ]oi>, and to a tall, gentlemanly-looking liian who appeared lo be similarly unoccupied, llavintr satisfied himself that the bouse was being watched as well from llic back, where a room, lookiuc into the yard of No. 153, had that morning been hired by a supposed agent and his clerk, he stationed himselt at the r.itlle Turnstile leading from the Fields into nolborn, to Avait lor 31r. Grayson' whom he had invited lo lunch. While he ^us curiously examining some specimens of engraving in the window of a " lleiahlic olllce '' at the corner, but at the same time keeping his eyes about him a rerson came through the narrow passage tromilolboru who attract- ed his attention. This was a tall, fashionably-dressed man, faultless 184 A WKKK OF TARSK'N. V*' nv,.r ■ •• liusu't k'<>i>« across ou tlic bly alreuiiy. ny .Ji'vi.. ' ^'" nvLT. , ''""="'*?, T, [ tijc very uiiiu to liavo iirrnii-ei! Mcli a Juc Be""™""". ''"H .; '! j f "' „ "vote ^ilbniil liirTiIni! rouml. "h,!,'; aSu ban able to pulo» tbe nal ol FonunWU! «»J Ml.w o G M! iiir iintl BwaiiKcr ikt :)niliett. H jiiL-kilaw ia ii'iii'd rouMi hiiiUluiily ^,iy 'li"> i "'"' ''•*• livi', iiiii'iiHy j;luiU'L'8, iiiiil II lioiiiji willi a I In tliis iiiim'jH clieek It; dulcet ivc, iiinl t'llcU ri'iomiiliim wliKli 10- ilhulf. Aslhc poilc ■• iiL'il llxnl till lii'< tai'iv iiii>l llu;ii, us it liu ImU nil iil(iii« llic wull or K-lmlnuce, I. liiH tii'O wciiriiiK for i.likiilv u light tliwlu'd \u.hiiot liis Uujju jn>v. 10 Mlow we go iiL'arly i(lllii;>kliot.iCliilitii80 I1;h tho s!fccl»;l«t ily. Hy Jovol 1 never » liuvo iirriini;eil -^vch a e the iileti sIiduUI icu^e , 1 woutlerV Untortu- I'lr; up. Ilii! piecisuly, rlioti to lilinselt, \vhl'(. ,r the lieialilifi fusinns uucooletl tor succesBtul vcment, swingini,' hl3 ola'a Inn, an J. tumintt I to see whether ho was , felt piuB anil necales (How tho captain, but a le iinile futile. He was ntcrview with GraysoQ tlshing expeUilion. 1 find your address, my to wutch you to-night, without turuinji round, rurnslile tolzanl's, and his eye on me still," he [ Fortunatus and follow liis own rernarlcuble in- coln's Inn, and turning int up Serle Street to see e horizon. Sir. Gnrbett > Street, the captain held one ot its dingy houses, ,er the tiles, ou the outer ® IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) t ^ /. A i^ /A^^. t^' ^ U. f^ % s I/.. 1.0 I.I 1^12^ 12.5 ■^ 1^ 1 2.2 ^ 1^ llli|2.0 1^ 1.25 1.4 ||||.6 ^ 6" ► R' Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) •72-4503 m M <> SN^ ^\^\ o- ^ '.. ^'" '',[• '"^^.j,,! t^ct was pcrtect- iiulfoa a liltle pt a V "«-'*S,"°';'*^l'^^^^^^ is necessarily in sayin.i? which, quile '^.'^ ° y^" i^V™,^^^^^^^^^^^^ she was nat- implicl. Moreover as 1 <» ">; |/'^\^ S 1 e ti wi woen lier lather \T V'lieif cTi:Ue'"hKfor til tK Sn^le ot one 6f tl>ose • tl^naJ^lli^^J^coLinatJsana^ Ihat i "^ about the ^^i^'^:^^^ ^.^ZZ her. and. Mrs. Barton visited wit J' f ^ '"' y ^^"^ '{'„ i.ar friend at the while the Countess o ^^'^'^y 7,f^' ! ".""t^c '0^!^ ed her to be at n- inKoLr.t an iC^ disliuSn^^^^^^^^ -cie.y. without com- "^^^^P^^^^^^-^ left *^ When the Coun ess ot ^«!^.> f 'f/' '"'' jneviu .lo that Mrs. Barton without a mother's «"P«Vnn^ "' • J.^^f „^'^S^^ mother- sliould become a km.l ot l"f ' , "\S ' "" From the natural charm less pirl whenever she «-as at belbjCastlc^i^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ te even .mpccled by « ''■ »" '™\n"' »™ J'JXisy ol the «Ue crepancy. ro.roTrt 10 the earl's daughter, tha' Now, tt was here, na'^^^V. in regard W the ean ^ ^ . ^^^ the natural ambition of ^rs. Barton bnttea up j ^^^j_ rendered air-tijjht and '"«vnP°?^^^/^„^liJV ,nd a mos imperceptible '■^iT A WEEK OF PASSTON. 187 she made a very inler- iructccl, some thought cinl tact was pertect— 1 qunlitiiis is tiocessarily y hiutod, she was nat- ; time wDcn lier tatlicr iving helped him to the (U'iTl Willi mme solid 1(3, inlelluctiial, but iin- > one's heart warm," as to realize to perfectiou. t whom five were sons. n and slept, lie was a [iiH and loiind, with all rtt she felt it enoimli to liad, tor lie dearly loved ;xample ot one of tlioae el dovetailings of char- ek, in the same relation a f^reat Dutcli lottery— iiillion or so. lilies around her, and, i ii fiiiniliar friend at the 2t enabled her to be at i;d society, without com- ■ her avion 1' itropre. r only daughter was left ivitable tliat Mrs. Bartoa Siviardian to tlie mother- From tlie natural charm natter of course that tlie y deep afleciion tor her; that, sensible and <:ood- Ihe Countess of Tilbury, d then just a little I wins^e e. This, of couise, is an author; tor the Countess if the world to allow it to ndo.ved with second sight icr as jenkmsy ot the wife ihiHiiuee that lady might wholly, to explain that I ween the messages given ic countess and by Lady lis ot the two ladies about 3 most to do with the dis- I the earl's daughter, tha' ittled up so securely, ar.d n" capsuled with the seal- imd almost imperceptible a matron sliould not have , George's intimacy at the castle, in Lady Blanche's intimacy at the manor. Mr. Barton was a keen observer, loo; and it is just possible llmt he ma}' have scented danger in the nlr, .Tiid that, to his other reasons for wishing to keep his J^nn down to a simple life, was added the desire of placing liim ill a situation which would torce him, were he in peril of conceiv- ing a hopeless and fatal affection, to siippiess it. For Mr. Barton knew that, however eminent his son's tiilcnts and success might be, such a passion would be an utteily insane one iu the eyes of the Enrl ot Sclby. The subject, then, was eschewed all round, lltough in the heart of the anxious mother there was a secret mi.vfiireof terror and desire in regard to the state of her son's feelings. Hut, Kuessing the motives of her husband's policy, as her good-sense told lier it was the only right and honorable one, she guarded lierself from ever, by tlie slightest hint, or by employing any of those re- fined tactics whieli are so simple to feminine ingenuity, saying or doing anything to encourage the movements in lier sen's heart at which she had intuitively guessed. Happily, as she obsei ved. Lady Blanche herself aopearod utterly unconscious of any sentiment but regard for a clever and pleasant ncquaintance, while George kept proudly clear of any mnnitestatlon of thesfnteof his feelings, which •was not so minute as to need the microscopic lenses ot a mother's love 10 detect it. 51r8. I^artonhad not flown to London at the first intimation which she received of her husband's disappearance, because H had come upon her in so cruel a fashion as to prostrate her, liodily and men- tally, for three days, and her physician had confiDcdher to her room. On the Thursday night George had not thought it right to send her the news; but on Friday tlie first act of Mr. Charles Pol- laul, when he had learned from the earl that Mr. Barton's absence was noticed, had beea to dispatch a telegram lo Manor Calham in these terms: (Telegram.) Mrs. Barton, to Manor Calham, by 8elby, Yorks. Please wire immediately whether Mr. Barton is at liome. Has disappeared witli a large number of bonds and important papers. Earl is veiy anxious. Reply paid. This cruel and dastardly intimation, which the solicitors launched wittout any regard lo the feelings of Ihe poor victim, they had con- ceived and sent only as a clever piece ot tactics. For Mrs. Barton it wan more effective than a thunderbolt. It was many hours be- fore her tottering reason recovered its equilibrium, and then, incapa- ble of nny physical exertion, sue received from tlie doctor's hands a milder and more hopeful message which her son had thoughtfully concocted; in which he begged her to try and keep up her faith and hope, as he was taking all the necessary steps, ana implored her not lo leave the manor, on the ground, which George knew to be so specious, that his father might be suffering from overworked brain, and might direct his course to Selby. When the earl received the distracted letters and telegrams which the poor lady dictated to him roll;inl & Pollard, Solicitors, 155 Lin- coln's Inn Fields. - -WW & (*>■;• ^•s. ^gg A WEEK OF PASSION. reply m icissuiins ^^^"'VorBtiucllnK ingenious theories to api-easo anxious iloctor f """' /"' ^^801^ Sht liad enougli perHplcttc ty the anguish ot »\'8 P"''^" V^^; ' oTullon left to urge the physlclao of imlKment ami Btrongth or res"'""", ' ^usinees of the SW'lo^livert Georges attentmn from tl.e ui^^^^^^^^^^ JirSUWtK S' ' ot irS. incapable alilce ot thought ana "^X^ meeting heJ^.nU.n.oau.-^^ for no other reason, '^«7"^^ "'^,^"'3 would he beyontl the appn- bevond the resources of '""K"""'" ",,", = «<. .'cnius Tliey belong to Sueven of 1^.^ «"t "/rriestToTaml'Sf.^ .tists have n^ regions 80 sacred that^ the granutsipo- ^^^^^^ ^,^^^^ y Rtteniptcd to set toot '" ,^^«7\?; '\Sv /a. liey have checkw^ awtul and saciod «« ^mn ty <^^t thote i)./un ^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ „^i^^ their teet and retired with s lent ste s. "^ . jg,^,^^^ i,, ,„,a,i; foc,.s may have tr ed '" ^Sr ei^^'ts lo^'aTnt iL whicl; r..anifest3 but the sorry f util ty of "»"J J,, ,',,/!„ \ nivalerious spiritual lan- Uselt not alone in human P«'=';^' ^";/" ''^Vm f 'oni heart to guage ot emotion a"d,l~ems "xlo-n^" unser^J^^ has only the heart in silent «n"g«<^''^„*^ "V'^^i.'n'CifitV so supreme us .>ot even to more conspicuously P°'"^f'|,f° "f ,S ot i ruin (Villi 3"8t enough of its ox\.u J' " -p^tual emotions of Ze.as the Pa^ll^e^^Vt'^SiStShoK commingled sor srief and iudignation. \yheu tut- " fi ="'" " Ba^iuu began to fow o? muiual explanation was over ^'J^^S „,„ ,.,^o.,,ht look an.l look and 'e"l'ze ^ha Uhmiam^^ ^^^ ^^^ upon Ibis noble woman. "'^.^^V'^^^ „low witb a fearful intensity. his soul began to ff>?;:«°i^toTn,u' portable became his lee ings He lost all control ot Inmself . »« '"'"^ P,i rushing to his chambers, that he broke away ^'"^.i*'i„^r a,"l'« ^^ ^"'^ contortions of rage threw himself madly on the floor anu« j^_ ^^^^ ^^ j^.j with oaths and execrations, loud, atei^ a ^^^ ^^^^^^^ ,^^^ never entered into his thoughts «' ?°J'^^^^. ° ' ^sious of his soul leiteraled his vows ot vengeance. The pent up P ^^^^ j,,^ Snd vent in jren.^^^^^^^^^^^^ ,elt-respect had KSa KS^thm^. powe^u, l.^ ^_^ ^„, V r. I chivalry led liim to :er« just afforded the 0U8 tueorlcb to apiieaso id enough persrlcuclty to urge the physlciaa preme businees of tlie Account and thus she >e aUke ot thought and son we draw a veil, if juch a sceue are purely d be beyond the apprc- enius. 'They belong to Idraitfttists have never have, struck with the %Uu, they have checked re and there some light ' angels feared to ticait; nt that wliich mncifesta nyaterious spiritual lan- 3 meaning from heart to leen chord, has only the ) supreme as not even to its own wea'vieas. jc:. and with a triglilful I hurricane ot griet had his mother. She was a dant and beautitui black ren was now as white as eie'shrunkcn; the bright le been exliuguished for- iparable sorrow. Still, it lio aftermath ot sultermg u him, was a melancholy e and beauty left to kcei> ek perpetual emotions ot hour ot commingled aor- 1 George Barton began lo nable crime had wrought passion and wralh wiihm r with a fearful intens^ity. rtable became his leelmgs I rushing to his chambers, 1 wild cbniorlions of rage. and terrible, such as had a his lips, he vowed uud entup passions of his soul uroved how vast were tiie ;ation, and selt-iespect liad ful being. ,, r uDOii the flowers and foU- h were sottly stirrmg with A WEKK OF PASSION. 189 the inaudible breath of a summer zephyr. His two birds, pluming themselves in the sunny liirht, were singing in cheerful notes their evening hymn. And along the surface of the broad liver a golden splendor gleamed soft and heavenly, transfiguring the smoky faces of the time- worn monuments, of the dingy buildings, the irray front of Somerset llonse, the f retKid towers of the palace at Westminster, the floating barges ana darting steamers, the long, curved, granite lines of the embankment, broken liere and tliere by the massive silhouettes ot the great bridges, and seemed to say that foi all that is gloomy and evil and abject there is an hour ot transformation and brightness. Of all this he, writhing in anguich. was unconscious. The carol of the birds and the joy ot sunlight could not touch a heart which was ablaze with flames of wrath and vengeance. "Oil, mother! motlier! mother! dear, dear mother! Oh, father! father! Damned and dastardly scoundrels who have done this hellish deed! Fiends! sons of Satan! wlielps ot hell! 1 curse and loathe 3'ou— all— all who have had any part in this toul crime, and all con- nected with them; 1 curee them, every soul ot them, and all they love, and all they possess! May the fury and vengeance of God blast and destroy them, without one solitary excepticml" And so on— a black and bloody current of fury, turbid, wild, un- restrained, whirling on reblstless, hurling along, in its foaming breakers, the wrecks and ruins of all his hopes and affections; yes, even his love for Lady Blanche, hurtled, bruised, and inanimate, in that cruel torrent. lie seemed to take a pleasure in battering and spurning it. In proportion to tlie intensity ot his idolatry Was the bitterness of his satisfaction in casting it away It seemed to be a kind of sacrificial offering to the manes of the dead, to the ruins ot the living. It was a love that was accuised, because it stood be- tween his heart, and justice and vengeance; because it had whis- pered of mercy, when it really involved a mean and cowardly trea- son to his lather's memory; because it would have paralyzed the arm that should strike with unflinching severity. She! She was the earl's daughter; and in that dreadful hour the earl was the vilest of the criminals. His wrong, his paltry interests of pride and selfishness and fortune, had led to thi,3 sacrifice ot two noble creat- ures, fkis agents had done the deed, and every living soul connected with him was to George Barton's disordered mind an accomplice in the crime. Had the earl come in at that moment he would have killed him, and human justice wouid have struck him down for the commis- sion of an act lie could no more have controlled than he could the tour winds ot Iv 'en. No lay of moi... or material light could penetrate such darkness as that. Amid the roar of such a torrent, and the thunder, and the blasting play ot lightning, even an angel's voice must surely be un- heard; an angel's face, however near, remain unseen! llow long tills transport lasted he was quite unconscious. Suddenly he became aware that there was some one at the en- trance ot his room. In his agitation in entering lie had in: perfectly closed the outer door ot his suite of clmmbers. Two visitors had penetrated into the antechamber, nii'l ireiilly pushed open the door ,.%, 190 A AVEEK OF PASSION. .1.. 4!l like lb.' mane of an unKiy ' o» • ^ *;?,.^' elincheil nml tl.cre whs f.ft ly P,limohe vcniame:l i or '"> "^t"' • ;\\'^, Thuu, with a quick, \Z. 7-"f!-t;. t^.^^uJoi^!*; urSacn. overwhelm- At tbo sight ot tha teartui ^""^""t" " i,„i,,ncu nil the unUuowu aud umliscovereil fountains ot > " »«^'= " , j t„e prophet's r,ent. like the ^"'f « «f "^^ X s el ing llow ot crystill springs waml, ami. torrent tor t„7[™\ "^'i^i'^. ^ ".""of his wrath, of love had come to meet the trbia^a^^ barton's heart. A vivid pang of anguish thr 1 led ^^J^'^^^'^jj^.s',, i*^,„,.icane of teel- switt and brief as liBl''?'"S; '^ ™ '™^\'„ one moment to u!.;. like a rushing, nughty wind w hicl^^ ^ an" <1«"8« coramo- Bweop his sours l'""'"" ^^'^^^ ° ,,'' I, L sifv . in its place, a lion whicu had been raging "'" . ^> ,'^,.^11^ 'Cj the birds in the quick glow of sunlight ^ ^ [/J'^V'^v St. filled bis ears with a wndow. roused by the uoist ami "' ,j„^v_only for an She knelt down '"«'^°^'y;13">'ead rapidly undoing his that had fallen over '»« ^f '" J°iX " wZe eyes this Icene necktie and collar ere LodChude^^ .i^^^^ ^^^^^^ ,^ ...eanr He ran torwa d an seized hei wm._ Heaven's Bl.:nche, go away quick-1 U ftitend to mm y . '""Water!" she said, hoarsely, shaking oQ his hand. " Will you go. 1 say? or must I fetch it? . . ^ ^ j^p^a Charles gave such a thing—" rgo Hiuton loi>kc(l tip. tiding in tlio doorway, M\i bchinil lliuni— two lerriUed fuc38— Lord ood u]) nrouud his head veto licrce and tlainini; ilincheil, and tliere was I! a niovi! lis it lie wtTC ,rily Bhrunlv back a slop. 11 b(T liands clnsped in er. Thuu, with a quick. s hi'art— " GeoriTf Bar- 8t(;pH, and thrrtwiug her V lieart. llie sudilon, overwhelm- alnncu, all the unkuowa I lieen unsealed in a mo- touch ot the prophet's r tlow ot crystid springs ^of his wrath. I Georgi! Barton's heart, fresh liurricane of trel- eeincd in one moment to ilack and dense coramo- sky; tuid, iu its place, a re. And the birds in the nt, tilled bis ears with a llieiu now— only for an \nd then, before he could oving pressure, the blood , he slipped out of Lady 'or. . , ,,. k-uter. water! quick! ;k witli her band the hair lad, rapidly undoing his re whose ej-es this scene the time it has taken to resence of mind, his judg- V— 1 mean, what does this r arm. " O Lord. 1 sajr, 3 bim— go, for Heaveus oQ his hand. "Will you d that Lord Charles gave for the water. Uis reflec- mspected that. 1 wisli to t will the earl sayV Foor ctly dreadtuU Never saw A WEEK OF P.VSSION, 191 " Chnrlie! Chnrlle!" He ran Imck with the watcr-jng. ^e had thrown ofT lirr boiuK-t nnd i: ov,.s, and was kneeling by r.arton'.s side, chaOng hi ,e ,. con hands ,n hor own. so small and delicate, but warm will ifu seemed ihallnMlow and ghasUincsM of death had tall.'n Ur i\ o .-nr run h.ougl, Lord Clmrl.ss frame as he lool d at the fa 'o But he wn.s brave, an ot the impropriety of her conduct, and the far n.ore «t°io. s , ,/. » ^.r<- nf that which it Impor.e.l, there had succeeded a te,.!; eeling. half sympathy, half regret ior his sister, and deep Vorro v tor George Barton. As for her, he had read in her eve aTtl at moment when she so peiemptorilv refused fo le^tve Georivs ^^ an irrevocable resolution, such as he had nev.-r i^nown to s ic^" i; when ,,nce it was orme.l in her mind; She whom lie t lio ight m preL^uable, whom he had seen unmoved by the most b lint sk- ' Zt'on ' TT.arr.«"f "' '"f "p^l'''^' '°^''^'-""'» «1'«3 lovid Ge or^l tt''Zshi'n"itXtseT '"^■"''"'' "'" '"'""^ '° ^«^" ^"'^-'- "* „i i ^^J"'"'," '"* ^.".''^ '" •''n>8'-lf, as lie rubbed away vifforouslv " it's plain she loves him; and it she does, by .love I'lf stand to her " And looking uj) at her lace, which ha-l grown paleauain he eavo her an encouraging smile, frank and manly, and said ^ is coLdngloumi''-''-'''' '"""'''-'• °'"''' '° *^'«"'*'°*'^- ^ "'"^^ he T nnw^iif ^ "'oment Barton opened his eyes. They fell fir.st upou Lady Blanche's sweet face, and then upon that ot' Lord ChiXs Both were lient over him with tender . nxiety. A sbght sh u d er passed through his frame at the recollection of thatLu dream mU of which he had awakened; then the song of the birds resoui ck 1 swee and loud iu his ears, a very pa.,., of^oy. It seemed .'. as If their melody had never been interrupted: and the ™. ],od siiddeiily pulsating through his wholJ system, as he recaneJ Blanche s last ac. he seized the little hand which was in his and carried it to his lips. She blushed, a divine blush of love and X- gin modesty; and Lord Churles. n.uttering, ' ton/ nn' L'',? Ti 1''"" "^ '"'?'''•" "''"'''^' " Ar« yo" better. Bar- Ri^Li. '^n" "''"'' >«",t""''' Kct up? Take his other arm B anche. 1 here, you will be better on the sofa. So. Now 1 sav' ^'?.",'i"''' ?'?.°^^''7ljS« «»" "e»^t now : what the deuce are w^to do Z^*' Charlie!" cried Lady Blanche, taking both his bancs and * "ies," replied tord Charles, with a aide glance at George, who 192 A WF.r.K OK PASSIOV. now tliorouKlilv nllvc to nil llnil lin.l i>hs.«m1, whs looklnir on Mlont, with wonilir n.ul i>aiii nml l.lisH ail coniminglfil. " Hut I iu;vlt saw such II iliui',' ill my lif<'!" , , . ,, , i„.,„. rmh J'.lMiuiicV tica.l drooped unilcr tbo carious, troulilc.l «la"C<' of h.r hiolluT iiiKl lier liciirl tlirol.l.fd. us slu; rfCivllcd tliu sliauRC- ness and siunlfWncc ot tl..' mov.'mcnt to widcli n sudden emotion liad pn..ni.tc'd t.cr with a foiw llial llccli and l.lood ('oiild n.jt con- trol \ii'l Vft tliriUcd with the ecstasy of that (luick revelation, slic'di.i not rcu'rct it. ^*lle had no time to nnalvze her tiioiii;lil'f; Init to tlie touch ol rea«on her liciirt re|.ealed, in helliilu! tones that Ihr^ noon ol love had struck-and struck just and true, 'i f -^ 'i' loved him slie iiltitnow In evcrv tilicr ol lier heinL'; and looking up siivlV Mtt(r n moment (It (ontusion. caused hy lier brotlier spene trati'im look, Klie caUKlit Oeor-.-s eyes lixed iijion lier wth wondei- In.' adoration, lie look lier hand, (iazin!? in each otiier s faces tliev lo'tt all consciousness of anythini; hut their own unutlernlile Lai.piness. Loid Charles silently went ntit into the untechamber. nml leiivinL' the door ajar, paced slowly up und down. Tlicv were alone; the hhds sunn high and clear, and the rays ol thesiiikini,' fnn filled the room with a softened glow. The light playetl upon Hlanches hair, kissing the satin beauty of her cheek. &he had never seemeil to him more lovely. The exci einent had deepened the usually iicntie lint of her sk'.i into a briglit glow, and stran-elv cmickencd the crystalline benutN of her eyes; and her face was transfigured bv that smile ot love whicli owes Us lender mag- ical cliarn) to the s'adness that underlies all deep human emolion. As vet he was bardlv able to realize wliat liad liappencd. lie Bpomcd to have awakenJd from a dreailtul nightmare upon a noon of splendor and a vision of angels, lie cIos.mI Ins eyes and the lior- ?lble rtcollections coming bacU to him with vivid force, he shucl- de red Opening them a-ain. tlie light was all around him, and she was liierc. looking at him with startled but tender anxiety. <•Oh''^\lanch?^ToVe yo.i-l lore you!" lie pressed lier hand against his throbbing heart, throbbing now with the full pulse ot ^"%w knelt bv his side: he throw his arms round her; their lips „,et i. the flrst kiss o! love, while the birds seemed to si"fe' n.ore shrillv and triumphantly than before, '• 1 ^^^ J''.'^-^^" y°" ' ,,,, Slie drew her head back a moment, and pushing the hair ott his brow with her hand, every touch of winch sen a »resh thril^ through his frame, said, while the modest flush deepened in ber luce. •' What can you think of me ^ " Vou are an angel-an angel trom heaven sent to rescue me from madness, and horror worse than death." „.„«.,„ Mo man in Georce Barton's position could appreciate the fine shade ot anguish that had penetrated Lady Blanche s lone ^jlipn sn« put that question. He was too wrapped up in the bliss of feeling that she had owned herself hi?, iu wonder at his triumph, to estimate the lull extent of the sacrifice she had made in anaudoning her woman's prerogative-the risilit to be sought for and not to seeli The avowal that had been wning from her heart in an unguarded Ir A w i:i:k oc I'a.-skin. 10.1 IS looklni; •»' sllont, , " Hut I ni;VL'r siiw )U3, troulilctl ulnncc ■I'civllcd iliu sliauRC- li n Hiuldcn einolion lood could ndl con- it iniit'k rcvuliition, fv her llioiii;hlf ; but llilu! toncH. tlmlllio rue. Yes— ?lio lovctl iL'; mid looking up : her brolhiT'sponc [)n licr with woiidoi- ciicli otIicr'M fiu'cs, L'ir own uiiutlernl)le [o tlio uiitecliainl)er, I down. cnr, and the iftvs ol .■d glow. Tlic light »cnuty of lier clieek. Tlie cxciteint-nt lind II l>riglit glow, and ;r eyes; and licr face iwes its tender mag- [> liunuin emotion. had happened. lie Ijimare ui>on a noon is eyes and, the lior- ivid force, he sliud- around him, and she ider anxiety. lie pressed l)er liand itU the full pulse of •ound her; their lips seemed to sing more jxu — Hove you!" jhing the hair oil his 1 sent a fresh thrill ash deepened in her snt to rescue me from I appreciate the flue inche's tone when she ri the bliss of feeling s triumph, to estimate ie in abandoning her for and not to seek, sart in an unguarded moment appeared more nalund and b'ss iinfciidnlno to him, glowing with (lie hiippln('q« <('d aMMuriiuci', than ii would have dono fiiulil he Imve tuiily Judged it apart from the joy ol the discovery. Jlcrijuick intuition told licr this. " Vcn, 'hIu! said, burylni: her blushing face In his shoulder; " but, Gcoiue, Gcnrge, only think what I have done!" " What you have done, my own nianche— I may call you DIanuluV— you luo my own udw, aie you noiv— imlv u noble soul like ymir.s could liavc done! You liiive lifted n dark curtain which bliiit tmni mj eyes Hk; secrets of your lieart. You have suddenly let in upon iny soul all the light and waniilh of your love." " Ah: IJcorgc," sliu said, raising !icr head and scarcliimr his ej'e.s, " you do not yet uiidevstand what 1 have doiic. I must tell yon all frankly, lor this is an hour (vlieii there must be no secrets between us, and soul must .speak to soul as if in the prcsencf! of a divinity who will make our future liapjiy or ndser/ible according to the truth and ))uiily of our thoughts iiud'feclinLis at tills moment. George— 1 must ttll you— when 1 came to that door with ("liarlie 1 hud no Idea of the real slati; of my heart lowurd you. We have spent many years of constant iniercoiirse and lrlendshi)>; we have met often, and exchanged our tliDiighls freely, but always under tlic restraint —with the conviction that— you know— the conditions of our tsvo lives ailoweil of no closer ties'; and so, as dav succeeded (li>v. there Was no minute when my heart had consciously taken a longer step, or feelings Imd expanded from bud to blossom." "Oh, nianclie!" cried George Harton, " you did not know my lieart; the blos.soms were blooming all over it, Ihouga they were covered by the veil which lioiior and loyally to you and yours, and my own dignity— you understand me?— forced me to throw over them!" "I know— 1 know; 1 do not say that I had not dimly guessed the secret you strove so manfully to hide. 1 will not siiy'that uoiv and then 1 did not feel the chords ol my heart vibrate strangely in your presence and at your words; but 1 am inexperienced; I did not feel it to he all that 1 lud conceived and dreamed of ns love; 1 did not feel— as— as I do now!" and she hid her face agam on his bosom. " One thing 1 felt: that there was no one like youamongall 1 knew —that you had an intellectual power, and nobleness of soul, and purity and warmth of heart, and— yes. let mcsay it— lake your hand oil ray moutu, sir!— and a brilliancy of talent— 1 should call it genius —widen made you siijicrior to n>osl men 1 had met. 1 am not going 1o spoil you by saying more. But you see, George— and you must forgive me— 1 am one of tliose poor womi'ii who are born to a sta- tion—imprisoned in a close circle ot conventionality— bniiight up to deliberate short sightedness- or, rather, hooded like the falcon, whose eyes are only set free by the master's hand when ho has fixed upon the object at whicli tliey are to strike. My Ihoiighls were not free; 1 was trained only to strike at the highest game; and what miserable ,r/»icr most of it is! And only fancy what a girl must feel who Is brought up almost as a bird ot prey." " 1 don't know," said George, a little pang of jealousy Bitting through his heart. " I don't know about the gibie'r, though. It is 'M A WKKK OK I'ASSIOX. «... Tlllmry." Hu was tscull)- stioUlng not lit all nilHHuhU'. Tlicrc U c..uiUosHiu.ainvstO( «n,l mr urn ^^^^^, innms.- „„k..s '■'-• ^'•^■l"/^ '■' ' 1 t . m^ r\vlmlyou will ihiulc Ktld I fill, so tiitiil, 9" l"P>';'''''^'„,. „„, t,,,,,,,9 ^.iiicli try the temper of " *^"''"^^: ..' " a So vUh 'cool Si «>na.svl.ut 'fe.blo Btronii 8ou!>!, siiUl V ,"'..,'• Wi.un 1 see utul hu.ir you speuU- philoscpl'y "f trUitni.lmnt love \| tn 1 «•- ^^^' " ,^ ^„t teilln-. k-^Tronr^flj^^;^^^^^ only "'f '""'"^["''^^J's'iVa^ G.S" ' ou n'ake such .fu-vttcial very h\^U estimate on my iimlerstnudiuj,'. ^ Vou SSJy'm Hot allow mc to cbcrish the delusion ioug ." -.f^\^eli;S^^ ;£Sf i|u. cuH^M^cvut^Je lu aim^ bas happened; ^ome people « ml Icalov^ ^ ^^^^ expected to picU llie one V^^""- ' , > „,.,„„„,,^,„„ settled down upon uiJer sen.e of aissat.s^acl>on u.d h^^^^^^^^^^^^ l^j,^ me. and 1 rcMly lelt f J^],;" *;,;" i„n « iny lite. And somehow onlv possible and endunible '^o/" »°*?P °\ ,/„£w i,e wab so ill; and n,y-henrtmeltedaimetowa..^^^^ 1 became iw^scflsedwih the idea tuaiio„ ^^^^ ^^^^^,^ iiCalill^f co.S-«^ ^^-^ Sd;g,:i.Uhough 1 may have ) wo» gcnlly slioliing I curiously. tH juHl upoti my ll|"t' rut known unly to tlic [iciiL'tl todiiv, i! riully I foolisli mid iiuMiusc- )!• wliiil you sviU ihiiili i reiiUy urn voiy U,m\ ihiHh— thciv is :i little you why I L:iiV(; yciu til \iliu. Ilu vv:"* txT ! ciitirL' iic'i'r,i;.'i'. luul 1 :c ilylnj; llmi I sbouKl ;)\V. BillCf lit'* illllt'ni— . U)vc'a nil' (Ifc'i'ly i>'"l hciiil lually bleil tor notions 1 Imve pnssuil It nil scrms 8o wouder- ilch try tbc temper of iiud Bonvuwliat feeblo ice unil liL'iir you speak - nudi tleptU ot teellnj^', 111- soul is thiui mine, lo yourself au lujuslice, My euioliiius luive beeu p anil yours ot piission, tiu'8 being. 1 have liad sorrow, while you liuvo u make such gupertlcial I think you iUj not set iv riah tbc clelusiou long," us lusci'Uiiible in all that ,t ' proviilontial.' \Vhea areutly, and lini;ireil ou ml 1 knew that his poor I loviuL' pilv took iM)5soi.- l nie, George; anil when son, and ot all the dreary lein tresh, some ot them i.'ly troui whieh 1 was my heart Ihroufjh life, un auess settled down upoa iiy Cousin Edward as the iny lite. And somehow 1 knew he was so ill; and irht to sacrifice niyselt, if s own sake. Imt his niolh- ge, although 1 may have A M'KKK or I'.VSSION'. 103 raii'.'hi "nlle flnshen and ),'Ilnip»e« of a likln'.; for me Inyoui Itehavior now Hill] Ihcil — " "Oh' ' ;;roaned Mr. Uurton. "Hllll, y.)ii must iidmit that 1 had precioun little— liardly more than . I pin-point lo liuild a romance upon— imlil liwl tiluht, 'win n I tliliiu v.iu behaved very badly— wilh Colston looUiiiu on nil Ihu while-' Itiirton lei/.cd the hand on which he liad eounniUed the IrespaM, and Ulx-t'd it Iwice- three times, piisslonatcly. " lltjt. you see, tliat had not hui^pened at llio tln\o I am speaklnj? of, and I seemed to be doomed to just one choice, anil lliero was a little— just u liitle— movement of'my heart that way. So I went and told dear Aunt Doia all about It frankly, and oliered lo iro au(l nur^>e him, and like tlie high-souled, t-'ood, honorable creiituro she is, she said siio could not accept a sacrifice, slie uuist liave love— ft demotion. ' " Uless her!" murmured OcorRc, as lie drew a deep breath of relief, lor never had lover listened lo a more (lis(iuietinj,' luirrallve. "Gcorgcl" cried Lady Blanche, nervously, lor her whole soul wiH in tills confes.siou, and her heart was tlirobbiiig with an.\ioly a-i slie tried to read Hie ellett of it in liis face, for now it liad l)ecbnio life and death to her that lie shoul ,|"/ \V,, [Tad not lost a fragmuut ot that of "««ctipu-8uchasl eat tliebo^ ^^ ^^^^.^.^^ ^j 'TtTw raomcrLUd CU.rto lapped llgUlly »« U,. door. .».! said, , . „,, " 1 sav may 1 come in? , , » „„. and stay in Portman S;^"f,f •^,,., ''^. '"' ,"r>.,ev's chambers, would excuse. Blanche, who had nexei seiu a '>'"'•'/■' "t^ ^ , 'n ^^^ accomi,..ny me up here t« «''n>"S'; o' -^l^'l;^^ ^^^^'/^ear fellow. ffcmVt;.lw\now Se mess? Uallool old fellow, 1 say-are you ill ^«' Charles's gravity or ^^XXroHUr^styS^K form of h.8 1""P\''J^";J "f i tuSly ^ ^ouc of his voice. Sk S.nl^^n^S'^nhrSr a^that of an undertaker, and in the impertuvbal.le g-^'^^''^ »/ ''^f, '"^""kinu George at tho mentioa o^^I£, SITP- S^nd^ ril! ■ ^aS^nd a visible anguisU driven me mail. >!> P°f' ""'"^l. \^^^, i^.^jr is while as ^now; her is simply a»vful. bhe '^i',.^'"^,^ ','^,'e" gves-" He shuddered *npp is shrunken; and her eyes— oir. ntr '-J , , „j..i,, her to speak. PASSIOK. iiT tinners ou his lips; " 1 want you unilerstuod aie— that you d not lost 11 fragmuut ot that re essential to tlio P' rmanence 1 ot my love for you. Weie a lould teel that Uie sacritice of jad bc(!n thrown away. You ly— but in a way that carries ',u. Oh, George, Geoigu! what nu— lloveyiJul" , 1 excited car sung the ouiis, i ?ped lightly on the door, and 'al he went on; ; you know, and it's past six ' Ibis sort ot thing might go on 1 unite lost his head to remind idoii, and that the earl dines at nuer." ussioii. This, indeed, was com- •ithailits blackness. ,0 his inquiring look, tuat; is 1 Lord Charles, " what was in )\v AVe wanted to get you to lelp us to persuade her to come earl insists on It— %vill take no >n a barrister's chambers, would Sou -and, by Jove! 1 should say i know, George, my dear fellow, i I've been turning it over m spooning, and I tell you my coa- \, but how are you going to get jo! old fellow, 1 say-are you ill nity never expressed itself in the waysot the rococo style: that is, lity but in the tone ot his voice, as 'that ot an undertaker, and in annex: , ..„„ ipeaking. George, at the mention Lo his head, and a visible anguisli Laylou, it is this which has nearly —you will not recognize her! It L- "her hair is white as i-now; her oh! her eyes-" He shuddered ut an intolerable sight. excluuiL'ed glances. The young jrave and gloomy. He nodited to A WEEIv OF PASSION'. 197 " George," she said, " in deep, earnest tones, " it you rcMlly lovo me, (IS 1 believe you do, tell us svhat this all means! What is this dreadful business about your fatlier? What is this about your poor motlier? Wliat is the horril)le secret wnicb ;s diivins you— frantic? Tell me— tell Charlie and mc, both of whom love you—" "Both of whom love you," chimed in Lord Charles's manly voice. "—What is this sorrow wliich seems to be weighing you down, and is making the carl look like a walking skeleton?" The young lorn silently approved this list expression, which struck him as graphic, by a nod of the head. Tin's appeal, allhougli it seemed full of peril, was salutary, tor the reason that it obligeil Genrge Barton to divert his thoughts from the agonizing subject of liis mother, and to summon all his powers to the ilouble task ot meeting the anxious curiosity of Lady Blanche, whose ingenuous love, whose generous sacrifice, railed tor some cor- responding frankness on his part, and of avoidinj; a disclosure of the earl's secret, to guard which had, by a shift of ihe weallier-gaga of passion, become once more a matter of paramount importance to him. Pie opened his eyes and turned them on the fair questioner. " Blanche," he said- then, looking shyly at Lord Charles—" you know you said 1 might call you ' Blanche ' now." A smile was her only answer, and the young lord almost imper- ceptibly shrusrged his shouldeis. " Blanche, and my dear Lord Charles—" " Humph!" said tlie latter grimly. " 1 think that under Ihe cir- cumstances, over which, by the way, 1 have no control, you may as well call me -Charlie.'" , j j «» " Tliankyou, old fellow; long ago, when we were younger, 1 used to do so. Well, 1 must own to you that 1 think if vou two had not come in when you did, and if you, dear Blanche, had not brought me angel's comfort, in tlie sweetness of that betrayal which 1 should never have had the courasre to provoke, spite ot the passionate love which possessed my soul, 1 should have become a raving madman." Lord Charles nodded. " ]\ow, you think, very properly, that j'ou have a right to some expliiniiiion ot the ground of these ex- traordinary emotions— the cause ot the pain and aiiL'uisli which brought on that condition, in which 1 am ashamed and mortified lo think you found me; ay!" he added, gravely, in response to a littb i)resstirc ot l^ady l?lanche's hand, and a shy glance of her eye, " " even though it has been the means of opening to me the golden gates of a Paradise at which 1 had so of t-n g.izcd with longing eyes, but with the fteling that 1 was not worthy to enter it. " Blanche, Charlie— J'OU must believe me— you must, if you love and trust me, take it from me— that the secret 1 am carrying is not my own, and that the experiences ot that terrible hour, known only to God and me, must never escape my lips— nc, dearest Blanche, not even to you— tor it was an hour of folly and mudness." " You see, my dear fellow," said Lord Chailes, solemnly shaking his head, "the thing is this. Blanche and j-ou and I are placed, by her astounding coup de ionnerre— -which was just like one ot the scenes in Hugo's novels, where the most outrageous thing that could ■'v'a- 198 A AYEEK OF PASSIOX. M i i50S8ibly happen turns up as a sort of evory-duy evtnt-iu a Ncry Serious post on. Thfre's no use .ouccaliuj; it-now is there. Blanche - hat you two have let yourselves in lor a task to which fh^la .ors of Mercules. or the Chunuel tuuucl, or tht 1 uuuma canal or anything of thai kind, you know, is ineix- child s play. FcrSvemt George, tor being a little frauk-1 don-t want 'o dis- S S > ou. or you Ulanche-ni stick to you now the die -s cast, but niv belie istliat it the carl ever hears ot this we must all nmke u o, r m nd8 to bu Imnged, drawn and quaitered-he'll cu n.e off w th a slVilling to a duuT certainty, and you will never gel Im con- ^■n i you waU till doomsday. Well, my dear George-candor for candor-1 have a responsibility in regard to my sister, bhe is cleverer than 1 am, (liough she is younger; but 1 am a man, and 1 will never stand by and see her happiness compromised without making an ellort to save her. And it 1 am to Iv an accessory bo- fore the lact and after the tact to tliis High-treason and conspiracy agdnsttbc paternal Priam, 1 must at least be satisl ed that my s.s- tei's affection is not lixed-in-ia a direction, you know, in vvhicU n,v own iudgment tells me i. is wrong anJ dangerous to allow it to be fixed You wont mind my saying it. George; you kno^y what 1 mPin? I haven't your facility and elegance ot e.Npression, you know old fellow a'nd I cant beat ubout the bush with de.cate ouDhuisms' but what 1 mean is, tliat-1-1 think you ought to try ^dmts^y us that this uwtul lit of the blues, which we have wit- ^sse vith so much poin and regret, is due to some special, and ex- UaordinarV cause, and-and isn't going to be the regular thing, you ^"lotI Charles delivered this, tor him. unprecedentedly long speech with an earnestness ot manner that inspired lespect \\^iile his tone w ,s af once manly md atreclionate. Some of the best qualities of rh^Eirsh na turi appeared in the sim,^e and straightforward can- dor the delicacy ot feeling, the deep affection or Uis sister and re- gard for his friL'.id.aud the common-sense whicu even ui an hour of emotion would not be diverted from piactical consider ations. fi,d> B anche had once or twice looked at him with appeal in her eve- but he went bravely on. The quaintness o the tomi was due ?o the natural awkwardness of an Englishman in expiesMug deep and serious emotions, and it Wiis perfectly innocent o any humor- ous ntention. though it brought now and then, in spite ot he. self » little malicious gleam into Lady Blanche's face, bhe could not help admirin" her brother's manliness and sincerity, albeit, in her exist- fn^stae of sensibility, she thought the moment was inopportune fo? raifng such a delicate question, especially when the subject ot anxietv had hardly yet recovered from a violent shi)ck. 'rbcVounglord^s words, however, could hardly have been better cho"enl.«d their object been to call back to fertile activ.t^v all the powere George Barton's manhoo.l. They had touched the ngh sprTng and his spirit responded to the ca 1. Uis syslem «aB one of no ordinary temper, lull of health and vigor, and sound to the core with h t soundness which is inherited from a slock of virtuous and Siperite progenitors, and is inherent in u bodv a.d soul whose purity has been cherished as an inviolably precious element of their hature Hence, although, in that awful crisis, the forces of a pow- X. y-day evtnt— iu a very liuj; it — now is there, in lor a task to wliicU iiuucl, or UiL rauiiuia v, is mere cliild's play, k— 1 don't Wiiut 'o (lis- yoii iiov, tlie die 'a cast, lliis, we niusl all iiiulio itered— he'll cut n.e oil . will never K^i his con- eai George— candor for I to my sister. She is but 1 am a man, and 1 3 compromised witliout n to l)i' an accessory lie- treason and conspiracy be satisfied that my sis- m, you knew, iu whicli dangerous to allow it to I'orge; you know what 1 ince of e.\i)re3»ion, you the bush with delicate . tliink you ought to try les, whicli we liave wit- i to some special and ex- je the regular tiling, you recedentcdly long speech li respect, while his tone le ot the best qualities of md stiaiglittorward cau- .ion tor iiis sister and re- ! whicU, even iu an hour i)iactical considerations. ii him with appeal iu her uess of llie toim was due limau iu expiesbiug deep innocent of any humor- then, iu spite ol lieisclf, face. She could not help erity, albeit, in her exist- iioineut was inopportune iallv when the subject ot iolent shoclc. 1 hardly have been better i to fertile activity all the ley had touched the rijiht His system was one of or, and sound to the core m a stock ot virtuous and u bodv a jd soul whose precious elemeut of their crisis, the forces of a pow- A ■WEEK OF PASSIOX. ion erful mind had been straiucd to their utmost tension, though it liad prostrated him tor a time to an extent which, for most men, would have demanded a long process of recovery, it only served in his case to test and prove the tempered elasticit)' of his lieing. VVhi'O to this had been added the quickening actior. ot that snbtU? and notent elixir, administered by Lady Hlanohc at the moment when his powers were failing him, it was no miracle that his nerves had, with wonderful rapidity, recovered their strength, and that he felt liim- self inspirited with a fresh renewal ot energy. He did not, however, respond iinmeiliafely to Lord Charles's ap- peal, but making a sign, he rose from the sofa, and silently took a tew turns in the room. Having ascertained that he could rely upon his physical strength, he excused hiir.self, and retiring for a tew minutes presently returned, the disorder ot his dress and face arranged, his look clear and calm, his manner natural and com- pospd. Going up to Lady Blanche, he took both liei hands, and gazed into her eyes. " HliincJie," he said, " you came to me just now as an angel and minister ot gruce! Now look into my eyes— tlie windows of ray soul — and tell me whether you can catch a glimpse of any of those spirits of evil, those phantoms ot darkness and madness, wliicli yoii just now charmed awny by the spell of your voice? They have tied — thank Heaven and you— they have gone forever! Look here, Blanche "—he put his arm aroiind her and drew her to the window — " two things will never puss from my memory: one is the tlirill ot feeling 1 expefienced wlien you pressed my poor crazed head against your heart; the other is tlie song ot these two birds which at that same instant suddenly liroke in upon my ears with a music of ecstasy and joy. Henceforth, when you are not by me, they will continue the encliantment; their voice will be j'our voice, and" their song your song." Tlie two birds, glancing for a moment with their heads on one siile, out of their bright, beaded eyes, as it startled by the approacU of the young couple, while they seemed to listen to the familiar and musical voice of their master, su.ideuly.stretclied their yellow necks, opened their liills, swelling their dowiiy throats, and warbled forth a melody, gay, bright, clear, triumphant. " See,' he said, " Blanelie, they are at home with you already. They are singing the pscan of love's victory, though 'they do not know how great and wonderful it is. " Now, Charlie," he said, turuina to the j'oung lord, but still hold- ing Hlanche's hiTnd in his own, " 1 am ready to answer you. 1 am not mad, most noble Festus, hut speak the words of soberness and truth. Tell me, 11 jou had seen your mother — whose love and charm you still remeinlieV — as 1 have to-day seen mine, if you had looked upon the wrecii of that which had always been iii your eyes the type ot comeliness nnd perfection, the emiiodinient ot all tliat whs lovable and good, and you had known that the ruin which shocked you to the marrow of your bones hod lieen wrought, not by any ordinary dispensation of fate or chance of lite, but through the cal- culated and deliherate wickedness of villains whose identity you were certain ot, but whose guilt it was not possible for you to prove soo A WEEK OF PASSIOX. without briufilui: trouble ami shame upon some you respecled ami Wrt what wouhl have been the coudiliou of your nnna? Do you Ihin • vHUCO.^ia remain cool anil collected? Do you believe you couia G. ?oS mind clearV Do you Imaglue you could reason wltli the calmness of a mathematician V ^%i?Sm 'llatn! mrishouia ever have to endure such an expeSclMts you paint 'so vividly. 1 sliould lake a hansom at ..ncc *",'''?^{^;.nSc"t?MencSe;;."'Hy"as Barton spoke. Her curi- oslU was c£l iv be .^ortnnt ad'missions invol'ved in his words. W hmrflU he siispect of his lather's murder? Who were the "^''''" ,',L!i,rT^rnr^ctedaiid loved, and on whom, he said, trouble ITZl^^ZScCli'X. Kuiltof his father's murderers to ? sname in Mil. remark, but her clear, active mind Sisinglfed'in ^^lle Zrt to form some hypothesis out of these ""i?wifr'co2tinucrt Geor^-e Barton, " that- superadded, remem- ber to nv Kriet over my poor father's fate, for there is not the Sht^s "foub now that he has been foully murdered-was mur- flS in hVc iciis in that horrible mani.er-that is my esper euce. You can not hen. be surprised if 1 had an hour of a.^ony and even ff adness But as 1 hold this hand in mine, and as 1 hope to live nnd d?e in the happiness of your sister's love. 1 give you the solenin asMifance that 1 do not believe it possible that such a tit of weak- SeVs can ever coine again. In that brief hour 1 seein to have en- nuredai^d outlived Idl possible sorrows, all possible agonies, all Sble tortures of the soul; and now 1 am a new man, strong m ?heCe o aving some day at my side the loving spin that came andSm; out of the valley of the shadow of Death!" He pressed her hand to his heart, and looked at Lord Charles with the iilow of sincerity and confidence in his eyes. ' ' B.rton '■ said the young lord, much moved, ' 1 believe you- and 1 S vom e.xplanation-j"st like ymi-you're as eloquent as in.lon or Gladstone, but not ijuite so dilluse-aecounls, to some exteu for the sla^e in which we found you. But we must talk o ?hit aiain Ve must insisl-eh, Blanche? -on your permitting us To sha?evour anxieties. :*lany shoulders make a light hurden, ana ovS vmi^a en' an Alias. However, there's no time to discuss that now ^ And then we've got to consider what's to be done about you r #n.Vi r.i sooner have cut my hand oil that have allowed Blanch?'ocoineo?he top of those stairs if I'd known what was in Sorefor us' But-there you see-its just ns o d-Mouncey always lod to sav alter he'd got awfully drunk and hit a proctor at Ox- ford -FhV devil was in it;' and so-l'm-1 m awfully glad, old f e low • 1 really don't think there's a better fellow living. imUhe young lord grasped George's hand with some emotion, while T adj' Blanche rewarded her brother with a kiss, i-ady Blanche, rapidly putting on her bonnet and gloves, turned '"" "tSVbad b"'o alone to M.S. Barton, if you will intrust xne with Se mSon. George? 1 may say that 1 have obtained your approval of her loiuiug home with me, may 1 not? X. loine j'ou respected and )f your niiiul? Do you ; "Do you believe you igiue you could reaaou mve to endure such an 1 take a bausoui al once irton spoke. Her curi- is involved in bis words, urder? Wbo were tbe I wliom, he said, trouble is fiithei's murderers to '. her clear, active mind bypotliesis out ot these al— superudded, remeni- ate, tor there is not the ly murdered— was mur- -that is my experieuce. hour of asjouy and even e, and as 1 hope to live e, 1 give you the solemn bat such a fit of weak- lour 1 seem to have en- all possible agonies, all n a new man, strong in le loviog spirit that came ,wot Death!" looked at Lord Charles n his eyes. iioved, " 1 believe you— >,i_jou're as eloquent as II use —accounts, to some u. But we must talk of V— on your permitting us make ti light l)urden, ana ;'8 no time to discuss that at's to be done aboui you u)d oil that have allowed if I'd known wliat was in ist lis old'Mouucey always and hit a proctor at Ux- 11— I'm awfully glad, old ir fellow living." liand with some emotion, with a kiss, •onnet and gloves, turned Barton, if you will intrust that 1 have obtained your ay 1 not?" A WKEK OF PASSIOX. 301 George Burton read a meaning in her eye which escaped Lord C'huiles, and assented, lie could not at tliat moment )ia\ u borno the excitement of an interview witli his mother. At Lord f'hnrlcs'a suggestion, he and Ilarlon were to dine in the city together, and arrive at Portmaii fjciuare later in the evening. " And one thing more," she said, before she went, as she gavo him her hand, with a bliihh in lier cheel<; " something 1 hud nearly forgotten. Aunt Dura charged me to tell you that Tilbury wants earnestly to see you; and she begs you will go to-morrow about twelve, antl be sure not to let anything prevent you, for my poor cousin's state does not admit of crossing any of his fancies. Now, mind, slio counts on you— and so do 1 !" " Ah!" groaned Lord Charles; " then, you may depend tipon it, he'll go." As the young lord escorted his sister to the carriage, for ho per- emptorily refused to allow Barton to h ave his cliambers. bethought, and said to himself, tliut he had never seen her look more beautiful. A sudden ripeness seemed to have mellowed her charms; her face was grave, but glowing with tbe warndli of love; and in the In- tensllled brightness imd firmness of her glance be read not only a sweet, solemn happiness, but ttie ardor of a great resolve. " Egad!" he murmured, as he returned upstairs, " it anyone can manage it, she will— but it will require a miracle. The only chanco 1 see foi them is that the earl should get converted by Spurgeon or General Booth, and renounce the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, which might induce him to eat humble pie. "Either that, or George's turning out to tie the grandson of a marquis, with the wealth of a Monte Cristo. Ouida, now, could arrange it all to a marvel! But confound it all, as 1 said just now, uotning more im- probable was ever conceived of in a novel than what has Happened; and now that we are launched on a career ot romance, the impossi- ble may come to topthe improbable and prove theold gibe that Irulh is stranger than Action." When, two minutes later. Lady Blanche entered the darkened parlor occupied by Jlrs. Barton at the Salisbury Hotel, she was in- deed shocked at the ruin wrought in Her friend. Prepared by George's graphic desciiption, and more graphic sorrow, for a great change, the reality txceeded all her anticipations. The poorwidow, in deep mourning, lay on the sofa in a nerveless attitude, her hair, now quite white, coifed under a widow's cap, her pleasing, comely face, looking as if a withering blight had passed over it, and those fine brown eyes, which used j be so vivacious, become sunken and dim. She was so irrecognizable that for a moment Lady Blanche was almost going to excuse herself and retire, when the melancholy figure motioned to her to stay, and covering its face with a band- kerchief, lield out a band that looked white and thin as that ot a specter. The thoughts and sensations of the young beauty, after herself passing months in the brilliant ga}'eties of the season as an object of general admiration and envy, when brought suddenly face to "face witli this sad ruin of a fine woman wete profoundly painful. For a moment she seemed glued to the floor. She had to summon all her forces to enable her to avoid a cry of astonishment, and to »09 A AVEKK OF PASSTOX. 1^ stran 4 thr "l through the h.nguUl heart of the wKlow. ^'^^^^.:^t^}^S^ZS^^a.e. 1 I'ave seen hin,'. 1 bave just come ftom him? and-loar Mrs. barton-clear mother. ' Thi'Aime^t'w!" Su'e who .-as claspe.l with nervous joy to the earth, and sorrow and crying wore done away. CHAPTER XVll. DRAWING THE STIKO. ' ^r^'j^^s'^aiie'Sirs^s^e'^iis;^ KSln^^frrinTe^yS whiclj his ^o-gt^^l--^^'^' ^« U« a. y'et by - -.T^J-fl^l^ Sl^n^^to' i "i.f^^^^^^^ oppor- ■§MMmmm A WEEK or PASSIOX. 203 ahnttere(J ami broken- t ot allcclionntc solid- L'lt-commnml and step- sseil tliL- Imuil extended licr hc-.d Jind tried to ^eelni,' licr dtoop, Lndy lUciwing the sorrowful, md ttided cheek of the Ic before the sultering omen wept a while in ith desperate energy, as strong, young heart, ot ig, there was sonietbing her own existenre. ex(iui8ite tact, sent a .he widow, meaning that ^Irs. Bnr- nnd blushing the tears of the young girl. The thing in the word which and clearness, sought to ideed was biirslinff with le of love and sympathy, rice that sounded in the 1 me. 1 have seen him! rs. barton— tlear mother, ;d with nervous joy to the d1 a new lite, and toi a f heaven had come upon ivay. II- [NO. rouse his uncle from the about the advisability of foresight bad provided, he up the game, to his hands most oppor- rc ot a Russian jjriuce to )uilders, who sold her tor \tes. Her name was the s Clyde buili, with beautl- were luxurious and hand- ay trcm memory as well as ct could have been offered tlantic in this superb and conitorlable craft. But, unhappily, neither of the inteuilir.i; i>.i.s- scni:ers wun in a humoi to appreciate the a'sthtlic aspects ot su( li a '•oyage. Cliarles Pollard, In the course of that secret life of pleasure whicu he had led, had become used to finding himself in positions wlitro evposiire would have ruined his character as a sober and trustworthy man of business. Hence he was cooler than his uncle in this crisi'i of their afTairs, since he believed the earl to be at their mercy, iioi- withslan.ling what had occurred, and the only two pcoiilo who knew .'inything ot the connection of tlie Pollards witii the crime were Vales ami Scbultz, the latter ot whom was out ot the country; so that the nephew wiis for putting a liold face on thiufis and run- ning the lisk of discovery. Ele hankereil after London and its gay life; he shrunk from admitting his guilt, as he would do by Uight — from being hunted through "the civilized world by Justice with her Ion;: telegraphic tentacles and her conloundtd arrangeuituts lor extradition ot criminals, besides, denioialized as he was he still had an aftection fur his wile, the daughter of a brewer who was in Parliament, and his two children, whom he would be obligtil to leave bihind him, tresh victims of the crime which had poured out its streams of blood aud sorrow iu so many ilircctious. .:\fler, there- fore, lie had stirred up his uncle by di^cussing the ways aud meuus of making good their escape to South America, he turned again to the subject of their position, and endeavored to convince his senior that whatever suspicions .Mr. Soiitng might entertain, it was quite impossible for him to lay hands on any evidence ot their crimmal- ity. Bui Joseph Pollard's intellect was now f|uickeiied by peril, and not H single point of danger escaped his keen and practiced judg- ment. H'i said, " You fortret. Charlie, that young Barton probably knows ot the forgery of those transteis. 1 reminded you of that before. No doubt he knows as well ot the deficiency In the rent account, so that it will be imp()8sd)le for us to explain the restitution we made last week, and wnich, I feiir, will turn out to have been a useless waste of resources. The evidence as to both these facts can not be suppressed. With two such chariros against iis they may try to fix us with the capital crime; and bow do'you know that all' the agents Yates has employed will be trustworthy? In any case, 1 won't risk being tried tor forgery and embezzlement. Then, again, the earl can fix us for all that money." " He will never do that. "We have only to threaten to tell the countess everything. He shrinks from that as he would from death." " Possibly; but be may even risk her knowing all in order to gel his money back or punish us. He has a masterly, overl)eaiing spirit, and is a perfect devil when he's crossed. 1 judge from this letter that Sontag has seen through your clever trick ol reproducing the papers, and doesn't believe they were lost. That sets him at guessing what object we had in the maneuver, the advertisement and all that. Every card we play seems to be trumped as soon as it is on the table. If be suspects us ot one thing lie will aoou begia S04 A "WEEK OF PASSION. »i to suspect us of another; aud remember this, we don't know bow iimtb tbcy know." luu'\^Su■i' Poillr.1 strove In vain to sbfike the eldev partueis nnnll un tliesl. iXb, in which he was so accurate und so un- %T themiddle of their discussion n knock came at the ^oor and a clerk Immlea in a Inter. C'harle. I'oHa: \ after a glance at the su- ncrHcript ion. tore open the envilDpe. .i,i„ u inoUv '• \Veli." he said. " it you are determined to go, this is lucky. Alv friend, you linow, tlie captain— " ^" i)_u liitn •• wild Mr. Joseph, with a shudder. •• Is now wa'itiu" t(.r me. I e says be has somethmu important ,„ pan, u nicali 1 I ro miscd to give him the balance of that money oS 1 wi Jio "d tell hiu,'to order everytbin, to be ready lor ft s u'l The rendezvous is the Three Tuns, at Grayesend .lose Sv he wate w 1 e e 1 will have the captain of the yacht waiting to TaCusofl Yates «as to have met me there this evening anyway. He cauijbl up his bat to so to rlement's Inn. •' Stay"- said the uncle, whose tacullies were now all alive. " Where are you {;oing to meet him?" "At Clement's Inn." , , «.. " Have vou ever met hmi there belorei; •• "ever^ But be Bays in bis note it is a safe place- he rooms of a f fiend You see it is a very unsuspicious address. Had Mr^ Charles Known what was the fact, that in the chambets referred to ATr or •' Ur " Scbultz bad beeiwconcealed during ins latest weeks h! LoudotT his slaten^ent would have been conflrn.ed. though not in '"^•ZdouS'til^niSss; Charlie, don't you go. Af.er that lettef of SonUiiT's. and the visit of that dreadful luan. 1 f o<.ld lo ho II e least surprised if our movements were being watched. Just fook hirCl arl e 1 haven't spoken of it before." He turn.Kl his Sr round toward the window and put up his glasses. The room was in"he trout of the mansion, ..ne of those noble chambers which we deiVnc-a I'V Adam, or some other architect of the Georgian e,a with windows down to the lloor. "There, he said to is nephrw " yri'ave sharp eyes. Keep behind l''«.c'"^ "''' «;'^ ,, ,f ' ?ook out and see if there isn't a snort, seedy-looking fellow with a 8oU black teit wide-awake on. slouching about anywhere ••C •• said Charles Pollard, turning toward his uncle with a faceSch had pale.l considerably. " He is some distance do«n, leaning against the railings of the garden. '•1 fhouL-bt so. 1 nearly ran against him when 1 went out this morning to" Westminster. When ! came back 1 happened to look S^t of window, and saw him standing opposite, it seemed o Id bu r8l7oud not have thought anymore about it except for that el ow's v^il and his insolent manner. We are being wa ched-a1 ill events In our situation we must act as ir we were. Wr le a note o your man to tell him to meet us at Gravesend, and to telegraph nrrtprs to the vacht to be ready to sail at midnight. ,_ , , •'You are ri'S Uncle Joseph." 8«id Charles Pollard as he went to bis room to" prepare the letter lor Captain Yates. His manner g, we don't know bow ikc Ihe elilc! partner's ) uccuriile untl so uii- ■ame at the tloor, nnd a tier a glance at llie su- id lo go, this is lucky. udder. IB sometliinu iniporlant B l)iiltiucc of that money ef.Ytliiii>; to be ready lor lis', at Gravesend, elosu ol the yacbt wuiling to ! this evening anyway." Inn. Bs were now all alive. safe place— Ibe rooms of iU8 address." Had Mr. be chtiuibets referred to (luring his latest weeks ;onflrnied, tbougb not in n't you go. After Ibat ;adtul man, 1 should not ire bLing watched. Just before." lie turned his -> his glasses. The room ise noble chambers which icliitect ot the Georcian ' There." he said to Ids liiud tlie curtain and just 'dylooking fellow with a ^bout anywhere." loward his uncle with a e is some distance down, im when 1 went out this l)ack 1 happened to look pposite. it seemed odd, ! about it except for that iVe are being watched— at ir we were. Write a note •avesend, and to telegraph aidnight." liaries Pollard, as he went jtain Yates. His manner A WEEK OF PASSION. 205 was soher and crestfiiHen. The sensation ot being watclied as a crimiiml by detectives can hardly fail to depress tlm most Inioyaiit nature, especially when there is 'a guiltv coiisetence within it. A man nuist feel the .jnildoor yarning and not far oil wliun the man- catchers are after him. The boy who hud comu witli the note hud lieen directed to wait lor an unswer; and Cluirles I'ollaid, now suspicious of every one, sent for him to his room, ami after u look ul his lace, whicli told 1dm he hud betoic him ii gallows-bird, dressed ns a lawyer's boy, cautioned him to get away as quickly as possible, and kcej) the note out of sight. Tlie youn.g hopeful wliispered to himself something like " Gran- ny," as liis (lurk, wicked eyes leered at Mr. diaries in a knowing way. Enforcing his caulio'n with hall a sovereign, which Ihe youth with a wink slipped into his sock, he dismissed him, and returned to his uncle's room just us Grayson, whose lace was very red, and who spolie tliickly and hurriedly, announced the Earl of Selby. The two partners only had time to exchange a glance before the peer walke;l into the t'ooin. Never did that consummate man of the world deploy with greater brilliancy the resources of his wit and experience (lian in this daiing raid into the enemies' camp. 'Willi the most excpilsite ease he ad- vanced to the two solicitors, and saluted thein with that mixture of urbanity and condescension against which it is impossible for men not born lo the manner to struggle; wiiilc lliey read in tlie cold glitter of his gray eye, and the sardonic smile lurking in the corners ot his moutli, a triumphant sense of strength which was calculated in Itself to chill and depress their Bplrits. There was a certain slift- ness in their response to his somewhat patronizing nllability which proved tlie inferiority of their diplomatic capacity, In his present Luinor it would iiave required a gentleman of the highest culture, and one nt infinite resource txndjinesse, to match the peer. " Good-morning, genlleinen,'' lie said; " 1 am lucky in finding you both togetlier— and 1 hope disengaged— as 1 have something important to say lo you." lie took Ihe easiest chair he could And, and laid his bat and stick on an adjacent table. "Your lordship is none too soon," said Mr. Joseph Pollard, bluntly, " to explain to us, as we hud a right to expect you would, the serious step you have taken without consulting us, and, 1 must add, in direct violation of the common understanding between solicitor and client." " Sin'-e I liad tlie pleasure of seeing you yesterday," replied the earl, w!ih a clinrming assumption of naivete, " 1 have taken several impuiiaut steps, Mr. Pollard, on which 1 did not con.sider it neces- sary lo consult you. Which ot them is It that has come to your Knowledge?" " The particular one lo which 1 nllude," said Mr. Pollard, senior, " is one which has procured us the honor of this communication from the cbief of the Detective Department— such a communication as has never, during the long history of this house, been addressed to it. " He held out the letter toward the earl, who was within arm's reach, but who did not appear lo notice it. m Me A WKRK OF I'ASftlOS. V" '"•^TCTnroth^r iuformntion, estnbli.l.es the fact, la the.o r [SS-S^S'ninllJ^Si^e K.; power in .ringing ^'Vlle^rSnot rtlu::h«'r excitement in his chcei., not a trace ot It '^V'^IrS '';rhS'wUhl"v.:X'advertisem«nt ana the oij«rges a^rninSt Mr BTrtoD-l expect hefore you had tal^en any action, eadi Mr Clmrles. wili. a malicious smile on his tace. papers. "' lie glanced sidewise at the peer. Tlie earl started. ., „„")'• '"Tf.f earl noticed, without seeming to do so. the malice ot Mr. Ltiu^'impoX/^hat'sucta bulk'of documen.s as that could '%V"cirirPoll«rd bit his lip. and his partner's eyes tell, but the "S£S-^^^^aS^Srj;:jS;.-tone.asa il tlie etul. • persisted Air PoUftrcl, riHl i!i lli<; fnc" mud to wave liarlc tlic ler would l"- addrcssul rsiiinds lis busiuess. I they wish yon to uivc rtoii's lati'si iiiterviows 1 assume they liave in ) himsfU, and that lii^. IV loiiucr Ilial poor duar tor ruuniug uway, was CMS?" . , •e llxed on Mr. .looepli inifd liis filiinre on the nvc peuetruted and ths- 'a\ his senses and given ck to llio nerves of lUe on was murdered," 3iiid rl of Tilbury liad made dies the fact, lu tlieso ffer iu my name a largo rs of tliat most liorrihln uere was to direct you to ;now 1 iicvei authorized, 1 your power iu bringing lis cheek, not a trace of it tiscraent and llie charges liad taken any action,' n his tace. ion, "We had found the ey had been mislaid; they am. We have them sate do so, the malice ot Mr. ! earl; and glancluK round re in that Targe bag— but documents as that could partner's eyes tell, but the nv li>rd." nd tliough the tone was a A WEKK 01' l'A8.si()\. 8o: little exaggerated, there wua no doubt Ids hoiirt went with It. " May 1 a.sk 11 that mortgage is ready tor signature? 1 should like to have the inidter .settled iil once. 1 can cvecule it now. •• it_ii_is not nady, my lord; and alter the manner In which you have aclid, whlcli api"iearn to be iiuite incon.slstcnl with any 'furllirr Irlenilly rcliilionM lielwcen your lonLship and onrselve.s, you nill liiinlly be (iurprised it we feci ourselves iiound to decline to rciuliT vou any furtlieraMsistiince in these nialter.-i. AcliiiK loi tlie CounU'Hs of 'IillMiry, we niiist retpiest you at once to n.ake up tlie sums ;iilvaiK.'ed you on tier bcliall, and to clear her interest at l.iiilou from the charge" tliat lies uixin it. We know the reiiuest is lueina- ture, and i)etliapH ineouveuient, but we arc obliged to act in the in- teresl ot our client." In delivering liiis speech the elder Pollard assumed his loudest and inii«t insolent tone, into which he endeavored to introduce a Dol<- *iire ot n rovciini). , ., , i r. i The imliiriil l>nilftlilv whicli liiv nt tin- bottom of Mr. Joseph I ol- liir.1'8 niinire l'oI the better or llie worse ol lilni iis he beciime roii- BcloiiH how cleverly the pen Imd out;,'encriile(l them by hl« stinteglo murcii In the renr. He tried on u little loiigh siitciism ot his own, but It wiis ot tho kind which Is a piirt ot the vulKur repertory of ltlllluj,'»i,'iite. "They wont L'et them," he said; " there arc ii ^ood many ac- counts to settle befon- vou ^et those papers. Sn my lord, you have been to Mr. llucKluyl. to whom we introduced you behind our backs? Wo shtiuhl never have expecle:<'ntleman. We were under the mores- 8loD that we were deulinK with a man ot honor, or we should have taken care lo protect ourselves." ir a tlusli piissetl swiftly over tho pecr'scheek, he showed no other slirn ot aUL'er. Ills lip» were still curved in a smile, but. had the two men laken tho pains lo uiork it, they would have found it a very tertiblo ono. " Forlunalely. sir," he said, coolly, " 1 had ceased to he under »nv such in.pression in reirard to eilhei of you, and 1 have acted ac- cordinL'iy and 1 can iiardly consent to accept your judgmeul upon any tpiestion of lionor. I naturally took slops to protect myself nL'ainst two knaves who were trying to luin mo. ' , . ., noth tlie men were furious, and seemed about to speak togetlier, but llie earl held up bis hand with an imperious gesture, and his eyes llaslied lire. "Silencel" ho cried; "do you dare to defend yourselves? I will show vou that 1 do not speak lightly, or condescend tt) mere vulgar irritation. 1 speak seriously. Will cither of you venture to deny that 1 am nddteMing two men-solicitors of the High C ourt of Justice-wlio have been guilty of embezzling r vast sum of money from an estate intrusted to tlieir hands-wiio cons|)ired together to swindle me in order to cover up tlieir own trauds. and who forged my name to transfers ot sharen? 1 know it ali-1 know it all-imd Ihave pioot enough to justify immediate action. Nay. more, I • have now a clear insiglit into your devillsU scliome. ^ ou eou d easily liave raised me that money it you had cliosen. so Mr. liack- luvt assures me. at the very time when you pretended It whs not to - be lound on any termn. 1 understand uow-unhappdy, too late— what your obiect was. You coDCOcte wliU'li iiK- lyinu ic I will more thitii covur •m licriinic more iind rl'a li|m in cK'iir, linn , whicli lie Iviu'w (io they were oven to be m of Mr. .loscpli Pol- III iiM he liL't'iimc con- tlu!!ii liy hi* striUcgio ni, liiit It WHS ot llio f Milliuj,'»Kiit<-'. ! lire II nood iniiny nc- Sn, my lord, you Imve ixil you, beiilml our of a iioliloiniiii, or any ere uiuUr the iinnres- jr, or we should uavo jk, he she well no other ii Buiile, but, had the would have found It a id ccaswl to be under 1, and 1 have acted ac- l your judBUieul upon ei)s to protect niyselt 110." out to speak together, riou8 gesture, and his lefcnd yourselves? I or condescend to mere Ither of voH venture to rsof the 'High Court of ; R vast sum of money I conspired logi'ther to rnuds, and who forged all— 1 know it all— and [\clion. Nay, more, 1 1 scheme. You could I chosen, so Mr. Hack- pretended It v'lis not to -unliappily, too late— airanuement with my r crimes that my moutb led to your own long- 1 believe in my heart, he accomplice of some ily, jour machinalions A WKEK 111' l'.v.«*siON. «ot lot you, bill I, who hold the kPV ot the im^ Itif yoiidiiiel" linv iallr, whole pull' faces had lengthened, while tlicy sliiicd at him ' silent oa tliat matter, and hand over thoKC papers without any lurtlicr tiouble, I will send for a pulicemau and give you into euDlody iiu* nii'dtately." Uoth the men shrunk before the earl's eyes, and a cold sldver seemeil to pass llirougii them at these words. They knew the peer to beipille capable ol execullnir his llireal; and liie very lilea of heing within tliu iron jjrlp ot the law, on wlialev(;r charge, completely fri^'hlened and subdued them, with that horrible sense of guiltinesi which WHS locked up in llieir breiists. Adieu tlie " Vera " and uU chance ot escape, if the enrl were not iippeasedl " 1 don't know wliul your lordBliip means by using such Inriguago to us," said .loseph Pollard, with a cowed, sullen air, very dilleieut from tliat hu had lieen iiileclliig. " liul we liave no desire to part with your lordship on any but amicable terms. Ot emrse, it yoii don't wish it, nothing shall l)e inliniated to the countess, and we will carry out your lordship's instructions as to your papers to-norrow." Tlie peer saw tliat it went sorely against the lle.sli tor the elder partner to say this and the younger to assent to it; liut his jrlnnce did not for one moment rcla.x its sternness, while a smile of contempt was on bis lips. " U is at least as well," ho said, riling, " that we should under- stand each other. You have grossly deceived mo, and villainously wronge „o build his susi)iclons; but there was quite enough to alarm na-n already on the rjnivive, who, moreover, were begin- ning to feel that depressing sensation that the Fates are hunting them, which enfeebles all the forces, and especially paralyzes liope. They speedily turned poor Grayson out of tlie room, sending him home in a cat to prevent suspicii.u, with a mild reproof, and began rapidly to make Iheir preparations for evading the net whicli tlieir fears and the incidents of the day only too clearly showed was being drawn around them. CHAPTER XVlll. THE TRIUMPn OF LOVE AND THE TKIUMPH OF DUTY. When Latly Blanche and Mrs. Barton reached the mansion in Portman Square eight o'clock had just struck, but the ear! liad ordered dinner to be delayed for half an hour. He was feverish and disquieted at Iheir non-appearance. The day bad been for him, like tlie day before, one of trying emotions. He had succeeded beyond I? 21-2 A WEEK OF PASSIOX. ,,„. :„ ,i,at Biruen-lc to keep Ills honor, outwnrdlr-nt his expectntu ns in Uia. s;^"?-'^ j vaiiMuisliea ami boutul at his lest, ""'?''"";'' „,.Jnw Sit he '»t'-«P''V?"t'lVLtwrviS to their own oonsciet.ces. vioUins "t 1 « f«»K»- ^1^ X" irsl .ignillcaut aol ol thai cspiuon; ""£*;' ^- 1 ™i.!M, T Rflv Blanche had ndniiuistered to the paor when all things IwcomL equal !>■ pride or hope; when up to «« P'«:,«:^,'} '"%°J„3'^^8^ t°.e vo d creatert^by the loss of some "'^ ^wnh^tt aLSn^^^^^ "'^^ vacuum to be Euf^Tv «nl « iCuuS com^ But here, in the midnight of an filled hy any substiuitett comiot. „ ^ j^,, ^ luminous utterly hopcess f"""J!' "f,,fi;\,,e „,^^^^^ and therefore most that, terr oie as w u» perform, hopes to cherish, a future that S be Lwe y mTtiat'stSli came by testing and that only must oe uiiivcij ' . ,„ ,,.j.,i aim fiplirniplv need the painful Is honor, outwrn-dlynt sheU ami bomul at his able to say thai he hud concerned, r..iil thai he », tor ho meunl to bear their cvn oonscieiices. ige iu the lighlncbS ot ! expiation ilue to other a to his house, lie liail It act of that expiation ; envoy extraordinary of ied sensibility, attached I he endeavored to calm ! Boinloir where he was ! over a pile ol evening )n aFloientine table he- lulil he had taken Mrs. p his voice and manner, bwever short a time, he I's integrity. But even the bitter cup ot repent- ulniiuislerea to the paor jrtully inspiriting effect iband, she had gained a ■ must be at its last gasp when the soul can wake " or pride or hope ; when ated by the loss of some !h of that vacuum to be •e, in the midnight of an filled with a luminous ecret, and therefore most dy Blanche, the proudest II life, loved the son who 's eye. She did not think rh, dominating spirit her It that whatever Blanche leed the young lady took ike a cliild. She told her ruck her down, the noble I to cherish, a future that by testing and that only ilicaiely used the painful i-f upon the son's mind to js, and rouse her to the s, by exciting all the beat ged to revive, gently and ntaci ot her own vigorous enumbed fibers of the tro- lysterious humanity is the imp.ilpable, so spiritual, 1 system, which no apothe- A ^VEEK OF I'AS.SIOX. S18 caty's medicine can affect, will be revived and healed by a word, nn idea, a note of music, the voice of the presence of love." To Mrs. Barton as to her son the gentle ministry of Lady Blanche had brought a spiritual elixir. Her eye had bfighttned. and her tan^ had put on a more calm, resinned, and forcetul-looking dig- nity ot sorrow. Strength was beginning to come buck at the touch of hope, So tliiit by the time she reached Portman Siiuare. Lady Blanche, who hiid her own plan of action sketched out in her mind, and was bent on executing it after her own conceit, had succeeded in per- suadinir the widow that she was strong enough to support the meeting with the earl and the futigue of a ritiiet dinner, although at first she had begged to be allowed to spend the evening alone in her room. The young lady's programme, however, was arbilrnry, and was based not only on a consideration of the salutary elTect of rousing Mrs. Barton' from her torpor; she wished to strike, and strike forcibly, some chords in the heart ot the earl. For her quick, active mind had been retlecting upon certain words which had escaped the lips of George Barton, and her feminine intuition had already gone a long way further ahead of the facts with which she was acquainted than ■was consistent with the pn'ncipia of Baconian induction. This young but cunning diplomatist remembered that as yet her father had no knowledge ot the devastation wrought on Airs. Barton's lace and figure by the shook she had sustained. The fatal telegram tiom Pollard & Pollard, which the widow had shown to her, aroused ber indignation, .ind brought a Hush ot shame to her check. She could not believe that her father had had anything to do with that cruel action — one so utterly out ot harmony with the old-tash- ioned chivalry ot his conduct, especially toward women. She guessed that he had not even heard ot it. If so, why, she asked her- self, with an astute suspicion, should Pollard »& Pollard have sent such a heartless message without her father's sanction? Why was it that the earl Lad at first accepted the .solicitors' theory, credited a dishonorable libel on the elder Burton, forbidden any communica- tion with his son; and now repudiated the suspicion, took George Barton into close confidence, and oflered Mrs. Barton an act of hos- pitality which Lady Blanche, who had remarked the anxiety he felt about it, shrewdly attributed to its true motive— reparation? There- fore this j'oung lady, with a diplomatic indifference which one can- not too strongly condemn, as to the feelings of the parental subject of her political action, had designer! a surprise tor the earl, in which she hoped herself to surprise some precious indications of those se- crets which ho and Ge.orge Barton— poor masculine mortals!— fond- ly imagined they could keep concealed from a woman's wit, and that woman Lady Blanche Layton! And as tor poor Mrs. Barton, she was a pawn, or a queen, or anything you like that is simply stationed about at another's will in this cunning game. In accordance with her plan, Lady Blanclie did not go to her father on entering the house, but sending him a message that dinner would beserved at halt past eight, and that Mrs. Barton would be there, she hurried the good lady to the room which had been as- signed to her, next to Blanche's own, and assisted her with her own hands to arrange her dress and hair, which the young girl began to nu A WEEK OF rASSIOX. §i.. think looked very l.eau.itunn iu silvory whUe..^ Z'S^:^^ iililsgsisi ^' y t a ™a o" two he evi,lenlly struggled for utteruuec. "Mis Biirlont is H possib'.eV" he gasped out. • HI... e 4^ "(Tui e nu Hg-ny in his tone, but he stopped short T e '^«^SS;''-'^S-Ked>^n|X^Sd. •• My dear Mrs. Bar- '"?• FoS%'oTiaX What have you done, except to allow your faith 10? ft litUe while to be disturbed by appearances? lUat-1 have already forgiven. " know-" he cried, in a hoi- your husband's memory!" vliileiiess over tlic sott, cliDosing for lierself n without any other oruii- :h her miilliet had liRcn ■anx—lh^ jour den m'/i'tn 1 Ivd hei to the boiuloir i still (lnylife'hl withe 11', aiict! of which was suli- t when the euvl rose iiml on which they hiul biiu igh he was uol remliiiLS liinii bcyoiul a tlnrk liu;- idow's cup. But when 1 WHS just about to opt-n le knew so well how to en gray eye lighted up through his tramo, ami ;le{l for utterance. t he stopped short Tlie irise, and his chivalrous lustbe. lie c'anced for as if to say, " Whv did h in the least. Holding little pressure of encour- ig up the widow's nerves ch circumsiances w(>nieu men. Einotion is their th more quicldy than the 1 feeling; and hence they itimesevcn with tVliat was tliis l)iisiiiess, not of nn ordinary nature, us sue liad sup- posed but " ot vital importunce," wliicU had broughi the elder Barton up to London -wliieb was now oecupyinjr the earl anil George Dnrlon together— and which appeared to lie uumannuig them The carl who had cone to the MbrRry, had not sat there many minutes when Lady Blanche cnteied, bunging liim a cup ot tea. to uive her counieiiunce. Her lace was pale, but determined ; tlie cup trembled in h< r hand. She tound her father silting moodily in an aim-chair his head inclined on his hand, nn altitude winch she knew implied dejection; ioi Ids niiturnl pride and vivacity l without moving— a tact in itself significant, since he always set his sons aii examrle of chivalrous and punctilious politeness to women. IIo tried to smile, but the smile died away before it was liorn, and left an almost ghastly contraction of the lips. Then he molionod to her to come near him, and laying down llie cup on the table, she threw herself on a low ottoman by his side. " Blanche " he said, reproachfully, why did you not prepare me for this' dreadful change in poor Mrs Barton ? It was rather thoughtless ot you to allow me to be surprised in that fashion. It nearly knocked me over. 1 could hardly have believed it possiole that in two or three days such a fine woman could have been so terribly alteied by grief. She looks twenty years older. It is dreadtul— quite dreadful!" . ., . , " Dieadful indeid, papa," she echoed, in a deep voice. And it would be moie terrible if you-I mean if any of us had, even in- advertently, contributed to it. ' , . , , . .c ! There was an under-meaning in her tone which his fine sense im- mediately perceived. He had been looking on the giouud: he quickly flxed his eyes on her face, elevating his eyebrows inquir- ingly. She saw he was startled. " What do you mean?" he said. , , , " My lord, did you know anything of this telegram? Shehcld out Ihe fatal slip of pink paper. ,, » Taking it from her hand, he rapidly read it. She saw his eye dilate, his nostrils begin to quiver, his lips to compress lightly. For a moment he appeared hardly to credit his eyes. Then he read it aeain slowly; his breath came and went painfully; his face blazed up in a sudden wrath; aud drawing a long breath, as it he were 8 pnneprric wns sweet w item of inli'lligynce. mlure, us sue Jiiul siip- Imil broughi the elder ci:p}injr llie enrl nnd tolieuumaDning theiu ad not sat there many ng liim a cup ot tea, to lit determined ; the eiip T silting niooiiilv in nii nn attitude wliidi she e and vivnoily lu'pt Ills of physical or mental by some extratudiuary een liim wlui; he waa iss, or, einee tliui, ouca is eldest son. For noth- ve been guilty of an act ' his name or ilie honor jpression as his altitude t might with impunity ane which did not grate er glanced ni> witliout e always set his sons au littness to women. Ilo >re it was lioru, and left I'hen he motioned to her on the table, she threw ly did you not prepare Barton ? It was rallier Ised in that fashion. It lave believed it possible nan could have been so aty years older. It is n a deep voice. ' ' And any of us had, even iu- which his fine sense im- ing on the giouud: he ng Lis eyebrows inquir- is telegram?" ead it. She saw his eye to compress lightly. For 8 eyes. Then he read it lintully; his face blazed )ng breath, as it he were A WF.r.K OF PASSIOK. 21: Rathering all liia forces lor some mighty eflort, he cried out, in a voice loud, strident, intense, as it he had thrown into it all the moral energy of his being, " God damn them I" It was not au oaili. It was a solemn prayer. The words, in any case, are little more than a i)opiilar, reduced edition of the commina- tiou service, wliich ] remember was in the Hook of Common Prayer the last time 1 looked at it, and was, 1 believe, the production of some very reverend and holy persons. It is their too frecpieni and ingenious application by the vulgar to inadequate cases which has given tliem the bitter llavor of profanity in the mouths ot well regulated persons; but I trust in the present case, where they ex- pressed the violent revolt of the earl's entire manhood against the cieatures who had launched lliis dastardly bolt at the widow ot the man they had nmrdered, the Recording Angel hud no ditDculty in contributing the oblileralive tear. Lady lilanche, who could see and appreciate the feeling with which they were uttered, was not shocked by them, as she would have been under any other circtim. stances; tor lliere was a genuine solemnity about them— a healthy outburst of Indignation with which she sympathized— and, more- over, they relieved her mind of a great anxiety. It was clear the earl had never heard of, nor .si«n, this message hetore. Still, having thus relieved himself, after the fashion in the East (only in a concentrated triple extract form), where a man, after call- ing down curses on his enemy and all his belongings in the most dreadfully minute and dialiolical manner, suddenly calms down and takes a chibouk, the earl mastered his emotion, and said in a voice which was gentle, though it still trembled with the after- throes of that mighiy eruption, "Forgive me, Blanche; 1 could not restrain myself. These scouuiliels— " tie bit his lip. Again she saw that he had checked tlie utterance ot some vivid tliought. " It was so heartless and thoughtless!" " Yes, papa. You were saying ' These scoundrels '—by that, of course, you mean Pollard & Pollard?" "Nothing, Blanche, nothing," he replied, quickly, " My head is a little troubled to-nighi—naiurally— alter seeing that poor lady — these solicitors are 8U(;h fools— they really annoy me — fancy their having nu more .sense than to send such a cruel, stupid message as that! Ot course it seems as if I were responsible." So he ran on ; but Lady Blanche thought the symphony was alto- gether too weak for the overture, and she was not going to be put oQ with that. " Papa," she said, with a slight severity in her tone, " you did not say " tools '—you said ' scoundrels;' and you know you began by saying" — she gave three nods —" something very much stronger!' The line diplomatic nose ot the earl scented danger. Nay, his ear ami his eye detected that lliere was something working in his daughter's mind. Was it merely a vngue curiosity? AVas it a feminine intuition of which he, an old expert, knew the miraculous power? Or was It possible that George Barton,miglit indiscreetly have given his mother some hints wliich she and Lady Blanche had 218 A WEEK OF PASSION. H*k" < iscert ... tl full strc.^tl. of your mlve.sao's ,.o.iijou. We wis^we couU rcM...rl Lis 11.ouk1.Is «ill. H.cir ualuml rapuh y lie Sll 10 her i.. ll.e gentlest pos.s.blc ...uuuer. w.th a touch of pr".e.l? or is y!,ur Inajes^y ple.u^CHl to deuuuul any further u.tornm- tiou'' Or whulis your iiiiijesly's pleasure/ •• Mv ml thlH is no ioUinn .nailer; this is serious-, •• What is seriou.r' interruplea the call, vivaciously, and, Blanche thought, looking her tl'';o-'s;'' "jY,,'/'™""''. „„out Mr Bar- • • \v-i,.. nil th'it is now haniH'Uinu,— all tnis uorror aooui ijn. "ji the adversary a..y informalioo. or even any hlut. of that which -ho ^'The\"?rS down ..pon hei at once, and >vith son.e severity •• V hv nTv dear child, what on earth have you lo do with hese matters- ' 1 a^m.e can measure and n.ect.ny moral responsih hty ntlv B£clU"Ba;^a^^moment that il she remained on this «ro.ffisSTas"lol?. and ^^^ ^-^rrl'^r^^Z'^trSlVn^ lict trom the arena of argument to that of emotion where snt ivue fhe earTwould be as little at home m an «?l'^'.<=^ °" '"nut her arms She suddenly slipped on her knees at his feet «ni\P";; ^" f™' ro,md him. and Rt that mome,.t he. mother s ^'^^.^-if^^^Jj of this suit a <;olcl liesltiitwl lietwia'u tlio liicb Hcemeil to hv. tho iiin till) exact state ot viuty of his situiitioii loiiiiitic rule liaiiij;, iit ■ mlversiify's jtosiiiou. leir iialuriil nipuUiy. iuer, with a touch of hull up hefoic your my lUin, to vtiify ilic ilhuts arc to he iutur- l any further iutornm- scrlous— " III, vivaciously, ami, ■0U{;h. horror ahout Mr, IJar- , tor which, of course, ■se mysterious couver- and trouble— nud all il with your solicitors; :ea hilly undertakes to he should at least take plomacy, and not give lilut, of that which sho with some severity. ! you to do with these my moral responsihility ly daughter— tP^f'. IH— ith my agents without loulil you liuestiou me h u young gentleman Iv designate as George A's and troubles? Tell you to this indiscreet ou geuerally have some I she remained ou this insferred the entire cou- inotlon, where she kncv rich on the ice. teet and put her arms lier's cross, quite inad- eve, and sent a shoot of red well the purpose to ick him as peculiar that ular niftht. All experl- nk from sentiment ana ! disturbing to the calm A WEEK OF P.VSSIOy. 219 wliicli cynicism aflects, and in the si^cond place herausu they know them to 1)« perilous to that perfect 8elfcomm;iiid which is the essen- tial quality of an atcomplisiied worlillliies.s. Anil this while cross, us well as Jllanche's iiiauuer, gave him asoit of vague presenliment tiiat tliere wasHomelhing serioiLs and euiotionai in the air, like the electric state of the atmosphere which precedes an laithqiiake or a storm. " l"apa," she said, " yoti must not he stern and ironic with mo, tor I love you loo dearly to hear il wllliout pain, and you know I am all that is left to you— of— of— " lur hand suddenly sought the cross, and slio i)rc8.seil it to her lips. " Ileiuemher, I am no longer u little jiirl, 1 am u woman; ami lam capable now of undersianding the causes ot your anxieties. I can not shut my eyes to the tact that you have them— that they arc grave and worrying— tliat tliey are tfyinir your m^rves and making you li se iour self eommind. " The earl starled; he liad been looking, as she spoke, into those deep, lustrous eyes wliich met his cold, suspicious, inquisitive guze with equal tenderness and resolution. Was il possible lliat she was so clairvoyant— that he had so far b-etrayed him.self? ile was an- noyed at his own weakness, as Samaou' must have been when ho liecnme conscious that day that his slren^ith had gone from him, under so exiguous an instrumentality as the scissors ot Delilali. " Yes, my lord," slie went on, in a stronger voice, noticing the movement, " 1 have seen that you were nervous and tiouble: 220 A WEEK OF l-AfSlOV. 'h. i I ot vour trouble. You luRl now rcfcrrc.l ironlciUly to n duty whlcU f o\vI'l rmjaolf.ami' which y.n. w...e ^,m\ enough to say wa« quite .nou^h to oceupv my litiilteil lnlellit,'ence- • I (lid not Bivv Hrnlletl.' •• You implied it. una 1 u.lmlt It. 1 would much rnlher that uiy Intensl" or myhn, pine«s. Imdnol entered into the .im-slion; 1 should Ke o h'liv '"eU tl . t 1 w,;« deserving ot yoiir .onndenee. "iid euiMi- ie. t ol erin- vou at least some of the sympathies of love; 1" I ' 'O von mU I e o It 1 must tell you that 1 Have a deep persouHl Inl.r- b^t in 'learning tile nature ot your troul.les. ami iu their hai>py sohi- "°"'You?- ho said, quickly. Tlien lie thought for a moment, a curious mix ure of anM.ay n.ul gladness animated lis teatu.e.s. •• Oh did on Bce Tilhury to-day, then? What has taken P-iC'e -Why. my lord." she said, like a liash, "what has filhurj to do with vour troubles?" Checkto the king. •■ There yo.i are anuiu," he said, peevishly, and turning his cjes awaj Sm'her clear'.a/.e. " Ueali;-. Hlanche. |'' «,'^ '!";;";'"[''il From what you know >..f me, do you hink it likel> tl»'»t 1 ;^lll submit to Ije cross-exanuucd in this way by my youngest chil.U •' Wd it be so very strange, my lord supposing y^ir honor and hai Piniss-and mine, too, were at stake-for nie lo .juestioa vo ? A • 1 re.nenibor now I" h^he rrled out BliHrp v, as f sorao lulcen I'd. bad been let in upon her mind. "Tilbury told o that oW M liarton had come up to I.ondon to se t e the acco t8 ot the Tilhurv estates! Father- father-surely-ll is not possible! There is notlung wrong in those accounts? , , . , , The shot was a chance shot, a singular inspiration, and t told with deadly effect, though tlie fair artillerist did not know whj. An intense pallor whitened the earVs face; he caught her arm ex- citedlv and said, in a low, Irightened voice, ,_.,., „, „^„ '•Why. Blanche. Blanche-what do you know? What I ,Wf, yoa heard? Who has been saying anytbinc? ^yhat do you me ;i; "So theie is something, my lord." she said, brusuing poav all bia oueries "which involve? our honor and happiness! ^ "Pooh!" he ejaculated, angry and moriifled at l^avujg J^feu /^ft.iDht in so simple a trap. " 1 have admitted nothing of the kind, lonly feared tlmt some one hml been gossiping about my affairs; and 1 can not allow that-1 wou't allow that! •• Mvlord there is something-1 know tliere is-somelhing gravo, serioS drekdful-something between you and G'-orf Barton- Set hing you are anxious to conceal-something winch holds hua back from raving justice done on bis talhcr's murderers! Do yott know that it has nearly driven him mad? _ Barton's mysterious words had suddenly recurred to her : Scoun- drels whosb guilt it was not possible for vou to prove without bring- -Dff Shame upon some you respected and loved, ^he peer turned upon his daugliter as if he hai Imbcii stung. "What is that to you?" he^said. fiercely. "What is George Barton to you? What does it matter to you whether he is mad ot sane?" iciiUy to ft duly wliicli oil euouijli to say wa« ;t' — " nuieh rnlUer that my ) thc(|iii'slion; 1 should confldi'iKx', iinil ruim- tliJL'sof U)vo; l)Ul KincQ ft ik'i'P perBoiml Intcr- ail in their huppy sulii- iipht for ft moment, a uiimntcil liis teiituies. hftt has taken place?" "what hiv4 Till)ury to ■, anil turning liis eyes le, this is unemlural)lo! ik it lilu'ly that 1 will ntiy youngest chilii?" aupposing your honor le— for mu lo questioa )i)t Bliiirplv, u9 if soiuo 111. " Tilbury tolil mo I to settle the accounts ely— ll is uot possible! inspiration, and it told iliil not know why. ; he caufiht her arm ex- know? What I ivf vou Vhat do you me h' pt to lie true imil sin- llmt. Bill 1 tlioujihl I ilclHiRlnessotTillniry's 1 liiivc foreHeen so iioiiii('(> him! Trenililing, hi' ran forward and SLizcd her hand, while hU lacu, covered Willi a sweat ot a^'ony, In nt over her. " lllaiiche, lllauelie: for (iod's sake don'i look i I nie like that! 1 have done wriiiii; — I have done wroiii.'— lint iinlliiiij,- sit base lis you Imagine, nianihe, voii Mimll know all; I do m.t deserve lliis diead- fiil dciniiiclalion. Oli. I'.liiiiclir'. lilaiKhe, take back tliosu wnnls if you would not break youi tatliei s lieiirll" Mis nioveinent bnike tlii> s|ie|| ot licr pnKnion, and under tlio reaction siu! sunk back a liiile, willi one Land on her heatt. She li>iiked up at him, rej;ielul, appealing. " Fornive nie, (alhei!' she iiiurinoieil, in loA, biokeu tones— " forgive mt'! 1 see in your bici! tliiil 1 have wronged 3011: but oh, father, father, you see how 1 lovo him! And you wronged liim sol You charged lilni, wliom 1 knew to bo iiiiioci.it— wlioiu 1 knew to be Haerillciiit: liiinselt (or ymi— and me— you eliaiKed him wiili base- ness and de:'eil— and tliat— in o'ller to win me! And I had just told vou that 1 loved him, aiui I knew it to be liil.se. It cut nie to tlio heart— and— and 1 don'i know, bin il seemed suddenly as if my soul took tire and I must (ii)eak Hut you will forgive meV" ;^lie felt his hand tremliling in la rs, while his lace looked giave, troubled, irri'solute. The impulse that had led him to her side, and lo the eiuoiloiial weakness ol his suriender and ajipeal had been » very complex one, defying analysis; tor soniu of tlie- causes weio moral, some asthetic— the classic gniiideur ot her pii'sion, for in- stance— Home i)liy«ical, some si»irilual— such as the superstitioi:-! in lluence ot the cross— and some resulted trom a rapid aelioii of his mind and judgment; but one thing that had not animiited hiiii.T,a» any alleraiiou ot his feelings in regard to George liarton. Ami here, Willi that strange, one-ide.ied iierliiiacity ot woman, alter terrifying him into a eoiifo«sion— iiu incredible i)ertormance— and in the very act ot imploring his forgiveness, she vindicated and lUUrmed her love. Vet he was conscioub that, although she was on hor knee.s at his feel, in the attitude of hnniillty, tin: moral victory was lici.s. Any man against wliom a moral accusation is leveled by one whose owa moral position is unassailable must be a poor creature if be caa fancy that that which is true in it docs not attaint him because it is mixed with false, or is not forniiilaied with legal precision, if Lady Ulanche had not caught the exact truth, the purity and generosity of her motives, the undercurrent ot justice in her denunciutiou, hadi struck vitally home; and we have seen by his words Hint, while he flinched from the exaggerations, he was too noble to deny his guilt. And now, wlien slie avouched jouuu Barton'.* integrity iind candor of action, he felt that she must have had good grounds for doing it. X 2U A WEEK OF I'ASs-lOK. The nntural iustness. the chivniry of his nature told "eearl tha he hm 3 dngenerous. th.it .li.appointn.eiit mul anycr had warped hts ud. mcnt that Barlcn couM not have acted vyilli him and to- Sr^ in afhe had done yesterday «"v»8 a duty to he performed of even greater importance than the satisfaction of his self-esteem. In tlie strength of her own moral position, she could not but gather greater freedom in raking lier own confession. BlushinL', hut frank, and eloquent with the inspiration of love, she told him all. Lord Charles's hair would have stoolr Barton? But there are two pressing reasons for imracd. "^'"^''Kvlioiintl them to me, most wise Mmorva!" " 1 ^^P V re l)ecoming yourself again-yon are getting mal ; ciou!; hu.5^;:ev are Sh verj^ sl.ious. One concerns you personally. •' K dear father It flashed across my minu while yon were anything about thai. :: TSertJ-Mr-lSon. Don', yon sec what is l.olding him ^"^^ a^ii^^rin? S;::;rw;S^;;r;mile •• .h. n.ero is a stroLge? reason than that, which 1 hnd_not Buspectetl; it is the j»di'1icacv of his regard for some one else. w,.oi,in(r < Tlmt inav have somclliing to do with it." she said, blushing violence to his feelings on one side or tlie other. The earl started with surprise at the instness ot tl"^ nppreda^ion. The int'n^Lion ot love had delected that which, up to this moment, had escnned his own (luick apprehension. -WlTwhat made yon think of thai?" he inqn.r»^^ "Something which tell from him inadvertently today, for 1 rce from Wnmc. flo , while he marked the limselt reHecterl in her it firm resoliuion vvliich L he was still very tiir jratic YrMti otteri hold 2 done? Of foiiise yoii matter as yours, and in • idcridion ot voiir future s will not wait. U de- irown behind her l)anl{. Icfmcd and (iinidiasi/.ed hing to do. No matter [\ot let lliose vil'iBins ea- kuow at once what the ;ut 1 don't see that yon case against them, can't e iorgerv discovered by in;; reasons for immedi- n—you are gettms: mall- onceruayou personally." ly minu while you were ccur to you that you are remained loo silent loo you might be e.\po8(!d to ; Biivton lirouirbt il home But he had not lold her 1 sec what is holding him Iff you — " a grim smile," that llieio d not Buspectetl; it is the ih it." she said, blushins you see lie is in a paintui ,tc himself without doing other." Mness ot this appreciation. •hich, up to this moment, " he inquired, ladvertently today, for 1 A WEEK OF I'ASSION. 007 must tell you be kept your secret mautully against Charlie and me ' " Hum! So il ssems. It is rather late in life to liave learned suih a lessou, but 1 make a vow tlwl, it ever 1 have a secret again, I will never no within a hundred yards of a woman. Well, and you wish to have him relieved from lliis dilemma?" " We owe it to Idm— to his molher— not to allow him to remain in inis paiutul position one moment longer lliiiu we can helj) it. Father, 1 tliink you ought to tell the police of your susi)icions im- mediately." She glanced at the clock. lie noticed the movement. " Whal! to-night?" lie cried, in a voice ot dismay. "It is a qu.'irter to ten!" "Think, my dear father! 1 know you are weary, but a few hours may make a dilTennce. It is the lirst act ot reparation, and 1 want above all to see you separated this hour, l)y a definite act, from the villidus wlio sent that telegram We sliall both of us sleep more hii|)pily wlien that is done, lie mtisl know notliing about it. Xeillier you nor 1 slioiild see him tonight. 1 expect he and Char- lie are in the house now. Let me order a hansom, and drive with you to Scotland Yartl. The night is line, and 1 will wait for you to bring vou home.'' "You are right, Blanche. Ah, what would 1 not give to have your youth, your enersy, your ingenuous conridence and impetuous i! Well," he added, pulling the bell, " Jint ivliintiia iua, enthusiasm (lea implacahiliH ! The time may be precious, and many » weary night have 1 spent working for an ungrateful country at matters of far less practical importance. Colston, has anybmly come iuV " Lord Charles is in the billiard-room, your lordship, and Mr. Barton is with Mrs. Barton." " Without saying anything to them, send for a handsom. 1 shall drive as far as the House of Commons. When Mr. Barton comes downstairs give him my compliments and say that, to my great re- gret, 1 am obliged to go out on important imsiness, and beg liini to excuse me. Say that 1 shall have the pleasure of calling upon hiiu to-morrow." Lady Blanche bad already disappeared. In Icsa than three min- utes she returned, enveloped in a long, daik mantle, and wearing a loque and veil. When a woman chooses, she can perform a toilet witli the rapidity of a Patagonian, but tben she chooses only about twice in a lifetime. ******* Deep was the disappointment of George iiarton when, on rejoin- ing Lord Charles, be received the earl's message, and learned that Lady Blanche bad gone out. He had counted at least on seeing lier and pressing her hand, and she bad vanished without even leaving him a word. He looked blankly at Lord Charles, who looked quite as b'ankly at him. " Here's a pretty go!" remarked the young lord. " The peer and peri gone off together on a nocturuid expedition— in a hansom— my dear fellow, in a bansou). The peer has given the address as the House of Commons; but do you know what 1 suspect? Slie has coutcssed, and be bus taken litr oil to Bethlehem Uospital. 1 bavo SI ^•28 A WEKK OK I'ASSION. hud llie cuiiosity to cross-ex.in.ine (Jolslon as toliow she was i reescd ^ . rl; ^r Hoot an.l cap a.ul veil. A...1 .lo ,ou know t he ca h>iV e cui nii.K to iriv.; .liruclu)!!* that we wore not to l.o told o it tlti tt^y Cl lloueV*' What do you think of that? Call you that •'"•'^;^'b;'Sus' ClmrE" suid Barton, peevishly, for he was pn,t!,und;y penrx-'l '0- H.iH "O^tcious maneuver. " What does *' "'Sv "mrfel'low, 1 don't know any more limn y.... do. 1 have told vou the sir et 1 "til. The fu.vnlivfs appear lo have been closeted 1« .I'lu'r in tie library mnx dinner-lime, the peer rinss tor u han- togell er III t It iuiai> ^.^^^ .^ ^^^^^^ ,,,y Su oK^ rs"'«l'VsaV l^-'Owi">; tl- .voun.,. lady, there 8 HO nJthin As for the earl, 1 have lonj. since f^iven) up guess- i ! at I 8"n o ives lor any ,.arlicular line ol action as a n.iieulous S t e-nea iv as-unsatislactory and exasperaljn.i; as o-iiiK lo lis^i he 8k a of the milk out of a bowl of French coiTee. Ol. Ijou cvJ try iiv l. lluie, you see. it all eirgs were transpareu here would bono addled ones sold, ami tiade won Ul suller-, and if all wouiu in. iiu "t »K;cui)ation would 1h) i,'oiie, r/lllSliSr" ."" ^^ ^" -i •' ."Mu.s'i>,ility. ]\nt lilanehe « dillerenl -^ le • i« a iflass of water. And alter what took place o-day, she ;^,ild never h!^^^^^^^^^^ out and lelt us in the lure l, in ll.is way nn- Tels tlinS ver^ serioiiB were in the wind, thaf* my solemn cou- ''' - Wiiich does not brinff us one whit nearer a solution." "True— exactly liko 'Pahy's Evidences. ,, . . Pro mind imii^elude and discontent settled down on Hartou s mind when alter si.cndinK a long hour in vain conjecture, he had Xii le vc'( 'or. Chiules toward midnight; and starU-d to walk ril -Temple. Who that has experienced the weakneSB ol h.yc clKcrci ms '."^•"'- ' , ,.„„ro-ieg bv her ingenuous avowal, and his Of looked his feel ngs nto her ear or eve. JNovv uinit was uoi S£s:sisSSSs:EB ircl,'x to prevent their meetiugV This. being. the most pain i RnnoosH on was naturally the one which his mind nurse' k«" Se rSe along' Whrmore Street to ^^^'"'i^^'CeM^^.Sne down Prince's Street, wlien. turning into Oxford Sl^^.f. ''»- "^^Zl conscious with a shudder that he was at Regent Circus-on the Th tetaJten urSce then! Re had seen it by day and by uijht' EvSy Sureof It was photograpbed \tx Oeep l^mbrauai lo how she was rtrcBBcd do J oil know the curl ore nol to be told of it tliiil? Cull you that leuviwhly, for ho was iicuvcr. " What Uocs than you (lo. 1 hnve ,1' to liaVo been closetetl e )H;ir rings tor u haii- r>ul ii you want uiy L' vouiii; laily. there ia since i^iven; up guess- actioii as a riuiculoua cxasiieiatui!; as lryin« h'rt'nch coiTee. ilitt you wire Iranspuri'ut there nmUl sutler; anil if all palion wouhl Ihj none. Jut lihinehe is ilitlerenl t took place to-ilay, she I) lurch in this way un- l, that's my solemn cou- !r a solution." :\ei\ down on Harlou's ^ain conjecture, lie had lit; and started to walk 1 the weakness ot love suddenly chill thctcver Ills mothers subduwl inas and condition, had tiie noble girl tor thus ;enuous avowal, and his lie only have whispered 1. Now Ihnie was not hat could this strange f Tilbury? or was it not ur.l that he had iuventeit , beinn the most painful liis mind nursed as the jntimcnts of troubh; and chased thought, and one yin f clouds in a 8ept<^ni- had mechanically taken idish Square, and thence :)xford Street, he became it Itegeut Circus— on the lad seen it by day and by )bed In tleep Hcmbrauai A WEKK OK I'ASSrON. 229 Bliadowson his heart. And just now, when that little chock had rolled buck upon themselves the gusliiiiir fountains of his love and created a little wlilrljiool in his soul, Ik; found himself there, on* more in face ol his grief— and ot Ins vengeance. At that hour of the night the turbulent movement of the Circus trafllc lia& died down. The pavements are no longer lilled with an eddying crowd. The omnibuses come uj) few and crawling. The lighter tradic of carii igos and cabs hiis dwindled down to mere units swiftly coming and de|)iirtinir. At the corners gather a few scores of home going persons waiting to take their places in the omnibuses; guy and yet sad night-birds ot both sexes till here and there; two or thr«;e police- men gossip under the lamps with each other, or with those passing scores of chance uc(piuintaiices which everyone who has any sta- tionary duty in a great city is sure to make "with the fre(|uenter8 ot the streets. The lou OK HUMILIATION. Late in the evening of the same eventful '''"'^.'l-iy "'« .fjj^'f * IjAte '" "'^^V",,",,? . jir sontag weie closeted together in ot state to disprove as promptly as possible the genera notion ""' Axmnif the day in the investigation of the circumstances. McLaren's^isapi^earance had excited profound ri'".l"\f '","'« see Into my Learr, you and iliily. As 1 live, )iir life, your iminleicrs mve lo Ifiir .mt of my hopes ami iiml)iltoiis. itc nil to the viudlculiou le Sftcrifice on the iilliir; itf Imil lliiiB enilcd wilU )f hope iiDil np|)iol)iilioii though it liiiil iliopped lie Blurted and jumped crushed by ii Imiisom, jet, nud was close upon 8 faeins it, aud a slight eye fell upon the oceu- white handkerehiet lUit- idy Uli.nehe! The eail I out in i» voice bright, lid they were none, of cambric aud thrust U iliul moment thul a way L f HUMILIATION. itful Tuesday the Chief weie cloaeted toRCtlter in ler hud come in from a I Home Secretary in his for, durinir the session, in to the use of rainisteis in m important act of Stale is done. The Invincibles ciiemeut produced by the )ritie8 with threats ot new beinn watched to prevent important to the Secretary l)le the neneral notion that lit startling crime, and the ; pro(?re8B had been made circumstances. profound dibquiet in the hat the orwanizalion they was one of cxlrnorriinary me particular, the Ilomo ilniltted, Mr. Sonliifr's pre- 'I here was no doubt that rlou the elder, was the per- e. Such being the victim, lio could those euemios be? A vrv.v.K or rA.'^flTON. 981 There wiw the nib! So far na tlio knowledge of tho police ex- tended up to tlie present moment, Air. I'arton luid no enemies. On the contrary, all the information thiiy could gather went to prove the (luict, amicable cliaraeter of all liis relations. Even the Earl of Si'll)y, wlien he iiail accused him, through Ills solicitors, of running away with his property liml seemed wounile'««,|-e«>^"l 'X "«-'" 3« larKC sums of money tl.roiinl. these very solicitors. ••How do you know thalV" in.iuir«.l the conunlHsioner. "1 have Oarbetl at wmk in the I'oUar.lB' otlire. '^"V' '•"■'' clerks has Liven him some ^'enerttl information _ tho.iuh ho is un- SuiinK to «*; PP?y particulars, or. more probably has n.. kMO>vk..l«e Tf lem The iirocecdinL's appear to he hlfilily mpter.ous. Now, Sir lle"ry vou foUow ...e? kue Karl of Seiby has an agrtJt. a «olici o? ami a very able n.an, Mr. liarton. who floes every hing, neverthcleBS U,c ea?l cmployi Pollard & Pollaid, »„lic to« to his w.ml and to hU sister, to raise large sums of money for him for my knoin purjrs; and' although the '''-'"-^ 'l^^ ''^°, ^SJ ,", .ome tine Mr. ISarton has never turned up in H until aDoui lou ar^Sore his disaptiearance. Ho transacts the b.iainess. or to- ^k^wsUw.tll Pollard & Pollard, the curl, by the way, bcmg meau- ^')J^^a^.S;dnir^ul sU^/'alWle^ <>* -"'-""-•" said tlie cliief commissioner. . . „ , has liappened tlus afternoon. , i „„, •' Ellt something new r'crial the commissioner. •' Yes sir- but with your permission 1 will take thinRS In /"I'''; «Anfl„?f;d Mr Sontac shuflin}: some papers ^^hich were docke ed musfhVe sent it to the papers for insertion on Monday. " Kve^ot(!("Sown ihe information 1 have collecte.l about those accuracy of each fact : " • Monday June 23rf.-Mr. Barton entered Pollards' with a large ' '^".^^'ttX'S.-ViBitof Mr. Burton 10 Pollard & PollurU. m iloK. free from Incumbrancps, if Helhy has recently l)w;ii le very solicitors." 10 conuiiiHsionpr. mU" otlirc. Ono of tlu-lr rnmtion thonifh lio is un- obiibly 1ms no knoivlc(l,!,'o liiirhly myRtcrioiis. Now. of Sdl)V 1ms an agent, a on. who floes everything; ; rollaid, KDlicitors to his » of money for him for tin liens liuB itncn in liaiul for I u|> in H until about Ion naacls the Uiiainess, or re- 1, by the way, being mean- ■ilcrert." ! capable of explanation, ation is this, toUowinc on ^ulby lins shown no groat avi!. To <>uy h« is takinj; • ol the crime; lodfty tho liL'T pursuit of in(iuiri»-» as something very aignitieant nmissioner. : will take thinRS In order," inpers which were aoclvHied ell, sir, Mr. Parton, coming ig conferences with PoUanJ II noon last, which was of so ■iosity ot tho clerks in Pol- ince in that otllce. Second B advertieefnent which those today's pap«rs. 1 refer to of valuable documents and vcrtiscmenf?" r(biy. when, of course tliey I lion on Monday." 1 liavc collected about tliosc L-ning ot the fuels; it is more ludum ; you can rely on the ntered Pollards' with a large in When he went away the it, and when empty could be Jartou to Pollard & PollurU. A WKKK OF I'ASSrOV. 233 Stormy Interview. Mr. M. " very nuich excited and trcmhlfn^ wlit'ii li(^ went awuv." •' ' '/'/iiirm/iii/, ','»;?//.— I >eath of Mr. narton In Hegenl Ciicus, on his way to iin iippointmenl with the Karl ot Sell)y. '• ' Fiiiliii/, '^'T /(. — Pollard it Pollard informed tho polico of tho llijilit ot Mr. Harlon with a lot of i)u|Hr«, etc., of i?real value. " ' Siiliiiiliii,, ini/i.—Mi. ("imiles Pollard went down by midday train <<) his country seat in Kent, relurninu same evening. Took with liini a heavy bag, seeming to contam law-paners. 'I'lie porter noli \!(l thin, its ho had Ihc ba^ in his band and put it into llie cab. •' ' Miimlan, ild^A.— Advertisement appears in Lontlon journals, ollering reward for lecovery of (Jeorgc Darton with deeds of title, bonds, etc., signed " Pollard & Pollaid, solicitors to the Rt. Hon. tiie Karl of 8ell>y, K. > I'.M. -The said list is received at Scotland Yard.' " I ouiiht to mention. Sir Ileniy, that no communication had taken place this morning between the earl and Pollard & Pollard previous to their letter. 1 liavc good reason to tietieve that they did not know ot his intention to oiler that reward, and, on the otuei hand, he did not know the bonds and other papers had teen found. Indeed, the earl did not see Pollard until nearly four o'clock in the afternoon, after naying a visit at JiOrd Tilbury's and to the City. Now, sir, 1 sent on Mr. Garbctt tor a list of those documents which the two Pollards at lirst j)erymptorily refused, and were rather rough on Garbett; but tl.cy sent it to me later in the day, and 1 have it here." " When you talk of a bagful of documents," inquired the chief commissiouor, " do you refer to any considerable bulk?" . " 1 rstur to BucU a bulk, Sir Uepry, w it was wttwly impossible 234 A WKKK OK 1'AIS«10N. to mislay. Tlmt is (lurLeU's oplulon. wlio mw the tw^ Mr. Cli.irlcs Pom r I ouir eil mul ll.e io(.iii iu wl.i<:li It wu8 hIIokc.I the paptTH hiSn over ookea. Mo.c.vor. rolhinls' own .•Icrk. wl..«.o . u.y It wtt^to nnanK'o tUc pafors In that room every ni^ht an. mDr..i..^^ "vers that they coul.l not possihly have been oyerlm.ko.l the • Why. sir. there was £55,000 in United Slates bomis, which woulil """Vhy'Virs^^^^^ the chiet commissioner, «ravel>. " this in Itself U very suspicious. A deliberule attempt to tasU-n on an nu^nt man a ch.lr«eof theft of property which «us ull the t me iu their own posaeewion! Whiit pn earth can it mean t The 1 ol lanls are reKtirdetl as immaculate." ,, ••8^ was Salon on.c, sir, accordinK to Mr .John M ton. rci.lk.l Mr SontaK. " Now, when you add to this little s.ullle the circum- stuncVthal. iu lollowiuK' up Mr. Charles Pollard int.; such a nu.Kh- IwrhwHl aslhat of W appiug at a late hour of ninht (whfu and where t^Sld not "UbILIv have had any legitimate business, especially as ho went disguised), our man. McLaren, has "'nit' i8piclou8 on these immaculate geullemenV " Notouly that, but ia taking some acllon immediately, cried Sir """llley are uudcr strict surveillance already. If they try to run away they will be slopped. But you see. sir, we have three weak Bpots in our wise, and we a?e on mere suspicion. They are not poor devds who have no money or character. A mistake w^ould ruin us. F.r.t y,.u oV aorve. we have uo actual proof that Barton was murdered; second. wo have no proof thai the papers takeu to Kent on Saturday vv.-n, toe mpors nfleged to have been stolen; third, we have no proof l^uil the Sapors broWit fiom Kent were the papers talien thereon Sat- iTrday- And :^ot 1 don't suppose you have a shadow of doubt what *^"S the 'least. But what conceivable motive was there for all *^" iS mcked my bruins till they ached to work out a hypothe- eis. You see, sir, it docs uot necessarily point to uuy complicity with the murder," said Mr. Soutiij;. " Why not?" asked the commissioner. '• They removed the papers the second day after the murder. Had they done so the day it occurre tar tailed that It Is known that llarton was the vhtim, and of ooiirs(! the- (lUCMtlon would then arise, whore are the liondsV lint wliow pnVerty were I hey?" "The list (loos not siiy," replied Mr. Sontnir. "Ilie dmls np- piar Id lie i-ady Tilltury's Tlie Ixmdii would tin to lionror. It's Ii curious iiil.xture. I have never come across siicli a uy over young Rarton to keep tlic flccrcl." At Oils moment a smart policeman enlereil the cabinet witli ii card. The commissioner glanced at it in surprise, and handed It to Ids sutmr'linate, who elevated his eyebrows. ".Say nolliing," fluid the commissioner to tlie otlicr In German; " let him do all the talking." Then, turning to tlie man, he said in EnRliah. " Ask the earl to come in." The peer entered with his habiliial easy, dignified manner, but tlie two great policemen, wlio Instinctively looked up to read his face, saw that he had some grave IntelHgcnco to communicate. " 1 must apologize. Sir Henry, '^ he said, " for trouliling you at so late an hour; indeed, 1 hardly expected 1 should be so fortunate as to see you." " We have no night oi day in this office, said the commissioner, smiling. " and wc were just engaged in discussing the (luestion of youi agent's murder as you came in. 1 wish. earl, you could throw some further light on the case, tor it is very obscure." •' My object in seeking yon at such an unseasonable houi," said the peer, " isto make a cltwi breast of all I know, lest, tlirongh my silence, there should bo a failure of justico. 1 must tell you Irankly 1 am placed In a very delicate and even a very ciitical position by what 1 am aliout to te'l you; and It was not until late last night, or lather early this morning, tliat my suspicions were aroused and di- rected against the iwrsons whom I am going to indicate to you." " Indeed!" said the commissioner, with interest, while Mr. Son- tag peered at the earl with evident excitement. •'Yes," continued the peer, " and 1 am ashamed to say that my own relations with the persons at whom our suspicions point are of a nature to compromise me seriously, not in regard to this, but to a previous matter, which 1 tear— and I grieve to say it— has led up to this horrible oNprrlcnccil ii iimt-lMlriilc un.l iilalc«- miinVw y.m'Uliml ii.ukiMKMU.yUlHrloBUix'H lulnilul^^^ ^''-'iflnnnl lu-.-.-.B.uv, Sir llunry.' n'l.lii'.l tl.o enrl. with a crim gmil- ■•Tlo «i..ry WhlH. I u.n uolnu' to loll s'-i is on- vx^ Lie h I n .vUi.ll «l.rnk ffou. coiilWlinK to .my l.unm.i n.ii.L'. an.l still I.'M ?Uc c rR I ili..sf wUoaro oi.l'u^hI in th.^ vin.l.rat.on of , ust cp I a P' Hon.1 a.ul lan.ilv Hccr.a; It .•.■late., to a VanHarl.on o y , jl o «l.lch 1 ai.i profouiully aii.l l.carllly asliarnrd. In Ic II .K 1,'vou laccin y.mr luuulsn.y r.-putalion. my honor an.l t .« «. H- ni \ an.l Imppincss ot n.any otii.r persons, but in the in- I'rcBlonuHiice, at whaluvcr cost to n.yself. I can no lon^.r lu.-p ""ThrVarl leaned hU head on his hand, and tl.o two men could sw, that lu- waHnmHt<.'iluKaoniui)OWcrlul emotion. ••Mv lord.'bald the chief .ommUsloner. "no one con d .iu.iKe more elearlv than vouiself l.elween the ..ireii.nstane.-s which w..ul. S'to coL cryou, however remotely, v.ith a.ts o a cnmmal •h a UT a d inaturs which have become mixed up ^^ th such acts a 1 which thoiiL'h nolo! a crhninal cluir.icler. Ills .llsa>;reeal.l.' or cvl Vom, roinisliiK tor yoti to .liseioso. In the lormer case we eouhl noUisk vo t osay unylh nj-; in the latl.T wo can olTci you the Hsgur^ So tin t othin« you divulge shall ever pass ihese wa s «.r Im usml 2x -001 in a manner to shluhl you from any ui. pleasant nesfl. n expec "d nothinsj less of your ,liscretion and Koo.l-feel in^ Wr Ilenrv i^nd akc it for Kranle.l that 1 may e.,tially rely o.j that of Mr Se "-the latter Lowed-" hut I assure you that wlu^n 1 can.e ClwaB prepared tr> ,'o I'liiiistanci's wliicli woiiltl V. illi acts nt a criminal inlxwl up ^^llll siicli acts, cler, It is (llHanrL'calil'i or lilt- lormcr ciisu we could D can olT(ir you tlic HsBiir- isH llicso walls, or Ito used nil pleasantness." lion and v,'ood-feelinL', Sir iiually rely on that of Mr. you that wlifn 1 came 30 llio consequences willi- tho cup of repentnnco to story of his errors and of el re u instances which had 1 IJarton's son. The two sion with rapt lUtention. ssuined torni, color, prc- eaii closed his rccitiil, the out. It Is as clear as noonday, ate arrest." nt with Mr. Hontnfi. who, in aitiat, had no time to astcd it either in that or in the worst weaknesses ot sn, too concentrated on the iiive much nicety in rcfrard lijccts or the means ot his I, therefore, while the peer which he, ns Cliiet ot the view— the solution of the iner, on the contrary, who id more chivalrous nature, iinjj all tlio facts relate(t by y, could not help uppreciat- A WKKK OK PA SHI OH. In" mill •vrnpnllii/in!; wllli tlie pain Hint siirli a dcclnrallon ,!':»vr in IiIh di-'iiii|.'iiiMlicil visitor. " May, Soiitai;," hi' Hiiid, spi'iiUliit; In a L-ciille tone, us he east n deim'valinK Klanee nt his Hiilinriliiiiilc, " will ymi kimlly sit down a liioimiit, ntid let ui ask Ills lorilslilp. wlin Iiiih IiiIiI iim iindir so dee|> nil ■il)lii;iitioii liy this icveliilion, wlii-ilier tlicte U any line of action 111" wisjii's lo Hiiirnest — any wliirh oieiirs to him ii'< llie hest for In- siiiiiiii (he piinlMlinieiit id the erlme wlillc avolijim; tin' exposure which Ills own voluniary toparallon Ims rcndenil uiiiiei'cMMiiry Y Nay, my lord, torj,'ive nii', we owe you lliis nt lenst lor siicli liilp as this; lor wilhoiit II our eon jretiires would have li^'en vain. llcHldes," he aitdcd to Honlii;:, " you surely have nol overlooked the fact that even yet a link is iiiiMfiiiif.''.' Nelllier of the I'ollaids, llioiii;h they may lie llio iirliiei|)uls In this intamoiis plot, was the inillvliliial who iietiiiilly prepareil iIk- ti>r|u>tli) uiid placed it on Mr. Haiton's person. Vo'i have na88es him. He saw some fellow to-day in Ijincoln's Inn Fields— a certain Captain Yates— gambler, turfman, blackleg, rnve — everything a man can be tliat's liad, and still swagger about as a ' ireiilleman,' ay, and in j^enllemen's society, too — who is already in our black-books, and has been sisjnalized to us from France and Helgiuin as liavim: had some siisiiieious relations with criminals, though lie has hitherto managed to keep on the right side of the hedge." " What, Vates of the Colorado business?" imiuirod Sir Henry. "The very same," replied Sonlag. "Well, seeiny him today in such close proximity to rollards" offices, an idea Blriick (iarlK-tt, and he asked me to let him go and make some intpiiries about this {Jicntleman. He started off at five o'clock, and 1 have not lieard r.f him since. He must have got hold ot somelliing serious, for he never wastes his lime." " 1 hope he will be more fortunate than poor McLaren." " Ah! a good man, too, but inclined to be rash. Garbett, like a good general, never moves without protecting his rear. He is well armed. 1 h»ve no tear of him. But my curiosity will keep until to-morrow morning." Though Mr. Ponlag spoke so confidently, w^e shall see that, in tact, it did not keep so long even as that. PASSTOtr. !! last resort even mv reputdtion H except to pul me torwanl as lilt the miserable men wlio have ion,i;tul acts. But. Sir Henry," ■r iind givinj; liim his liami, '" I Imsiness you have iu liaml, and ire no expense. Telejirapli (o all ley will be as clever in tlieii crim- iisiness. Oood-niiiht." ignity, to Mr SiMila^. 1!^ a "step forward, as bis clonded on, 1o\ul>ed and relined by some 8 wilb youf" but firavely, and accompanied by 'ben his chief rrfiirned, he looked lirini; glance. The detective ap- i sudden betrayal of leeling. f^lit laiii,'!), wliicli was evidently liis deepest humiliation than any 1 untarnished integrity." .<:," said the commissioner, fiinil- ibilosophic calm and stern oflicial- ins of sentiment— very, very decji sympathize with you. It is not r experience, get snch an insight bad secret deserves to be so well liere is midnight striking, and no has a nose )il;e a blood-bound ; 1 ininal when iie passes him. lie I's Inn Fields-a certain Captain '.a, rove — everything a man can be lu't as a ■ L'entlcman,' ay, and in already iu our black-books, and 'ranee and Helginm as bavins: had riminals, though lie has hitherto 2 of the hedge." business?" imiuirod Sir Ilcnry. ntag. " Well, seeini? him today Is" oflices, an idea struck (Jarbell, nd make some incpiiries about this 3 o'clock, and I have not beard r.t hold ot something serious, tor he date than poor McLaren." iclined to l)e rash. Garbett, like a ut protecting his rear. He is wel But my curiosity will keep until confidently, we shall see that, iu OS that. A WEEK. 01' PASSION. 5^39 CIIAPTEU XX. TWO BlTTHIl DISAI'l'OINTMKNTS. At about the same hour that the Earl of Selby was sitting in the cabinet which is the lively center of the discovery and prevenliou of crime among four millions of ncople, two men landeil in Gravesend Iroiii the steam ferry-boat, having crossed from 1 ilbury. The very name ot that place must have awakened in their minds some bitter relleclions. They had come down from Ijow third-class by the rail- way. Their garb was that of mechanics returning late from work, which had left many a foul mark on their bauds and faces. One. the younger and taller of the two. carried over his shoulder a plaited straw basket, from which protruded the handles of some well-used plumber's tools. Over the right arm of the other was a coil of lea(l piping ot small diameter, and ho carried in his left hand a piece of iron gas pipe about si.x feet long. Both these men wore old. greasy fell liats pulled well over their faces, and the t:dler smoked a short, clay pipe. The elder of the two had a grisly beard, which looked as if it had been both smoked and singed iu the course of his labor. Iu a blight light it would have been dillicultto distinguish their feat- ures; ill the d'inginess of Gravescud gas it was impossible to identify them, as they furtively turned down a meet to the left running par- allel with the river-bank. Iveeping close together, they conversed in low ufonosyllables or hasty whispers, although tlierc appeared to be no danger ot their being overheard by the two or three persons who could be discerned iu the street. As the reader will have guessed, the linn ot Pollard & Pollard, having decided on a " new depart- ure," was hidden beneath this clever disguise. The manner in vvhicb they had evaded the detectives, who were spying every motion, was cieditable to the genius of Mr. Charles Pollard. The two men, at about b\\ o'clock, had driven iua hapsoni to Ml. Charles's liouse in Queen's Ga'.e. as if to dine there— and there they dined. They were closely followed by the four detect- ives who statioued themselves iu front ot the house, and, fearing to betray their presence or e.xcite suspicion by perambulating the long paved mews wliich ran behind the houses facing on Queen's Gate, narrowly watched the only outlet at the end. Each house connected with its own stables. Charles Pollard directed that the brougham should be prepared at eight o'clock; and at the last moment, just before it was about to be pulled out ot the coach-house, to be har- nessed to the horses, he entered it with his uncle, drew up tlie wooden blinds with which it was provided; and pulled down 'lie silken onts within, making it impossible for any eye to penetrate the interior. There was no warrant out against them; and even if they were being watched, the police would hardly venture to exam- ine Itie carriage in leaving the mews. He had taken his coacbmun aside, and to the surprise of the man slipped a five pound note into his hand. , . . ■ .. " Jeffrey," lie said, " you know, ot course, that we arc trjing to 840 A WKKK OK I'ASSION. find out whiit 1ms bceoinc of llmt Mr. narloii, Lord Selby's intiu ot hiisiucss, who run away the ollujr day?" Tlie niim who lind surved the father ot his i)rc8cut muster uoddcd, "Y(S, sir." ,.,... , " Well, we have had some important news about him to day, and wc are promised, il wo go to a ceitaiii place to-niyht, that wo shall lind a man who linows where the money anil pajiers are, but docsu t want to be known; and we have to act very cautiously, you know, eo that no one sliall get wind of it." Tlie man entered into the spirit of the thing at once. " 1 see, Fir," he said. " You want to see him, secret-like.' ", lust 80. But you know ISailon ran oft with a hundred thou- sand pounds?" .,,.,,„ II ,1 •' A huu derd-thou-sand pounds, sn?" said .leflreys, slowly, wilh eyes that showed liow hard it was for his brain to realize the im- mensity of such a sum. " D'ye say so, sir?" , , , ,, " Yes; and very clever and cunning folks lie had to help him, and it takes all my wit to circumvent them. But we'll do it, JelTrey, we'll do it yet!" , , ! , « , , " Oh there ain't no doubt about you, sir," said Jeflrey, glancing at his master with some pride. " It any one cau do it you will." •' Well, Jefirey, this man we're going to see to-nighi, you know, tells us lliesc fellows may suspect we have some news, aail it is very likely they're watching us now. Have you seen any suspicious- looking men aboutV" ,, •. " Why, sir," cried Jeffrey, his face clearing with a sudden idea, " Lord James Mulville's coachman were only just nsaying to me, when you called me up, that two fellows looking like bailiffs had been a-loping about tlie end of the mews tor the last hour and a half and he asked inc if 1 knew ot any one in trouble along our row, sir. ' ]«el)l)e they're tlie very chaps you mean'i" Chailes Pollard's eyelids trembled a moment, but he answered cahnly, . , ., ,, " I shouldn't wonder. Anyhow, we must act ns if they were. Have the liorses harnessed all ready. My uncle and 1 will get into the brougham in the stable, and pull up the Venetians; then no one can see inside. Then vou draw out the carriage into tlie mews, put in the horses as (luick as you can, and get on the seat by yourself. Send Till off somewhere on a message. If those men should ask you any ouestion about where you're going, just say you are taking the brougham for Mrs. Pollard to Victoria Station, then drive like the deuce. Cut across Westminster Bridge, and get down that side of tlie river to Tooky Street, where you will drop iis-we have to meet the man in t»iat neighborhood— and tlien you come straight home Now, .leflrey, this is a very important matter tor us; not a word to a soul, and have everything ready in half an hour; and it we catch Barton, I'll see you get part of the reward. D ye under- ^ "^"oh yi'S, s5r, you'ff see. I'll manage it," cried .Teftrey; and the maneuver was executed to the letter. . , . .. As the carriage passed out of the yard two detectives peered at it flharply. but it was quite impossible to penetrate its secret. They liaa watcbeil Irotu tUe eud ot the mows lUo operaliQit ot putlint iu Lord Scll)y'8 intiu ot resent mnslur uoddctl, ibout him to day, and lo-niglit, tbat wo shall tapers are, but doesn't ;uutiou9ly, you know, at once. m, Bcoret-like." with a Inmdrcd thou- .Icflreys, slowly, wilh )raiu to realize the im- c baa to help him, and t we'll do it, Jeffrey, said Jeflrey, glancing can do it you will." •e to-nigbt, you know, ne news, and it is very 1 seen any suspicious- ig with a sudden idea, y just nsaying to nie, )okiDg like bailiffs had ur tlie last hour and a 1 trouble along our row, •i" lent, but he answered 3t act 08 if Ihey were. Qc'e and 1 will get into Venetians; then no one age into tlie mews, put )u the seat by yourself, those men should ask just say you are taking Station, then drive like and get down that side I drop us— we have to lien you come straight ut matter tor us; not a in half an hour: and it 3 reward. D'ye under- ' cried Jeffrey ; and the detectives peered at it itratc its secret. They operation ot putting iu A WEEK OF I'ASSION. 241 the horses; Ihey had seen the brougham pulled out of the coacli- liouse, and were certain no one had entered it while it stood in tlio yard. However, as it ])as$ed them rapidly, one ot them throw up his tinger to the coachman and called out, " Are you Lord Miilville's coachman?" " No," shouted Jeffrey, shortly, " I'm Mrs. Pollard's. What tho devil is that to you?" And giving his horses the whip, he was round the corner in a moment. The men looked after the carriacc with suspicious glances, and that feeling ot doubt which is intuitional in a detective. One of them ran round to consult tlie two coadjutors who were walking on the opposite side of the street in front of Mr. tUiarles I'ollard's liouse. " Oh!" said the oldest of the parly, " tliey could hardly be in the carriage; they were out on that l)alcony Einoking only ten minutea ago. Still, it's not a bad idea to follow it up. Tliey may be send- ing a message to .some one, you know, 'Gaii! he's gone round tho corner already. Hun down and take llial hansom that's standing at CrDiiiwell Hoad, and see where coachee goes to." Hut from the upper end of (iuten's Gate to Cromwell Uoad is a giwd long step, and before our detective could reach a hiinsom the brougliam was far down the road, and, turning down to Chelsea by the Metropolitan Station at South Kensington and Pelhain Place, liad rendered it impossible to the shuipest detective iu the w.orld to follow its course. From Tooley Street the two men had found their way to Mr. ('Iiarleb Pollard's useful retreat In the Eaft-enil, where they assumed two workmen disguises which he had used betore, and which were, indeed, almost impenetrable. Tlie bag of tools was already tliere; but on their way down the Bow Uoad they had, at Cliarles's sugges- tion, gone into a plumber's sh i) >d bought tlie piping. Thus they were on their wnv li' the yacht, Hhen they had shaken themselves free of the . dio had ciossed in the boat, and proceeded about two bun- ' .Is or so, ilie younger swung round and cast a sharp glance up ilic street. " Any one coining V" said the other, in a voice shaky with an.xiely. " No," replied his companion. " Quick! Down lo the left, and then lo the righl." And away they went rapidly, the elder panting painfully for brentli. At lenijth the taller one turned down to a row of two-story houses whidi faced the water, and in front of which a small wooden jetty extended into the river, with a few boats mnored alongside it. '• She should be lying out therealiouts," said Charles Pollard, peering eagerly over the water. The night was clear, though there was no moon. A small vessel or two was moored out iu the stream, but no steamer was to lie seen, either up or down the river, excepting a lar^O vessel which was slowly steamiiig up against the tide, and whose liuge bulk concealed a laiure stretch of the river. " He must have moved her down," he muttered. " D — a it, it ja YOXAtiousI Uowevvr, kt's uo iu and (jet iii« o-xplanulion." 2.^2 A AVKEK 01' I'ASSION. by (Iftylinht could luivc been °\a( e out a 10%" « , ^^ ^^^^ l.fo cuiicature of three ''»S«^«"t ^ "^r^^Vrnf^^^ U%^ H'o *• Tiirec lie thinl resting on Uain. torn.ng PJ'""""- '^ ^j i^oducy pro- Tuus." of wljlcl. a ^7 'T'T..?ho«8c was no "y"^ closed, and from U .ed to be tbe proprietor .[''''^^""'^'^iiives the sharp, exiusperal- within came to tlic ears of »''^,, X„l , L inslru lents ever invented ing sounds ot one of the most babo heal '^^ ["^^"^^^'^^ ^^^.^^^ vvhich. nc^t to the bagpipcK, a conce.l.na '^n^l ^J^^™1 to talking u.nid troni their liiu'h pitch, «™^* i^„^\7oX.' ho eni^^^ whistling winds and roiung^w^^^^^^^^^^ dJw" .^sn"m pas.a.e, al>oul bar. Charles ^ "''"' '^"'Y,!. ween the Inn auO tlie next ho.ise. and .three feet wide, wli cli '''>\';" *\"" '",J ""f a minute th(! door was knocked at a side door. After a P» "'' ?\^\ „„i ^cry frank or al- balf opened by ««[;;" j^^^YsU^risfc^ "l-'^lr^ tractive aspect, who. Ihrisi n = " '>' ,J^^^^. jj,,i,t from witliiu "i^t SrcSii^^ui^ei S;^:i^hrauK t^m it and drew Ixsliind ids partner. irrutlly— be was none other " What do you want? cneil tue man, biuiuj that rig." .!,„,„ n„f<.r nnd sbut tbe door and locked it. He made room for t^em to enter an si uu ul ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ They found themselves in » «" ^" ^"^[Z , ^^lea , bave been silling veil U) bim Ibo depth ot tbeir disappomliuent. ST. Blood at tho cornel of iwiiug II Big" o» wbiuU rli and Boinewlial siiu- ?r sides, two l.elow atul 1. It was llie " Ttireo name ot Hoducy pro- ot yet closed, and from J the »l\arii, exaspcral- ruuients ever invented ibbul) ot voices whicli. \mled to lalliing uiniil iug llio enirauce to tue a small paspuiie, about luil the next house, and a minute th(! door was a not very frank or al- id through the aperture The lii,'bttrom within bruuli trom it and drew uflly_be was none other ^ Wm. ,,„ , I Mr. Stanley? Why 1 o is that other fellow V" •re both gone, over two I've got a Utter for you. »ut 1 didn't know you in lit the door and locked it. jr reeking with the fumes sared to have been silling t hot gin and a loug clay pward, lav on the table, the landlord's fingers, ho tioor. which led to a urued .piickly to the pub could not bo concealed, A WCTK OP PAS.r. his ly at the speaker and I iiH of this mummery? line to play on him. Ot meet me here at eleven; tout man, laughing till his by, he's away, sir— saded Margate by this time, lor ther, In a tone penetrated the mftu at once, and re- uent. 243 " Stpamed— if you like it liettci," said the man; "gone oil, I b'lievc, to Havre. Hut licrrs his letler; you can nee for yourself. " Chiirlt'S Pollard, who li 1 dropped the ba-skit on the table, lore open ihe envelope, wliii .i was addressed to " Samuel Stanley, Esquire, " and read: " Pn'iutti' dial cnnfuh iiliitl. " Yaclit ■ Vera," Tiii'sday, 8.150 p.m. "My OEAU PAIi AND PaTHON, AN1> MOH'l KsriMAni.K t^liAlK OF QiAHKiLs,— Next time you have business ol iiuporlaiice wlili a gentleman ot my position and experience you had better keep the appoint ments he makes with you. ' ( ) eiiiii!' ill Iit'i''s uny moniinj;, Kit ill lli.v siiiiiiy uiiy Tile lliiwci'.s of IhiIm' liiive williei'i Anil sDiiow eiKls Uiy il;iy." " 1 intended this afternoon, if you Imddonemo the honor to come to Clement 8 Inn, to tell you that I had leceived from a friend in a certain office not one hundred yards from the Ad — y, iufnriuation whicli led me to conclude that the sooner 1 elianned my native air for that of some more genial and nniiote soiiiheni climate, the bet- ter for my lungs— and neck. IJiit as you did not cIioosl' to come at my call, and the hour you have 'fixed is iiicoiivenicMt, 1 am com- pelled to lake advnntag«t of the tide, which, as you are aware, waits for no man, anif get out of the reach of that octopus in 8 d Y d aa soon as possible, the more thiit we have the body of one of his myrmidons on board, which we arc anxious to consign to tho sefTccy of the deep blue sea. I sincen^ly regret that 1 am imable loolTer you and your friend a passage in the 'Vera.' She is a l)caulitul" boat, and your agreeable com))any would have grtatly en- hanced the pleasures of the vnyagc " With regard to the payment ot that little balance you owe mo. 1 am disposed to be generous, and hereby grant you a receipt and quittance in full— you see 1 sign over a hi. stamp — in virtue of the sum you advanceti me on account of ihe purchase- money of this vessel, which 1 propose henceforth X' treat as my own, and of a further sum of £5(M)0— receipt wliorjot is hereby acknowledged— which I and Captain Sweeny — who is an old pal of mine— have dis- coveieiitlielic. rfiil elTori nmiiiif^tHl to (.rnnl villiiin. Will you .lliird, the letter grasiHid r. cried the uncle, in ti loney. Tlcnd tlmt " sleoiit Ills cold piiicevfz, •xcilenienl of liis llisrhl, libeititely l)egan to read B, kept hia eyes on tlio iind liic jerlvs of his l)Otly cursing Mr. Tom Yiites 1 nil the siivrtjii! intensity lips were pressed lightly and altitude were calm. '. He hail just finisliwl ith two steiiiiins jonuns I the men stretched out ithout stopping. In their iny sensation. Ilard, " in about five mln- 10 liad IcH the room, each '0 that filled tlieir souls inxioly about their sitiia- idrel— the Hcc()mpli<^c and ■scried, and, in tlie very tis of escBiK) they had so lade tlie butt of his cold. Immiliation Wivs a punisli- )t Sodom, branding to tlie led itself in with pain and of crime had also sunk on yed with the gold glasses tion when engagcil in dls- The figute and attlludo iMjen so dreadful, dewise. rapid undertone. That A WKEK OF PASStOK. 24r. fellow will Ik) hack in a moment. Wc haven't a miniilo to lose. You see what lie hints at in the postscript?" pointing to the letter clulclied in his uuele's hand. " I have about four tliousand in the bag, and all that money in I'aris. Htay, here he comes; diiiik it up ((iiiek, and let us get outside." 'I'he elder made no reply. He was still fumbling with his glii.sses and llnnkiiig ("iciplv. Ifapidly he was passing in review all that ho had gained and lost in that lite of ovur threesi on! yiars, which had bifiun so brightly, and which had brought him to this— to be tlee- ing ill a mean disguise from ihe bloody sword of jiislici!. He was tliiiikiiig of his wife, who had lived with liitn in liie same house in Uegeiil's Park, every inch of which was familiar to liiin, for over Ihiily years, whose hair, like his own, was silvered with age, who williiii a few hours wouhl leain ot his llight and his dishonor, per- hitps of his crime. He was thinking of liis son, a lieineiiant in IIk; Kngineers, now serving in India, who had been iiicnlioiiLd in dis- palches for lirilliaiit services during Ihe Afghan War; of his daughter, married to a Court physiemn, a kniglil; of his younirer son at Cambridge, full ot promise and ambiiiim, wliieli would to- morrow be extinguished in the pilchy sliaiiu! ot his father's sins. He was lliinkiiig of tlie sturdy old firm ot I'olliud 'k rnliard, which liud nourished like a mighty tree, with its roots diii-p in vast estates and lich inlieritancest in wcallliy corpoiations and lloiiriKliing businesses, and yet whose fame and vigor would lo-niorrow, at tiro touch of the Ithuriel spear of .Justice, wither, sliiiuk up and rot away, its very name to become a by-word of ignominy. Silently taking the glass fiom the landlonrs hinid, he sipped and mused, while ('liarles Pollard nervously chiitlered to the man, and alleeled to joke at Ihe trick his friend liad played him. In two ininntea they rose up to go, tlie landlord letting them out iit Ihe door l)y which they had entered. " Well." he said, aloud to liiniself. as he loeke» y''"''- «"'' ^T'ST; sS had no llxcl (li-Miniilion-Hlill U-sh a l.on.c. 1 lint wor.l tor n.,U neo^, r In- or' ..ullu.il.linL' nm,. ..p here an.l (here nn.l pre«- . ^ I, r. , w. •(. i.n L'THRx '1 lifV hii.l pna&ed u slu-d close to the ?Kirni1wSi; r a.'^^^^^^^^^ Cllane. Pollnn. HU...lcnly "''" llarkt" he tmi.l. " HI'l you li™r steps?'' " No," Haiil llic senior pnrtner, in a sullen tone. "" The Junior listene.l again. The night wan clear and .sl.irlit. The „r.»rhx"r moved on black l.utRlenniine. with here and there ichts ? ..nn^, nnlts bosoM. They were on a slight elevation. I-(K)k- r'J"lmk^hev could r ot Oravesend. across Ihestrea.n hos^S'^ilbuS TU^ eep. monotonous throbbing of a stean.er Sn" up Srlvcr. and its own soft, Incessant .nur.nur as it ru.. '"^'^"^c'Sri^u'^o"":;?;. .he dder. in a strange, nn.ftled i«r„a iw. thiPW down the piping with a Ihu.l on the grass. on. "^^P'lV ' „. 1„ „,,„» not stay in Gravesei.d. Let iia get to ?." ^.TnTour only" cba.ree now s to^go to Folkestone, and sliaiuht of K-«n ".wl'ir^top"^^ ns^ our way when we gel on a ""•^s!op!''charlic," replied Joseph rollard. "I'm not going nny '"iKd suddenly awakened from bis v^'^lking dream. Ills mind w.ia cleur airaln. His voice was calm and deterinincd. i^No^iSing any furtherl" cried Chnrles fo lard, 7«i"\J '7,°R tn make out in tfic darkness the tcaturea of his uncle, which had Sen sS carefully blurred by lamp-black. " What do yo,. mean to thine? No. no. you sha'n't do that! ,, ,, • 1 will •• said the elder, in a deep, determined tone. My *"charie8 Pollard was in"t"ron'iVf him in an instant. "Turn back! old man-turn back!" he said, fiercely. Bhallnotgoback." "You (ir ft ypnr, nmJ yot tlicm. I lionie. Thnt word tor , except wljcre the dftrk lete niul (here, nnd prcB- laascil u slu'd close to the irles PoUiinJ auddenly I?" n tone. •• Wlml. if Ihcro 18 clt'iir and sliirlif. The rith here tind there lichts slight clcviition. I.ook- vesend, across the stream i tlirol>hing of t\ siciiiner Bsaiiiit nmniiur na It rnii er, in a siriinge, nniffled Ihutl on liie prnss. y, niiiiou determined to go back?" " Yes;" he moved forward. At the same moment Charles Pol- lards hand stretched out— at the same moment something in his hand touclied the old man's breast— at the same moment there was a Hash and a report, and (vith a low gronn .Joseph Pollard gunk to the earth. And it almost seemed to Mr. Charles to be at the same moment that he heard a sound as of something brushmg over the grass behind him, felt u cold muzzle pressed to his ear, and heard the voice of Mr. Garbett say, (juielly, rapidly, " Don't stir; drop your pistol, or 1 shoot, 1 arrest you in the queen's name!" Jlut GiirlM'tt had not calculated on the desperate daring, or rather resolution, ot Charles Pollard driven to bay. The detective, holding his revolver wtth'liib left hand and standing Iwhind his prisoner, had seized with his right hand the hitler's arm. The grip was firm; but Charles Pollard shook it oil, and cocking his revolver, was in tlie act of turning on his assailant, when the trigger of Garbett 's pistol fell, and llie junior ])artuer involuntarily jomed the senior on a longer journey than they hud cimleinplated. They bad been partners in business and in crime, and iu death they were nut divided. **■*«#♦# In the middle ot the night, or rather when day was beginning to lighten the hemispheie, Mr. Sontag was roused out ot a slumber which ui)peared to be undisturbed by the immense variety of fright- ful facts and painful secrets ot which Ids brain was the pautL>chnI- con. Ilis attendant, who, like a doctor's servant, was accustomed to these nocturnal alarums, entered, and tola him that Garbett was waiting without and anxious to see him immediately. "Come in, Garbett," snouted the ilelective, sweeping his brain clear in a moment of all the clouds of sltep. " Turn on the gas, Martin, and leave us." " What time is it, Garbett?" " Three-flfteen, sir; just arrived trom Oravesend. 1 posted." " Gravesend? Why, what's the matter? you look as white as u sheet." The detective was standing in exactly the same position as we have before desciibed. his head on one side, his eyes motioQless, his hands crossed in front holding his hnt. But his hair was in dis- order, bia under jaw seemed limp, and inclined to drop awav ti-om his face; under bis eyes there appeared to be t(>vo dark bags; lllq face was, indeed, ultogethcr uhastly. •,*• ii 248 A WKKK OH rAHHlON. •' Hm! news? * Why-wluit-lmve tht, I'ollanla got off? If t».«y '"'"''•x'nisc me sir, thcyWo Konc to the .Icvll-liolh (Jeml. ' •• £ dov hey hHvel" cried Mr. Hont«K. ^Uti-K "P '» '' « 'j'"'' «nd gSing lit OarbeU. " You don't mean to 8«y tuey aro dcud- not both ot thcmV" "Hotli. sir." " Huiddc?" , , , . .. '• «lne wf>8 a murdor-the otlior-nccidcnt. „p.« ,h,.„ " At (InivraendV Tbo deteclivo nodded. What were they ""'"^herwero «o1..j? to run awoy-ln a yacht, sir, with Captuiu ^ >u"'sortae gave a Ions whistle, threw ott the clothes, and thrust his CCS out ot tol. sitting now on the edge of II fudn.L: h.s ma... •• nero'"a lotler. sir. ftound In the hand ot Mr. Joseph Pollard, the old man. after his death.'' i.i„ „„„„„„, «» iiia The chief detective took the letter and ran his eye over it. His nu ck intelligence appreciated the entire sltuntion In a moment. Ilo Sou with a hclrty laugh, while Garbelt. who was in no laugh- Inir humor, stared at him with a kind ot wooden suri.rise. ?• wS" «ai^ Mr. Hontag, " for cool clever. •»"«««fl «"f ,7»'f'«™ «i.)» iVpiits anvthlna 1 ever i^ad. I wouldn't have missed this for a LundrSpouSs"'' 1 dont wonder at «"/op««>«,tSh^8 throat after recelvhic such a letter as that. 1 think 1 sho.ild mvselt. """ne didKcut his throat, sir. Charles T^f^»^^^fJ.^^\ ^^"^ lard before my cyes-to prevent his peaching; and whilo I was trying to arrest^Clmrles 1 shot Lim-by accident, sir; but it 1 hadu t """.^Oh Lmroiittr"cri«l Mr. Sontag. getting up and walking »hout the roo .. In grent agitation. " What a mess you have made on? AVhv m."n. we have secret information to-night which satis- fies us they were ho instigators of Darton's murder, anc fcere was Sch a nic7mtle Job tor us' to make up the n>lf "« Jn^a! ^ou see tills fellow Yates Is one ot the accomplices. Is ho ou? "' That^yacht must be caught. Wo will telegraph at once a" BlonK the C lanuel But. oh. Garbett, Garbett, this Is a terrible disap- rSntment" t was a be. utlful cUe-a beautiful c.iso!' He w,i ke. Tp and doWa in his bare feet. wUh his head ^^««». f^'i'^J^K »'«• " ffliid reneatlnc-" All our labor lost-such a splendid case too! "' He iCTuestioned Garbett closely.^but rapidly. <« toV'tSeC; ceedinw after leaving on his afternoon's expedition. How the two put on their track-two to each partner-was ot course as yet un- ^"SS tt a^pelrShaTSuised himself and gone forth to look up y2 in ceffi haunts ot his which had become known to he police, in connection with the inquiry into ^e affair at the Melton Club He soon discovered that tho captain had not changed his quarters" wlTch. with a judicious »'«'<'r"A.rf«t''''2t*°lam«V At maiatsincd, at least oimjBBlbly, Ja Puk« Street, St. Oawcs 8. Al F^'-'-'r---^*'"- > r. iinJs got off? If they — liolh (lead. ' ' ' silting tip in Ills hfil to say tucy ato dcuU— I. *• What •wore they »cht, sir, with Cnptniii the clolI)«i, luul thrust (f II, fiKlriL' his mini. 3t Mr. Joscpli Pollard, m his eye over it. Ills ition in a moment. Ilo , who was In no laiigh- Mlen 8ur|)ri8e. XT, amiacious cynidsra have missed thiH for a one culling his tliroat 1 1 should myselt." •oUutd shot Joseph Pol- ling; and wliiln 1 was lent, sir; but it 1 hadn't getting up and walking a mess you have made on to-night which satis- I murder, and iiere wns missine links! You ace Is ho of!?" cgraph at once all along his is a terrible disap- Liful case!" He walked down, shaking his head , splendid case too!* rapidly, as to liis pro- pedition. How the two !0 of tlic tour detectives ivas of course as yet un- it and gone forth to look d tiecocne known lo the the afiair at the Mellon itn bad not changed hia he had tor some years Street, St. Oarocs'iJ. At A WRRK Of." I'ASHION. M half pn«t six he had sron lilni cntir tliow' ((iiarhsrs, wlmnoi' In iil>oiit twi-nty miniitra a iM.y luid iHHii.'d und suninioni'il a hansom, inlci whirli thocaplaln, i-lml in a hluc! yiirhlln;,' coHtii and ciirrylni; a Mniill triivfliiig-lmg, had entered with llie tniy anil driven lo Ftii- church Htrout. At Gravcsend he had gone to liioThiccTuiiH, and reniaincd there until a gig «!anie olF from aline stimm viichi lying in midstream, whicii fortliwllh conveyed liiiii on lioard, loliowwl no«m allcr hy a lioat of Hodm-y's. Tliis Imat ciime hack; tiio yacht raised aiiclior and steamed away, leaving Mr. (inrlicll to liis roMections. I liming Into ilio pulilichoiise with the view of making some in- quiries, he had struck up an acqiniinlanio with mine liosl, and was griidually soiindini: his way amid ilio mud Itaiiks of iliat worthy person s mind, wliuii two men knocked at tlio door, and lie wiw asked to wait in llie next room. Me had not been aide to sec them or to overhear their conversation, but on leliiriiing to tlie loom ho had caught a lew words almut the cleverness of tlicir disguise, whicli immediately put all his deleclivolacullieH on llie alert, and he had set o/I to follow tho men, still with iiardlv more tlnin a taint sucpi- cion ot their identity, for he did not believe it iwssililo that they f'oiild iiave eluded the sharp watch he liad put upon their move- ments. It was only when crouching under tho side of the small shed we have mentioned that ho caught and recognized the sound of their voices In the silence of the nfiflit, and dimly distinguished their movements. Cocking his levolver, he had resolved to rush forward and otter the old man an opportunity of givlne himself up at once, when the Hash and report settiwl tho dispute, and then ensued the fatal result which grieved Mr. Sontag as much as it lie I ad lost a large inheritance. " Well," said Mr. Sontiur, with a deep sigh—" well, there Is no use (rying over spilt milk. The most wo can do now is lo catch the suliortliiiates;" he had been drcsfing while he spoke. " Wo will go across and telegraph to all the French and English norts at once. We can leave the liansatlantic till tomorrow: and mind, (iarbett, we must keep this (juiit lor tweiiiy-four hours. Where are the bodies— at aravesend'' (iood. Wc' will get the imiiiest posiponcd till Friday. Como along. There is no rest for tho wicked. But— what a pity! what a nity! It was a beautiful casiM" CHAPTWl XXI. ; ;- ■ ' "' A NOIU.K I.OVR. OvEnroME by the fatigue and excitement of two days of ivinlten- tial passion, llie earl slept lietler after his final act of repentance than he had for many a week. The wrong done to his sister, the Count- ess ot Iilbury, had been lully repaired so far as material interests were involved, though Ihe breach ot faith stood unconfessed, as it was still unknown, to her. How tar a man can be said to have per- formed an ample penance in such circumstances is a matter we must leave to those troublesome dealers in conundrums, the casuists. These secret reparations, made without disclosure to the person wronged, without submiltiug to the humiliation and unpleasantnesa jfi '250 A WEEK OF PARSIOV. " . . In/. r.:.l V ll . 1 .iiil ..n u. r..«.nt ot un|mi.l IncoUH-lii.x iiiiiiiill illisissiisi mmmmm ?. . in r he >i« .t Lolore. wn« to some extent countcrnctcl l.yH.o « Pi u u 1^0 ni I critic aa the c.irl coul.l Have (icslve.l the man to l.e ■"S")'! -*=•"?■ «•"»":.•■ r""''''..'* r^r's'lf "™.t the Konl of prnonal for uiHol llic " TiniiH " mill ;ih((i\i(;r usftl wrckly li» III (III \wo]^\^\ lliiin il u|)- 1 iioli's iicknowlt'dui'il n> lilt ot iinimiil liicKiiiftiix r, iiH 11 rcrtiiitily 1h iiion- i(! lull |u;iiiill.V i"'l lii'* «i'> s liy (uiiuTiiliiin Iroiii lliu tr llio ptTHoimlitv "f ili« J \\n» iniicli force in llif link oxpliiimlion willi liiH 1 t'illiur conitort or iirnili, en llicni for llift fcwflioit I do not undorlnki- to jvihh • cimrhctei of the Ktirl nf rdinn 'o Ids ot lu-r own v(! si'cn. loo, Unit lii« only Ig CMHUlStS. It Is tllK!, (ip f point of consriince. cnrl's CVL'S. nfrcHbed by •.therolluf wlilcli lii« con- remedy lit' bud mlminls- •xtenl countcrnctcil by tbo jiidy Rl.mcbo'H confession, dietl bopcB of many yearn lie awkward perversity ot iaily everylbiiiK tliat even lavo desired tlie man to be cidents of rank, race, and ion of tbo liaiiKlily noltle- rld tliinK ot amb a niatcli? »t Loril Tlllmry, Ibo grief the carl's mind worked, able -.ulilect. His candor clor liad'licen irreproaclia- i Ibat it Implied tbe jwsscs- le tbe roundness ot a great to bis daiigbter, wbose act ,w In It so much tbat was ch resembling bis own im- it he could not help admir ami fretted over the conpe- ler this was not iinotlier ol )ed by way of tonic for bis 1 the situation would never act? Ho owed young Har- vices coukl hove been fully ^nehe, what could he say or •t She had conquered hini, (t opened his and gazed into id ever done— not even his r A WKEK OF PAHSION. 2M wife— w.lh all tbo forcll)lo luslglit of a (leaver and loving wonniii. I.inly Itiiiinlic bad sliowii bim, too, tint, great an was lier tini'clioii lor him, nIu: Imd developed into a cburaiter of poweifid indivldii- alily. .Slie would be and do all tlml a dauglib r, loving, Kvuipallu/,- inir, siierlllcing, ougbl to bo und do; but she would tiot'vicid one jot of her j)reiogiitivc a.s ii woman. Her band and Inart must go togetlur whenever tbeyweie given; otherwise, i\s her words siu)\ved, they would not be given at nil. Ilarlon alioiild woo her only with her liilher'a peimlssion, hut she let Inr father uiidersliind lliat, even with sucli H permisKJon, tlie cltailel ol' her heart was eloned and de- lendeil to every other, lie was keen enough to foresee all widcb WHS implied In that. It wusowim; to Just siieb a spirit, lo JiiHtsueb a determiimtloii, that his own married happiness bail been secureil, in Hpiii: ot endless Intrigue* and Ihe impenilive orders of bis hito wile's pan Ills. Had not happiness come lo lliat forbidden contract'? \es; but then bis wile had only rejected one lOirl ot Helby to ac- (■ept anoiher. and Iie to his paternal dig- nity (hat tic should not a|ip('ar to iiave been forced intoasiihndssion wliich was repui;nant to Ids ])ii(lc. He walked ncioss tlie park, and found the Countess of Tilbury joyous and relieved. The youn^ pier was itcoverinf? rapidly, spile ot tlie acute disappointment he liad experienced tlie day l)el(>r('. ^^lie was rather surprised at the calnmess whieli bad ensued upon it, and beuan to think that his feelings had not been so prolonnd on tlie ]Hiint as she had imagined. Tlie liarl of Selby prom|)lly liroactied the subject which was oc- cupying hi.s thoughts ,and soon learned all that had taken ))laeb on tlie previous day. His face clouded; that of the countess was trouliled and pu/,/,led. " 1 can not understand it," she said. " For reasons which 1 may not even hint to you, Iliad a conviction that things would bear- ranged. 1 know she did not feel any romantic alTcction ioi him. but I did liopc tliat in time licr feelings wouhl bccoii c warmer and more decided— and the match was so ht. Atioul this 1 .lave no doubt —he loves her as a man loves only once in ti lite- time; and it grieves my very soul to think that he should ha\e to suller, as lie will suffer, liy her indifference." " Have you not guessed the reason?" " 1 can't say that 1 have. 1 can not understand her. It appears to be a whim to nie — who know a gooa deal you can never know," said the countess. " Siic loves another man," said the earl. " Wiiat!" cried the countess, perfe<;tly thunderstruck, and utterly unable to reconcile such a statement wiili Lady Blanche's conduct ot no longer ago than JMonday. " Impossible, my dear earl — im- possible!" The countess's tongue was endeavoring io lieat down tiy emphatic reiteration a va^ue alarm that floated in licr bra'n. hlie remembered the incident of yesterday, the tiff about Burton— but that was too insane an idea to nouiisli. " Impossible," she cried again, " from what I know !" " True, nevertheless; she confessed it to inc last night," said the carl. " Whj', she must be crazy, my dear brother!" cried the countess, inanely. The peer shook his head with a troubled smile. " I am afraid not," be said. " It she were, there might be som« hope of curing the malady. Oh no. Her wits are us clear as ever they were." '• Do you know who It is?" " Yes; it is young Barton." The earl 8]x>ku with perfect calmness, but the countess started and sei/.ed his arm, staring at him with an expression almost reacb- Inf; the »ubliinc ot horror. 6hii was as astonished at the calmness q| Iv PASSION. a. Later on In llie day ho would 111 the coiilUlnut of tliia species lol hide trom himself that there he position by tliic concession, -and in two years no one knew 11 it was due to hif paternal dif!;- ive been forced into a submission found the Connless of Tilbury cer was lecovering rapidly, spile lad exiicrienced the day before. Ininess whieli had eiisiied upon iit;8 had not been so prolonnd on died the subject which was oc- rncd all that had taken place on ied; that of the counteas was (aid. " For reasons which 1 may miction that things would be ar- any romantic affection lot him, •liiif-s would becon c warmer and 80 ht. About this 1 .lave no doubt once in a lite time; and it enfves liould haNc to suHer, as he will souV" 1 not understand her. It appears goon deal you can never kuow," the earl. . ,. , L'rfectly thunderstruck, and utterly ent with Lady lilanche's conduct " Impossible, my dear earl— im- Eavorins »o beat down by emphatic iteil in her bra'u. Whe remembered about Burton— but that was too " trom what 1 kno^ !" jssed it to me last night," said the dear brotherl" cried the countess, I troubled smile. ' It she were, there might be soma no. Uer wits are as clear as ever calmness, but the countess started m with an expression almost reacb- laa as aslouisbed at the calnxness ot A WEEK OF PASSION. 253 his lono and manner iu making the dreadful announcement as at the tad itself. "Oil," she said at length, "you are joking, my lord, or you would never speak of it so coolly as that.' " Aly dear Dora, 1 never was more serious in my life— nor she <'ither, 1 am sorry to say. And, what is more, llarlon knows of it— ancl returns it— as you may well suppose." •'ll is absoluleiy incredible and incomprehensible!" said llie countess, delivering hei-self of llie polysyllables in long-drawn ac- cents. She clasped her haudn logethtr, and looked at the carl with a face full of struggling doulil and conlusion of mind. If surprise be an element of art, this stroke oi Lady IJIauche's was iu thai re- spect supreme. " Oil, what ought 1 to do?" said the countess. " I have told you there uie reasons, known only to me, why 1 can not believe this. I can not accept il as possible. 1 can not reconcile it with any notion of i.laiiclie's Iriitlifiilness or candor or c(>niiiinn sense! And yet I promised her fai'lifully 1 would not tell a word to any one aboul it llcjiven help me— wliiit ought 1 to do?" The curl was surprised at this exhibition of feeling on the part of his sister, which he saw was based on some solid grounds of infor- iimtioii. " What is the nature of this secret?" be in»iiiired. " Why, it related to this very (lueslion— the state of her heart the di.-posal of her hand. She discussed it with me no later than Monday." " Is it inconsistent with her confession to me— her acknowledir- meni to George Barton that she loves him?" " To my mind, (juile," said the countess, who spoke candidly tlioiigh in fact her deduction was wrong. .. i>,^ "'J "•'"*' ^^ mistaken, my dear Dora," said the carl lilancho is too clear- headed, too brave and straightforward to have said anything inconsistent with the exact truth. 1 seem to bo siiriounded by mysteriis just now. 1 can not guess at the nature of tlie declaration of which you make so tremendous a secret 1 only know his: whatever she thought or said on Monday, she knows now that she loves George Barton, or she would not have said so under circumstances which gave a peculiar solemnity to her confession of it both to him and to me." "Why, this is inily dreadful!" cried the countess— dismay shock, surprise, grief, all combined in lone and look Appreciation of a certain extrava^'ance in this exclamation, and lie accidents thereof, kindled into momentary sparkle the peer's line sense of humor, as a breath of wind wakes up the smothered glow of a burning " spoil-bank " at the mouth of acoal-pit— a sud- den gleam of Jiglit amid the blackness, lie gave a little lauirh ' ^s 'f so'ej-y tr^Kic alter all?" he said, slyiy. " It is romantic, ir you like, but our family has a tendency to that sort of thinjt " Not ours, William! I fear it was imported. Blanche some- times IS very— vcry—Freuchy— don't you think?" There was a dangerous glow in the earl's gray eyes, but he said, •' Like Uer mother, you mean? I thought you were very strong 364 A WEEK OF PASSION. i on your T^or.nan dcscont, Dor.,. Didu'l the steal William and his *^'^VXM,;^7ou'K:..^:'''S!iiiea the counters, llusUinj-, "that I, ''""Tow dl'y'o: iu^owT Wh'imve you been dipping .nto-Oreen. FrcnZ Nicholas? 1 rather tlnnU our family sprunsi from Anjou. S have foli any special and preeise information that they ^vero ""'.Cnei^e" sS'Z countess. •' 1 never trouble myself about '"''?|^r:fM;ri::'f;ia'ShX"'nau.eles« charn. which Franco B,.en.Ttoll^.d to its rudest stock, which, in tbU rough country we l.arimued through generations to lose, it we have acquired "er ne "u^n b cr .lualilics. Tov.ch not that subject Dora, ^ou can not can to, but you do jar a harsh chord m n.y hear . She- lan noi lULiu jji (. .•• i ,,y\^a slie were here now! ""n!roountes8"ut'llcr'm,e-sia;o.lhana caressingly on the back of his and said, witli feminine inconsequcntialilv, 'At al even s he has no Norman ancestry to boast of . ' " (vi -1? to ? C;iearlv Norman. 1 guess, will, a lUt e trouble, 1 shall ciible to get a htiaUVs certificate that his ancestor came Ler with the Conqueror.' There is no difflcully there. Wc can soon arrange that." _ li«» Kiiiiled somewhat maliciously. •' Vou are in a tireson.e humor.-"" retorted the countess, changing ilip crouud acaiu. " The son ot your b.ulift!" She eCAed to see him wince und.^r ths little ptick of the feminlue bodk n but. to hei surprise, he showed no consciousness. He took 't serlmisly. It really seemed as if he were anxhMis to en- ,....,„i,.r ilii"» first trial ot hs pr de and conquer it. those small Sul..r pe\forations\^re like cupping to a lumbago- a sort ot "•'A''^',!;\ttlhfZ o\ an h'o'est, an honorable a mos, worthy fi. ther, and such a son as any noble cf the laud might be proud to "^' Ob"iell " cried the countess. Impatiently, with a toss of the head "'oT course, if you have settled the matter in your own mind. ^^" ButT havai't. my dear Dora! This is just It. 1 never was more annoyed or woriled in my lite. It is precisely the "-ost super- fldall? Spropriate an.l least essentially improper comb na ion that 1 ever had o pass opinion on. She is a splendid gir ; he is a noble aUe high spirited fellow; he has rendered me great services; he is des iued to a brilliant career; that career 1 can assuio b m; lut as vou hint, be is a plebeian. No use iiying to gi d hat far- thing and iUs it tor a sovereign. U's a ' bro wny.' though the mmt- age is quite as good as any other." ^^ " Ohl vou are becoming quite a Republican. •• No " sa d the earl. llghUy, " 1 am only speaking as a naturalist ^pem.V8T«lioKa^.un>iI^^ you know that theic are copper coins worth many golden eagles. •^vrd"uJ^riew,'eh? Very good'. I ubawUoft oumismatology great William andliis tciis, llusbina, " that is •n dippini!; into— Oreeo, ily spninV from Aiijou. imution that tlicy %vcro rer trouble myself about i charm which Fr*nco this rough country, we ;e, it we have ocquireil lut subject, Dora. Tou ord ill my heart. She— ere here now! ' ciircssingly on the back ilialily, ly to l)onst of." less, Willi a little trouble, lh;it his ancestor ' came ifflcully there. We can rt the countess, changing ift!" ths liltle prick of the showed no consciousnesn. if he were anxious to en- onquer il. Those small to a lumbiigo— asortot orable, a most worthy fa- j laud might be proud to enlly, with a toss of the natter in your own mind, is just it. 1 never was , precisely the most super- ly improper combination is a splendid girl; he is a endered me great services; career 1 can assure him; ise iiying to gild that far- jrowuy,' though the mint ilican." ly speaking as a naturalist , you know that there are I abauUoft oumJsniatology A WKKK OP PASSTOK. afif* nnd mnlnplior. But seriously— I liavo told j'ou of the danircr. W hat is to he done?" * " Put your foot on it at once; it is out of the question." " Are you sure of Edward's heart? Is there no doulit about his feelings?" ln(]uircd the carl, his maimer becoming more grave and anxious than it had been during his mischievous sparring with his sister. " None; he loves her—madly." The countess selected the liotlrsl adverb she had at hand, but availed herself of it with a sense of its exaggeration; so she added, *' Jn least 1 mean profoundly." " Jl'm!" said the carl, and, after a pause, looking now keenly at his sister, " Will he work tor it— sacrillce for it— press it with all his niijrht and main— make it the sole luisiness ol his life for two years?" " For leu, 1 am convinced. As for sacrillce, he will do anything tor lier." There was a singular fatality in this expression of the coimtess's, which she employed with one clear meaning, yet which was suscej)- tible of two. " 1 must see him," said the earl, musingly. "You must; but say very little. He can not bear much yet, though he has picked uj) wonderfully. But, you ouufht to know, he has taken a queer fancy into his head. I don't understand it. He wants to see— that young person, you know." The peer was amused at the pettiness of the countess's malice against the troublesome vouth. " You mean George barton?" he said, with the most innocent air in tlie world. " Yes, you know I do. When Blanche was here Edward begged her to send the young man to see him to-day." The earl looked thoughtful, l)ut he said. " Oil, he alwaj's liked Barton — a mere kindly wish, 1 suspect." " 1 don't think so. From his manner, 1 judge I'^lward has some design in his head. You know he is going to sell ofT Ids stud?" *' JNonsense! A conversion? Has l^ord McCorquodale been praying with him?" " You arc lncorrigil)le," said the coimless. " At all events he cim not wish to speak to him almut Blanche, my dear Dora, and that is the subject in hand. I had betlei see Tilbury myself. My idea is to ask ii he is prepared to serve, like Jacob, for ray liachel, for two j'ears, with the difference that Ins reward is to be the girl's love— if he can win it; if not, then 1 sup pose we must let it take its natural course Bartonwiee. However deep our disappointment may be. 1 "feel unable to (uidertake to stand ov*. against Blanche's resolution." " Well," cried the poor countess, astonished, puzzled, vexed, " 1 really do not know what has come 7er everybody. Blanche; is a mystery, Edward seems a changed spirit, and as for you—" " J'm a predestinarian!" interrupted the earl, pulling his arm through Ids sister's as tliey moved toward the door. " But se- riously, Dora, 1 have become, or am becommg, a very ditiereut ^ 250 A WEEK OF PASSION. I::: miin 1 nm tlilnkinc of indulcine in the luxury of doing a lew irnnil firls bctorc 1 (lie— wliicli may not lie Umf; now. ^ TMnVoriookc.1 nt him gruvcly. but sni.l notl.inK. His tone ' wK't'hHaSn bin. seated at l.ord Till.urys bed.ido she made an excuse lor leaving them lOLrelher Altnr a few quesli ns ™ answers about his nephew's health, the senior curl came nn- moahilelv 10 the subject, and broached it m no light tone. "'•• You 1 a.e had aUre shake. Tilbury, and it must have made you serious. Thank Heaven, you seem to le ""t, "/, |«»«^,- ^..^.^ must think now about your sett ling down to married life, '^lo^v do •naifera Stand between you and Ulanchc? , ... < i ••Se win never be mine," replied the young carl with a sigh "but 1 wish to insure her happiness, and 1 am glad you have lolSiei Jpon The subject, as ['intended to have spoken to you ''^'""■Youi mother whispered to me something about a disappoint- mcnl;T.t.Ty dear E.lward, you know-' faint heart '-you must not cive it up without an efiort." , -Ah " rcnlicd the young man. shaking his head, it Is not a faint learttlmt troubles me. My resolution is strong enough f the e "ere only a shadow of hope; but there is none. Her heait m Scndr<4upied. and with hei 1 know what that means 1 should SvSl.Sf trying to turn out the n.anin possession-holding the aeasiolemieotf^^^^ No, no. 1 have too deep an afteet.on for her to desire anything Init her complete happiness. "Why," «ai(i l.oid Selby. surprised.;' how do Y^" ^n^^, _ , yotKa"nlrS^n,!rora^L.tflTection^ H..ve^T not noted every aSuhies and predilections lay. She was always c«>ol, d^ n cr- 3 unmoved except when one was near her or speaking with her. nn,inf late that was not often. Tlie indications were so slight tha n ?v escined ev^S eye but mine, which had the clairvoyance of they escaped every cj|> like-though, God knows, without any ofT m.;iice^Tor tlfe mrilln^^^^^^^^ it bi« position and ^ortJme are notbhVto or mine. She lovea George Barton- ^".'1 n tv^Kei \hVtr cried the earl. " Have you had no '^^V^^^^^XSi!^^'^^'^^ to mono ^""ew if "'said young Tilbury, drawing a deep breath; " and shemSstnotbecrossk Inch a girl as Blanche is must have her exprts purpose ot encouraging you toj.rcss your suit. My ideu was to put oil a decision for two years. ON. B luxury of doing n lew mif; now.'' sail! notliinf;. His tone (1 Tilliiiry's liedsido, slie Altnv a few qiiesliona tlio senior curl came ini- u no lijrlit tone. , and it mtist Jiave made > le out of dnufier. We. to married life. "How do yoimg carl, with a siRli, nd 1 am Klad you have 1 to have spoken to you hinp; about a disappoint- -' faint heart '—you must ajr his head, " it is not a ilinn is strong cnoufih, if lereis none. Her heait i% hat that means. 1 sliould in possession— liolding the ro too deep an aflcction for appinesa." how do you know?" tuition ot a rival. Have 1 t watched her with all the t Have T not noted every ;n by her lip, her oye, her well as 1 did, where her was always cool, disintcr- ir her or BDeakinp with her, ications were so sllglit that ;h had the clairvoyance of Ch, God knows, without any worthy, it his position and She loves George Barton— J earl. " Have you had no ee her face when his name had let me know, with i"- ase was hopeless " idmitted as much to me no iwing a deep breath; "and i Blanche is must have her ■ lord.'.' . , Iby. " I came here for the » press your suit. My idea ^■p-'c^- A WREK Olf WflfltON. 2f.7 " Yon majr put It or for twenty with those two," said young Til- bury; " it will make no dIfTerence. Ko, my dear uncle, let me sug- gest something better than that. I have thought it all 8ition 3'ou might make would be nugatory. Indeed, you could do nothing more likely to defeat your own object. Whatever we may think of George Barton, we must Uo him the justice to believe that lie would never consent to wed such a fortune as that until he could show some adequate counterpoise to it. You would postpone the weddin;; until he were chief-justice or prime-minister." The j'otmg earl was struck by this argument. " You are right," he said, musing, " 1 had not thought of that. No, it could not be <1one now; but it might be understood between you and me, and could be carried out afterward. 1 hoped 1 should be able to persuade Barton to agree to it, but 1 think you are right. It is belter not to mention it at present, though my resolution is un- changed. There is one thing, liowevor, we can do: we can assure him every chance of getting on. \\ e can launch hiin mto political life with a strong backin&r. lie is &t lor anything, and will soon make his position. Will you promise to do that? Will you give your consent at once?" The Earl of Selby looked thoughtful; his eye rested kindly and regretfully on the fine; earnest, pallid face before him. Tiiis noblo sacrifice— sacrifice in a difierent sense from that conceived of by the countes.s — enhanced the value of that which he was to lose in Til- bury's abandonment. Pure indeed, and high and holy, was a love which could act with a geuerosity so chivalrous and noble, and which sprung from the fine undersoil ot a nature whose better quali- ties had hitherto been concealed unilcr a mask of youthful cynicism, frivolity, gayety, irony ot tone and manner. " 1 have never liked you better than at this moment, Ned," said the Earl of Selby, taking Tilbury's white hand in his own. " But I 9 .„. jjjg ' A WEEK OF I'ASSION. . » . «,.„ Ui.iinvp mc mv reasons are soiintl, and I can not consent at. once, liellevc i"^' "'/ ' n,,c,iilar. 1 happen Uiink judicious. The mrcumstances are veiy^^^ ,„ know them all but 1 can n"^ ex, k . tl^m to ou 1 ^^^J^^ J^^^^ to Blanclie that ehc should ''^^^f,,,V/ro showiiiK th.it he is worthy we must give Bart..., ='" «J''?";^"'Se1.ilK th^^ l>"8t few days, in of so hish a prize. 1 .»"'''',,f^„7,,^ f tr3tul cal innty. to obsefve lionally high." Tl>e countess entered the room. brother. " FrttWtw •• 1 can not slay any longer, ^^.^.f'^'*^ '? "" i"' , jry toward Lord f,hVme— WellV" She glanced with anxious luipuij Tilbury. . „!,)«., hnr hand "we have agreed uiwn smiling at them. His agony was over .. ^^^ j " ^'"l" r'l 'hou^hri Lew ?lu both '^wdf^ 1 knew, my am surprised. 1 thought i Knew yuu You_you especially. "That is precisely what has uone iii »»■" "" me. 1 am sorry to say. Dora jou ^^^^^J^'\^^^^^^ floating over riiT rhosJS but rhri^^eil^r^ to prStect and secure ^"tIus Son was relieved from an awkward explanation with the good lady, and the earl was free. ,ION. reasons arc 80\iml, and I very peculiar. 1 happen lem to you. It is only just . rcllect on tin matter, una ihowing tli•' \^'"« ' .r^/'^; ""^t n«fect trcedom ot ^Tit before ho went lo Portman 8<>u.ire bo ^^^'J^ ^f^^'^'V''''''• \,oSSy li^»^^^^'^ l« caU and see tLe youug Earl of Tilbury. keeping Mrs. ^''l'"""" ;,,,,, „^ouien'8 quarters in Portman Hqu.ire. her to what may bo tt™'«^7V",Tnn 1 on Charks having some let- Thus she ."v»""^''.""/,f, :'""'K?i ,he tWh and - ngUsh journals ters to ^'i/;; »•:' '"L''\t puisuifot that ;S knowledge which Barton, who 1"'^1 ^J?"'"^f,J^""TL couu"e88 a^^^ brother's earnest "'"^"r\*!i'd ivc.7ov"r^n a phaeTon to sec Mrs. Barton, and loin request, hatl driven «vtr lu » ij"» w,i8 the iM-art of the grand daino the party at lunch Deep y. "^J«g- ^^,^',^5 "o altered and grief- ineutsot the inner man «1" '!^,'^,« J^^ a™ forces 'T^. '" '^^iioTas :Ked b? o^r i?e"t^^^^ '"«>■' o»l "« cheek, whisiiered, x'.iworfl cuessed it yesterday. Weha^e Blanche glanced, puzzled ?t the countess J^^i'irface but happy SVatC"shrflKS;ih'a"tr ci't rd 1 not know •• all- Ihat "be earl's secret had not escaped, to her at leas . Jl^«"; «« «J« " YQurKr lias bcm over with us thjs morwag. Be apa TU- )N. lur was come lor rostind giew keen and ffiarful. L without nolico to him. ong iigony ci retlectioD, linR brow, resolved logo thftt perfect freedom of volved the sacrifice of his .0 would fultlU his prom- ug Earl of Tilbury, « ♦ a Lord Clmrlc^'s manner, )eing alone with him by list, and then retiring with larlers in Portman Hquiirc. Charles, liaving some let- jnch and KiigUsh journals political knowledge which t up in the library, where he thou^lit the hour bad piston announced George : after Ills interview with 8, at hei brother's earnest sec Mrs. Barloo, and join lielieart of the grand dame oking so altered and grief- f an Iiour, when tlie tocsin anary. and predatory cle- 18 the trumpets of the cap- used all the dormant forces jatest fabulist, rang out its ace during that iulerview, eye and manner of the t joy in the face of Mrs. lie dining-room, which au- ig charactei of tlicir talk, them, was strangely moved ms and, kissing her on the ised it yesterday. We ba%e 1 insure you all you desire, le and arbitrary little minx? [f the other morning!" aless, but she saw in a mo- 1 and gentle face but happy itess did not linow " all"— . her at least. Then, as she catching her tine eyes fixed tent, she saw that some ex- it ken place, she said, this jpormog. Be aijo lU- A WKKK 01' I'ASfllOK. 261 bury have had a long talk. Edward behaved nobly, Blanche. You can never bo grutefui enough to him. lie was tlio— angel's advo- cate, 1 will say, iu piefercucu to the other, you know." "Dear old Dolly!" said Lady Blanche, with streaming eyes. " lie could never do otherwise tiian bcliuvo nobly. The sorrow ot disappointing him sadly mars my happiness." As aim was speaking the door opened, and George Barton came in with Lord Charles. Barton's eyes turned llrst toward her ais to the loadstar of his fate. I'Lvcept that momentary glimpse iu the dark- ness, this was the lirst time he had seen her since that precious hour in the Temple, She, conscious that the sentiment to which she had just given utterance might seem — unless sounded to its protoundest depths and pioperly analyzed— to be somewhat disloyal to love's jeal- ous autocracy, blushed as she caught her lover's eyes fixed upon her with tender but melancholy eagerness. The conversation he had held with the Earl of Tilbury wo;ild have brightened any man iu a less mournful position than Barton's. The young carl, without al- luding to the iiilcliigenco he had received from Lord Selby, had gradually led George up to an avowal of hia love, speaking to liini with engaging frankness, admitting that he had tiiought ot his cousin allectiouately, and had desired her for his wife, but not dis- coverlnu too much of his feelings, notoxposinsr the depth of his pas- sion, fie did not wish to magnify to his fricna or to Blanche the service bo was rendering. lie promised cordially, even affection- ately, to stand Barton's friend with all concerned, and to promote the end to which his cousin's affections leaned; while he candidlr, though delicately, let Barton know that it was tor her happiness tne sacrlflce was made. To perform all this with perfect sincerity, and yet without wounding the (imour propre of his friend, was certainly a nice and ditlicult task for the young earl, but one of which he ac- quitted himself with perfect success. It was a triumph of the purest devotion. For hia part. Barton, in a trying position, had displayed a manliness and refluement of feeling, and a quick, gen- erous 'sympatiiy which excited the young carl's admiration, and would have convinced liim, were further proof needed by him. that the man wliom Blanche had selected was fully worthy of the peer- less treasure of her love. But Tilbury's quick eyes did not fail to perceive that in Barton's cup of joy there were some drops of vinegar. There was a melan- choly in his tone, a certain sadness iu the deep darkness ot his tine eyes, which the observer could not understand. Nay, once Barton had inadvertently let slip a phrase which had both astonished and wounded the young lord. The latter referred hoi>efully to the day which was to crown the triumph of his friend, when Barton's face suddenly became clouded, while the words escaped him— only not commoiiplace, because ot their subjective significance- " Ah, we never know what may happen to quench our brightest hopes!" ■Tilbury, chilled, surprised, looked earnestly at his friend. " Oh," he said, gravely, " such good fortune as yours ought to hsve none but bright presentimentsi" " But only think, my dear Tilbury, how rude a shock to our coufldence iu tbu smooth tun ot fortuuu and happiness you and I m ^'■i 202 V WKKK Ol'' I'AtSWION. and whose lie^h y..unK vo«c«h ; > f icail «u'W heavy wlih Hio shudONved by l>f«««"'V""'^ /„r„^^;i trrow 1« hia own lite which, sense ot k «^»'"i''^^*^''*'^'l ' " ^ci- vcr in ..uUinyil removed SruSi'f.::^'itlX:^.Kto"^i>e:i ^1;^ ol l-c ...Prince whUh observance ot her a.mt «'f »'"' ^.l^^",' .^m a JKion*: As he look her imposed uium her ten.led to litre wcuah^^^^^^^ ,^^^^ -Sir is;/Kri^.^^^^^^^^^^ - "mII'SI PW ... Bdb, had ».n 13.r,on by .h. .rn, and i.7r'5rsr;fvS!.':pSr»pii'KenM'»d .u.ua .« ION. rs lire fast runnliiR iiwnyl 1 hbinK liHVo \m;n rouL'liiy jlie will ever recover tlitlr Kroiinds ot the iinjjjulsh iijli tlif y often returned to was one ot the strongest irk at iin easy pace, calch- the Uow, glancing at tho , or gamhol'.'il on the turt, re untroulilod l)y cure, uu- call yu'w heavy with tho [)w In hia own lite which. Wery unpt'illniyil removetl palnol the sactillce Which loola'tl at Laiiy Hlunche. a The bluHh, anil a slighl licit the presence ami keen (t last night to her iallier agitation. As he took her .' in her grasp, ami there whlcli she vainly strove to Lhe two elder women were iiuil mutual perturbation; iiwUwarilness, the face of ilight, his luce llusheil, Ills liil. ""Will you kindly go ors. IJarlon, 1 must speak to him to follow. " 1 laughed, as he placed the h him," he said. " Thcro he atmosphere is iiuite olec- 'ity, hut here he is. What Jlanche there last night »o ftl turning up until midnight Mrs. Barton, 1 can vouch f was in India with the Gov- iken Barton by the arm and i8t seen one of my new solic- lavc boiled!" y Hush mounting to his tem- 1 escape?" i-day to their office to get my fusion. It seems lo me the rd's, drove away witliout be- 1 appointment, ftud that is all A wnF.K OK I'Art.SloN. 203 they know nt thcii otfloo. Neither of Ukmu lian iieen «eei ot heard of since. Their wIvoh and tamilics are di«tractc at onci) to Scol- iund Yard, They must not cni him;— they shall not escapel" lie clinched his hands uiiil teeth. • My father h bonor can only be cluartMl by their puuishipenl! ' The earl saw how i)owerlul a sttiipgle was going on in the young man's breast as he uttered these woidl. " Stay! ' said llie peer; " I will go with you. They can not pos- sibly escape. I saw both 8ontag and tlueliief conimlssioner late last night. We passed you. Mlaiiche and 1, on our way homo. They assured me both the Poliurds were being closely watched, and if tliey have given the police the slip for the moment, depend upon it tliey will bo slopped belore many hours are over. A warning has Ix.en i?ent lo every pan ol the kingdom." . George Barton listened, but was only gathering strcmglh to per- form his resolve. His tacc had grown pale, his eyes were glowing with lire he could not suppress; for within him, even then, iluty was doggedly resisting the soft, persuasive voice ol love. " 81111, my lord," he said, firmly, " 1 feel that 1 must act. At present ihero is no-""; '7 ,7;;;;;', ^.o„ih would Hucritlr. lite.nmWllon. .uul love V\ ' ', j;//;/" k',, „t The oM Sp.irtnn or „t th.-w-a n-uMon 7, ' '' ' ^Z;! X^ 1 « . I' to ,ill Ihr.., will, a vivi.l cblvalric »>«'^|»'\"r. , 7?Mh, uonv ot l.U sdt iil.andoniufut. '^^rtreli'^Sc'S'Stw^::^^^ . -a Umaly on U. Hhoul. irir'S\ir"rutr;in.;.i..^^ thanVou wo«u. .... ft8U(Wen8iuishlnoH..slcM into . wlUMU 1 ^^j^, ,^^ "Najr. nay. C.corKo.- «"«! '\'''/'"Vt w, "h • who thought ol it. K^';^rrsri"-'. -'^ - «"o. .^.o ..p ""^"a'}/" '5o"'our own heart an Inluslice." „l8tHke not, from «o"'f I' "« «^^ ^ ^ "'on 1 rather he I.ehohlun to S^r^r a» tIJSSnf .hant ;/o^ eise in the .oria. Is .t not -"i'sly Bmile bad come over the earl's face U8 bo said those wonln. lave believed it p..88iblov^hile >« > ^^ ,«; '"^^v.ice yonr age. that confidant and the "^e"'"/, "*"'"" t from me second only in im- nil the while you were >''»'"« ^'^"^.isX.rconse.iuenoeB. to the portance, and. I fihouUl add. '""\V,."„o Barton. Georgn Barton, Le iwas confiding to youl ,f„^' ^S I ever "ad to «^^^ wits . tone ot that which George »»"o°',^''° ^'^^uch as he would have would have shrunk t^o";„ «,XSrcani8m to a member ot the royal recoiled from propounding l\«P*™,u^^^ Manning bad re- •tier tlml li« iiliouUl liavf lunipluiiilly. Ihiin lluit \w ikIi. Tliti trial wn** •'*'"> tlilH youth woulil Hiicritlcn HI' hu llglitly rc'narileil any Kii "I tl>« "''> Spartnn or 1^' to all llirw! wllh a vivlil hi* sdt aliniHhMinifut. huud kimlly ou his Hhoul lA (lone— it is et Don't l,.)a till) l'<>li«'o t'vc^ylhi^^' Ifcly llian you would ever I with a i)U/.7.1c I face; then lew ilropn in tliu eveH- ril!" he cried, seizing? the crisli (■ner^'y. ' don't cive n\e any credit ,iia she wlio thought ol It., uUl not allow me to sleep itice." ler nil the cicdlt; and, If 1 iR- sir. about which 1 Imvo woidd rather he Ijeholden to else in the world. Is it not face as he said these words, aid, with an nssiimption ot ihnrles appear to have lieen tor you, Oeorue. I could not re slttiuK hero and acting the )re ihau twice your age, that rom me second only ui im- laslrous conseiiuences to the irco Barton, George Barton, isi 1 ever bad to cross wits nv all the deceits 1 have prac- 1 ungratetul country, in Hnd- edaed banister!" his ears. Was this really the )e speaking in a mocU-seriouB vho was a brave youth, loo, im as much as he would have lism to a member oi the royal bat Cardinal Manning had ro- ize sought and searched thq A WEEK 01' I'AHSION. 2t;5 depths ot the earl'H i:riiy vyvu to try and n^ad the iiieaDlng ol thin Mloundlng franKiof mind. •' My lord-" ho liegan, anil stoppid, pu/zleil, Iroubloil, trum- bllni!. Till earl smiled. , . , . " Vou we.' ho said. " 1 have a private detective department. Nny. the Iriilh Im, Ulanrhf hiw bi'ira.\ed you, and coutesseU all. IJui'llit"* must wail-tliis niiiHl wait." " Mr Soma,', my lord!" criiNl Colnton. throwiug o|»'U the door. and the Clilef ot the Dott-cllvo Di imrliiu'ut walked In. lie apiHJarcd excited and not dinpleaned with hiiii^ell. , . , , „ „. • ror«:ve me. my lord, tor Inliuding upon you, but I have mosi, slarlling ue««, and 1 have taken the liberty ot comins? on with It "'""welcome. Mr. Hontai;. whatever your news! 1 hope you havo caimlil the vllli.ins." critd the cnrl. in ii lone Hoslnuere that Milher of Ills amlilors doubltd It. albeit Soiilug marveled deeply to himself. '■ Kiom our iioint ol view, mv lord, it la belter news than that, though pei.Hoiiiilly I am Urrtbly disappointed .by what has hap- pened. IJotli the' I'oliiiiiU lire dead." '• Dead!" nhouted the earl and young Barton together. A long »i"li ot reliet ettcuped In ni the peer's breast. Barton felt us It l»y a single stroke ot un omniiiotcul pen his dilemnm had licoa fitruck out of trie records of his life. . , .. _ " l)o«idi" repeated .Mr, J^outag. " Execullon has overtaken them before jiidument. (Jno died slain by the other's hand, the other in reclsting arrest. 1 say 1 nni sorry, my lord (exeejit tor your sake - because it relieves you from any anxiety In regard to the matter vou mentioned last night), for It was a wonderfully Interesting case- one of the most Interesting aud beautiful eases Ui ail my experi- ence However, lliero is some coinpeusalion: we have secured, 1 believe, the principal agent in the crime. It not the actual murderer and his assistants. A romance-a perfect romance! Hu l»|d ruu on In (he very vaeht which those two scoundrels had provided tor their own escaiie by purloining trust funds which lay in their hands. Between thiee and tour this morning she cpuie into collinlon in the Channel with a large steamer, and this man Yates, with the cttpUiii and crew are all In our hands at Dover, along with the disabled vacht i.nd the body ot our missing Ueteclive, Mcl.aren. The crow are all known vagabonds. 1 ex|>eel we shall bwIul' up at least half of them and we .shall vindicate llie honor of my department, and avenge the death ot a very usotul fellow. But permit me, eail, heartily to congratulate you u\)oa the turn evenU have taken. 1 ou must teel greatly relieved that you will only have to face an inquest instead ot a trial, and that the mouths ot these villains are closed forever. Will you permit me to say that this is the only consola- tion 1 have for the uin^atisf actory nature of tuo deiuiuetnent 1 The peer held out his hand to the detective. . ,. , ,^ ,. " It is a verv terrible one. Mr. Sonlag," he said, but H would be Idle for me to alTect not to feel thankful that this awtul business should have ended as it has. And I fancy that my yoi-ng Iriend licre will not be disposed to (luairel with you as the bearer ot sucU news. CJare must be taken at the Imiucst to bring out clearly tUo » 1 I, ' I ,1 ?;: ;> A WKEK OV rA.SSION. lionorubic part pluyctl by my poor niurdLied friend in all IIiIh hual- ness; and when his >;0()d name is cleared nuither Mr. Unrtoti, 1 uiii 8iiri>, uor 1 will teel any grutilieutiun :it the tearful pinilahnieut which these wretched men have drawn down on their 'iwn heads." Afler a brief conveigalion, in which thej' discuBse:! tojiether the course to be pursued at the inquest, the carl insiHlin earl culled me out of the dining- inteiligencc had arrived, and he n is tliere; 1 suppose you would his lips to any other,' and he •an?" She was about to sink into er in his arms, pressed her to his , you know what it means? It ver, ana that you arc mine— that 'yph BND. ' t i ADVUnTTSBMHiNTS. JAMBgrLE'S THE BEST WasUni Coqoiil EVER INVENVED. No XjOdy, Married or f)in> gle, Hich or Poor, Houso- keeping or Boarding, will be without it ai'ter testing its utility. 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Hy William Black... 10 71 A Struggle for Fame. By Mrs. J. H. Ridden SO 72 Old Mvddelton's Money. By Marv'Ceril Hay 20 7.3 Redeemed bv I,ove. By the author of " Dora Thorne "... SO 74 Aurora Floyd. By Miss M. E. liraddon SO 75 Twenty Years After. By Alex- ander Dumas SO 76 Wife in Name Only. By the author of " Dora Thorne ".. . SO 77 A Tale of Two Cities. By Clias. Dickens l-'i 78 Madcap Violet. By Wm. Black 20 79 Wedded and Parted. By the author ot "Dora Thorne"... 10 NO. TRICE. »i .liine. Bv iMrs. Forrester SO 81 A Daughter of Helh. By Wm. Black 20 8-J Sealed Lips. By Fortune Du Hoisgohey 20 ra A strange iitory. By SirE. Bui- wer Lvttnii SO 8-1 Hard 'liiues. By Charles Dick- ens 10 f-5 A Sea Queen. By W. Clark Kussell 80 80 Belinda. By Rhoda Broughton SO 87 Dii'k Sand: or. A Captain at Fifteen. Bv Jules Verne SO 88 The I'rivnteersMian. By Cap- tain Jliirrvat SO 80 The Red Eiic. Bv R. M. Ballan- tyne 10 90 Ernest Jliiliiaveis. By Sir E. Piilwer Lvtton SO 01 Bariialiy liiulge. By Charles DicKeiis 20 OJ Lord Lvniie's Clmiee. By the aullioiof •' iKira Thorne ". .. 10 93 Aiilhniiv Tiollo!>e's Autobiogra- phy.." : 80 91 Little Dorrit. Bv L'liaiies Dick- ens. First half 30 94 IJttle Dorrit. liv Charles Dick- ens. Second half SO 05 The Fire Brigade. By R. M. Biillantyiie 10 SO Krliiig the Bold. By K. M. Bal- laiitvne 10 97 All ilia (lardin Fair. By Walter Besant SO 98 A Womaii-1 later. By Chailes Reade 15 99 Barbara's History. By Amelia B. Edwards 20 100 SO.tXm Leagues Under the Seas. By Jules Verne 20 101 Second Thoughts. By Rhoda Broughton 20 102 The I\loonstone. By Wilkie (Jollins 15 103 Rose Fleming. B'- Dora Russell 10 10-t The Coral Pin. By F. Du Bois- pobey 30 105 A Noi)le Wife. By John Saun- ders 20 100 r.leak House. By Charles Dick- ens. First half 20 too Bleak House. By Charles Dick- ens. Second half 20 107 Doniliey and Son. By Charles Dickens 40 108 The Cricket on the Hearth, and Doctor Jlarigold. By Charles Dickens 10 109 Little Loo. By W. Clark Rus- sell 20 110 Under the Red Flag. By Miss M. E. Braddon 10 111 The Little School iiinster Mark. By J. H. Sliorthouse 10 112 The Waters of Maiah. By .John Hill 8Q (8) 11 THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.-Pocket Edition. 20 20 20 10 10 40 NO. PRICE. J13 Mrs. Carr's Companion. By M. G. WiKiitwiek 10 114 Some of Our Girls. By Mrs. C.J.Kiloiiit 80 115 Diamond (!iit. Diamond. By T. Adolplius Trollope 10 116 Mollis. By"Onida" 20 117 A Tale of the Shore and Ocean. By W. II. (1. KiiiKSlon 20 118 Loys, Lord Ih'rrcHford. and Kric Uerln^. By " 'J'lie Duclicss". 10 119 Monica, and A Itose Distill'd. By "The Diieliess ' 10 130 Tom Brown's School Dayn nt RtiKl)y. By ThomaM IliiKhes ai 121 Maid of Atlicns. By Justin Mc- Carthy 30 133 loiif SU'wart. By Mrs. E. Lynn Linton ••• s** 133 Swept is True Love. By " Ihe DucliesR " 10 184 Three Feathers. By William Black 2" 125 The Monarch of Miiicinj; Lane. Bv William Blad; 126 Kilnienv. Bv William Black. . 137 Adrian BriRlit. By Mrs. tiaddy 528 Afternoon, ami Other Sketches. By "Ouida" • 139 Rossmoyne. By " The Uuch ess " l;W The Last of the Barons. By Sir K. Bulwer I^vtton. . . 131 Our Mutual Friend. By (Jnaries Dickens 40 133 Master Ilumphroys Clock. By Cliarlcs liickens 10 133 Peter the Whaler. By W. 11. 0. Kingston 10 131 Tlie Witching Hour. By "Tlie Ducliess " 10 135 A Oreat Heiress. By K. E. Fran- cillon 10 186 " Tliat I^ast Rehearaal." By " The Duchess" 10 137 Uncle Jack. By Walter Besant 10 138 Green I'astures and incoadilly. By William Black 20 139 The Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid. Kv Thomas Hardy 10 140 A Glorious Fortune. By Walter Besant 10 141 Slie Loved Him! By Annie Thoma,s '0 142 Jenifer. Bv Annie Thoi.iaa.... 20 143 One False, Both Fair. J. B. Harwood 20 144 Promises of Marriage. By Emile Qaboriau 10 145 " Storm-Beaten :" God and The Man. By Roliert Buchanan.. 20 146 Love Finds the Way. By Walter Besant ai'd James Rice 10 147 Rachel Ray. By Anthony Trol- lope SO 14S Thorns and Orange-Blosuonis. By the author of " Dora fnorne" 1" NO. „ PR«c«i. Ill) The Captain's Daughter. From the Russian of Pushkin 19 LW For Himself Alone. By T. W. Speight 10 l.ll The Ducle Diamonds. By C. Blatlierwick ,10 153 The Uneommerial Traveler. By Charles Dickens 30 153 Tlie Golden Calf. By MissM. E. Braddou 20 15J Aiman Water. By Robert Bu- chanan 20 t.V) Lady Muriel's Secret. By Jean M id 10 lit of Madness, and Stories. By Florence t 10 tie Deeds. By Sarah 10 I- of Lyons. Founded Play of that title by vttun 10 Xrnin. By Sir E. Bul- tton 80 Power. ByJoyceDar- .Till" Rii'Ke of Grenada. K. Biilwer Lytton 10 ory of Henry Esmond. Ham Makepeace.Tliack- lie and Marguerites. By Duchess" 10 id Seieuce. By Wilkie ao oughfare. By Charles 18 and Wilkie Collins... 10 inted Man. By Charles IS 10 t Treason. By Mary IS 80 's Wheel, and Other I, By "The Duchess" 10 1 Girls." By Alan Muir 20 eiiiners. By Eleanor C. ..; 20 Han. Hv Mrs. Lodge. . 20 Landom Shot, and Other i. Hv Wilkie Collins... 1« 1 Day. By Philippa P. )n 10 hapel. By Mrs.Oliphant 29 ?ave8 from the Journal fe in the Highlands. By Victoria 10 :ake-BeIieve. By B. L. ^ )n w he Galley Fire. By W. Russell 10 IV Abelard. By Robert ,nan 1' lionaire. AMovel M THE SEASIDE LIBRARY. -Pocket Edition. 195 HO. PRICK. 188 Old Contralrv, and Other Hto ries. By Florence Marryat. . . 10 184 Thirlby Hall. By W.E. Norris. 20 185 Diui. By Lady Mai-garet Ma- jendie l" 186 The Canon's Ward. By James Pavn • •■• ^ 187 The Midnight Sun. By Fredrika Bremer '0 188 Idonea. By Anne Bcnie 20 189 Valerie's Fate. Mra Alexander 5 190 llDmance of a Black Veil. By the author of " Dora Thome " 10 101 Harry Lorroiiuer. By tHiarles Lever -■•.;,• ** 198 At the World's Mercy. By F. Warden 10 198 The Rosary Folk. By G. Man- ville Fenn 10 So Near, and Yet So Far 1" By Alison ••• 10 The Way of the World." By David Christie Murray 16 196 Hidden Perils. By Mary Cecil Hay 10 197 For tier Dear Sake. By Mary Cecil Hay 20 198 A Husliand's Story 10 199 The Fisher Village. By Anne Beale 10 300 An Old Man's Love. By \n- thony Trollope • 10 201 The Monastery. By Sir Walter Scott ^ aoa The Abbot. By Sir Walter Scott 20 803 John Bull and His Island. By Max O'Rell 10 a04 Vixen. By Miss M. E. Braddon 15 205 The Minister's Wife. By Mrs. Oliphunt .- 30 206 The Picture, and Jack of All Trades. By Charles Reado.. 10 207 Pretty Miss Neville. By B. M. Croker IJ 208 The Ghost of Charlotte Cray, and Other Stories. By Flor- ence Marryat 10 809 John Holdsworth, Chief Mate. By W. Clark Russell 10 810 Readiana: Comments on Cur- rent Events. By Chas. Roade 10 211 The Octoroon. By Miss M. E. Braddou 10 912 Charles O'Malley, the Iriali Dra- goon. By Chas. Lever (Com- plete in one volume) 30 813 A Terrible Temptation. Chas. Reade 15 214 Put Yourself in His Place. By Charles Reade 20 816 Not Like Other Girls. By Rosa Nouchette Carey T) 216 Foul Play. By Charles Reade. 15 817 The Man She Ca=-ed For. J F. W. Robinson 15 818 Agnes Sorel. By G. P. R. James 16 310 l*4y Clare ; or. The Master of QieFotge^ By Qeorgeg Ohnet 10 NO. PItlOB. a-JO Which Loved Him Best? By the author of " I )ora Thome " 10 a21 CNunin' Thro' the Rye. By Helen B. Mathers 15 a-."! The Suu-Mald. By Miss Grant 15 ','^3 A Sailor's Sweetheart. By W. t;iark Russell H 2".! I The Arundel Motto. Mary Cecil flav IS ',•25 The Giant's Robe. ByF.Austey 15 ■i-X Friendship. By "Ouida" tO 3\!" Nancy. By Rhoda Broughton. 15 3v'8 Prinei'ss Napraxine. By " Oui- da" 20 229 Maid, AVite, or Widow? By Mrs. Alexander 10 3;«) Dorotliy B'orster. By Walter Besant 15 '£n Oriimii (Jaunt. CJharles Reade 15 232 Love and Jlonoy ; or, A Perilous Secret. By Charles Reade. .. 10 2.'i3 " I Say No ;" or, the LoveI*tter Answered. Wilkie Collins.... 15 231 Barbara; or, Splendid Misery. Miss M. E. Braddon 15 285 " It is Never Too Late to Mend." Bv Charles Reade. .. 80 230 Which Shall It Bo? Mrs. Alex- ander 20 23" Repented at Leisure. By the author of " DoraThorue"... 15 2.18 Pasoarel. By ''Ouida " 20 ■£iO Signa. Bv " Ouida " 20 2111 Called Buck. By Hugh Conway 10 211 The Baby's Grandmother. By L. B. Walford 10 842 The Two Orphans. ByD'Ennery 10 243 Tom Burke of " Ours." First half. By Cliarles I*ver 30 243 Tom Burke of " Ours." Second half. Bv Charles Lever 20 844 A Great Mistake. By the author of " His Wedded Wife" 80 215 Miss T(jminv. and In a House- Boat. By Miss Mulock 10 i40 A Fatal Dower. By the author of " His Wedded Wife " 10 247 The Armourer's Prentices. By Charlotte M. Yonge 10 248 The House on t)"- i)Iarsh. F. Warden 10 849 " Prince Charlie's Daughter." By author of " Dora Thotne " 10 250 Sunshine and Rosea; or, Di- ana's Discipline. By the au- thor of " Dora Thome " 10 251 The Daughter of the Stn*s, and Other Tales. By Hugh Con- way, author of "Called Back" 10 252 A Sinless Secret. By " Rita " . . 19 253 The Amazon. By CarlVosmaer 10 254 The Wile's Secret, and Fair but False. By the author of " Dora Thorne " 10 855 The Mystery. By Mrs. Henry Wood W 850 Mr. Smith: A Part of HiaLite. By Ij. B. Walford V #' THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.-Pocket Edition. 85" Beyond Bocall. geaiit 968 CmmiiiM. Ry 1 pnicic, By AJfllne Bei- B. Walforil... 869 Tlie Bride of MonteCristo. (f - SfQiiel to " The Coimt i> (A f Moute-Cristo." By Alexander MO Proper Pride. By B. M. Croker 10 861 AFairMuid. By K W. Uol>iii»tile-t!riBto. Parti ByAlexandirDiiiiinB 30 90S The Coiinl of Moutt- (Jrmlo. Purtll. ByAlextiiidi'rliimiftH fcO 963 An Isliinaol'lte. By Miss M. K. Brnddou ,••■ •••■ '" 8ft4 Pi^ldoiiolie, A French Detective. By Fortuiifi Dii BoisKobcy . • ■ • 10 36.^ Jiufitli Slialiespenre : Her Lovo Affiilrsand Oilier Adventures. By Williiua lilacli •. 10 966 The Water-Baliii's. A Fflfiiy 'lalo for a Land-Baby. BytlieKev. Chai-les Kingsley.^.. ...••.•• 10 867 Lam el Vane; or, Tlie Olrls Conspiracy. By Mrs. Alex. M(!Vei«li Miller •• 20 968 Ladv (Jay's I'ride; or, 11m Misers Treasiue. By Mrs. Alex. McVeiKh Miller 20 869 Lanca.ster'8 Choice. By Mrs. Alex. McVeiKh Miller 80 970 The Wauderint? Jew. Part I. By Enseue Sue • • ■ 20 S70 The Wandering Jew. Part IL By KuRene Sue *0 871 The Mysteries of Paris. Part I. By EuKone Sue ■ • *0 871 The Mysteries of Paris. Part II. ByfiupeneSue 20 872 The 1 -it tie SiivaKe. By Captain Marrynt • • ■ • • • ■ • • ■ ■ . 873 Love and Miraye : or, 1 he Walt ine on an Island. By M, Betlianv Ed wards. . 874 Alice, Uraud Ducliesa of Hesse, princess of Great Britain and Ireland. Biographical bltetch and Letters ••,•• ;-i;V/ 975 The Three Brides. Charlotte M. Yonge •• •■■ ^" 876 Under the Lilies and Roses. By Florence Marryat (Mi-s. Fran- cis Lean) ;• 10 877 The Sui:geon'8 Daughters. By | Mrs. Henry Wood. A Man of Pis Word. By W. E. Norris. 10 878 For Life :.nd Love. By Alison. 10 979 Little Goldie. Mrs. Sumner Hay- jen *o 880 Omnia Vanitas. A Tale of So- ciety. By Mrs. Forrester. .... 10 881 The &juire'8 Lee&uy. By Mary CJecilHay........ ■■ •• 15 883 Donal Grant. By George Mac- Donald •• •■•• w 863 Tlie Bin of a Lifetime. By the author of "Dora Thorne"... 10 9U Ooriai Bf " "i^^ Duchess " < < 10 10 10 10 NO PRIOB. •^tvi The Gambler's Wife .... 80 aSO Deidee; or. The Iron Hand. By F. Warden 20 287 At War With Herseir. By the author of " Dora Tliome ". . . 10 288 From Gloom to Sunlight. By the author of ' Dora Thorne 10 asa John Bnll'8 Neighbor in Her True Light. By a " Brutal Saxon '• ............ 10 290 Nora's Love Test. By SUry Cecil Hav • /.••• 80 291 Love's Warfare. By the author of " Dora Tlionm " • • • • 10 292 A (lolden Heart. By the author of "Dora Thorne'" 10 293 The Shadow of a Bin. By the author of " Dora Thorne ".. . 10 294 Hilila. Bv theauthorof " Dora Thorne" 10 295 A Woman's War. By the author of "Dora Thorne^' 10 290 A Hose in Thorns. By the au- thorof "Dora Thorne "...... 10 397 Hilary's Folly. By the author of "Dora Thorne" 10 298 Mitchellmrst Place. By Marga- rot Veley VTli-,-:- ^" 299 The Fatal Lilies, and A Bride from the Sea. By the author of "Dora Thorne" • 10 800 A Gilded Sin, and A Bridge of Love. By the author of "Dora Thorne " • • JS 801 Dark Days. By Hugh Conwwr. » 30S Tlie Blatchtord Bequest. By Hugh Conway. ..... ... . . . .... W 303 Ingledew House, and More Bit- ter than Death. By the author of " Dora Thorne " W 304 In Cupid's Net. By the author of " Dora Thorne " 1<» 305 A Dead Heart, and Lady Gwen- doline's Dream. By the au- thorof "Dora Thorne" 10 806 A Golden Dawn, and Love for a Day. By the author of " Dora Thorne'*' • ■ • • • . • • • l" 807 Two Kisses, and Like No Other Love. By tlie author of "Dora Thorne'' l^ 308 Beyond Pardon -v w ' V 309 The Pathfinder. By J. Fenl- moie Cooper • ■ . • • 20 310 The Prairie. By J. Fenimoro Cooper ;• .-•••r-i;- *" 311 Two Years Before the Mast. By R. H.Dana, Jr •••■■ 20 313 A Week in Killarney . By " The Duchess" i,- •••,-,•■• 313 The Lover's Creed. By Mrs. Cashel Hoey. .......... .... . ■ IB 314 Peril. By Jessie Fotherglll. . . . 20 815 The Mistletoe Bough. Edited by Miss M. E. Braddon 20 816 Sworn to Silence; or. Aline Rod- ney's Secret. By Mrs. Alex. McVeigh IUUer....i.-M S" ocket Edition. PRIOK. nbler'BWlfe .... 80 or. The Iron Hand. By rdPD ■■■ * With Heraeir. Dy the r of " Dora Thome ". . . 10 llooni to SiinllKht. By thor of • l>om Thome 10 iiUu NeiRhbor in Her Liglit. by a " Brotal :.oveTeat.' By JUiy Cecil ivarfiiro. "liy the author >oraTlionio" 10 iillourt. By the author Jora Thome'' 10 iidow of ft Bin. By tlie irof "DoraTliorne"... 10 Uv the author of " Dora le'' 10 an '8 War. By the author )oraThorne^' 10 ia Thorns. By the au- jf "DoraThorne" 10 fl Folly. By the author DoraThorne" 10 lliurst I'iace. By Marga- eley lO UbI Lilies, and A Bride the Sea. By the author DoraTliorne" • W ed Sin, and A Uridpe or I. By the autlior of " Dora ne'"'^ W )ays. By HiiRh Conway. 10 llatclitord Bequest. By li Conway • • •• W ew House, and More Bit- lan Death. By the author Dora Thome " W pid'8 Net. By tlie author Dora Tliorne " 10 d Heart, and Lody Gwen- ie'8 Dreoni. By the au- of "DoraThorne" 10 len Dawn, and Love for a , By the author of " Dora rne'*' ••• W Cissea, and Lilte No Other e. By tlie author of "Dora rne" 10 id Pardon VV,-V ** Patlitinder. By J. Feni- ■e Cooper 20 Prairie. By J. Fenimore per ■•• fears Before the Mast. By L Dana, Jr ••.-■ 30 ell inKillarney. By "The ;hess" i;--VV ' Lover's Creed. By Mrs. helHoey ■••■.- i» By Jessie FotherRlll.... 80 Mistletoe Bou(?h. Edited Miss M. E. Braddon 80 n to Silence ; or. Aline Rod- 's Secret. By Mrs. Alex. __ Veigh Miller «» THE SEASIDE LIBRARY. -Pocket Edition. am am SS3 no. I'RIOB. NO. 817 By Mead and Stream. Charles Sl» C1H)1m>ii 80 818 Tliu Pioneers; or. The Sources of the SuHijiiehanna. By J. Fenimore Cooper 20 819 Face to Face : A Fact In Seven Fables. Bv It. E. Francillon. 10 mo A Bit of Human Nature. By David Christie Murrav 10 881 The Prodigals: And Their In- heritance. By Mrs. Oliphant 10 838 A Woman's Love-Story 10 lta;i A Willful Maid 30 384 an In Luck at Lost. By Walter Besaut 10 885 The I'ortent. By Qeorge Mac- 355 donald 10 886 Phantastes. A Faerie Romance for Men and Women. By Oeorife Macdonald 10 837 Riiynioiid's Atonement. (From tlie Uerman of E. Werner.) By Christina Tyrrell 20 888 Biit)iole, the Pretty Milliner. By F. Du Boiseobey. First half. 20 liS38 Babiole, the Pretty Milliner. Bv F. Du Boiseobey. Second half 80 d20 The Pol'sbJew. ByErckmann- Chatrian .10 j30 May Blossom ; or. Between Two Loves. By Margaret Lee 20 8S1 Gerald. By Eleanor C. Price .. 80 362 832 Judith Wynne. A Novel 20 833 Frank B'airleph ; or. Scenes from the Life of a Private Pupil. By Frank E. Smedley 20 834 A Marriage of Convenience. By Harriett Jay 10 8*5 The White Witch. A Novel.... 20 836 Philistia. By Cecil Power 20 837 Memoirs and Resolutions of 360 Adam Graeme of Mossgrsy, Including Some Chronicles of the Borough of Fendie. By 367 Mrs. Oliphant 20 368 aaa The Family Difficulty. By Sarah Doudney 10 839 Mrs. Verekc^r's Courier Maid. By Mrs. Alexander. 10 870 840 Under Which King? ByConip- 871 tonReade SO 841 Madolin Rivers; or. The Little 873 Beauty of Red Oak Sepiiuury. By Laura Jean Libbey 20 873 843 The Baby, and One New Year's Eve. By "The Duchess".... 10 874 IMS The Talk of the Town. By James .Payu 80 844 " The W-iaring of the Gre^n." 875 By Basil 20 84& Madam. By Mrs. Oliphant.... 80 846 Tumbledown Farm. By Alan 376 Mulr 10 847 As Avon Flows. By Henry Scott Vince SO 877 8tf syom Post to Finish. A Racing Bomance. By Hawley Smart 80 «i (6) PRioa. The Two Admirals. A Tale of the Sea. By J. Fenimore Cooper M Diana of the Crosswayi. By Qeorge Meredith 10 The House on the Moor. By Mrs. Oliphant 90 At Any Cost. By Edward Qar< rett 10 The Black Dwarf, and A Leg- end of Montrose. By Sir Wal- ter Scott... SO The Lottery of Life. A Story of New York Twenty Years Ago. By John Brougham... 90 That Terrible Man. By W. E. Norrls. The Princess Dago- mar of Poland. By Heinrlch Felbermann 10 A Good Hater. By Frederick Boyle 90 John. A Love Story. By Mrs. Oliphant 80 Within the Clasp. By J. Ber- wick Harwood 90 The Water-Witch. By J. Feni- more Cooper 90 Ropes of Sand. By R. E. Fran- cillon 90 The Red Rover. A Tate of the Sea. By J. Fenimorn Cooper 90 The Bri(1e of Lamroermoor. By Sir Walter Scott SO The Surgeon's Daughter. By Sir Walter Scott 10 Castle Dangerous. By Sir Wal ter Scott 10 George Christy; or, The Fort- unes of a Miustrel. By Tony Pastor 90 The Mysterious Hunter; or. The Man of Death. By Capt. L. C. Carleton 90 Tie and Trick. By Hawley Smart 80 The Southern Star ; or, 'The Dia- mond Land. By Jules Verae SO Miss Bretherton. By Mrs. Hum- phry Ward 10 Lucy Crof ton. By Mrs. Oliphant 10 Margaret Maitland. By Mra. Oli- phant 90 Phyllis' Probation. By the au- thor of " His Wedded Wife ". 10 Wing-and-Wing. J. Fenimore Cooper 20 The Dead Man's Secret; or, The Adventures of a Medical Stu- dent. Bv Dr. Jupiter Paeon.. 90 ARIdetolthiva. By Capt. Fred Burnaby, of the Royal Horse Guards t 90 The Crime of Oiiristmas-Day. By the author of " My Duc- ats and My Daughter 10 Magdalen Hepburn: A Btory of the Scottish Reformation. By If rs. Oliphant ,, 'j» K'ji f THh; SEASIDE LIBRARY.-Pocket Edition. JJO. PRICK. 8TH niiiiiewiiril Hmimi; nr, Tli« (!lm!te. .1. Fi'niriiorf l\ii)|«*i'. • ■** 879 Hoiiio an I'duiiil. (Si'iiut") to "Hfinii'Wttrd liouiul. ) Hy J. Feiiimore Coojmm- ■ ■ . • ■»> 880 Wyiinilolto ; or. The Hiitted Knoll. J. Ft'iiiiniire Cooper.. ■» 881 TliH Ucd Caidiiml. By Frances KIlM.t ,•■■■■ •••■; '" 88i Tluv.- Sisters: or. Hketelies of a Highly Original fiimlly. Bv Elsa D'F.BlerreKeellnK... 10 S83 Introduced to Society. By Ham- lltonAIdfi •.•■• 1" iM On Ilorseback TliroiiRli Asia Minor. Capt. Fied Biirniiby . SO 885 The Headsman; or, 'I'lieAlibaye des ViKnerons. By J. Feul- more Cooper ,•■•;••;;•■ ; *^ 880 Led Astray ; or. "LalV iteConit- esse." By Octave Kemllot... 10 887 The Secret of the Cliffs. By Charlotte French ■ -0 888 Addie's Husband; or, 'IbrouKh Clouds to Sunshine. BV •h'; .„ author of '• I.ove or I.nnds? 10 880 Ichabod. By Bertha Thomas . . 890 Mildred Trevaulou. By lUe Duchess" ,■■ • •■ 891 The Heart of Mid Lotlilau. By Sir Walter Scott ., ■ . . 20 892 Peveril of the IVak. By Sir Wal- ^^ 893 TheVlrato!By"sir Walter Scott 20 804 Tho Bravo. By J. Feuimore Cooper .., • ■ • ■'" 896 The Archipelago on Fire. By Jules Verne ;•••;,■ '" 896 Robert Ord's Atonement. By Rosa Nouchette Carey M 89T Lionel Lincoln ; or, The Leaguer of Boston. By J. Fenunore Cooper •■ *" 80 20 2U •iO 20 10 PUICB. Jii A Bitter Atonement. By Char- lotte M. Biaeme, author of *• Bora Tliorne ".. . . _ . ... .... •»> 413 Some One Else. ByB .«.Croker 20 4H AMotit and Ashore. By J.Feni- more Cooper . • • ■ • 411 Miles WallluKford. (Sequel to " Afloat and Ashore.") By J. Fenlmore Cooper. ;;•••,• 41.'> The Wai 8 of the Hour. By J. Fenlmore Cooper. . . ... . . • • . ■ 410 JaoltTler; or, The Florida Reef . By J. Fenlmore (Sooner . . . ... 417 The Fair Moid of I'erlli ; or, St. Valentine's Day. By Sir Wal- ter Scott ■^■■L;'iW V 418 St. Ronan's Well. By Sir Wal- ter Scott ^vVu.V 419 The Chainbearer ; or. The Little- paRe Manuscripts. By J. Fenlmore Cooper. ^ 420 Satanstoe; or. The LittlepaRe JlanuBcript*. By J. Fenlmore Cooper ■ • . • • "" 421 The Redskins; or, Indian and Inlln. Being the conclusion of The LittlepaKe Manu- scripts. .J. Fenlmore Cooper 20 1'recaution. J.Fenimore Cooper 20 Ihe Sea-Lions; or. The Lost Sealers. J. Fenlmore Cooper 20 424 Mercedes of Castile; or. The Voyage to Cathay. By J. Feidmore Cooper. ..... . ..... W 425 Tlie Oak Openings; or, The Bee- Hunter. J. Fenlmore Cooper. 80 420 Venus's Doves. By Ida Ash- worth Taylor ••••• ■" 487 The Remarkable History of Sir Thomas Upmore, Bait.. M.r., formerly known as " Tommy Upmore." R. D. Blackmore. 80 4'J8 Zfro; A Story of Monte-Carlo. By Mrs. Campbell Fraed 10 422 .i2;i 898Mattr A Tale of « Caravan. »y'r^.'j^-'»''^ j^^^ „^^ By Robert Buchanan .^... 10 «» ^"X PopulatWs. By Wiliam 20 .S99 Mis's Brown. 'bV Jernon Lee . 20 400 The Wept of Wish-Ton-Wish. By J. Fenlmore Cooper, .■■■•• 20 401 Waverley. By Sir Walter Scott 20 402 Lilllesleaf ; or. Passages in the Lite of Mrs. l>..argaret Mait- !ond of Surayside. By ^"'S- 403 An EngUsii Squire. ' C. B. Cole- 404 In"^ Durance' vile,' and Otlier Stories. By " The Duchess . 10 405 My Friends and I. Edited by Julian Sturgis. ............. 10 406 The Merchant's Clerk. By Sam- uelWarrefi ••••■• 10 W! Tylney Hall. By Thomas Hood 80 408 lJ3ster's Secret. By Mary Cecil Hay ^ 409 Rov's Wife. By G. J. Whyte- MolvillB 20 By Mrs. Oil 20 Melville. 410 Old Lady Mary. pbant. 10 430 A Bitter Reckoning. By the author of "By Croolced Paths" 10 431 The Monlklns. By J. Fenlmore Cooper 4.33 The Witch's Head. By H. Rider 433 Mv Sister Kate. By Charlotte M. Braeme, author of "Dora Thome," and A Rainy June. Djr "Ouida" vv; ■•« *" (34 Wvllard's Weird. By Miss M. fi. Braddon • • ••••■• *" 435 Klvtia: A Stoiy of Heidelberj; Castle. By George Taylor.... ^ 4.30 Stella. By Fanny I^"?'^;- • • ■ ■ ^ 437 Life and Adventures of MortUi Chuzzlewit. By Charles Dick- ens. First half lii •;,• ^ 437 Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit. By Charies Dick- ens. 8e«0D<)l)aU «o m jcket Edition. rmcE. Atonein««nt. By Char- 1. Uiwine, BUlhor of Tliorim" ■■■• '-'J' eElse. ByB M.Croker aO ul Ashore. ByJ.Feni- 3oop»T . s!" alliiiKford. (Sequel to It mid Ashore.") By J. orp Cooper • • "O ^ 8 of the Hour. By J. ore Cooper • W »■ ; or, The Florida Beef. Fenlmore Crooner *" r Maid of IVrlli ; or, St. tine's Day. By Sir Wal- Q(^ M all's Well. By Sir Wal- ,qJ( SO iiiiliearer ; or.The Little- Manuscripts. By J. lore Cooper ^ oe; or. The I-lttlepage script*. By J. Fenlmore jj» ™ Hlskiiis; or, Indian nnd Being the conclusion 'lie LittlepaKe Manu- ts. .1. Fenlmore Cooper * tion. J. Fenimore Cooper siO -a-Llons; or. The Lost rs J. Feuimore Cooper iW les of Castile; or. The iKe to Cathay. By J. mon^ Cooper ■ ■ ■ ■ *" ikOpeninRH-.or.TheBee- fer. J. Fenlmore Cooper. 80 '8 Doves. By Ida Ash- h Taylor ••••• -^ umnrkable History of Sir tnas Upmore, Bait.. M.F., lerly known as " Tommy lore." R. D. Ulackmore. 80 A Story of Monte-Carlo. «rs. Campbell Froed 10 ei'stone; or, New Men and Populations. By WUiam e ^^ tter ReckonlnK. By the lor of "By Crooked Paths" 10 [onikins. By J. Fenlmore per {■itch's Head. By H. Rider rffard *^ ister Kate. By Charlotte Braeme, author of "Dora >rne," and A Kainy Junr. "Ouida" •,;;•■••« ^° ird's Weird. By Miss M. Braddon • . ■ ■ • • • • ••••■• *" a: A Stoiy of Heidelberg itle. By GeorRe Taylor.. . . SO I. By Fanny I..e\vald. ..... -w and Adventures of Martin uzzlewit. By Charles Dick- I. First half ;i; •;,• ^ and Adventures of Martin uzzlewit. By Charles Dick- 5, tjecoodbftW «" THE SEASIDE LIHRARY -Pocket Edilioii. NO. 4»9 440 441 Mi 44.1 444 415 4in 447 448 440 4r>o 4.'>l 403 4,W 4.M 4.'>5 456 piiirK. Found Out. Helen H. Slatliers, 10 Ori'at Kxpectations. By Clias. DickiMiH 20 Mi'H. LIrriper'a LodKings. By I'liarles l)ickenK 10 A S.'a ClumK'". By Flora L. Shaw SO llantluirpe. Uy Oeor^e Henry Lewes so The Hiicheliir i.f I'iie .Vlbany. .. 10 The Heiii-t of .lane Warner. By Florence Slarryat SO The Shadow of a Crimo. By Hull (,'aine go Dame Diirden. Uy " Uita " SO Anierlcaii Notes. By Charles Dickens SO I'ictiiri's From Italy, and The MudfOK Papers, Jtc. Uy Clias. Dickens S(> Peeress and Player. By Flor- ence Marryat 80 Godfrey Helittoue. By (leorKiaua M. Craik sO Market HarboroURh, and lUHtde the Bar. By U. J. Whyte- Melville SO In the West Countrie. By May C'ronimelin The Lottery Ticket. By F. Du BoisKohey 20 The Mystery of Edwin Drood. By Cliaries Dickens 20 I.iazarus in London. By F. W. Robinson so Bketchen by Boz. Illustrative of Every-day Life and Every -day People. By Charles Dickens'. 80 80 NO. IMIICK. 157 The KuHNJans at the dales of Herat. By Charles Marvin... 10 458 A Week of I'usslon ; or. The 1(1- leinnia of Mr. (icorue Iliirton the Younger. Uy Edward Jen- kins SO 450 A WoTiian's Temptation. By Charlotte M. Hraeme, author of " Diini Tliorne" .-. . . 20 400 Under a Shadow. By Charlotte M. llraeme, author of " Dora Thorno " sO 402 Alice's AdventiircH In Wonder- land. Hy Lewis Carroll. With forty-two illiistrntionH hy .lohn Tenniel 20 ■1(15 The Fail's Atoni'iniMU. Uy Char- lotte M. Hrnenie, author of " Doia Tliiirne " 20 406 Between Two Love:?. Hy Char- lotte M. Braeme, auUior of " t)oi-a Tliorne " ao 4ti7 AStriiKKle f(jraHinK. By Char- lotte M. Braeme, author of " Dora Thome " 20 108 The Forliines. Oood and Bad, of a Sewln(r-(lirl. By Char- lotte M. Stanley JO •109 Lady Dnmer'H Secret. By Char- lotte M. Braeme, author of "Dora Thome" SO 470 Evelyn's Folly. By f^arlotte M. Braeme, author of " Dora Thorno " 20 471 Thrown on the World. By Char- lotte M. Braeme, aiitlior of " Dora Thome " SO m A Lost Son. Uy Mary Llusklll. 10 d '■A V, MUNno'fl prnT.iOATioNfl OLD SLEUTH LIBRARY. A Series of the Most Thrilling Detective Stories Ever Published! I„ this «tory the Bhrewdne-.^ana^cjumln^.;;^^ NO. 3.— OI-O «I-EI TIl'H TKIl'Ml'll. ",T :nTd:tecrwXn" H ": can...r i« reached after ThecrowaluKtriumpn^o/^tlje^^R^f^^^^^^^ and .la-Kern. . . «.. 4.-«NDER A »m^a«N ».S«..m.KS.^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ The n,any -''^iXA^a'^-p'^.^^-^^^^ ""« ^'-^ «|^'-^- "^^ descHbed m this dellK'l.lf«l «tory. „„„,^rTivF NO. r.-TlIE '*"AnV^"!;T,f rtln" The ^vonderful ^rrXMOnT WTM.THE "^IJ p" a'rorir^n the »°re.':»'r.r^"a''wK%ra^''^r;^^ «^S a ...iue of thHUh.K Tiw, niftiiv senratiDnal Incidenla of a "eli,"'^*' « ' j „re all described m S3„rzr.SeT/K^".T.vVK^ terelt f rom beginning to end. will be sent to any address, postage paid, on receipt publisher. -,_. MUNRO, Publisher, GEORGE MU N «^;^^^^,^^ ^„.,,, ^^^ v.rU. P.O.BoxSTBl. A« lu «. IONS .IBRARY. Stories Ever Published! other* of this seriea in ETEC'TIVK. h<> Imli- biiiiillli escapea and j,',iu (if tlio law. UKTKC'TIVKH. , mastiM- mind are delineated ii'r. Till 131 1'H. KACn. netivc onn'or is reached after 4 mid (liiiinerfl. tj IHMIJUIHKS. •acks liiB Kiii»« to justice ore ,n this gri-nt story. NEW VOIIK. e (treat nietropolls. All the . nlnccs of nninsement hlph (lithuni, etc., are realialically r.HTMNO DETECTIVE. opssion of dramatic Incidents, ,le ranKe of detective literature. ETECTIVE. , , , mclm; fletlon. The wonderfu ;ver law-aRent are all described IIIVKR DETECTIVE. .\cltlni; phases of I'fp o" '''" :y; will nnll a mine of thrlllinB ERNMENT DETECTIVE. ive'a life in chasinK to cover jlie Government are all described in d the reader spell-bound with in- lewsdealers at 10 centj each, or , on receipt of 18 cents, by the 1, Publisher, debater Street, New York, MUNRO'S PUBLICATIONS. THE SEASIDE LIBRARY OR»i:«ARV EWITIOIV. GEORGE MUNRO, PUBLISHER, (P.O.Box 8761.) 1 7 to 27 Vandewater Street, N. Y. The following works contained In The Searidr Librart, Ordinary WMtlon. •re for gale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address, postage ?•««, on receipt of 13 cents for single number*, and ii6 cents for doulile iiumbom, by th« publisher. Partiet ordering by mail will plea$e order by number$. MRS. ALEXANDER'S WORKS. Her Dearest Foe 20 The Wooing O't 20 The Heritage of Langdale 20 Ralph Wilton's Weird 10 Wiiich Shall it Bo? 20 Maid, Wife, or Widow 10 Tlie Fieres 20 Valerie's Fate 10 Look Before You Leap 20 The Australian Aunt 10 The Admiral's Ward 20 The Executor 20 Mrs. Yerekcr's Courier Maid 10 WILLIAM BLACK'S WORKS. A Princess of Thtile 20 A Daughter of Heth 10 In Silk Attire 10 The Strange Adventures of a Phaeton 10 Kilmeny 10 TjIS! SHASritl'! T.TUUAHY.-OrtUnnry RiUtion ^ 10 68 Tim Monixrdi of Mincing liRnfi "^ 70 Madoiip Violet (siiinll type) ^ 604 Mailcnp Viol.-l (largo typo) ■• ^^ 242 The Throe Fcnllicrs ! ™." " 'i,' ■,■•* ' "»'^"m„ , ,*.' ift 800 The Marriapo of Moira FcrguH. and The Maid of Klll...v.n. 10 417 Macleod ol V):sf jq ,1'.'. T-atly Sll verilale's Hwecthcart ' ' ^^ U,^ Ovtcn I'uRturcHBml I'iccaililly ^^ %\n svnUn wings; \ Yachting Uomanco '*;.'.'." 10 82tt OliVLi «V,M)miih ■ • g^ 950 Sunrise: A :-.nry of Thews rimes ^^ 1025 The TupH <'f Anrclius '.^^ 1082 That Heautif ill Wretch '.^^ 1101 The Four MacNicols • • • • • ' • • " " . , 264 Mr. Pisislratus Hrown, M.P.. lu the Hi«>''"ndS;, ••- 142!) An A• fessusw^- i-dtnary JBJWw*. TBB BRASIDK LISltARr.-Ordtmry EiiH«n. 661 The Yellow Mask 10 888 Fallen Leaves 20 654 Poor Mi88 Finch 20 676 The Moonstone 30 696 Jezebel's Daughter 20 718 The Captain's Last Love 10 721 Basil 20 745 The Magic Spectacles 10 905 Duel In Heme Wood 10 038 Wlio Killed Zebedee? 10 971 The Frozen Deep 10 990 Tlie Black Robe 20 1164 Your Money or Your Life -.... 10 1544 Heart and Science. A Story of the Present Time 20 1770 Love's Random Sliot 10 1866 "I Say No" 20 J. FENIMORE COOPER'S WORKS. Last of the Mohicans 30 324 The Deerslayer 20 The Pathfinder 30 229 Tlie Pioneers 20 231 Tiie Prairie '-30 238 Tlie Pilot -»0 685 The Water Witch 20 690 Tlie Two Admirals 20 615 The Red Rover 20 761 Wing-and-Wing 20 940 The Spy 30 1086 The Wyandotte 90 1257 Afloat and Ashore 20 l5j62 Miles Walllngford (Sequel to "Afloat and Ashore")..... 20 lt>69 The Headsman ; or, The Abbayfi des Vignerons. 20 1606 The Monikins 20 1681 The Heidenmauer; or. The Benedictines. A Legend of the Rhine 30 1691 The Crater; or, Vulcan's Peak. A Tale of the Pacific. ... 20 CHARLES DICKENS' WORKS. 20 The Old Curiosity Shop 20 100 A Tale of Two Cities 20 109 Hard Timet. JO 20 118 Great Expectations ^ 187 David Copperfleld "■" ^ aOO Nicholas Nickleby 20 ■JIS Barnaby Rudge '■'■■■ ^q 218 Dombey and Son ; • • ;. • ; ". " V ' .V,' ■^ " ' " -in 239 NoThoroughfarcCCharlesDlckensaod WilkictollM.-.. 10 247 Martin Chuzzlewit ^q 272 The Cricket on the Hearth 20 284 Oliver Twist ...... 10 289 A Christmas Carol ■' ^q 297 The Haunted Man ^ 804 Little Dorrit " jq C08 The Chimes jq 817 The Battle of Life ^ 825 Our Mutual Friend ' ^ 837 Bleak House ' ^0 352 Pickwick Papers ^^ 859 Somebody's Luggage ^^ 867 Mrs. Lirripcr's Lodgings 872 Lazy Tour of Two Idle Apprentices •• ^^ 875 Mugby Junction ^^ 403 Tom Tiddler's Ground ^ 498 The Uncommercial Traveler ^^ 521 Master Humphrey's Clock • ^ 625 Sketches by Boz j^ 639 Sketchesof Young Couples ^^ 827 The Mudfog Papers. &c ^ 860 TheMysteryof Edwin Drood ^^ goo Pictures From Italy ^ 1411 A Child's History of England • ^^ 1464 The Picnic Papers '„',"'[. in 1568 Three Detective Anecdotes, and Other Sketches 10 WORKS BY THE AUTHOR OF "DORA THORNE." ^^ 449 More Bitter than Death •■ ^ 618 Madolin's Lover 10 656 A Golden Dawn ^q 746 Wliich Loved Him Best ^ 840 Dora Thome jq J81 At War with Herself - t ftjYWy MiUon TBX bEAkTDW LtTHtAHY.-irmmrJty BOmofh. •81 The Bin of a Lifetime » 1013 Lady Gwendoline's Dream 10 1016 Wife in Name Oulf - 8C 1044 Like No Other Love. It' 10«0 A Woman's War 10 1073 Hikry'sFoily !• 1074 A Queen Amongst Women ....,,-. 10 1077 A Gilded Sin ..• — - W 1081 A.Bridgeof Love • '• 1* 1086 The Fatal Lilies • 10 1099 Wedded and Parted <», - • 10 1107 A Bride From the l3*!a. 10 1110 A Rose in Thorns --• 10 1115 The Shadow of a Sin • o 10 lia3 Utdeemed by Love 10 liaC TlioStoryof a WeddmgRiBg..... ....,,. 10 11»7 Love's Wi.rfhrt' ~ • ^0 1133 Uopentedal Leisure 20 1179 From Gloom to Sunlight - ••• SO 1209 Hilda -•■ »• 20 1218 AGoldeu Heart • - 20 1266 Ingledew House • 10 1288 A Broken Wedding-Kin^ ■ • 20 1303 LoveForaDay; or, Under the Lilac* •"■ 10 13()7 Tiic Wife's Secret • 10 1893 Two Kisses • •••'• W 1460 Between Two ans ..•- 10 1640 The Cost of Htr Love « 20 1664 Rouiauce of a Black Veil -..- .'-.... 20 1704 Her Mother's Sin .. . 20 1761 Thorns and Orange Blosfioma. .c. .o , 20 1844 Pmt but False, and The Ueiresa or Ame ................. 10 1883 Sunshine and Rosea ,.,.-, .,.,o.,,.. 20 1906 In Cupid's Net -.- "••< 10 ALEXANDER DUMAS' WORKS. 144 The Twin Lieutenants -«-• 1© 151 The Russian Gipsy 10 155 The Count of Monte Cristo v<:Awtpfete »» 0ns Yoiwm^ 20 160 TlieBlack Tulip - - *0 Wl TJ»e Qieeo*» Necklace ,..„,,..,?,, r ,.,,. r . SO % THE SEASIDE LIBnART.-Ordinar y EiMim. ■ 20 172 The Chevalier deMftison Rouge ••••• ^ 184 The Countess de Charny " ^^ m ^o^^phBal^amororVMemol'rs of a Physician 20 194 The Conspirators 10 198 Isabel of Bavaria jq Z Exlred.; .r.TteM».1.8eV.rdlcl(l.,g. .jp.).-. » ^28 Tlio Regent's Daiighter • ^ 244 The Three Guardsmen ^ 268 Tlie Forty five Guardsmen ^^ 276 The Page of the Duke of Savoy. 278 Six Years Later; or. Taking the Bastile • • • • • • • • • • • • • ^ 288 Twenty Years After jq 298 Captain Paul 10 806 Three Strong Men ....,,.... 10 818 Ingenue :"'^'"l\!'u 20 381 Adventures of a Marquis, ^'^st half Vol I. (large type) 20 Vol. II. (large type) 20 Vol. III. (large type) 20 'im The Mohicans of Paris. Vol. IV. Qarge ^yP^> - " ; " " " ' " " ' " ^ 844 Ascanio 20 608 The Watchmaker 20 20 20 20 20 842 The Mohicans of Paris. 1565 The Mohicans of Paris. 1565 The Mohicans of Paris. 1565 The Mohicans of Paris. 616 The Two Dianas 622 Andr6e de Taverney L' " ! ' \ 664 Vicomte >tiif<<< W iWJff 6BA8Wn irSnART.-OretinMTf JRMNni. 1842 The Iron Mask. Second half 9k 1874 Pieiloucljc, a French DetecHvo 30 1885 The Sculptor's Daughter. First half 20 1885 Tlie Sculptor's Daughter. Second half 20 1886 Zonobie Capitaine. First half 30 1880 Zt'nobic Capitaine. Second half 20 1925 Uabiolo, the Pretty Milliner. First half ■ . . . 20 EMILE GABORIAU'S WORKS. 408 Pile No. 113 30 465 Monsieur Lecoq. First half 20 405 Monsieur Lecoq. Second half 20 476 Tlie Slaves of Paris. First half 20 470 Tho Slaves of Paris. Second half 20 490 Marriage at a Venture 10 494 The Mystery of Orcival 20 501 Other People's Money 20 509 Within an Inch of His Life 20 515 Tlie Widow Lerouge 20 523 Tlie Clique of Gold 20 671 The Count't decret. Part 1 20 671 Tho Count's Secret. Part II 20 704 Captain Contanceau; or, Tho Volunteers of 1793, 10 741 The Downward Path; or. A House Built on Sand (La De- gringolade). Part 1 20 741 The Downward Path; or, A House Built on Sand (La De- gringolade). Part II 30 758 The Little Old Man of the Baliguolles 10 778 The Men of tlie Bureau 10 789 Promises of Marriage. <-.- 10 818 The 13th Hussars. 10 834 AThousand Francs Reward 10 899 Max's Marriage; or. The Vicomte's Choice 10 1184 The Marquise do Briuvilliers 20 MARY CECIL HAY'S WORK& 8 The Arundel Motto 10 407 The Arundel Motto (in large type) 20 9 Old Myddelton's Money .10 427 Old Myddelton's Money (in large type) 20 J7HWdwPerU8 ,...,, tO THIS SKASWK imRAIiY.— Ordinary KldUion. 484 Hidden Pcrllfl (in large type) 20 28 The Squire's Legacy 10 616 Tlie Squire's Legacy (in largo type) 20 27 Victor and Vanquished 20 29 Nora's Love Test 10 421 Nora's Love Test (in large type) 20 275 A Shadow on tlio Threshold 10 803 Reaping the Whirlwind 10 884 Rack to the Old Home 10 i 415 A Dark Inheritance , 10 » 440 The Sorrow of a Secret, and Lady Carmicltael's Will 10 080 Brenda Yorke 10 724 For Her Dear Sake 20 852 Missing 10 855 Dolf's Big Brother 10 930 In the Holidays, and Tlie Name Cut on a Gate 10 985 Under Life's Key, and Olher Stories 20 972 Into the Shade, and Otiier Stories 30 1011 My First Offer 10 1014 Told in New England, and Other Tales 10 1010 At llie Seaside; or, A Sister's Sacrifice 10 1220 Dorothy's Venture 20 1221 Among tlie Uiiins. and Other Stories 10 1431 "A Little Aversion " 10 1549 Bid Me Discourse 10 CHAULES LEVER'S WORKS. 98 Harry Lorrequer 20 132 Jack Hinton, the Guardsman 20 187 A Rent in a Cloud 10 146 Charles O'Malley, the Irish Dragoon (Triple Number) 30 152 Arthur O'Leary 20 168 ConCregan 20 169 St. Patrick's Eve 10 174 Kate O'Donoghue 20 257 That Boy of Norcott's 10 296 Tom Burke of " Ours." First half 20 296 Tom Burke of " Ours." Second lialf 20 819 Davenport Dunn. First half. 20 819 Davenport Dunn. Second half 20 464 Gerald Fitzgerald " '. 20 rf' TBtt UKAf^TTtK T.mnAnr-^'yiiruvf, »««*^' 20 20 20 '^ Piirtl.. Part II. 20 20 20 20 20 470 Tbe PorHinca of Oleucoro.. . S20 Lord Kllgobbln 646 Maurice Tlernay 686 ADay'8 Ride 600 Barrlngton ' 688 Sir Jasper Carew, Knight. . 657 Tlie Martins of Cro' Martin. 657 The Marlins of Cro' Martin 822 Tony Butler 872 Luttrell of Arran. Parti.. 872 Luttrell of Arran. Part II 95t Paul Gosslctt'8 ConfcBsions 1" 966 Oneof Them. First half *" 065 OneofThem. Second half *" 980 Sir Brook FoBsbrooke. Parti *" 980 Sir Brook Fossbrooke. Part II ^^ 1286 The Bramleighs of BiMiop's Folly J» 1809 The Dodd Family Abroad. First half 2» 1809 The Dodd Family Abroad. Second half 20 1842 Horace Temploton 1894 Roland Cashcl. First half ^ 1894 Roland Cashel. Second half ••;••••■•■••,•,; ' Z 1496 The Daltons; or. Three Roads in Life. First ha I 20 1496 The Daltons; or, Three Roads in Life. Second halt 20 H GEORGE MACDONALD'S WORKS. 20 20 466 Paul Faber, Surgeon 491 Sir Gibble ••• 695 The Annals of a Quiet Neighborhood ^ 606 The Seaboard Parish -^^ 627 Thomas Wingfold. Curate 648 The Vicar's Daughter 668 David Elginbrod 677 St. George and St. Michael 790 Alec Forbes of Howglen 887 Malcolm 922 Mary Marston 988 Guild Court. A London Story • ■ 948 The Marquis of Lossle 962 Robert Falconer 1876 Castle Warlock : A Homely Romance 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 2C 2( 2( ■--?iS^?*?--u';s>^ S^ nr.--l'^(nari ^"''^ THE « w York Fashion Bazar. THE BEST AXEmOAN HOME UAQAZINE. -•••e tIA <'ealii per Copy. Niibwrlittlnii Price W4.>1» per Vcnr. tl. til. Folly. Firethalf 20 Becondhalf 20 20 ",["...'. 20 f"'.', 20 ids in Life. First Imll 20 ids in Life. Second Lalf 20 DNALD'S WOllKS. 20 '[\\ 20 zliborbood 20 20 '■".'.'."' ,, 20 20 *"*. 20 Jtory . y Romance. 20 20 20 20 20 20 ao iVbw York Fakiiios Ua/ar Is a iimKozitifi ff>r IndlM. ft contains ■ lift wliiuli n lady'8 iimKUzino uiiglit to onntain. Tlic rnxliioiiH In dress t piililishes are new and reliable. Particular attention Ih devoted to for children of all at^es. ltd plates and descrlptloPH will assist every (he preparotlon of her wardrobe, both In inakinj; new dresses and re- < old ones. The fashions ar^ derived from the best houses and are 3ractlcal as well as new and tasteful. ■y lady reader of Tn» N'ew YonK Fashion Bazab can make her own with the old of Munro's Bazar ratteriis. These are earefnlly cut to • and pinned Info the perfect semblance of the garment. They are use- tering old as well as Id making new clothlui;. Bazar Embroidery Supplements form an Important part of the niaf;nzlne. tork is carefully described and illustrated, and new patterns given in imber. lousehold matters are fully and Interestingly treated, Home informa- ' oration, personal gossip, correspondence, and recipes for cooking hove 'epartment. ng its regular contributors are Mary Cecil Hay, " The DtrcHEss," author y Banw," Li-OY Randall Comfort, CiiAnLoxTE M. Bbaemb, author of "home," Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miu.er, Mary E. Bbtan, author of ' and Florence A. Warden, author of "The House on the Marsh." stories published in Tbb \ew Y'ork Fashion Bazar are the best that ad. • ■ , _ ■mploy no canvassers to solicit subscriptions for The New Y'ork Fashion All persons representing themselves as such are swindlers. Szw York Fashion Bazar Is for sale by all newsdeole's, price 85 cents Subscription price $-i.50 per year. Address . . aSOSaE UUNjBO, Pul)lisher, .._, IT lo ar Vnndewnter Htreet, N. Y. ^x 3731 . THE CELEBRATED SOEMIR GRAND, SQUAEE AND UHUQHT VU FIRST PRIZB DIPLOMA. Oentennlikl Exhibi- tion, 1H76: Montreal, mi aii>l IHHii. The enviable po- ■ition Sohmer ft Oo. hold among American Piano Manufaoturera la ■olely due to the merite of thaix in* ■trumenta. -_ , ARE AT PRMeWtIIE MOST PO"'''*" _ AND PREFERRED BY THE LEA Dl MO A B HOHIHKK dc CO., ninnufmiurers, No. 1 10 to IM K. 14tli Btr FIIOM THE NKKVF.-dlVINd I'HlM'iriiKS OV THE OX-BRAIN ANDTIIEORRM OF THE WHEAT AND OAT, BBAIN AND NERTE FOOD dtonnvM VITALIZED PHOSPHITES b a ■tawlard with nil riivHicinim who ti'i>nt norvouanr mentnl dlsonlHrs. It ImllilH up worn ont nnrves, himlsliHS Blfeples8n»'K». nniiraliria and slok lieiulaclie. It proinotf s good dlKeition. It rentorfs tlie enerpy lost y nervoiisnesa, debility, or ovpr-exlmust- lon : regenerates weakened vital powers. " It ampllflefi bodily and mental power to the present (feneration, ami proves the sur- vival of the Attest to the next."— Bismarck. " It 8tren(cthen« nervous power. U Is the only medical relief I have ever known for an over-worked brain "—Glaustonb. „, „., . „^„. „„ „ .... . „4! A iTBy Edward Jenklpi " I really urse von to put It to the test."n\/ 4 ^, Miss Ehilt Faithful. ^ F. CROSBY CO., 56 W. 25th St., N. Y For sale by DruRglsts, or by mall 8V MlINHu'S I'UUUCA THE SEASIDE I. (POOKBJT BSDM LATEST I88U U7 American Notes. By (^h 448 Pictures From Iliilv. an Tapers, &o. By CUarl 440 Peeress and Player. Marryat 480 Godfrey Helstone. By i Cralk 4M Market Harboroufth, ai Bar. ByO. J. Whyte 4!i8 In the West Countrie. 1 melln ■■ 453 The Lottery Ticket. E Kobey m The Mvstery of Edwii dharles Dickens 455 Lnzarus in London. E Inson • 456 Sketches by Boz. rl Every -day Life and K pie. By Charles Dick 457 The Russians at the Gi Bv Charles Marvin.. 458 A Week of Passion ; or, of Mr. Geonte Barton nEORGE IHIJMKd P.O. BOX87B1. nto27Va CELEBRATED IMEB E AND UPRIGHT H^ They in Con riei. Bel Bemlna ' count o. p«rior t unequal bility. The E Piano la fovorita leading - andorlt^ LB«eS¥^IIE most POPIIIiAK ' > BY THI LEADIMO ART1 rnciurera, No. 1 19 to ISS K. 14th Btreet, MllNHu'8 I'llUIJCATIOt THE SEASIDE UU (POOKBT BSDITIOii lATEST ISSUES. W American Notes. By Clinilei 448 Pictures From Itiily. andTh Papers, &o. By Charles 1 440 Peeress and Player. By Mnrryat • — 480 Godfrey Helstone. By Qeor Oralk • ■ 4M Market Harborou(tH, and Ii Bar. By O. J. Why te Mel Vi'i In the West Countrle. By Mj melln ■•••™i 455 The Lottery Ticket. By F. i Kobey .■■■i^ 1,'M The Jlystery of Edwin Di dharleg Dickens •• ■ 45r> Lnzarus in London. By F. inson •• — 456 Sketches by Boz. Illusti Every dav Life and Every pie. By Cliarles Dickens. 4.^7 The Russians at the Uates • Bv Charles Marvin 488 A Week of Passion; or, The , of Mr. Oeorfce Barton the DM THE R-(IIV1N(I ll'LES or OX-BRAIN 'HE GBRM IE WHEAT )AT. FOOD HITE8 H who treat t hiiiUlH up peplessneKR. It promotes enerpy lost rer-exlinust- ,1 powers. lal power to )ves the sur- — Bismarck. pr. It Is the r known for TONE h St., N. Y. ' mall $1. OEORGE MITMRO, Pii P. O. Box 87B1. n to 27 Vandew w!