BY MRS. ALEXANDER \ r \-) v> v\\ ^S- CHICAGO W. B. CON KEY COMPANY BY THE SAME AUTHOR IN UNIFORM STYLE ADMIRAL'S WARD AT BAY BEATON'S BARGAIN BY WOMAN'S WIT CROOKED PATH, THE FRERES, THE FORGING THE FETTERS HERITAGE OF LANGDALE MAID, WIFE OR WIDOW MAMMON SECOND LIFE, A WHICH SHALL IT BE? CHICAGO W. B. CON KEY COMPANY AT OHAPTEK JL BTRTKING THE TRAIL. PARIS on i* bright April morning. Can any city make a brighter, braver show under a clear blue sky and a bril- liant sun, the chestnuts in the Champs Ely sees and Tuil- eries gardens bursting into bloom, the flower-market of the Madeleine a mass of color, exhaling delicious perfume, the fair purchasers in the first freshness of their spring attire, the tide of business and of pleasure at the fullest flood. It is a sight to fill any heart tolerably free from pressing anxiety with an irresistible sense of youth. Though the month was still young, the weather was warm enough to make open windows an agreeable ad- dition to the comfort of a pretty little salon in the entre-sol of Meurice's hotel, where an elderly lady was seated at a table on which a dainty dejeuner, and a couple of bottles, inscribed respectively "Moselle" and "Pomard," was laid out. She was not handsome, never could have been hand- some, her face was broad and strong, with small twinkling black eyes, and a heavy jaw. Her figure still showed traces of the symmetry for which she had been remarkable, and the hand she had stretched out to take another oyster, was fine both in shape and color. Her rich black silk dress, the lace cf her cap, the jewels on her fingers, all her surroundings indicated wealth, her expression, comfort- able self-satisfaction. She finished her oyster with an air of enjoyment, and then looking at her watch, murmured " he is late " as she spoke, the door was opened, and a waiter announced " M. Glynn." 2135991 4 AT BAT. The visitor was a tall, broad-shouldered man, of perhaps thirty-five or more, with very dark hair, eyes, and com- plexion, well dressed and easy in his bearing and move- ments, yet not looking quite like a club or a drawing- room man. " This is not your usual punctuality, Hugh," said the lady smiling benignly, as she stretched out a welcoming hand, " but you make your own punishment t Time, tide, and vol au vents, wait for no man." " I have a thousand apologies to make ! You may be sure the delay was unavoidable or I should not have kept you waiting." "But I have not waited! Take some oysters and then tell me what has kept you, if it is a discreet ques- tion." "Perfectly. No oysters, thank you. Do not let me delay the routine of your dejeune. Just as I was leaving the ' Bourse,' I ran against Deering of Denham, who in- sisted on walking almost to the door with me." " Travers Deering ? I did not know he was in Paris. Is Lady Frances with him ? " " She is, for he honored me with an invitation to dinner to-morrow, mentioning that Lady Frances would be very glad to see me. I was engaged, however ; I don't find dining with Travers Deering a cheerful occupation. Though Lady Frances keeps a brave front there is a pro- found sadness in her eyes, or I fancy there is." " Fancy ! yes ; I suspect your fancy is tolerably vivid still. Now eat your luncheon, and we will talk presently.'* She proceeded to press various dainties on her guest, who ate moderately. " I don't think you care for good things as much as I do," said the hostess, leaning back in her chair ; " I am always vexed with people who don't care what they eat ; it shows deficiency of brain power. Now tell me, have you succeeded this morning ? " "Yes," he returned with a smile, as he poured out another half-glass of Pomard ; "I have disposed of all your Honduras shares, not at par, but at a trifling de- crease. Here," drawing out his pocket-book, " are billa and notes to the amount of fifteen hundred pounds. P am glad you are out of the concern, you might have lost STRIKING THE TRAIL. 5 \ double the amount ; pray avoid these foreign bubble companies in future, none of them are to be trusted, Lady Gethin, none that offer high interest are." " My dear Hugh, I never will do anything without your advice again ; I have had a perfect nightmare about these horrid things. I am no miser, but I hate to lose money ; I am very glad you managed to get rid of these shares so soon, for' I want to go back to London to-morrow; the rooms I have had altered in that old house of mine, are ready, I am dying to furnish them." " Well, you had better post this money to your bankers, and register your letter, than carry it about with you." " Yes, it would be the best plan. Shall you stay here much longer ? " " Some little time ; I have a special mission to execute for the House, which may keep me a few weeks." " Be sure you come and see me directly you return ; and do go and see Lady Frances Deering, she would be a charming woman if she let herself go. I was always interested in her. Why can't she get on with Deering? he is good-looking, well bred, well thought of, and not very much older than herself." " Perhaps she does get on with him," -said Glynn. " I used not to care for Deering," replied Lady Gethin. " He had a quarrel with a cousin whom I liked very much, and who was killed afterwards, poor fellow. I have for- gotten what the quarrel was about a woman, I think, and I have an idea Travers behaved badly ; but he is quite an irreproachable personage wo?/;, and monstrously civil to me, especially since poor dear Sir Peter bequeathed me all his real and personal property. Then, you know, we are second cousins, two or three times removed." " Oh indeed ! Well, he is very civil to me too, and I am certainly no relation but " "Aha! you are dearer than kith or kin," interrupted Lady Gethin ; "you can give him financial tips, and chances of turning, I won't say an honest penny, but simple hundreds into splendid thousands by the varied sources of information you command. Ah ! were I a man, I should like to be a financier, which is ' high f alutin ' for stock-broker." Glynn smiled. "I have had very few business trans- AT BAY. actions wtth Deering, or for him. fle is wealthy enough without help from any one. By the way, he is more inflammable than I imagined ; we were at the Auteuil races together the day before yesterday, and when saun- tering about we were both struck by a girl who was in an open carriage with two other ladies ; she was certainly pretty more than pretty and Deering seemed quite fascinated, he could not keep away. It was not like his usual cool, high-bred indifference to all mundane tilings, to go back again and again to stare at the young lady, for you know he is rather a decent fellow as men go." " You don't say so ! " cried Lady Gethin, with keen interest. " What would Lady Frances have said ? " " The last time we went to look at the bright particular star, she and her party had left their carriage," continued Glynn. " Deering then seemed to pull himself together, and to remember he was not alone ; but I could see he was desperately vexed to have lost sight of her, though he tried to laugh at himself, and said she was wonder- fully like some one he used to know. I was both surprised and' amused by his manoeuvres, I left him before the last race, and I rather fancy he was going to renew his search for her." " Ah ! " said Lady Getliin ; "no doubt, thereby hangs a tale." " Perhaps so. The young lady, however, is very young- little more than seventeen or eighteen, and she certainly did not recognize him nor even notice him." " The wisest have their weak moments," observed Lady Gethin, with an air of wisdom. " I certainly have never heard any queer stories about Deering. Did you see any one else you knew at Auteuil ? " " A few second-rate racing men, and George Verner." " Oil, he generally haunts the Deerings when he is not at sea." After a good deal more talk, partly business, partly wittily told scandal, Glynn rose to take leave. " I dine at the Cafe de Florence to-day, with Captain Methvin and Madame Gauthier ; will you join us ? " " I am unfortunately already engaged ; so must forego that pleasure," said Glynn. " I shall see you then as soon as you return to London, and be sure you tell me anything fresh about the Deerings." STRIKING THE TRAIL. . 7 I don't fancy there will be any exciting esclandre in that quarter. If the weather continues as fine as it has been for the last few days, you will have a pleasant jour- ney. Good-morning, Lady Gethin." When Glynn left the hotel he walked briskly for a few minutes towards the Louvre, then he gradually relaxed his pace, ..3 his thoughts disengaged themselves from his sur- roundings, and presented him with a picture they had frequently mirrored during the last three days. After making a few purchases at the bookstalls of the Palais Royal, he made his way down the Eue St. Honore, finally coming to a halt at the crowded crossing opposite the Madeleine, where the contrary currents coming from the Boulevards, meet the tributary tide of the Eue Royale. He was in no hurry ; it amused him to see the huge omni- buses disgorging their contents ; to watch eager women with parcels, and refractory children tightly held by the hand, make ineffectual dasher at the opposite shore, and come scurrying back again, baffled, but still resolute. To observe the little flower-girls plying their trade, and hear the sharp bargaining between them and their customers. Suddenly, however, his eyes brightened ; the expression of a lazy looker-on vanished, and was replaced by one of keen, vivid interest, as his glance fell on the original of the picture which had haunted him since the day of the races at Auteuil. A slight girlish figure, in a pale gray dress ; a mantlet or scarf, edged with black lace, drawn closely round her ; she was crowned by a pretty little hat, also bordered with black lace, and adorned with a large bouquet of primroses and tufts of narrow black velvet ribbon. Under the hat beamed a pair of thoughtful, earnest, dark-blue eyes large and lustrous ; eyes that none could pass unnoticed ; long lashes ; distinct, but delicate eyebrows ; a clear, pale complexion ; a sweet though not very small mouth, and abundant light golden- brown hair, made up a whole that might have attracted the attention of even a more " potent, grave, and reverend Signor " than Travers Deering of Denham. This was the face and figure that had dwelt in Hugh Glynn's imagination since he had first seen them. In any case h must have noticed so fair a girl ; but there was something in the effect she produced on Deering, that 8 AT BAT. impressed him with a curious sense of interest and un- easiness. He had laughed at his own condition of mind, as a silly after-glow of boyish folly, unworthy his experience and maturity. Yet there was a wonderful charm in the soft grace of her quiet movements, and, accustomed as he had been to women who rarely stirred out unattended, he looked round to ascertain if this delicate, refined creature had no companion, no bonne or chaperon. No ! she was quite alone. Three times, while he watched her, she attempted to cross the street, and three times she return- ed baffled. Glynn could not lose such a chance ; advanc- ing to her side, he raised his hat and said, with grave politeness : " There is an unusual crowd ; will you allow me to see you safely to the other side ? " She raised her wonderful eyes to his with a slightly startled, but frank expression. " Yes," she said simply, in exactly the low clear tones that might be expected from her. " I shall be very glad." " Keep close to me," returned Glynn, and seizing a lull in the traffic, he piloted her to the pavement in front of the Madeleine. " The reason of the strongest is always the best," she said, quoting La Fontaine aptly in his own language. " I should never have had resolution to seize that oppor- tunity." " I think I speak to a countrywoman," remarked Glynn. " Yes, I consider myself English. I am very much obliged. Good-morning." This decidedly, though po- litely. Glynn felt himself obliged to relinquish an eagerly- formed intention of drawing her into conversation. He could not thrust himself upon a lady, and he felt strongly disposed to believe that his new acquaintance was thor- oughly a lady, though a knowledge of life in most Euro- pean capitals disposed him to suspend his judgment He followed her at a little distance as she threaded her way through the booths which shelter the flower-sellers and their fragrant wares, till she reached one where she was apparently greeted as a regular customer by its wrinkled owner. Then with a certain degree of contempt for his STRIKING THE TRAIL. 9 own weakness he turned resolutely away, and walked down the new Boulevard Malesherbes. He had not gone far, when his attention was attracted by a figure advancing with a somewhat slouching gait to- wards him, a man of scarcely middle height, but broadly and strongly built, well, though rather showily, dressed, his trousers tight below the knee, and loose above, his cut- away coat, bright-colored necktie, and low-crowned hat, had a horsey aspect ; a broad, sun-burnt face, with well- trimmed, but coarse, red moustaches and hair, a blunt, resolute nose, sharp, light eyes, the lids puckered, as if from trying to look at strong sunlight, gave him an air of intense knowingness ; all these seemed somewhat familiar to Glynn, as was also a certain expression of lazy good- nature, which softened the ruggedness of his aspect. "While Glynn was struggling to answ y er the question with which we have all puzzled ourselves at one time or another " "Where have I seen that face ? " its owner stopped suddenly before him, exclaiming, " Mr. Glynn ! if I am not greatly mistaken ; I hope I see you well, sir." The voice and accent, which were peculiar, neither French, nor English, nor American, though a little of all, with an undertone of something that was none of the three, brought back to Glynn, as by magic, certain pas- sages of his life ten years before a big, crowded, gam- bling saloon in the Far West, dim with tobacco smoke, and hot with gas-lights, reeking with the fumes of strong drink, and echoing with the din of strange oaths, suddenly rose from out the caverns of memory, a confusion of struggling figures, a hand-to-hand conflict, the man before him gallantly backing him in a desperate fight to reach %e door. " Mr. Merrick, I had no idea you were at this side of the Atlantic ! " " I have been more than once at this side of the Atlantic since we met last. You know all good Yankees hope to go to Paris not only when they die, but a considerable few times before that event. I'm right glad to meet you ; and, before going further, I beg to observe that I have assum- ed " (he said " ashumed ") " another name since I had the pleasure of seeing you : .or rather, I have reverted to my original patronymic, which was a deuced deal too good for 10 AT BAY. the raff amongst whom we were temporarily engulfed, to mouth. Allow me " with an elegant air he drew forth a note-book, and presented a card engraved, " Captain Lam- bert, U.S.C., 27 Rue de L'eveque." " Times have changed for the better with me, and I am now established here permanently." " Glad to hear it, Captain Lambert," said Glynn, amus- ed by the rencontre. Then glancing at the card, " You are no longer on active service ? " " No, in a sense, no. Life is always more or less a bat- tle ; but for the present the bugles sing truce, and I am enjoying well-earned rest in the society of my daughter and only child, to whom I shall be delighted to introduce an esteemed comrade, if you will allow me to say so." " You are very good ! I shall be happy to make the young lady's acquaintance." " And yourself, sir '? I fancy you have been looking up too, there's an air of success, of solid respectability, eh ? worthy of a churchwarden, about you ! " " Yes, I may say I am now a sober citizen of famous London " " I believe you, and I am right glad to hear it. I shall yet salute you as Lord Mayor of London. ' Turn again Whittington,' hey ? Where do you put up ? I'll call and get you to fix a day to dine with us, but for the present I must bid you good-morning, for I promised to meet my daughter at the flower-market, and I never keep her wait- ing. Eh ! by Jove, here she is." Struck by the sudden joyous lighting up and softening of his interlocutor's eyes, Glynn turned to see the cause, and found himself face to face with the beauty of Auteuil. Seldom had he been so surprised, and it must be con- fessed shocked, as when he saw this charming ideal crea- ture smile back affectionately to the rowdy-looking nomad who claimed her as his child, whom he remembered as one of an adventurous gang, ready alike with dice-bos or revolver, barely ten years ago. "I thought you had forgotten me," she said, slipping her hand through his arm. "Forgotten you? No, faith! you must blame my friend here, if I am a trifle late. This ia an old acquaint- STRIKING THE TRAIL. 11 ance, my dear ; we have faced death together more than once ; and a better, pluckier comrade no man need wish for. Mr. Glynn Miss Lambert." Glynn raised his hat with profound respect. " He has already befriended me" she returned, gazing at him with a pretty, surprised, bewildered look in her large eyes. " I should still have been waiting to cross there at Madeleine, had he not escorted me." Lambert gave a quick, questioning glance at his daughter's open smiling face, and then exclaimed, " I am infinitely obliged to you, sir; infinitely, begad ! I tell you what, Elsie, you mustn't be out so late in the day by yourself. Why don't you take the bonne with you, or wait till I come in." " Oh, it is such waste of time waiting for a chaperon on a fine day ; but we shall be too late to secure places if we delay." " Yes, we had better be jogging. Can you dine with us to-day? And we'll have a talk over old times, and my girl will give us a song or two. Pot luck, my dear fellow, but you shan't starve." " Many thanks, I am engaged unfortunately," returned Glynn, half-pleased, half-regretful that he had a real ex- cuse ready. " Well, to-morrow then, at six, sharp, and we will go and hear the new operette at the Comique after." " You are very good. I shall be most happy," said Glynn, with an irresistible impulse as if some voice, not his own, answered for him. " Well, good-bye for the present. By the way, where do you hang out ? What's your hotel ? Wagram? very good." He swept off his hat in continental style, and his daughter bestowed a bow and smile upon Glynn which conveyed to him in some occult manner the impression that it pleased her to think he was a friend of her father. How in the name of all that was contradictory did he come to have such a daughter ? From the crown of her head to her dainty shoes she looked thoroughly a gentle- woman. More distinguished than fashionable in style, and so delightfully tranquil in pose and manner. " I hate chattering, animated women," thought Glynn, with that readiness to condemn everything different from the attrac- 12 AT BAT. tion of the moment, peculiar to the stronger and more logical sex. It was too dreadful to think of so fair a creature, who looked the incarnation of high-toned purity, being sur- rounded by a swarm of sharpers for that Lambert alias Merrick, and a dozen other names probably, could have ever settled down to sober, honest work, seemed impos- sible. Glynn dived deep into the recesses of his memory, re- calling all the circumstances of his former acquaintance with Merrick or Lambert, and necessarily reviewing his own life also. He had lost his parents in boyhood, but was left well provided for, and had been carefully educated, taking a creditable degree at Oxford shortly before coming of age. Then came a spell of wandering, of high play, of rage for costly excitement, which, with a love of speculation, beg- gared him in a few years. This climax found him in New York, and for a considerable time he was put to strange shifts to make out a living, for he would not beg, he was too true a gentleman to stoop to dishonesty ; but he was by no means ashamed to dig, or to do any work worthy an honorable man. During his desperate struggle with fortune he joined an exploring expedition, and found himself among queer companions in one of those wonder- ful improvised far-western towns, which spring up, mush- room-like, almost in a night, having spent the little money he had scraped together in his attempt to reach it, after the failure and dispersion of the prospecting party he had been induced to join. On the road he had fallen in with Merrick, whom he found friendly, helpful, and not without gleams of good and of decency. So for a week or two they kept together. Fortune befriended Glynn at the gambling-tables, till the row occurred with which Merrick was so inseparably asso- ciated, and which arose out of Glynn's extraordinary run of luck, at which the mixed company of miners, explorers, desperadoes and ruffians took offence. Finding the place rather too hot for safety, Glynn and his new friend parted company, the former making his way to San Francisco, whence he sailed for Australia, where after various adven- tures he was agreeably surprised, by seeing an advertise- STRIKING THE TKAIL. 13 ment in the Times, requesting him to communicate with a well-known firm of solicitors in London. The result proved that his uncle, the late Sir Pater Gethin, had left him a handsome legacy. The late Baronet had been a partner in a great banking and money-lending house; G-lynn elected to let his capital remain invested in the concern. His varied experience in speculative communities, his knowledge of modern languages, and his training generally, made him a valu- able acquisition to the firm, first as an employe, and after a few years as a junior partner. He was frequently despatched to conduct complicated transactions with for- eign houses, to inquire into the validity of distant schemes, to test the practicality of proposed undertakings. He had thoroughly sown his wild oats, and had developed ambition, self-respect, self-confidence ; but, unknown to himself, the spring of imaginative passion which had been the cause of all his misfortunes, and most of his pleasure, was only covered in, not exhausted, and lay there, ready to bubble up and well over into a strong current at the touch of the divining-rod. Perhaps it was some hidden sympathy arising from this latent warmth that made him so great a favorite with his uncle's widow, a shrewd worldly voltairean woman, well- born and well-bred, who escaped from poverty and de- pendence by accepting the position of wedded nurse to the aged, gouty, city knight, Sir Peter Gethin. It was long since Glynn had been so roused and inter- ested, and the acquaintances on whom he called that after- noon, found him unusually animated and agreeable. All through a somewhat solemn dinner at the house of a great French banker, he was buoyed up by the prospect of the different kind of festivity which awaited him next day. There was something curiously stimulating in this encounter with his old Californian acquaintance thus swept into such incongruous surroundings by the eddying current, life's stream. How did he come to have such a daughter ? What matter ! enough that there would be so charming an ingredient in the morrow's pleasure. As for his own prudence, self-control, worldly srisdom it never crossed his mind to doubt them. io '^ould pose as a calm spectator, study the puzzle offered to his observation, 14 AT BAT. and if necessary let Merrick or Lambert know the exact position of Deering should he ever cross their path. The weather was still calm, bright, warm, when, having drawn a light paletot over his evening dress, Glynn left his hotel, pref erring to walk as he was in good time for din- ner. At the corner of the Rue Castiglione he met Deering, who was coming leisurely from the opposite direction ; they stopped to exchange a few words, and then Deering exclaimed, looking at his watch, " I did not know it was so late, I am to do duty, and escort my wife and her sister to the Opera Comique to-night, au revoir," and they parted. " The Opera Comique," muttered Glynn, with a strong feeling of annoyance. " He will see his Auteuil attraction, and recognize me in attendance. The presence of such a father, too, will dispose him to believe it's a case of fair game ; but after all, I have no right to think ill of Deering. There is a curious sort of fate about the whole affair. I am a fool to worry myself. I will try to enjoy the passing hour, and let omens and auguries alone." On reaching his destination Glynn mounted to the third etage, and was admitted by a neat, black-eyed bonne, to a dimly lighted little vestibule, containing some oak-chairs and a small orange-tree in blossom, the perfume of which was almost overpowering. " Enter then, Monsieur," said the servant, throwing open one of several doors on either side, and Glynn found him- self in a pretty, pleasant salon and the presence of Miss Lambert; who, somewhat to his surprise, was in outdoor dress. " My father will be here directly," she said, giving him her hand. " He has gone to fetch our friends, Madame and Mademoiselle Davilliers, for we have changed our plans ; not being able to secure places at the Comique for to-night, we propose to drive through the bois and dine at the Cafe de Madrid. I hope this will be agreeable to you ?" " Any arrangement you make will be most agreeable to me ! " said Glynn, indescribably relieved to find himself and her delivered from the possibilities of an encounter with Deering, and charmed with the unpretending refine- ment of her surroundings. The room was well but simply furnished, and innocent of the flashy finery which might STRIKING THE TRAIL. 15 have been looked for in an apartment where Lambert was master. Some small but good water-colors enlivened the walls, which were of a neutral tint; an open piano loaded with music ; the stove converted into a stand for flowers ; the furniture of carved oak and green velvet ; a small basket work-table, overflowing with bright-colored wools and silk, some fine old china on the mantel-shelf ; a vase or two on corner-brackets, formed a pleasant picture of comfort and occupation. " You know the Cafe de Madrid, of course ? " said Miss Lambert, when Glynn had taken a seat, as she put her music together and closed the piano. " Yes, I know it well ; it is a capital place to dine at." " On such a fine evening it is delightful to be among the trees ; they are quite green already, and there is a charming walk down to the rirer. "We must try and per- suade Madame Davilliers and the dear father to walk ; do you mind walking after dinner ? " She sat down suddenly while she spoke and looked straight at him gravely, as if it were a question of the last importance. "Does she think me an old fogy?" thought Glynn, and answered with a smile, " I have not yet reached that period of life when repose after eating is essential." " No," still considering him gravely, " you are much younger than my father. When he spoke of you as a comrade I thought you must be about the same age. Is it long since you met ? " " Quite ten years." " That is a Jong time. But my father is always young I sometimes think he is younger than I am nothing depresses him, he is so full of resource ; and enjoys as if he were but five-and-twenty." " Yes ; I was always struck with his remarkable readi- ness. Do you remember America?" " America ? I never was in America. I was born in Australia, but my father Ah ! here he is," looking out of the window as the carriage was heard to stop. She took up her gloves, which were lying beside her sunshade, and began to put them on. In another moment the door opened to admit Lambert, who came in with an expres- sion of radiant satisfaction. "Glynn, my fine fellow! I am delighted to see you. 16 AT BAT. Has my daughter told you we have changed our plans; and substituted a little dinner at the Madrid instead of baking ourselves at the Comique ? All right, come along, Madame Davilliers and 'Toinette are waiting for us be- low ; they have brought the cousin, young Henri Le Clerc, Elsie, and who should I stumble on just at the cor- ner of the Rue d'Aguesseau, but Vincent, going to dine all alone by himself ; so I made him jump up on the box. We'll be a nice little party ; you ladies will have a cava- lier apiece, and one to spare, that's myself ; I am only a super nowadays ; don't forget a wrap for coming home." Elsie locked the drawer of an ornamental bureau, put the key in her pocket, and declared herself ready ; and Lam- bert led the way down-stairs. Arrived at the entrance, Glynn was duly presented to Madame and Mademoiselle Davilliers, in whom he recognized the ladies who were with Miss Lambert at Auteuil ; they smiled and bowed most graciously, expressing their delight at M. Lambert's change of plans in rather shrill-toned raptures. After a little confusion it was settled that Mr. Vincent, a veiy elaborately got-up continentalized American, with fair hair, moustaches, and complexion, and rather sleepy pale blue eyes, should escort Madame Davilliers and her daughter. "While Miss Lambert, her father, Glynn, and young Le Clerc, a good-looking boy in the polytechnique uniform, should occupy another open carriage. Glynn fancied he observed an expression of decided re- lief in Elsie's face as Vincent took the seat assigned him, and she gave her hand to her father, who assisted her with careful politeness to her place ; it was absurd to feel pleased by so trifling an indication yet Glynn did feel pleased. The drive along the beautiful Champs Elysees, and the Avenue de I'lmperatrice, as the approach to the bf>is was then called, is exhilarating, especially when seated oppo- site an exceedingly pretty woman, whose prettiness pos- sesses a peculiar charm for your own individual taste, and with whom for some occult reason you feel hi sym- pathy. Away past the marionette shows, and Punch and Judy's, the well-kept gardens and fountains, the mansions all sheltered from the heat by their closed jalousies, at the further end, round the wide sweep which encircles the STEIKING THE TRAIL. 17 Arc de Triomphe, and on past splendid equipages return- ing from the afternoon drive up and down Long Champs ; their occupants brilliant in exquisite toilettes, on down the Empress' Avenue, soon to be rechristened under a new order of things. Glynn could not help a keen sense of amusement as he compared the present condition of the man opposite him to his former state ; and the won- der grew and grew, as to how such a girl as Miss Lambert came to be his daughter. The embryo artillery officer (such was Le Clerc's destination) chattered gaily, and was well seconded by his host, whose French, though fluent and amusing, was not distinguished by grammatical cor- rectness, or purity of accent. His daughter said little, but that little showed she could express herself pointedly. Moreover, she looked so frankly and confidingly at Glynn that he felt as if she accepted him, stranger though he was, as an hereditary friend. He had to exercise some self-control to keep his eyes from saying too plainly how charming he thought her. The gardens of the Chateau de Madrid were gay and fragrant with lilac and laburnum, mignonette, and jonquils. Lambert, who loved to do things in a princely fashion, had written to secure a private room and dinner. The party was therefore received with great politeness and attention. The young ladies betook themselves to the garden, fol- lowed by the gentlemen except Lambert, who went in- doors with madame to order the wines. They were soon summoned to table, but in the short interval, Glynn observed that Vincent made a decided attempt to separate Miss Lambert from her companions, an attempt which she frustrated with calm, resolute politeness, remarkable in so young a girl. The dinner was excellent, the company animated, pleased with themselves and each other, perhaps slightly noisy. Madame Davilliers talked well if she also talked a good deal. Lambert occasionally, often uncon- sciously, said good things, and told a story with point and humor. Vincent devoted himself to Madame. Young Le Clerc to his cousin and Miss Lambert. Glynn was for some time an observant listener, more and more amused and puzzled at the incongruity of the whole affair, and 2 18 AT BAT. gathering from the conversation that Mademoiselle Antoi- nette Davilliers had been Miss Lambert's dearest friend at the convent school, where they had spent nearly six years together, that the papa Davilliers held some govern- ment employment, and that Vincent was the agent for a New York commercial house. Lambert's own occupation seemed very indefinite. He talked of having been con- nected with the press, of having had business interviews with various artistes, of writing himself on sporting mat- ters. The symposium was prolonged, and when it was over, Glynn, observing a piano in a corner of their dining- room, asked Miss Lambert if she remembered her father's promise, that she should sing ? " Yes," smiling. " But, it was his promise, not mine." " Ah ! my darlm'," cried Lambert, overhearing. " You'll not dishonor your father's draft on your musical bank ! " " No I will sing with pleasure by and by, Antoinette will begin." " And an uncommon sweet little pipe she has, of her own. Mademoiselle is always gracious and ready to give pleasure ! Open the instrument, Elsie, I hope it isn't an instrument of torture." " It might be much worse," she returned, when she had played a few chords. " Come, Antoinette," she said, as she began an accompaniment, and Mademoiselle Davilliers, a neat little blonde with a saucy " tip-tilted " nose, and a pretty toilette of the latest fashion, went over to the piano, and in a sweet, slightly shrill soprano proceeded to request some ideal Jeannette to look into the well, that the reflection of her blue eyes might gladden the singer. She sang with much piquant expression, and was loudly applauded. " I think I should prefer looking into the blue eyes them- selves, to searching for a cold reflection," said Glynn, who had placed himself at the end of the piano, so as to see the faces of the singers. " It would be far better," returned Miss Lambert ; "realities are always best." " Now, Elsie ; we are waiting for you," cried her father. Her reply was to strike a few chords, and begin a sweet, wild, plaintive air with Italian words. Her voice was peculiarly rich and sympathetic ; its lower notes were STRIKING THE TRAIL. 19 especially fine ; she had been thoroughly well taught, and had besides a degree of natural expression that sent her tones right to the heart of her hearers. " This is indeed music," said Glynn, in a low voice when she ceased. " Do you feel something of the delight you give ? " " Do I give you delight ? You look as if you liked my singing, I am glad." " It is heaven to listen to you," he exclaimed, almost in spite of himself. " Your song is quite unknown to me." "It is a Polish air arranged by my music-master for some Italian words. He is Italian." " I feel as if I were unworthy to ask for another song," said Glynn, after a short pause. " Why ? I will sing as much as you like, I can always sing well for those who like my singing," and again her deft fingers strayed over the notes, till they seemed to fall of their own accord into an undulating accompaniment to which she sang a barcarolle brilliant, playful, but with an undertone of sadness. " She can sing a bit, can't she ? " asked Lambert, approaching with exultant looks. " Why, sir, she'd create a fureur, a regular fureur ; she'd pick up gold for the asking, ay, in hatfuls, if she'd go on the stage ; fancy her in the ' Trovatore,' or, ' The Figlia ' or Martha ! ' give us 1 The Last Rose of Summer,' my heart ; why, she'd bring down any house ; and the obstinate little sinner refuses point-blank to appear on the boards, says it would kill her. Faith, it is a right royal way to keep life in one, and the devil out of one's pocket ; by Jove, she would hold her own with the best, when she has a father that can crack a walnut at fifty paces, and wouldn't mind if it were a skull in a good cause ! " " Ah, no ! the stage would be a miserable failure for me. You do not take temperament into account," said Miss Lam- bert, with a sigh, and then stopped the conversation by thrilling out the exquisite air for which Lambert had asked. " Now/* said the singer, when she had finished, rising from her aeat, " you must do what I ask, dear father ; I want to walk to the river." "It's a good step," said Lambert ; " and it isn't civil to leave youf company." 20 AT BAT. " But they will come with me. Will you not, Madame Davilliers ? and you, Antoinette, you will, I am sure ? " raising her eyes with a confiding glance to Glynn's. " I shall enjoy a stroll immensely," he replied. Ma- dame, however, preferred to remain where she was, and Vincent offered to stay and play a game of piquet with her to pass away the time. Evening was fast closing in when they started on their rarnble^and the falling dew drew r out delicious odors from grass, and flowers, and shrubs, as they proceeded along the avenue which, skirting the bois, led to the river-side. It was longer than Miss Lambert thought, and the moon had risen before they reached the Seine. At first they had kept all together, but gradually Grlynn contrived to separate himself and Miss Lambert from the rest. " And so you had not courage enough for the stage," he said, after a short pause in their conversation. " No ; I suppose it is want of courage that holds me back a sort of constitutional dislike to such a calling. Though I greatly admire actresses and singers, I could not be one. I love quietness, stillness, being with a few people I like." " Then you cannot like Paris ? " " Oh, yes ! I am very happy here. I enjoy music and pictures, and my father gives me everything I can want or wish. I am a most fortunate girl, but ' " There are ' buts ' in every life," said Glynn, as she paused. He wanted her to speak on. " There is scarcely a ' but ' in mine. I was going to say that I seem to want a few months in the country every year to make life complete." " Have you been accustomed to the country, then ? " " Yes. When we came first from Australia I was rather delicate, and I used to live with the kind woman who took care of me after my mother's death at her brother's farm in a beautiful country on the borders of Wales. It was a delightful place. Then when I was about twelve my father thought I ought to learn something, and he put me to school in the convent I have never been in England since ; still I always fancy I am English." " And I feel as if you were ; but Mr. Lambert is Amer- ican?' 8 STRIKING- THE TEAiL,, " Not by birth. Tell me, did you know my father very well long ago ? " " Yes ; that is, we ran some risks together. Why do you ask ? " a desperate fight of it since, but I keep all that to myself. Madame D. there thinks me a big man entirely ; it's all the better for her, and all I care for is my jewel Elsie." This brought them to Lambert's door. " Honor bright," said he, giving his hand to Glynn, " I know I may trust you" Glynn shook hands cordially, and went towards his hotel, musing on the curious contradictions displayed by his former friend, and the incongruity of being made a confidant by the adoring father of the girl against whose subtle charm he had determined to steel himself. A fortnight had gone by swiftly, too swiftly, and Glynn was still in Paris. True, the plans which would have compelled his presence in Berlin were changed, and he was consequently detained a little longer in the French capital, but he was now free, and had some weeks at his own disposal. For various plausible reasons he was frequently at the Rue de L'EvOque, and also a welcome visitor at Madame Davilliors', who declared him worthy of being a French- man. He was always careful to bestow his whole atten- tion on her when in her presence, and did not shock her sense of propriety by throwing away any small polite- nesses on the young ladies. His happiest moments, however, were those in which he found Elsie sitting at her work or at the piano with Madame Weber and her knitting established beside her. Then they talked long and confidentially on many topics, sometimes in French to include the good Alsacian, but more often in English ; and Elsie would practice her songs while he sat in a deep low chair and dreamed, and was lapped into a state of feverish, uneasy delight. Every day the difficulty of tearing himself away grew greater, and still the quiet unconsciousness of Elsie, the easy, friendly tone which she preserved towards him convinced him that whatever of pain might result from their inter- course would be unshared by her. Glynn was often Lambert's guest : and more than once entertained the father and daughter at some one of the pleasant restaurants, in the bois, or on the Champs Elysees. 36 AT BAY. Xiambert, though speaking 1 frankly enough of himself, never explained very distinctly what his employment was 5 nor did he make any allusion to the position or occupa- tion of his former friend and comrade, as he was fond oi calling Glynn. " I have a wonderful piece of news for you, Mr. Glynn," said Elsie one fine warm afternoon, when he had been ushered through the orange-scented vestibule to the salon where she was sitting beside her work-table, with a book Glynn had lent her in her hands, and she motioned towards a chair opposite her. "Indeed! what may it be? Good-morning, Madame Weber," bowing. " May I try to divine it, Miss Lambert ? Has Mr. Lambert agreed to take you to the Pyrenees or to England ? " looking into her eyes. " No ! then he will go for a month or two to Switzerland ? No ? Then your old friend Mrs. , I forget the name, who used to take care of you, is coming to Paris ? No ? Then I am at the end of my conjectures. You see I always read 'no 'in your eyes." " You could never guess ! My father has gone away to Havre, quite early this morning, and will not return for three or four days. He has never left me since we came to live here till now, and I cannot tell you how strange and restless and half frightened I feel ; but Madame Davilliers has kindly asked me to stay with her, and I go there to dinner to-day. I should have gone sooner, but I thought you might call, so I waited." Her perfect easy candor was charming, yet mortifying to his amour propre. " Thank you very much ; I am glad to have an oppor- tunity of hearing of your intended movements from your- self ; it would have been an awful shock to have found every one gone ; but," looking keenly at her, " what have you been doing or suffering ? You are pale. There is a weary look in your eyes." " And you are like my dear father, too ready to think I must be suffering or unhappy, or something dreadful, if I look a shade paler than usual. I am quite well." She smiled, stopped abruptly, let her eyes droop, while the color rose softly in her cheek, and her smile was replaced by a serious, almost sad expression in the curves of her mouth. PLATING WITH FIRE. 37 " You have something to tell me ? something that dis~ turbs you. Speak, you may trust me." " I am sure I can. Well, I was foolishly frightened yesterday. We, Madame Weber and I, had gone to hear the band play in the Tuileries Gardens. It was very pleasant under the trees, and we sat a long time. Just as we rose to return home, two gentlemen came up from a side walk ; one I recognized at a little distance to be Mr. Vincent ; the other, when they came nearer, I saw was the same man whom I noticed at Auteuil ; you know who I mean? He looked at me so strangely, I felt uneasy, frightened, and I hurried Madame Weber away. They must have taken some shorter path, for when we reached the gato opposite the Rue de la Paix they came upon us again. Mi*. Vincent raised his hat, and so did the other, and stared at me with such an odd piercing look of dis- like and doubt Oh ! I cannot forget it." " Yes," said Madame Weber, gathering from Elsie's ex- pression, and the words " Tuileries Gardens," that she was relating the events of yesterday, ." that gentleman there was not at all polite ; he glared at mademoiselle, Mon Dieu ! like a savage beast ; nevertheless he was distin- guished, and no doubt noble." " I think you must be mistaken," said Glynn ; " the man whom you saw at the races left Paris nearly three weeks ago. I should most probably have seen him had he re- turned. You must have been mistaken." Elsie shook her head. " I could never be mistaken in that man," she said. Glynn was greatly struck by the reappearance of Deer- ing, but he threw off the impression. It was probably an illusion on the part of Elsie. That Deering, the proudest of men, should be walking with so doubtful a personage as Vincent seemed almost incredible. He would make inquiries, however. Meantime he addressed himself to soothe Elsie's evident uneasiness. "After all, granting you are right, what have you to fear ? Your admirer can only look ; he dare not annoy you, or an}' attempt at annoyance could soon be put a stop to. Indeed, I am sure Deering is too much a gen- tleman and a man of the world to outrage good manners in any way.' 38 AT BAY. "What is his name ?" " Deering of Denliam ; rather i personage in York- shire. I know him and his wife." " He is married ? " as if a little surprised. " Yes, I dare say I am foolish to be afraid of anything, but I am some- times such a coward. I suppose it is the effect of the ter- rible terror I suffered when almost a baby." " Indeed ! " said Glynn, his curiosity profoundly stirred, and feeling more than ever convinced there was some very unusual story attached to the sweet, graceful daughter of his former rowdy acquaintance. " I suppose I ought not to ask you how and where you encountered such a shock?" " I do not mind speaking of it to you ; it is a sort of relief, for I have seen you look surprised when I have started and shuddered at trifles. I do not wish you to think me silly." " Silly ! do you know that you seem to me the imper- sonation of tranquil, womanly wisdom ? " A laugh so merry and spontaneous rippled over lip and cheek, and flashed from her eyes, that for an instant Glynn feared he had erred by appearing to exaggerate. " That you should think so ignorant a girl as I am wise, is too funny," she exclaimed. " Wisdom is a gift that may be improved, not created by learning," said Glynn ; " but as you permit me to ask, What was the terror to which you allude ? " " It was so long ago that my memory of it is mere con- fusion. When I was three or four years old the blacks came and burnt our house, away in Australia ; they killed some people too. Then I remember being on a horse and clinging to my father. I think I was quite out of my mind, for I remember being afraid of my own dear father, and thinking him changed and different from what he used to be. Oh, it is all so confused ! Then there was a long voyage and great quiet ; yet I used to scream if I were left alone for a moment. Sometimes it seems true that I had two long sea voyages, and that my only com- fort was to crouch in my father's arms. Then came a long period long and peaceful in the sweet fresh coun- try, where I grew strong and fearless, though I always had panics. I had one the first time I met that gentle- PLATING WITH FIRE. 39 man's eyes, and sometimes I feel afraid with Mr Vincent. I was very happy with Mrs. Kellett ; she is the good friend who took care of me till my father put me in the convent. He used to come and see me from time to time, and when I saw how much he loved me T grew to love him with my whole heart. That is all I know about nay own life." " And it is enough. You must banish all sense of fear life promises to be fair and smooth for you." " I hope so ; but curious thrills of terror steal through me sometimes. I never like to ask my father about that dreadful night. I think my poor mother died then, and he cannot bear to speak of it. It was that fright I sup- pose that made me a little slow and dull ; but thank God I can and do enjoy a great deal." " It would be a frightful injustice if you could not ; and you must throw your fears to the winds. You are formed to win friends ; dream only of happiness and affection ! May I wait, and escort you to Madame Davil- liers'?" This request was prompted by a strange inexpressible reluctance to leave her alone in her own apartment during her father's absence. " I am turning driveller," he thought ; " am I on the verge of making a fool of myself? Not with my eyes open, yet I would risk a good deal to insure this fair delicate creature from shock or real danger, for with such a father, such dubious surroundings, her future is, to say the least, unpromising." " Oh, yes ; I should be very glad if you will come with us, and then you will come and see Madame Davilh'ers while I am with her? My father will be home on Mon- day, in the evening. How delightful it will be to have him back again. Ah ! he is so good to me. I am some- times oppressed to think how dearly he loves me. I sup- pose it is because I was so weak, so nearly imbecile when a child. Shall we go to Madame Davilh'ers' now ? I am quite ready." " When you like ; but first do me a great favor, sing me a song before you go away among a set of strangers, a song all to myself." Elsie smiled, and turning to the piano at once, complied* 40 AT BAT. choosing a Latin hymn expressive of faith in Divine pro- tection, one of those she was accustomed to sing in her convent school days. When Glynn had escorted her and Madame Weber to the Davilliers' residence, he walked to the hotel where Mr. and Lady Frances Deering were in the habit of staying, and inquired if Mr. Deering had returned. "No," the waiter said, " nor did they expect monsieur, who had left more than a fortnight ago." " She must have been mistaken," mused Glynn, as he went on to his own quarters. " Deering could not endure the companionship of such a man as Vincent, and what object could he have in following a girl like Elsie Lam- bert? She is a sensitive, timid soul, more so than I imagined, yet there are possibilities of heroism in her. A most delightful companion, with fresh discoveries of sheltered nooks and mossy dells of character at every step in our acquaintance. I will not leave Paris until I see her safe under her father's wing again ; then, if I have an oumce of common sense left, I will fly ! " Reaching his own room, he found among others a let- ter from Lady Gethin, asking the real reason of his pro- longed stay in Paris. Having a spare half -hour he replied at once : " I am trying to put the pieces of a puzzle together ; I am not sure I shall succeed, but am going to give myself a few days longer, then I shall come and report proceed- ings. I wonder what solution you will suggest. Till we meet then, I can say no more on the subject. Have you seen the Deerings ? Are they both in London ? I assure you I long to bring my dcubts and suspicions to the test of your experience and acumen. " Ever your devoted Nephew, "HUGH GLYNN." CHAPTER OLD SCORES. MADAME DAVILLIEBS' was a very pleasant household. OJ course it had not the ease and freedom that reigns in an English home, at least for young people. Antoinette and her friend were treated with the kind of affectionate in- dulgence suited to infants of tender years, but watched also and guarded with the care due to creatures of the same immature age. To Lambert and his daughter madame extended a wide indulgence, " Americans, you know," in an explan- atory tone, was always her comment on any eccentricity of theirs. She was exceedingly anxious to settle Elsie judi- ciously, as she felt convinced she would have a goodly dower, and deeply regretted that she had not a son old enough to demand the charming mademoiselle in mar- riage. Lambert, however, showed himself reluctant to accept any of her suggestions, and she therefore con- cluded that he had other plans in view. Elsie Lambert was very happy with Antoinette. They practiced duets together, and traced patterns, and Elsie read aloud to her friend when she was at work, or re- peated to her the stories and poems she had lately read in English, on Glynn's recommendation. Elsie was the master spirit of the two, though Antoinette was by far the bravest and most self-possessed in society. But amid her contentment Elsie was conscious of an extraordinary want a void which nothing sufficed to fill ; it was the want of those quiet conversations with Glynn, each of which awoke new ideas, new aspirations, new life. He called as he had promised, and was received most graciously by Madame Davilliers in her salon. Both girls were present. Glynn, however, knew well he must not speak more than a few civil words to them, and even his inquiries for Lambert he felt bound to utter ia (41) 42 AT BAT. French. But Elsie's expressive eyas told him much. They said frankly and innocently, " I wish I could talk to you. I wish I dare speak as usual. This is all rather tiresome." And he longed unutterably to take her out for a long ramble in the bois, her arm through his own, her sweet candid face uplifted to his, that she might the better comprehend the meaning of his words ; but he must not think of such things. He ought to be thank- ful, especially thankful, that her feelings towards him were so calm and friendly. If he were to read anything of tenderness, of passion, in those lovely blue eyes of hers, why, chaos would be come again I For to call Lam- bert father-in-law would be chaotic 1 " How is M. Vincent ? " asked Madame Davilliers, as Glynn rose to take leave one afternoon; " he has not pre- sented himself lately. He is a most interesting man, and quite French in his knowledge of lif e and character ! I shall beg him to give himself the trouble of dining with us on Wednesday next, and I hope that you too, monsieur, will do us the pleasure of joining our little party. Wed- nesday is the anniversary of our wedding-day, and M. Davilliers proposes to make a little fete in its honor. If fine we shall dine at the ' Grande Cascade ' at six o'clock ; we hope our good friend Monsieur Lambert will return in time for our reunion." " It is also the anniversary of Lodi, and the Grande Cascade will be illuminated," cried Antoinette. " It will be superb." " Yes, do come, it will be charming," said Elsie. " I need no persuasion," replied Glynn. " I shall be but too happy to join your party, madame." During the days which intervened Glynn kept a sharp lookout wherever he went, both for Deering and Vincent, but in vain ; he saw no trace of either. The weather was variable, and Glynn offered up earnest prayers for sun- shine and blue skies on the eagerly anticipated Wednesday. There were opportunities for a tete-ti-tete in the freedom of a restaurant dinner which were not to be found within the narrow limits of a private dwelling. The fates were propitious. Wednesday broke bright and warm, and most of the party were assembled when Glvnn drove up to the restaurant of the Grande Cascade. OLD SCORES. 4S Madame Davilliers was richly attired in crimson and black brocade, with white plumes in her bonnet ; her daughter in diaphanous dove-color and pink ; while Miss Lambert, who was unusually animated, looked lovely in soft, clear white Indian muslin over spring-like green, with abun- dance of delicate lace, and a poetic little bonnet decorated with violets, which showed the wavy richness of her golden- brown hair. She was listening with an amused smile to some remarks of Monsieur Davilliers, a good-humored looking and rather ponderous man, with a morsel of red ribbon in his button-hole. Glynn was warmly greeted by all, including Vincent, who, to his (Glynn's) annoyance, was amongst the guests, magnificently got up in the height of fashion, with a heavy emerald ring fastening his necktie, a brilliant diamond on one little finger, an onyx signet-ring on the other and a massive gold pencil-case and bunch of charms dangling from his guard-chain. "Is it not unfortunate? " said Elsie in a low tone, when Glynn succeeded in getting near her ; " my father cannot return till to-morrow." " Yes, it is too bad that he cannot come, and that Vincent can." " Do not look so angry," she returned with a smile. " I am sorry too, and yet I don't know why; he is always very polite and obliging, and seems to be great friends with my father." " There are instincts " began Glynn ; but dinner was announced, and he was directed to escort a brilliant dame, who made a determined attack upon him, and would not share his attention with any one. Vincent was placed next Miss Lambert, and appeared to succeed in entertaining her. Altogether Glynn felt provoked, and by no means amused, as he had anticipated. When dinner was over Vincent proposed that they should take their coffee in the veranda, which was only raised a ctep above the gardens in front of the restaurant, and from whence they could see the spray of the waterfall glittering in the light of the setting sun. This was readily agreed to, and in the movement which ensued Glynn con- trived to place himself near Elsie. 44 AT BAT. & " "What an interminable dinner ! " he exclaimed. " Yet you had a very agreeable neighbor ? " " If a forty horse-power of talk constitutes agreeability, I had. I hope your father will return to-morrow. It seems such an age since I heard you sing." " But I sang to you on Sunday." " To me ? no, to a crowd of strangers, of whom I was one." " / do not consider you a stranger." " Thank you ; you are infinitely good to say so," gazing into her eyes. " It is a great additional charm to hear you in your own room, with only your father and myself for audience. Do you think me selfish for saying so ? " " No ; yet music is music, wherever you hear it." " Your music is something different from all other," began Glynn, scarcely able to keep back the imprudent expressions which rushed to his lips, so delighted was he to have a few words aside with her. " I hope you will not go away until my father returns," said Elsie, not seeming to heed his compliment ; " he would be sorry to miss you." "I shall certainly not leave until he returns," said Glynn, feeling himself in some odd way bound to watch over Elsie in Lambert's absence. " Don't you think he will come to-morrow ? " " Mr. Vincent seems to think it probable he may be delayed." " Indeed ! Vincent appeared to have a good deal to say for himself at dinner." " Yes ; he seems to be looking for some one," for Vin- cent had gone to the edge of the veranda, and was sur- veying the various groups standing or walking about the little lawn in front of the cafe- Presently he bowed and smiled, saying to Madame Davilliers : " I see an English friend of mine, apparently alone ; have I your permission to present him to you ? Pie is a man of fashion and distinction a Mr. Travers. " But certainly," cried Madame Davilliers, " any friend of yours, dear sir " Vincent stepped forward, while Glynn felt a thrill of angry anticipation. In a few minutes he returned, ac- companied by Deering 1 Vincent at once presented him OLD SCORES. 45 to Madame Davilliers, who put on her most elegant man- ner to receive so distinguished an addition to her party ; and Elsie's eyes sought Glynn, saying as distinctly as eyes could say, " You see I was right." Madame's elegancies were thrown away upon Deering. He understood but little French, ami only bowed with a sort of haughty courtesy to his smiling hostess. " Ah, Glynn, you here ? " Le exclaimed, turning from her to his compatriot. " I fancied you were at tierJin." " And / imagined you preparing for the next general election, which is not far off, I suspect/' returned Glynn. *' I hope you left Lady Frances and your boy quite well." "They are all right," returned Deering, shortly, and even as he spoke Lis eyes were rivetted on Miss Lambert with a strange, watchful gaze, at once admiring and hos- tile. The color slowly rose in her cheek, and she "looked away in evident embarrassment, while Glynn felt an almost irresistible impulse to take him by the neck and threw him out of the circle into which he had intruded. But civilization compelled them to exchange polite sentences instead of following their natural tendency to fly at each other's throats. " Pray introduce me to your English friends," said Deering to Vincent, with a certain air of condescension. " The only English-speaking member of our party besides Mr. Glynn is this young lady, and I claim her as American. Miss Lambert, allow me to present Mr. Trav- ers Deering to you." Glynn noticed that he used both names this time. Was the omission of one of them at nr,3t intentional? " You must take pity on me, and allow me to sit beside you," said Deering, in a carefully softened tone ; " for, unfortunately, I cannot speak French, and feel awkward when I am alongside one of our lively neighbors." He drew a chair by her as he spoke, laying aside his hat and taking his place with the easy, well-bred decision of a man perfectly sure of himself, of his social standing, and his general acceptability. Elsie gazed at him as if fascinated, and Glynn could not help thinking how hand- some and lordly and thoroughbred he looked, ji:st the etyle of man to captivate a girl's imagination, " Do you know, Miss Lambert, I have some very humbla 46 AT BAT. apologies to offer you for my involuntary rudeness. I can only urge that when I saw you at the races, I was so struck by your remarkable likeness to a very charming woman I knew long ago, that I really could not keep my eyes in order." " You did not offend me," said Elsie, with a quick little sigh, and making a slight unconscious movement, as if to draw nearer Glynn. " I am glad I reminded you of some one you liked," " I did not say I liked her, though she was charming," returned Deering, with a searching glance and a some- what cynical smile. Elsie did not reply ; she looked wonderingly at him out of her great serious blue eyes, as if at some curious, dan- gerous creature. " So I am to consider myself pardoned ? " resumed Deer- ing. "I have nothing to forgive." Then turning to Glynn, she asked, " Do you think the fireworks will soon begin ? ' *' Not until it is considerably darker. I suppose we ought to go out to see them ; we shall only have a ?ery narrow view here." " Yes, we can't possibly stay in this corner," exclaimed Deering, looking round impatiently. " Oh, I fancy niadame will make a move," said Vincent, who was hovering about in his character of sponsor ta his aristocratic friend. " I did not know you had so distinguished a circle of French acquaintances," resumed Deering, addressing Glynn, and glancing with slightly elevated eyebrows to- wards Madame Davilliers and her friends. The glance caught that lady's attention, and induced her to turn the fire of her conversation upon him. To which Deering re- plied, with the assistance of Miss Lambert and Glynn. On her own account Elsie said very little, and seemed to have lost the brightness that animated her before and during dinner. /.At length the first rocket rushed towards the sky, and burst into a cluster of many-colored stars, whereupon every one jumped up and made for the garden, the lawn, the roadway. " Pray take my arm," said Glynn to Elsie the moment OLD SCORES. 4 7 he saw the stampede beginning. " It may not be easy to keep together in the crowd." " That is not fair, Glynn," said Deering with a smile " You appropriate the only lady who can speak English, and condemn me to silence for the next hour." "I am very sorry," said Glynn coolly ; "but in Captain Lambert's absence I consider myself in some degree re- sponsible for his daughter." "Antoinette speaks a little English," said Elsie, "and will be charmed to talk to you I mean Mademoiselle Davilliers," looking towards her. " Pray do not trouble yourself," returned Deering hasti- ly, " I can exist for half an hour in an unattached condi- tion ; besides, one can always pick up the crumbs which fall from rich men's tables." This with an insolent laugh, which grated on Glynn, as did Deering's whole tone ; it conveyed the idea that he was amongst people whom he did not respect sufficiently to feel any restraint, and, more- over, that he was in a bad temper. Elsie did not require a second invitation. Glynn was amused and touched by the readiness with which she took and almost clung to his arm as they sallied forth and mixed with the crowd. Deering ; true to his avowed in- tention of " picking up the crumbs," kept persistently on her right her unguarded side and mastering his ill humor, talked lightly and easily, every now and then planting a query as to her past life, the drift of which Glynn thought he perceived. " Is it North or South America which has the honor of claiming you, Miss Lambert ? " " Neither ; I have never been in America, I was born hi Australia." "Australia! so much for preconceived ideas. I was disposed to swear that you were English born and bred." " I have been more in England than anywhere else." " Indeed ! whereabouts, may I ask ? " " Look ! what a splendid effect ! " exclaimed Glynn, who was not too pleased at this acquaintance. " Oh, how lovely ! " exclaimed Elsie, her attention quite diverted. A large star of silvery light had suddenly ap- peared over the waterfall, through the spray of which it shone in varied prismatic colors, and Vincent coming up 48 AT BAT. at the moment to speak to Deering, Glynn managed dex- terously to lose himself and his companion in the crowd, and for a delicious half-hour had her all to himself. "It is nearly over," he said at last. "Let us make our way to the cafe ; we were all to assemble there ; you are tired, I am sure, and I am afraid Deering has bored you." " I never know what being bored means exactly. I did not like speaking to him at first, but he can make himself very pleasant, and he looks well. How did he come to know Mr. Vincent? really Mr. Vincent scarcely seems fit to be his servant." " That is rather strong," said Glynn, laughing, yet with a sense of annoyance at her words ; " but his acquaintance with Vincent does seem inexplicable. I wonder if he would ask him to Denham and introduce him to his wife, Lady Frances ? " " Is 'Mr. Deering's wife a great lady ? " "Yes, thoroughbred, and I suspect with a thorough- breTs power of endurance." " Is she not happy, then ? " " Elsie, my child," cried Madame Davilliers, close beside them, "we are going to return home. You must go in the carriage with monsieur, Henri Le Clerc, and Madame Dubois ; they await you in the veranda. Antoinette is speaking English quite well, but exceedingly well, to M. Derm He is really most distinguished. He ought to learn French." " I am afraid he is a little too old, madame," said Glynn. They were soon at the rendezvous : the carriages were ready, and Glynn having wrapped Elsie's cloak round her, was obliged to let Deering hand her into the carriage, as he had stationed himself at the door. " Good-night, Miss Lambert ; I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you soon again," with a little ring of triumph in his tone, and she was whirled away into the soft dark- ness of the summer night. " Are you going straight back to your hotel ? " said Vincent to Deering, when, Madame Davilliers had driven off. " Yes ; I shall return with Mr. Glynn, if he will allow me," courteously to the latter, then abruptly to Vincent, " But I shall expect you to-morrow at 10.30 or eleven. J want to hear more about this wonderful colt" OLD SCORES. 49 <--. *' Very well ; I will wish you good-evening. Oh, by the way, Madame Davilliers' address is 14, Rue de C- , in case you think of honoring her Friday evenings." " Thank you ; good-evening." Then to Grlynn, " Shall we stroll towards the lakes ? It is such a fine night, and we shall find a, fiacre nearer town." The two men walked on in silence for a few minutes, and then Deering exclaimed, " One is prepared to pay for tips in racing matters, but not quite so high a price as associating with such men implies ; that is an awful cad." " He is ; I was infinitely surprised when I saw you appear in the character of his protege, this evening. How did you come to know him ? " Deering laughed. " How did you ? but I forgot, he is evidently a popular member of your society. I I met him in Count Latour's stables, and found he was well up in sporting, or rather turf, matters. There is very little sport in them. He told me a thing or two, and may be of use." " I did not know you were going in for racing," said Glynn. " I take a certain interest in it, and I thought you did." He paused, lit a cigar, and then said abruptly, " Vincent tells me you know Miss Lambert's father ; in fact, that you are frequently his favored guest. How does it hap- pen that such a girl can be the outcome of a society of bourgeois and sharpers? You must present me to this father when he appears ; I should prefer your sponsor- ship to Vincent's." " Why do you want to know a set of people so com- pletely out of your line ? " " I have a motive, not a very high one, I confess, but sufficiently powerful curiosity. I want to find out some- thing about Miss Lambert's people and history, for I am certain I knew a relative of hers, many years ago." " Well, you had better fall back on your sporting ac- quaintance for an introduction, he is much more intimate with Captain Lambert than I am." "Ha! you refuse to be responsible for me? that's deuced shabby! So he calls himself captain? He is rather a queer fish, isn't he ? " " That depends on our respective ideas touching queer 4 50 AT BAY. fish. He is not a highly- polished, courtly gentleman, but he is not a bad fellow ; and he is devoted to his daughter." " Indeed ! Well, Glynn, I believe you have seen a good deal of the world, and it is pleasant to find that so much faith in your fellow-creatures survives the experience." "Faith is certainly a more agreeable sensation than doubt," returned Glynn, unmoved. "By the way, I quite forgot I had an engagement this evening. I am late already ; there is a fiacre" He hailed it. " Will you drive with me, Peering ? " " No, thank you ; I shall enjoy my weed and a stroll, so good-night. I'll look you up to-morrow or next day." " Curiosity," murmured Glynn, as he rolled away towards Paris. "Is it only curiosity? I wonder who Elsie's mother was ? It seems too bad that any unholy mystery should hang round so sweet and frank a creature "; and recalling the beautiful eyes which had looked up into his with clear unconsciousness and unhesitating trust Glynn closed his own, and gave himself up to some delightful though disquieting reflections. " What infernal bad luck ! " thought Deering, as he lit his cigar viciously. " I did not dream of meeting that fellow. I never reckoned on such an obstacle. However, cost what it may, I'll get to the bottom of her parentage and history. If my suspicions are right, I must get rid of her or bind her to me indissolubly ; and the last would be the pleasanter process. There is a wonderful charm about her, and yet at times I can catch traces of him too ! I wonder who this father of hers is ? I must get at him. I wish I hadn't been obliged to send that cad Vincent to the right-about so shortly, just to keep up appearances. It is double distilled bad luck to have that fellow Glynn here. But if he thinks he is going to make all the running with Miss Lambert, he is considerably mistaken. She is lovely, BO lovely that I almost forgive her for existing. Glynn waited impatiently for the moment when he could present himself at Madame Davilliers' weekly recep- tion. The reasons why he must remain in Paris multi- plied. He could not leave Elsie until her father returned, and then he must stay until he got some clue to Deering's schemes. That there was mischief brewing he felt con- OLD SCORES. 51 vinced. Indeed, he was inclined to believe that Deering did not intend giving his real name when Vincent intro- duced him to Madame Davilliers and her friencis, but per- ceiving Glynn he had probably changed his intentions, and telegraphed accordingly to his associate. Still, con- sidering that Deering bore a fair character, it was highly improbable he would be guilty of any overt baseness. On reaching Madame Davilliers', Glynn found about half a dozen intimates already assembled. Monsieur's partie at whist had been made up in" a small side-room, and in the salon Mademoiselle Antoinette and Elsie, assisted by the singing-master, were performing a trio. Glynn waited till this was over to make his bow to the lady of the house, enjoying from the corner where he had stationed himself an uninterrupted view of Elsie's face, which had the rapt, far-away look it always wore when she was singing. How sweet and noble her expression was. No, he would not leave her, unless he felt sure she was safe and her father forewarned. The trio ended, young Le Clerc pressed for- ward with animated thanks. Then Elsie looked round, as if seeking some one ; when her eyes met Glynu's a bright, happy smile sparkled over her countenance, and she made a movement as if to go to him. He was soon at her side. " You have some pleasant news, I am sure ? " he said, as he took her hand. " I have indeed. My father has returned ; he will be here presently, and he looks so well. He is so refreshed by the sight of the sea that he says he will take me to Brittany, when it grows too hot in Paris." " You will enjoy Brittany," said Glynn's voice mechan- ically, while the real man was thinking what a heaven it would be were he alone with her in Brittany, or Buenos Ayres, or Botany Bay, or any other spot on earth, pro- vided they were together, away from every one else. The next instant he was reproaching himself for his weakness, his folly. "I believe the scenery is very fine," Elsie was beginning, when she was interrupted by the words, " Good-evening, Miss Lambert." Glynn had been so absorbed in her that he had not observed the approach of Deering, until he spoke. Elsie turned to him, still composed and smiling;, 52 AT BAT. without any trace of the nervous dread which she had evinced at their first meeting. " I am in a strange land here," said Deering, when they had exchanged greetings, " so I claim your protection ; you must be my guide, philosopher, and friend." He drew a chair forward as he spoke, and Elsie sat down. " Are you a frequent attendant of these soirees, Glynn ? " he asked, after having bestowed a nod on his countryman. " You are certainly fonder of innocent amusements here than in London ! " " It appears that Paris produces the same effect upon us both," returned Glynn coolly. " Monsieur Glynn," said Madame Davilliers, sailing up, " will you come and speak to my old friend M. Le Colonel Dubois ? He is a most interesting person ! He fought at Waterloo in the first year of his service, and is all the fonder of your nation because they were gallant foes." So Glynn was cai-ried off, to his great annoyance, just as Deering took a seat beside Elsie, and seemed to settle himself for a long talk. M. Le Colonel Dubois did not find the most attentive listener in Glynn, and was not sorry when the host came to pay lu's compliments to the octogenarian, and permitted his English guest to escape. Glymi strolled into the next room, and found Miss Lambert still conversing with Deer- ing, with an air of interest too that surprised him. He did not attempt to interrupt them, but stood watching an opportunity of begging Madame Davilliers to ask Miss Lambert for another song. From his position near the portieres between the two rooms he could see the door leading to the vestibule. While he looked it opened, and Lambert came in Lambert in a gorgeous-colored waist- coat and a bright necktie, for evening dress was not indis- pensable at Madame Davilliers' receptions. There was a joyous twinkle in his eye, an irrepressible air of success in his bearing. He saluted madame with much warmth, and then looked round the room as if seeking his " Jewel." Suddenly an extraordinary change passed over his face. The laughing, joyous, humorous look vanished, and was replaced by a fierce, startled, angry glare, like a wild creature suddenly roused to apprehension and defiance, as i4 through the thin, smooth coating of lately OLD SCORES. 53 v acquired domesticity, the savage nature of the untamed desperado had broken forth all the more vehemently for its temporary slumber. Grlynn saw that his eyes were fixed on Deering, who was smiling and bending forward as he spoke to Elsie. She did not heed him, for she had caught sight of her father, and Deering, struck by her expression, turned to see what had attracted her. Then his face changed too, his jaw closed with a look of rigid determination, his steel-blue eyes lit up with a flash of angry recognition. By an involuntary impulse Glynn started forward to greet Lambert with a vague intention to assist him in recovering his self-control to aid Elsie's father in any way he could. " Glynn," said Lambert, gripping his hand hard, " who who is that man sitting there by my daughter ? " " He is Deering of Denham. Do you object to him ? " " No, why should I ? Only I knew a Deering once not a clean potato by any means ! This may not be the same Ah, Elsie, my child ! Come here, keep by me." " What is the matter, dear ? You are not like yourself," she exclaimed, as she came up and passed her arm through his. " Not like myself ! you are wrong there." Then with a sort of effort he went straight up to Deering and said audibly in English, " We have met before, sir, have we not ? " Deering, who was considerably the taller, looked down on him from the ineffable heights of his social superiority, and replied deliberately, " I have certainly had the plearure of your acquaintance some years ago." Then they stood silent, eye to eye silent, yet exchang- ing deadly defiance. Deering, the most self-possessed of the two, was the first to speak. "I fancy we have seen some changes since we met. Paris is not a bad place to anchor in after a wandering life, especially when one has so charming a companion 6S Miss Lambert," adding the name after a slight pause, * How do you know my daughter ? " abruptly. " "Sour friend, Mr. Vincent, was good enough to present me," said Peering calmly, with some emphasis on the name. 54 AT BAY. " My father seems to have found another acquaintance,'* "tid Elsie to Glynn. " It is curious." Glynn scarce knew what to say. It was probable that Peering had known Lambert by some other name, known him under more doubtful circumstances than even he (Glynn) had. The idea stung him with a sense of angry pain. Deering was the last man to be trusted with such knowledge. "Mr. Deering has been telling me about the lady of whom I remind him," resumed Miss Lambert. " She must have been very sweet and very charming, but most unhappy ; her husband was murdered. I was quite interested, but I hope the likeness is not an evil omen." " Impossible," cried Glynn. " Do not think of omens. Here comes Madame Davilliers to ask you to sing ; pray do not refuse." While he spoke with Miss Lambert, Glynn noticed that her father and Deering exchanged a few sentences in a low tone, and that Lambert, although he had completely mastered his temporary disturbance, had by no means recovered his spirits. A look of care and thought clouded his brow, though he spoke with some animation to one or two acquaintances. Deering on the contrary looked supremely calm, with something of exultation in his cold, light eyes. " Miss Lambert sings well," he said. " I am no great judge of music, nor do I care for it, yet I should imagine that such a voice, such a style, ought to be worth a good deal of money." " I don't intend her to sell her songs," said Lambert, roughly. " And now, Madame Davilliers, I'll wish you good-night. I'm a bit tired after my journey Elsie, get on your hat. I'll take her home with me to-night, madame, with a thousand thanks for your good care." Elsie rose from the piano, and cast an anxious look on Ler father. Then she gave her hand to Glynn, bowed to Deering, presented her brow to madame's kiss, and slip- ping her arm through Antoinette's, left the room. " Let me see you soon," said Lambert to Glynn. " You do not return to London just yet ? " " Not this week, at least" " Suppose you breakfast with me to-morrow, Captain OLD 800KE8. 55 Lambert/' said Deering. " We'll smoke the pipe of peace, and talk over our adventures by flood and field." " Thank you," shortly, " I never breakfast away from home," " Oh, indeed ! Then I shall call on you, and pay my respects to Miss Lambert at the same time," returned Deering in a tone of imperturbable good breeding. Lambert, who was making his adieux to Madame Davil- liers, did not seem to hear, but before he reached the door he turned quickly back, and said in a constrained tone to Deering : " I cannot breakfast with you, but I will call at your hotel to-morrow morning at 10.30." " That is wiser," said Deering, with quiet superiority. Glynn was greatly struck by the significance of these words. What hold had Deering over the wandering ad- venturer, who seemed as far removed from the haughty English gentleman as the east is from the west ? He walked home revolving this question and others. Every day increased the fascination which Lambert's daughter unconsciously exercised over him ; every day showed more and more clearly the unsuitability, nay, from a common-sense point of view, the impossibility of allying himself with so doubtful a character as poor Lambert. On reaching his hotel, the concierge handed him several letters, and when safe within his own room he opened them. One proved to be from his firm on business which compelled his immediate return to London. He had seldom been so annoyed and irritated as by this unavoidable necessity to quit the scene of the mysterious drama which interested him so intensely. He might be prudent enough, mean enough, to shrink from linking himself for life with a creature who was probably too good for him, but he would not desert Lambert in a diffi- culty. He would return as soon as possible and see him clear of Deering. Seizing his pen he wrote a hasty line to the effect that he was obliged to run over to London for a week, but would return without fail, adding his private address. When this had been sealed, stamped, find directed to Lambert, he rang and ordered his bill ftnd a very early cup of coffee next morning. M The first train for Calais leaves at seven in the morn- 50 AT BAT. ing," said the waiter. " There is an earlier one about five, I think, by the Dieppe route, but you gain no time, for the Irajei is longer." " Of course I will go by Calais," returned Grlynn. "Do not fail to call me in good time." CHAPTER IV. A LAST CARD. THE first few days after Glynn's return to London were so crowded by important engagements and serious con- sultations with the elder members of his firm as to the advisability of a new and important undertaking, to which Glynn was entirely opposed, that he had no time for deliberate thought respecting Lambert and his mysterious acquaintance with Deering. Yet the subject was never quite out of his mind. A vague unreasonable anxiety about Elsie haunted him, and he was strangely eager to return to Paris. The earliest spare moment he could find was devoted to Lady Gethin. She was out when he called, but next morning's post brought him a pressing invitation to dinner, of which he gladly availed himself. He would have liked to take counsel with the shrewd old woman, and yet he did not think it loyal to Lambert, who evidently trusted him, to be too confidential. Her hospitable ladyship, however, was not alone. A small, pleasant party, some writers of light literature, a traveller, a smart grass- widow from India, a clever barrister, and his pretty, accomplished daughter, to whom Glynn was already known, were assembled when he arrived, and dinner was a feast of good things in more senses than one. Afterwards there was music. The grass-widow played brilliantly, the pretty young lady sang very nicely, had a sweet voice, and had been well trained. But Glynn could only think of the contrast between her singing and Miss Lambert's ; of the mellow, tender richness of the latter's notes, which seemed to come from the heart to the heart, compared with the lighter though pleasant timbre of the other, the sweet, simple earnestness of the one, and the easy smiling surface, good breeding of the cultivated London girL (97) 58 AT BAT. " Don't leave till the others have gone/' whispered Lady Gethin, as she passed him when following her lady guests from the dining-room. It was the height of the season, every one had more engagements than they could well manage ; the party therefore broke up early, its members dispersing to balls, concerts, or receptions. " Now then, have a little iced seltzer and cognac, it is quite warm this evening," said Lady Gethin ; " and let us have a long talk that letter of yours whetted my curiosity. "What in the world has kept you away so long ? every one has been asking for you ! " " Partly business, and partly curiosity/' "What about?" " I will tell you presently. Have you seen Lady Frances Peering lately?" " I saw her about ten days ago; she has gone down to Denham, and Deering is off to Vichy liver or something wrong, but he didn't look as if he had much the mattei with him." " Vichy ? He is not at Vichy ! I saw him in Paris the night before I left." " Well, I suppose he must pass through Paris, but you mean something more ; where, and how did you see him ?" "I saw him saying good-night to the young lady with whom he was struck at Auteuil, and whom I think I mentioned to you." " You don't say so ! That's the liver complaint, is it ? and the drama into the bargain. Come now, Hugh, do be candid, and do not worry me with any attempt to heighten effect. What do you know ? What have you seen ? What do you suspect ? " " These are tremendously leading questions ! " " Well, I want to get at your drama as soon as possible." " Then, I shall answer categorically. I know nothing. I have seen very little. I suspect everything." " What a sphinx-like reply. Just go on your own way, and tell me everything you will tell, for I have an idea you will make reservations." Whereupon Glynn described his meeting with Elsie and her father, not omitting Vincent, the curious contrast between Lambert and his daughter, the reappearance of A LAST CAED. 5& Peering on the scene, his incongruous acquaintance with Vincent and Lambert, and the evident astonishment of each on recognizing the other. He only suppressed or softened the circumstances under which he had known Lambert, and the fact that he had changed his name. When he ceased, Lady Gethin, who had listened with profound attention, exclaimed : " A very pretty mystery, upon my word. That Deer- ing is a fiend! He knows something against Lambert, and is going to use his knowledge to help him with the daughter. I never liked Peering. He is a smooth- tongued, sneering hypocrite, and has many queer corners in his life, or I am much mistaken." "I never heard anything against him, indeed he is rather liked among men. Even now I scarcely think he can be capable of any evil designs against a girl like Miss Lambert. What struck me at first, was the sort of fierce uneasy curiosity he displayed concerning her. He certainly admires her very much." " So does some one else," returned Lady Gethin, with a knowing nod. " I trust and hope that the beautiful eyes, and lovely voice, and attractive mystery, will not draw you into making a fool of yourself." " But, Lady Gethin ! " cried Glynn, amazed at her pene- tration and quite unconscious how much he had betrayed, " you do not imagine that at my age I should be so weak as to be drawn into an entanglement, a marriage, of which my judgment disapproves." " I wouldn't give five minutes' purchase for your judg- ment, Hugh, You are just at the age when, if men are slower in igniting, they burn with a more intense and lasting fire. The frothiness of your enthusiasm may have evaporated, but the warm, strong spirit remains. Take care of yourself, Hugh ; connection with such a man as you describe Lambert (and I fancy you have made the best of him) would be a frightful calamity, no eyes, voice, or angelic nature could make up for it. You'd soon find that out. There is a certain degree of disenchant- ment in marriage, even under the most favorable circum- stances. Take my advice, don't go back to Paris, let them manage their mystery themselves. You will be let in for something unpleasant and risky don't go back." 00 AT BAY. " Oh, I must go back I I promised Lambert I would ; besides, I want to see the play out ; and you alarm your- self unnecessarily. I admire Miss Lambert, I think her as good as she is charming ; but I am as averse to a mar- riage with her as you can be. Moreover, I have a safe- guard in her indifference, for she treats me with frank confidence as her father's old friend, nothing more." " This is worse and worse," said Lady Gethin, gravely. " How do you know what profound tenderness her indif- ferent airs may mask ? " " Do you think I have never looked into any eyes, nor learned their language, before I saw Miss Lambert's, that 1 should be so mistaken ? " asked Glynn, laughing. " Oh, I dare say you are learned enough in such mat- ters. Pray be guided by me, put the Parisian episode out of your head, and make up your mind to marry that nice piquant little daughter of Pearson's. I asked them on purpose to meet you. He will give her ten thousand pounds, and he is a rising man ; he will be on the bench in a year or two ; they are people of good family." " My dear Lady Gethin ! I don't want to marry any one, and so I will bid you good-night. A thousand thanks for your good advice." " Which of course you will not follow ! Well, keep me informed of what goes on. I wish / could see all your people, I think I should find a key to the riddle. I never liked Deering." " I have no doubt you could read between the lines. As to Deering, now that I am away from him, I am half ashamed of my suspicions, It is rather absurd to imag- ine that a man of his standing would risk his reputation for a passing whim." " But he doesn't risk it," said Lady Gethin. " He is not infringing any social law in England ; unknown, doubtful Americans, neither rich nor highly-placed, are beyond the pale. If that Lambert had any sense, he would give his daughter a little money and many her to some solid bourgeois. He could easily arrange it, I fency." " Well, good-night," said Glynn, with an odd feeling of irritation. " I shall call and see you before I leave, and do not hesitate to give me any commission my taste i gloves and even in ribbons is not to be despised.' 1 A LAST CARD. 61 ** Take care," was her valediction. The next day brought Glynn a few lines from Lam- bert, which struck him as expressing more uneasiness than was intended. " I have no right to ask you to return if it does not suit you," he wrote, " but I hope you will. I feel in need of your counsel. I have had wonderful luck for years, and now I'm afraid it's turning. Then I am not, as young or as strong as 1 used to be ; and one way or another it would cheer me up a bit to have a talk with you." Had Glynn had any hesitation as to revisiting Paris this letter would have decided him. He sent a few lines in reply, and then applied himself steadily to clear up all business engagements as far as possible, to secure a long holiday. He called on Deering at his club, and was told that gentleman was travelling abroad, and that letters addressed to his town house would be forwarded. Lady Gethin was not at home to receive his adieux, but wrote him a quaint characteristic line of warning. Having performed all his duties, Glynn found himself in the mail train for Calais one evening about a fortnight after he had left Paris, with an irrepressible sense of exul- tation, of keen delight at the idea of returning to what he knew in his heart was a scene of danger, determined to enjoy to the uttermost the pleasure of Elsie's companion- ship, so long as he saw no sign of consciousness on her part. Life had so few moments of bliss that he could not and would not deny himself the draught that chance had offered. It was a damp, drizzling morning when he reached his journey's end. Perhaps no town changes so much with change of weather as Paris ; muddy streets, wet umbrel- las, heavy grey clouds disguise it completely, and give it the aspect of a beautiful coquette, in deshabille and a bad temper. As early as etiquette would permit Glynn took his way to the Hue de L'Eveque, hoping to find Lambert, as he could not expect to gather any information from Elsie. Hailing a fiacre, he told the driver where to go, and smiled to himself at the notion of Lady Gethin'a alarm, thinking that if she knew how fast his heart was beating she would resign all hope of saving him. As he 65; AT BAT. approached the house Glynn saw that his driver had either forgotten or mistaken the number, and was driving past it. He had just started forward to stop him when he saw two men come out of the entrance, and turning their backs on his conveyance, walk smartly down the street in close conversation. They were Deering and Vincent. A quick thrill of pain, of anticipated evil, shot through him as he recognized them. He feared he knew not what. But above and beyond all reasoning, he felt that their com- panionship, their presence, were omens of trouble and of wrong. " Stop where you are, I will descend here," he called to the driver, and was soon springing up the familiar stairs. How vividly the perfume of the orange blossoms reminded him of the surprised admiration which Elsie and her home had excited on his first visit. " Oh ! it is you, monsieur ! " cried Celestine, directly she opened the door ; " I will tell Madame Weber, and I am sure mademoiselle will receive you." She went into the salon, and returned almost immediately. "Enter, monsieur, but enter ; mademoiselle will be pleased to see you." Miss Lambert was alone when Glynn found himself in her presence, and sitting at a writing-table ; she rose quickly, and came forward, with outstretched hands, " I am so glad you have come." Glynn did not speak imme- diately he was surprised at the intensity of his own delight on finding himself once more beside her, listening to her voice, holding her hand, gazing into her eyes. He did not know he was so far gone. She looked paler, thinner, graver, than when he last saw her. She wore a black dress, and had a small scarf of delicate lace tied loosely round her throat. Her bright brown hair looked golden even in the dull light of a grey day, and there was something sad in her pose and expression that Glynn found infinitely touching. " You knew I should return at least your father did," he said at length. " My father did expect yon ; hut I I thought it likely that when you were amongst your own friends, your own people, you would not care to leave them." " I am afraid that you are not so well as when I left/ 1 A LAST CARD. 63 said Glynn, drawing a chair near her writing-table, at which she had reseated herself. " It is perhaps imperti- nent to say that you are not looking as well, as brilliant as you were." "Brilliant," she repeated, with a brief sweet laugh. " That I never could be ; but you are right, I am ill, ill at ease, I mean. My father. Ah ! he is so changed ! And he is angry if I notice it ; but he is very unhappy, I know he is. That is why I am so glad you have come ; he can speak to you, he may speak to you. You may be able to help him ; but / am only a helpless, ignorant girl. Yet I could do much if I were directed." " I should be most happy to be of any use to Captain Lambert," said Glynn. " No doubt your affectionate anxi- ety inclines you to exaggerate, but- " " When you see him you will understand," interrupted Elsie, " you will see that I do not exaggerate. He will not tell me what has happened. He says he has not lost his fortune. I should not care if he had, for I could earn money by singing, though not on the stage. However, my knowing would not help him, because I have always been shut up and am so ignorant. You do not mind me telling you all this, do you ? Though I have not known you long, my father has, and and you seem like a real friend to him." She looked full in his face, her great soft eyes all suf- fused with tears like violets laden with dew. "I am gratified that you confide in me, so far," said Glynn quietly, with laudable self-control. "I shall ob- serve your father by the light of your remarks ; and if he is really in any difficulty, or cares to consult me, I shall be most happy to assist him so far as I can. Probably his depression arises from some temporary losses. Believe me," and his dark face lit up with a pleasant smile, "money is a most important factor in existence ; I am able to as- sert from experience that there is no vacuum so distress- ing as an empty pocket." " If it is the loss of money," she returned gravely, " we ought not to stay here ; life is very costly, I know ; I have paid everything for the last eight months. My dear father is too generous ; we ought to manage as we used when he was trying to save ; he might move about as his 64 AT BAY. business required, and 1 could go back to good Mrs. Kel lett." " Who is Mrs. Kellett ? " " My foster-mother ; the only mother I have ever known : she lost her baby and her husband, and took me to love instead, at the time our place was destroyed in Australia. But, Mr. Glynn, it is more than money that disturbs my father." " Let us hope he will speak openly to me ; but I have no right to ask his confidence. Now you must not worry yourself unnecessarily. I wish it were a finer day, and I should try to persuade you and Madame Weber to come for a drive in the bois." " Thank you, very much ; I should have liked it, for I have gone out very little of late ; but Madame Weber is not in the house, she went to the Halle this morning early to buy fruit, and has not returned yet." " Then you have been dull as well as troubled. How is Madame Davilliers, and Mademoiselle Antoinette ? " asked Glynn, making a circuitous approach to the topic upper- most in his mind. " They are very well, and very busy. Antoinette is go- ing to be married in August to M. Le Vicomte de Pon- tigny ; it has been all arranged since you left. I should have less to regret, therefore, in leaving Paris, for Antoi- nette is going to travel for some time, and when she re- turns it will not be the same." " This seems to have been a rapid act ? " " I dare say Monsieur Davilliers and the Yicomte had begun the treaty long ago," said Elsie, laughing ; " but we only heard of the intended marriage three or four days ago." " And Deering, he is still here ? " looking keenly at her. "Yes"; all her gravity returning. "He called this morning just before you came ; I did not see him, for, it is very extraordinary, my father has turned against Mr. Vincent, who is always with Mr. Deering ; that I do not mind ; but though he says less about it, I think he is quite as distrustful of Mr. Deering. Now / have got over my first foolish fear of him ; he is so gentle and polite, and seems to want to be friends with my father. I do not un- derstand it all ; but I never dispute what my dear father A LAST CAED. tf says. He knows more of life than I can possibly do. Yet I want very much to hear all about the lady Mr. Deering thinks me so like. He promised to tell me when he knew me better. Everything seems so changed since our pleas- ant dinner at the Cafe de Madrid, not two months ago." " Such days and dinners do not come often," said Glynn 5 with a quick sigh. " I hope all this worry does not pre- vent you singing as much as you used ? " " Oh, no ! it is the only pleasure I have." " Is it too presumptuous of me to ask for a song now ? " Elsie did not answer for a moment ; she put her elbows on the table, clasped her hands together, and resting her cheek on her interlaced fingers, said very slowly, " No ; I could not sing to-day, I should break down the tears would come I had better not try." " Then I will not ask you ; but tell me, when shall I see your father ? " " He will certainly call upon you. I am not sure if he will return to dinner, or I would beg you to dine with us." " Thank you ; we will reserve that pleasure for future arrangement. I am staying as usual at the hotel Wag- ram, and have letters to write which will keep me in till past eleven to-morrow, should Captain Lambert feel dis- posed to call." * I will teU him," said Elsie. Then Glynn knew he ought to go ; but he could not tear himself away immediately. It was so charming, this quiet confidential talk ; so intoxicating to see that her pale, anxious face had brightened considerably ; certainly her composure, in the midst of her depression and un- easiness, left no room for any flattering conviction that he had impressed himself upon her heart or imagination. So far all was right ; she treated him as a friend, an honorable gentleman, in whom she might trust, and nothing more. A little further talk of the books .Glynn had left with her, of her wish to leave Paris, and rev Isit the farm- house, where most of her childish days had been spent, and Glynn felt he must not stay longer. " Shall you make any stay ? " she asked, as she gave him her hand at parting. 6 66 AT BAT. " A week or two, perhaps a month ; I am not sure.** " Then good-morning an rcwir." The rest of the day was strange and dream-like. He wandered through well-known places, seeking acquaint- ance to draw him from the puzzle of his own thoughts, and finding none, till towards six o'clock, passing Tor- toni's, he found himself face to face with Deeririg, who was seated at one of the little round tables eating an ice. " Hullo, Glynn ! I thought you were in London ? " " Well, you see I am in Paris." " When did you arrive ? " " This morning." A little ordinary talk ensued, the tone of which showed a strong desire on the part of Deering to be civil and friendly. Glynn at once determined to accept his ad- vances ; he might thus detect some indications of the secret which underlay his acquaintance with Lambert, and the curious influence he seemed to have exercised over him. He could not, however, bring himself to ac- cept bis invitation to dinner, though he agreed to dine with him at one of the luxurious cafes which abound in the great capital of pleasure. Deering talked well, of many things, chiefly political ; he also mentioned his wife and home, pressing Glynn to come down to Denham for the twelfth of August, prom- ising him good sport. It was not till they had risen from table, and were lighting their cigars previous to separating, that Deeririg made any mention of the subject probably uppermost in both their minds. "Of course you have not seen anything of Lambert?" " No, not yet." " He is a queer fish a very shady member. I knew him under another name, and rather doubtful circum- stances ; I am afraid he is not in a very sound financial position ; he is a thorough adventurer. It is a bad busi- ness for the daughter ; she is a very nice creature. I wonder where he picked her up, for one can't believe she really is his daughter ? " " There is not much family likeness between them, cer- tainly ; but I see no reason for doubting his representa- tions. He is evidently devoted to her, and his surround- ings are perfectly respectable." A LAST CAED. 7 " Perfectly. "Where did you meet him ? " " In America, many years ago." " Indeed ! Oh, are you going ? Well, good-night." Hugh Glynn was careful to stay in his room all the next morning, thinking that if Lambert wished to make any private communication, they were more secure from in- terruption there than elsewhere. It was barely eleven wiien Lambert was announced. Glynn was positively startled by the change in his aspect. His weather-beaten face was colorless and haggard, his eyes had a hunted look, as though seeking a way of es- cape, his clothes were carelessly put on, his moustaches no longer waxed and fiercely twisted, his whole air be- spoke neglect. " Delighted to see you, Glynn," he said, a faint gleam of pleasure lighting up his restless eyes. " I was afraid you wouldn't get back again this season ; business must be attended to. You're in business, aren't you ? " " Yes, but I can attend, to it someftmes at a distance." " That's fortunate ; and you have been all right ? " " Yes ; quite right, thank you." Thors was an awkward pause. Lambert seensed unable to approach the matter, whatever it might be, which filled his mind ; he took up a paper-knife, which he turned restlessly to and fro, he changed his position, and then, with a sigh, exclaimed, " You saw Elsie yesterday. She was glad you called, but she is not very bright. You didn't think her looking well, hey ?" " Not as well as usual, certainly." " No ; she is fretting fretting about her old dad. It's wonderful how that creature loves me. Me! sometimes when she is hanging about me, and singing the songs I like, and making a servant of herself for me, I just lock back and think of the scenes I've gone through, and the queer scramble my life has been, and wonder how the dickens it happens that an angel like her can be so fond of an old scapegrace ; that she doesn't shrink from me ;. but she doesn't," with infinite exultation, " she loves me, sir, as well as ever child loved father ! " - Of that I can have no doubt," cried Glynn. "AuJ your affection for her deserves it." 68 AT BAT. " She has made another man of me," continued Lam- bert. " But though I have not been a regular saint all my days, I am as white as driven snow compared to some blackguards that hold up their heads in high places. I am rambling on like an idiot. I called to ask if you'll come and dine with us to-night. It cheers me up to see an honest face." Glynn accepted the invitation readily, and after a pause, during which he drummed on the table, Lambert recom- menced. " I have not had a good time of it since you were away, Glynn. I have been on the brink of ruin through the treachery of a man I thought a friend. But I hope to get over it. I think I'll get over it, and whatever happens, Elsie's little fortune is out of harm's way. I made sure of that. She need never starve." " Very prudent and proper," returned Glynn. " But I earnestly hope you will escape the loss you mention. Been bitten by a bubble company ? " " No ! It's a long story ; I'll tell it to you some day, and you'll judge for yourself ; but not now, not now. Ah ! you are a bright chap, Glynn, strong and steady. If you had a little capital, now, you'd get along first rate." He rose as he spoke and took a turn up and down. Glynn did not answer his conjectures as to his Glynn's financial position ; he felt terribly disappointed that Lantbert had made no confession of tangible difficulties, and yet he was brimful of some trouble which he could not bring himself to confess. Lambert resumed his seat, and began talking in a rambling fashion of ordinary topics ; but his thoughts were evidently elsewhere, and at length he went away, leaving a most painful impression on Glynn's mind, of profound despondency, of mental dis- quietude which he could not or would not express. At dinner, some hours later, he either was more cheer- ful, or assumed a livelier aspect for his daughter's benefit. She seemed to accept the improvement as real, and the evening went quickly. With the help of nmsic and. con- versation, Lambert, towards the end, seemed to forget his troubles and was more like himself. At parting Elsie gave Glynn tin eloquent glance expressive of thanks, of nmtual understanding, which sent him away charmed, restless, A LAST CARD. 69 longing for their next interview, yet full of dread for the future. The next day as he was leaving his hotel he ran against Deering, who was coming in. " I am off to Vichy to-day," he said. " I thought I should just let you know. I ought to have gone a week ago, but I met some people that amused me ; Lady Harriett Beauchamp and Wedderburn you know them, I suppose ? Shall I find you here when I return ? " " That depends on the length of your visit." " Oh, aoout a fortnight." " I shall hardly stay so long." "Good-bye, then. Don't forget Denham in August. Lady Frances will be delighted to see you." The very atmosphere seemed lighter and brighter to Glynn when Deering was safe away. Lambert was visi- bly relieved, and his daughter reflected her father's mood. Things went on much as before. Madame Davilliers' Fridays were more crowded and varied. They made little excur- sions to Sevre, and to the beautiful woods of Mendan ; sometimes with the Davilliers, sometimes only a quartet Lambert, Elsie, Madame Weber, and Glynn. These were delightful clays. The quiet harmony of the present made Glynn regardless of the future. It was wonderfully interesting to draw Elsie from the observant silence which was habitual to her into sympathetic talk. There was always something to discover in her, something to win, of confidence, of self-revelation, and she was so teachable, with all her honest clinging to the conclusions of her own clear sense. There were moments when his hesitation disappeared, and Glynn was almost resolved to make her his wife if she would have him ; but that vague cloud of mystery was a bad accompaniment for married life. The only discordant ingredient in this happy interlude was the occasional intrusion of Vincent, to whom Lambert showed a curious ceremonious politeness, dashed at times with epigrammatic bitterness, of which the dandified American took no notice. Elsie, on the contrary, was more friendly to him than formerly. It was about ten days after Glynn's return, and he was 70 AT BAY. debating in his own mind the prudence and advisability of a retreat while he had still some command of his own will. Dinner was over in Lambert's pretty salle . Elsie had left her father and his friend to talk and smoke for the lazy, comfortable half-hour which succeeds the evening meal. " Miss Lambert is looking quite herself again," said Glynn, his imagination too full of her to resist speech. " She is," returned her father. " That is because I am brighter ; but I am not out of the wood yet not yet." He was silent for a moment or two, puffing vigorously while he thought. " Ay ! many an anxious thought she costs me. I'd give a good deal all I possess, life itself, to know she was safe and in better hands than mine. Glynn, I am going to prove the confidence I have in you. TTe are men of the world, and can talk to each other with- out fear of misunderstanding." " It's coming at last," thought Glynn. " You may be sure that anything you like to tell is safe with me," he said aloud. " I know it." He rose, lifted the curtain which himg across the doorway leading' to Elsie's little study, assured hinwolf it was unoccupied and the outer door shut. Then he resumed his seat, and placing his arms on the table leant towards Glpin, and began in a low voice, which, as he plunged deeper into his subject, grew clearer and louder. " Look here, now, I don't see why, when I am in Rome, I shouldn't do as Home does. I know you'll meet me in my own spirit. If you like what I am going to propose, well and good; if not, there's no harm done. First of all I suppose I am right in concluding you are not married that you are free and independent ? " " I am," said Glynn, greatly surprised. " Then what do you say to' settling yourself ? You are old enough. You are six or seven-and-thirty, I guess. Now, if you are so disposed, I'd die happy if I saw you married to my Elsie ! " Glynn started at this bold proposition ; yet gazing at the eager eyes, the earnest face, the slight nervous twitch in the lips which had just uttered it, he felt strangely moved. " Don't answer all at once," continued Lambert ; " I A LAST CABD. 71 calculate there's a goodisli bit more to bo said on the sub- ject. I know this sort of thing isn't our fashion, but I am too uneasy about ah! about the future, to wait for the chance of my jewel meeting the right man, and life is uncertain mine especially. I wouldn't give her to you empty-handed, either." " Why, Lambert, you take my breath away ! In the first place I don't fancy Miss Lambert ever wasted a thought on me, except as to how far I might be of use to you." " I know that ; I am sure of it. If I thought she was in love with you I don't think I could speak out like this. No, love hasn't come into her heart yet, and you are too much a high-minded gentleman to try and rouse it ; but she could love well ; and look here, I have saved up and invested nearly five thousand pounds I'll make it five full that would, be a nice lift to whatever business you are in. You see how I trust you. I don't care if you have a struggle ; Elsie is no foolish, extravagant doll." " Pray hear me," interrupted Glynn with difficulty ; " so charming a creature as your daughter, wants no make- weight to recommend her ; she would be a treasure in herself to any man of taste and feeling. But I do not wish or intend to marry for a considerable time to come," he continued, with increasing firmness, quite determined not to yield to the suggestion of another what he denied to the passionate craving of his own heart. " As you say, we are men of the world, and can discuss such a question coolly and fairly without, on my part, the smallest infringe- ment of the warm respect and regard I feel for Miss Lambert. There are circumstances reasons on which it is unnecessary to dilate which forbid my entertaining your flattering and attractive proposition." " Suppose I guess what they are," said Lambert, eagerly rolling up a cigarette, and scattering the shreds of tobacco as he did so. " You're a bit of a swell, I calculate ; you are among a desperate respectable set of city bosses. Hear me now ; I'm not thin-skinned. I know I'm not the sort that would go down with them, and you know 1 was a queer lot once. Well, if you take my Elsie, I'll go right away ; I'll never ask to trouble you or her. What matter what becomes of me if she is safe ? oh, God ! safe 72 AT BAT. with an honorable, kind man, who would give her a peace- ful home. Ay, Elsie, I love you well enough never to ask to see your sweet face if I could earn peace and security for you ! " " And do you think she would love a husband who could part her from such a father as you are ? " asked Glynn, deeply touched. " But she should never know," eagerly : " I'd just go away on business, and stay away, and she'd forget ; she would always have a kind thought for me, but tlie new love would fill her heart ; and if you tried to win her she'd love you, I am sure she would ! Now, can't it be, Glynn? can't it?" " No. It is with deepest reluctance I say it. If I can in any way serve you or her, command me ; but unfor- tunately for myself this cannot be." There was a short expressive silence ; then Lambert said in an altered voice, "Anyhow, there is no harm done ; I am sure you've some good reason, and we'll not be the worse friends because we can be nothing nearer." " Certainly not ; and for my part I have a higher esteem for you than I ever had before. I trust, however, that you have no serious cause for uneasiness about your daughter. If her little fortune is secured, these are* too prosaic times for daring and villainous lovers, murderous conspirators, or other dramatic dangers." " Ay, civilization is just deep enough to hide the devils that work underneath it. I had one or two things to tell a son-in-law that, maybe, I had better keep to myself now." " I sincerely hope you will not look on me as the less warm a friend because I cannot unfortunately fall in with your views ; you do not wish me to absent myself ?" " Far from it," interrupted Lambert ; " be true to me be true to her ; maybe by and by you'll have a good wife that might befriend my girl ; she has no one in the world belonging to her but myself, and I begin to fear I am a broken ree4." " My marriage is a remote contingency," said Glymi. " Were you in London, I could introduce Miss Lambert to a somewhat peculiar but kind-hearted woman, a con- nection of mine, who would most probably be interested A LAST CARD. 73 in lier, I was going to say charmed with her, only it is hard to answer for the impression one woman may mako upon another." " Everything is hard," remarked Lambert moodily, and as if to himself. " Well, let us forget this fruitless palaver s and be as we were. I am quite sure you are ready to do me a good turn if you can if Ah ! I hear Elsie singing. Come along, let us forget our troubles for a bit over a game of baccarat." But Glynn did not attend to his cards, his head was in a whirl. He was infinitely touched by the unconscious- ness of the songstress, who received them with the soft composure peculiar to her, which had in it so much womanly dignity. How little she dreamed that the man who thrilled at her touch, who drank in the tones of her voice greedily, had refused to share his life with her had rejected the chance of winning her, for Glynn ac- knowledged there was a " con " as well as a " pro " in the case. He had survived the age at which men think they have but to ask and they must receive. " Oh ! Mr. Glynn," said Elsie, suddenly turning to him, " Madame Davilliers begs you to take a ticket for a ball which is to be given at the Louvre Hotel, for the benefit of an orphanage under the direction of sisters of St. Vin- cent de Paul. Madame is one of the committee." " I shall be very happy. Are you going ? " " Yes ; that is, if my father can spare me." She rose as she spoke and turned towards Lambert, who was sitting in an attitude of deep dejection, his cards lying on the table beside him. " Dearest," said Elsie, stealing to his side, and laying her cool white hand on his brow, " does your head ache?" "No, no, not much"; then with a sudden impulse, "You love your dad then, though he is a rugged old cuss? " Elsie smiled, an exquisitely tender smile. " So well, that nothing and no one could make up for the want of him." Glynn was struck with her words. Could she by any possibility have overheard her father's proposal, and his refusal? Such an idea was appalling. But no, it was quite impossible. CHAPTER V. VANISHED. waa far from being satisfied with his own deci- sion. Of course the mere fact of having any wonnn offered to him is enough to make an Englishman reject her, were she an amalgamation of the Blessed Virgin, Florence Nightingale, Venus, and Psyche in one. That he should decline Lambert's suggestion was right enough, though the evident singleness of purpose, the intense fatherly feeling which prompted him, took from his strange proceeding all trace of coarse worldliness ; but having congratulated himself on his own wisdom and firmness, another train of thought put itself in motion, haunting him with maddening pertinacity in all his comings and goings throughout the day which succeeded the memo- rable conversation. Elsie's face, her eyes, the quiet grace of her figure and movements, were perpetually before him. Her tender gravity, which did not prevent her from enjoy- ing in brief light flashes of perception ths droll side of things, the generous sympathy, ever read} 7 to well up when needed, all this was vividly present to his imagination. Had he done well to turn from so rich a store of goodly gifts because it was set in uncouth surroundings? Was it the part of a true man to count the cost, to shrink from any possible risk, rather than to brave all things for true love ? When and where should he find a companion so sweet, so intelligent, so satisfying to heart and sense? Then again came the doubt, would it be well to plant in the midst of one's home and its sanctities this bi'anch of a wild vine, lovely though it was? Might not sorrow and disgraceful associations be the bitter fruit thereof ? How would imperfect human nature imperfect human love, stand such a test? If Elsie loved him, then he would dare all things; but she did not. It would be better for her, as well as for him, to leave her iu the tranquillity of (74) VANISH KD. 75 indifference than awaken an interest that could only lead to trouble. Yes, he would continue to preserve the tone of quiet friendliness he had adopted. Still he must not leave Paris immediately. He would not desert poor Lambert, who was evidently in a mess of some kind. Later on he would probably make a clean breast of it. 80 as it was Friday, Glynn determined to go to Madame Davilliers' in the evening, for the result of his wise cogita- tions was a burning desire to meet Miss Lambert to assure himself of her indifference. The gathering at Madame Davilliers' was less crowded than usual ; still a considerable number of visitors were present, among them one or two professional singers and Mr. Vincent, who was talking to Elsie when Glynn made his appearance. He was soon called away, however, by the hostess, and Glynn eagerly took his place. Elsie greeted him with a bright amused smile, as though his presence suggested some droll idea. " I don't see your father here to-night," said Glynn. " He has been called rather suddenly to Dunkerque," she 'replied, "but will return on Monday. He seemed in better spirits, and I think the change will do him good." " I hope so, especially as you reflect his rnoods. You are looking more like yourself than when I first returned." " Ah, I was very miserable then. But one reason why I feel so much brighter is that my father has promised I shall go for a few months to Mrs. Kellett, to my old home, Woodburn, and then we shall give up our ilage here." " And how will you bear the seclusion the change from Parisian gaieties ? " looking earnestly into her eyes, and wondering what motive underlay this sudden scheme. " I shall like it very much ; I'should like anything that would secure peace." "Pray, monsieur," said Madame Davilliers, who came up at that moment, " have you received your card for the ball on the 20th? Our young debutantes, Mademoiselle Lambert and my Antoinette, count on you for one of their partners." " I am infinitely honored ; but I fear my dancing is not of the best. However, in such a cause, one would attempt the impossible." 76 AT BAT. " It is much to be regretted that the amiable Monsieur D<.'-rin. is not iu town; and ce oher M. Vincent does not know when he. will return. Still our party will be large and distingue." Of that Glynn had no doubt. He had received his ticket, and if still in Paris would certainly present himself, etc., etc. Then he felt obliged to offer his congratulations to Mademoiselle Antoinette, after which M. Le Vicomte was introduced, and it seemed to him that half the evening was over before he managed to return to Elsie. She was by no means solitary or neglected, however. Antoinette chattered perseveringly at her side, and various well- dressed employes in sundry imperial bureaux bestowed fragments of their time upon her. Vincent came back more than once to her side, and was tranquilly, if not favorably, received. At last Glynn contrived to obtain a seat beside her. " Are you not going to sing to-night ? " " No ; these gentlemen and Madame d'ltalia will give us far better music than I can." " Not in my opinion ; your singing goes straight to my heart." Elsie smiled and looked at her fan. Glynn felt almost irresistibly impelled to tell her how charming she was, but he did resist. " I suppose I must not call while your father is absent," he resumed ; " and I have found some delightf ul volumes in Tauchnitz, which I should like to give you." " Can you not send them ? " she asked, looking at him with laughing eyes. " I want books very much ; no one gives me books but you." " Then I must bring them myself." " Why not ? I shall be very glad to see you, so will Madame Weber." " Thank you ! May I come to-morrow ? " " To-morrow ? No ; to-morrow I go with Antoinette to visit the good ladies of the Annonciades, the convent where we were at school. But come on Sunday if you like. On Monday my dear father will be with me again ; then he will be able to tell me when we can go to Eng- land." VANISHED. 77 "But you will return to Paris ? " "I do not know ; nothing is certain." " I hope you will promise certainly to dance with me at this ball." " Shall you be here when it takes place ? " " Yes, certainly ; nothing shall prevent me from being present." A faint color flickered over Elsie's cheek, as if this resolution implied a personal compliment, and an amused smile parted her lips. " Then you like dancing ? " " That depends. At any rate I want to dance the first dance with you at your first ball." Elsie laughed. " Very well. But though I have never been at a great ball, I have been at several soirees dansantes with Madame Davilliers. Whenever Antoinette went they kindly took me." " And I suppose you are fond of dancing ? " " I love it," earnestly. " Does your friend Vincent dance well ? " " I believe he does ; most Americans do ; but he is not my friend, and I cannot bear to dance with him." " You receive him very well considering you do not like him." Elsie paused an instant, and looking up with an expres- sion of trust, said in a low tone, " I am afraid of him." " Why ? " drawing unconsciously nearer to her. " I cannot tell no, that is not quite true ; I begin, I think, to understand why." " And will you not tell me ? " " I should rather like to tell you, but not here." " On Sunday, then, when I bring you your books ? " " No ; I do not want to mention his name before Madame Weber." " Is she a friend of his ? " " I am not sure, but it is well to be caiitious." " It gives me a kind of shock to think you are obliged to be on guard in your own home." " That will be all over when I am at Woodburn." " I wish your father would come and settle in London ; it would be pleasant and useful for you to have some' English friends." 78 AT BAY. " It is more likely my father would settle in America." " Then I should never see you ! " The words had passed his lips before he could restrain them, and he watched their effect keenly. " I suppose not," very quietly. " I should be sorry, and my father would be very sorry." Glynn felt unreasonably irritated. Was this young., slight, inexperienced girl stronger than himself, that the tone in which he was conscious his words were uttered should in no way move her ? He was dimly aware of a change in her manner, so delicate as to be indefinable ; it was not less friendly, but more collected, as if she thought before she spoke. But Antoinette, approaching with an elderly cousin of h&cjiance, who had requested an introduction to the It-lie Americaine, put an end to their conversation, and not long after Elsie went away. The days which intervened between Lambert's sudden journey to Dunkcrque and the ball went rapidly too rapidly. Glyim dined twice in the Rue de L'Evcque. Lambert was grave, but less dejected than previously. He had the air of a man who had escaped from a period of indecision, and had thoroughly made \ip his mind. (Jlynn, on the contrary, sank deeper and deeper into the quicksands of irresolution, and felt each day more vividly how strong an effort it would cost him to tear hi: away ; how impossible it seemed to leave Elsie to the chance.s of undefined clanger, none the less formidable because it was impalpable. It was with an unaccountable impression that something important, something decisive would occur before the evening was over. Glynn dressed and dined, taking care to be in the ball-room and near the door in good time, in order to claim Elsie's promise of the first dance on her arrivl Madame Davilliers and her party were rather late, and, to Glyim's annoyance, she entered the room leaning on Vincent's arm. Mademoiselle followed, con- ducted by the Vicomte, and finally Elsie, leaning on 3f. Davilliers Elsie in her first ball-dress, a delicious com- bination of white silk and t\eard it close ; and now she is gone ! " " But this is not possible ! Mademoiselle Antoinette is playing some stupid trick. Have you " " I tell you they are nearly as distracted as I am," in- terrupted Lambert, starting up and grasping the back of his chair. " I rushed to your hotel, Deering, for I cannot help thinking Vincent has some hand in it. He is a double-dyed scoundrel. Deering, I charge you n^t to screen him ! " " How dare you accuse me of such villainy ! " cried Deering in great agitation. " I am as ignorant of the affair as you are more so ; don't pretend that you are without suspicion. She has not been taken away with- out her own consent ; you must have some idea who it is she has gone off with." Glynn, in the midst of his own stunning horror, wai VANISHED. 85 struck with the consternation which Deering's face ex- pressed, and was inclined to acquit him of any guilt in the matter. " Have you been to the police ? No ; for God's sake let us lose no time." Glynn seized his hat. " I will go with you." " I returned to question the concierge in order to get some clue before going to the Prefecture de Police ; then I felt obliged to question him," nodding to Deering, " to tell you to Oh! stand by me, Glynn, my head is going." " You must keep calm for her sake," said Glynn ; " come on, if she is above ground we'll find her ! " " And I'll second you so far as I can," cried Deering, " though you have attacked me so shamefully," Lambert with a dazed, half -stupefied air, stared at him, till Glynn, who felt his own head reeling under the shock, passed his arm through his, and led him to the fiacre which was waiting. Little was said, except to urge the driver to greater speed, until they reached the Rue de Jerusalem, where, after a short parley with one or two lower officials, they were admitted to the presence of the chief of the detectives, a quiet, simple-looking, iron-grey man, with watchful eyes, and a clear, penetrating voice. He listened with profound attention to Lambert's statement, scarcely putting a ques- tion, only occasionally restraining the details. Lambert had evidently made a supreme effort to master his terri- ble emotion, the vital necessity for clearness giving him a force beyond himself. While Glynn listened with agonized keenness to the recital, he also heard the whispered terrors of his own heart. What horror had befallen the tender, delicate darling whom he had hoped to call his promised wife that day ? To what hideous plot had she fallen a victim ? He scarcely knew how to restrain the wild impulse to rush forth in hopeless blind pursuit. Having heard all particulars, M. Claude (the chef) took a sheet of paper, and demanded a description of the young lady. This was furnished by both Lambert and Glynn, the latter eagerly adding some characteristic details of which even the father did not think. Claude then touched 86 AT BAT. a bell, and ordered the subordinate who answered it to telegraph the description at once to every seaport and frontier-town in France, warning the police de surete in each place to arrest any person answering to it, no matter who accompanied. " Time has been lost already," said the immovable chef. " Still, things are always discovered. Have the goodness to answer my questions." " Will you say," broke in Deering with his supreme air, addressing himself to Glynn, " that I shall be happy to guarantee expenses." " Damn your money ! " cried Lambert, turning on him fiercely ; " not a penny of it shall pay for the recovery of my child." " He doesn't know what he is saying, poor beggar," said Deering in an undertone, with contemptuous pity, and an evil look on his face, " As I don't understand what is going on, I'll leave you. I have an idea she'll make for England, if she hasn't gone off with some Yankee. So I shall write to my lawyers to stir up our detectives. I will call at your hotel for further news this evening, Glynu." He left the bureau, and Glynn gave his undivided atten- tion to the interrogatories, noting with despair, which increased every moment, the hopelessness of the search in the face of nearly twenty-four hours' start. That the extraordinary finesse of the police should finally succeed was possible, but in the interim what crime might not be committed ? The distinct queries of the astute detec&ve established That Lambert had risen at his usual hour ; that on receiving his coffee from the bonne, he asked if mademoi- selle had returned ; and finding she had not, remarked that doubtless she had danced well and late, so it was better for her to stay at Madame Davilliers' for the night He also inquired if Celestine, the bonne, had taken her young lady's morning-dress to Madame Davilliers', to which she replied in the affirmative. The concierge had heard the bell about two or half-past, had pulled the cordon, heard the door shut it was a heavy door and recognized Mademoiselle Lambert's voice; after that there was no trace. "Have you any suspicion? Had your daughter an^ admirer to whom you were averse ? " VANISHED. 87 "No ; certainly not." " Certain you cannot be where a young lady is in ques- tion," said M. Claude with quiet cynicism. " But is there no one towards whom your suspicion points ? you spoke angrily to the gentleman who has just gone out." "There is one man respecting whom I have some doubts, and that gentleman is his associate." Lambert proceeded to describe Vincent with considerable accuracy, adding that he had more than once demanded the hand of his daughter ; but that the young lady herself was strongly opposed to him. Here Glynn, who had been listening with painful, fever- ish interest to the dialogue, volunteered an account of his appearance at the ball on the previous night ; of his endeavor to persuade Mademoiselle Lambert to dance with him, and his avowed intention of leaving early that morning for Bordeaux. These details were all carefully noted down. Then M. Claude, rising, said, " Now to view the house." He struck a bell which stood beside his desk, and while he gave some instructions to the officer who answered his summons, he put on his gloves, locked his desk, and directed that a certain commissaire should accompany him to M. Lambert's residence. " I suppose you will wish to assist in the examination of the premises?" said M. Claude ; "you may help to throw light on the case." " Of course I will go with you." " And you will allow me to assist so far as I can," urged Glynn. " But can nothing more be done ? no more rapid action taken?" cried the fevered, agitated father, letting his closed hand fall heavily on the table. The chef took out his watch, glanced at it, and remarked dramatically, "It is forty minutes since I noted clown your description of your daughter, and ah 1 egress from France is closed to her." Lambert uttered a low moan. " We must let them work their own way. They know what they are about ; but the suspense is almost intoler able," said Glynn, whose heart was bursting with despair and remorse. Why had he not accepted Lambert's propo- sition ? Had he been Elsie's betrothed, this might not have happened 1 88 AT BAY. The drive to the Bue de I/Eveque seemed endless; Lambert sat immovable and speechless. Arrived, the chef de la siirete and his subaltern immediately proceeded to examine the house carefully, and to question the concierge as to the tenants. In the rez-de-chaussee was the magasin of a Patent Polish Stove Company ; on the first etage an old lady with her son and daughter-in-law re- sided. " Persons of high consideration," said the tearful concierge. The second ctage was vacant ; M. Lambert oc- cupied the third. Then came a Professor of Music, Mous. le Capitain Galliard, Maitre d'Armes, and others. Both Lambert and Glynn watched with quivering inter- est the deliberate minuteness of the examination, first of the concierge, then of the house itself. The Professor of Music and the Maitre d'Armes were out, so M. Claude contented himself for the present by asking some leading questions about them. Then he and his attendant commissaire ascended to Lambert's apartment, and questioned Madame Weber and the bonne as to the smallest details concerning the missing girl ; her character, her habits of life, her friends, her pur- suits, and finally asked for her last photograph. It sent a sharp dart of angry pain through Glynn's heart to see the chefde la surete and his aide-de-camp coolly examining the portrait which to him had a certain sanctity, to observe the unmoved composure of the practiced detectives in face of the father's despairing anxiety, the professional instinct which subordinated human interest to the keen percep- tion of possible crime, the sleuth-hound scent for a legiti- mate prey. From Lambert's abode they proceeded to the vacant clage, which the concierge, in all the tearful yet delightful excitement of such an extraordinary occurrence, threw open with eager zeal. It was almost the same as the dwelling above, and after looking carefully through the empty rooms they reached the kitchen. The door was fastened. " Tiens ! " cried the concierge, looking rapidly through the keys she carried, "this is strange. I do not remem- ber locking the door, and I have not been in here more than twice since the day you looked at the apartment, Monsieur Lambert, for some friends who thought of com- ing to Paris." VANISHED. 89 While she spoke the commissaire had thrust the blade of his penknife into the key-hole. " The key is inside," he said. " It is impossible," cried the concierge. "Go round by I'escalier de service (back stair) with madam e," said M. Claude to his subordinate. "There is a door leading thence to the kitchen, is there not '? " " But yes, certainly that will also be locked ; I have a pass-key, howeverj for these outer doors." A few minutes of silent waiting and voices were heard within, then the door was opened by the concierge, whose usually rosy face looked a yellowish white. " Bon dicu I " she whis- pered, " the outside door was unlocked, and here is the key which opens both, in this lock. I swear that the day before yesterday I locked the outside door carefully ; nor have I ascended this stair since." "Let us examine this room carefully," said the chef, with a shade of additional gravity. The search was most thorough, every little cupboard, every nook, the stove, the oven, an old box, every inch of the dingy empty kitchen was minutely scrutinized, -all present assisting. Suddenly a speck of white in a dark corner attracted Glynn's eye. He picked it up. It was a morsel of fine lace entangled with a knot of the narrow- est black velvet ribbon, from which dangled a broken end. With a sickening sensation of horror and dread Glynn picked up this infinitesimal yet eloquent suggestion of a struggle, and silently handed it to M. Claude. "Ha!" exclaimed that functionary, gazing at it with some eagerness ; then he added, " Mademoiselle changed her toilet too hastily." "Good God!" cried Lambert, "she wore just such a velvet string as this through the lace of her dress ; I no- ticed it ! " and so had Glynn. With what bitterness he recalled his admiration of the creamy whiteness of her neck contrasted with the black line surrounding it. " Do you do you think she is murdered ? " continued Lambert in an agonized whisper, staring wildly at the lace. " No, I do not," said M. Claude, apparently somewhat moved by the father's intense misery. " I do not suppose her life would be attempted by any one, unless indeed there are some circumstances in her or your history with 90 AT BAT. which I am unacquainted. But I believe what may be as bitter as her death to you, that she has gone with her own free consent." " And that I never can believe," cried Lambert. " She the sweetest, most loving, obedient child man ever had ! " " Even so," said the detective with a tinge of sadness. " The affair might have occurred under chloroform," said the commissaire in a low submissive tone. " A reso- lute practiced villain meets her ascending the stairs ; a handkerchief saturated with chloroform suddenly wrapped round her face renders her helpless. She is carried through this empty apartment, her dress changed while she is still insensible." An irrepressible groan from Glynn made the chef de la surete look at him. " They carry her down- stairs," continued the commissaire. " And then," interrupted the concierge shrilly, " they are caught! how can any one get out without calling me? My faith ! do you think I neglect my duties, or that a great warrior like my husband, now en retraife, and em- ployed at the Gare St. Lazare, would permit half a dozen such brigands to pass ? " " Silence ! " said M. Claude, impressively. " Feel along the floor, in that corner beyond the window." His subordinate obeyed, and discovered a small square of chocolate, a few crumbs of bread, and two pins. These last were most carefully examined. " They are English," said the detective. " But that is easily accounted for ; the person or persons engaged in the abduction evidently partook of refreshment ; nor is there any sign leading to the supposition of violence. The difficulty is to discover how they managed to leave the house. At what hour did you lock the door and put out your light last night ? " to the concierge. In reply to his questions she stated that the entrance door was always locked at ten o'clock, but that she herself often sat up till eleven. Last night, feeling weary, she went to bed at half-past ten. Before she slept the bell rang, and she pulled the cordon. M. Lambert's voice said who was there, and bid her good-night. Twice after, en- trance was demanded by different inmates ; then, after what seemed to her a long time, some one rang, and wak- ing completely, she distinctly heard Miss Lambert's voice. VANISHED. 91 She did not sleep again for what seemed to her more than an hpur, during which all was profoundly quiet. She always rose before six, and after lighting her fire to pre- pare the coffee of monsieur her husband, she unlocked the great door and went to fill her pail with water at a pump, which was in a court on which the entrance opened at the far side from the street, in order to wash the passage. " Can you see the chief entrance from this court ? " " But yes, certainly." " And the pump, how is it situated ? " " About the centre." " I shall inspect it," said M. Claude. Having carefully wrapped up the morsel of lace and ribbon, the square of chocolate and the two pins, and placed them in an inner pocket, M. Claude led the way down-stairs to the court mentioned by the concierge, followed by her, Lambert, and Glynn, who were too penetrated by the sense of their own helplessness in such an affair to offer any interference or suggestion. The court, which was like a well, being surrounded by lofty houses, was exactly opposite the entrance ; and the pump, as stated, was in the centre, but with its back to- wards the doorway, so that any one using the handle to raise the water would naturally turn his or her face from it, especially as it was necessary to watch the filling of whatever vessel was placed below the spout. After look- ing carefully at the relative positions of the door and the pump, M. Claude requested the concierge to fill a pail of water as she was in the habit of doing. She obeyed ; he stood behind her during the operation, and at the end observed, "The fugitives walked through the open door while you were pumping ; no force or chloroform could have been used." The concierge burst into tears. " Gen- tlemen," continued the chef de la stirete, " I shall now pro- ceed to Madame Davilliers, and the remainder of my in- quiries I wish to prosecute alone. M. Lambert, do me the favor to call at my office to-morrow morning about ten, and come unaccompanied" " Aud can you do no more to-day?" asked poor Lam- bert, his mouth twitching from the nervous strain of sup- pressing his cruel anxiety. 92 AT BAT. " I consider that we have secured a clue. I feel sure of finding your daughter ; if not immediately, at no distant date." " At no distant date," repeated the father, as the chef da, la stirete left the house followed by the commissaire. " But in the meantime ! Oh God, Glynn, how can I live on such a rack, and I don't know where to turn ! " " It is almost unbearable. Can you remember nothing that might serve as a clue to her extraordinary disap- pearance ? " " Nothing. If I don't find her, I have done with life." " I feel for you, Lambert, from the bottom of my soul. I'd give all I possess to know that Elsie is safe ! you'll have an awful night of it. Shall I stay with you ? " " I am best alone," returned Lambert, looking sharply at him. " I didn't think you cared so much. Thank ye -I am best alone." CHAPTEK VI. PURSUIT. GLYNN had known some rough times in his life, but a stupendous calamity siich as had now overtaken him can only happen once in an existence. Little more than- twelve hours before he had thrilled at Elsie's touch, and dreamed of winning her love ! Why had he not accom- panied her to her house, and seen her safely within her father's door ? "What was the dim haze of mystery which had hung about her, and had now suddenly deepened into darkness so profound that it defied conjecture ? And suppose she were discovered, might not the discovery be nearly as terrible as the loss? In spite of M. Claude's profound conviction that Miss Lambert had gone will- ingly, Glynn could not, would not believe that there was a shadow of duplicity in the soul that looked so candidly, so earnestly out of those glorious deep-blue eyes. No ; but she might have been decoyed away by some plausible story ; if so, she was not wanting in courage and resolu- tion ; she would probably manage to communicate with Lambert. But in the meantime what agonies of terror, what unspeakable distress she must endure. After a hideous night, during which he did not attempt to undress, Glynn was early next morning at the Rue de L'Eveque. Lambert looked less terribly agitated than he was the day before, but he had an exhausted, stupefied air, as if nature could not hold out much longer. He was dressed and ready to go out, however, and as he was too soon for the appointment with M. Claude, Glynn accompanied him to see Madame Davilliers, who with her husband had vis- ited and condoled with the bereaved father more than once during the previous evening. They found her still much agitated. She received Lambert with affectionate sympathy, but talked in a strain 94 AT BAY. that maddened Glynn. The chef de la surete had evidently communicated to her his own belief that Elsie had fled willingly. " Antoinette," she said, " was weeping in her own room; the poor child could not of course understand the despair of her elders. To her it was like some fairy tale of a cruel ogre; the less she heard of so awful a catastrophe the better. It is not for me to judge the habits of other nations," continued madame, "but the results of such freedom as is permitted to young American girls cannot f afl to be fatal ! That dear Elsie was an angel of goodness and purity, brought up by those holy ladies of the convent, and all the more likely to be led away, because of her extreme innocence. She " (Madame Davilliers) " was the last woman to be taken up with egotism ; but the disgrace of such an occurrence would reflect on all who had come in contact with the unhappy one." " Do you mean to say that you think my child, my jewel, my pride, is to blame ? that any one living could lead her astray ? " almost screamed Lambert, stung from his de- spairing apathy into angry excitement. "Dear monsieur, I only blame your system, not its victim ! " " You are premature in your conclusions," said Glynn with cold displeasure. "Within twenty-four hours she will no doubt be discovered, and all that seems inexplic- able explained." " I trust it may be so, monsieur; meanwhile I agree with the excellent M. Claude that the affair should be kept as secret as possible ; rumor will make everything worse than it really is, and for the sake of " "Adieu, madame; mine is too terrible an affliction to leave room for thought about appearances ! " cried poor Lambert, turning away. "Poor unhappy father! all things may be pardoned to him," said madame compassionately to Glynn, who bowed silently and followed his distracted friend. Arrived at the Bureau de la sureti, Glynn remained outside, slowly pacing the street ; and while he waited, somewhat to his surprise he saw Deering come out from a different door to that by which Lambert had entered. He was accompanied by a man in uniform, and walked PURSUIT. 95 briskly away, in the same direction in -which Glynn was sauntering ; but as they were considerably ahead of him, it was useless to attempt pursuit. Nor did Glynn par- ticularly wish to speak with Deering. He felt that for some occult reason he was Lambert's enemy, and he entirely acquitted him of any share in Elsie's disappear- ance. That he should make independent inquiries was natural, as Lambert's treatment of him the previous day almost forbid their holding further intercourse ; probably the man with him was an official interpreter. Glynn's thoughts were sufficiently painful as he strolled to and fro. He wished Lambert would voluntarily confide to him the secret of his enmity to Deering. He felt an un- reasoning conviction that the extraordinary disappear- ance of Elsie was in some way connected with it. Time went slowly, painfully; but at length a sergcnt de ville approaching, saluted him, saying, "Will monsieur give himself the trouble to enter ? M. Le Chef wishes to speak to him." Glynn followed readily, and found Claude alone. " Monsieur Lambert awaits you in an ante-chamber," said the grave chef; " you shall soon be at liberty to join him. Meantime you will have no objection to answer a few questions." He proceeded to put a few leading queries as to Glynn's position and occupation, the origin of his acquaintance with Lambert, its renewal, his knowl- edge of Deering and Vincent, and their connection with father and daughter. The astute chef was courteous though searching, and having meditated for a moment or two, said, "I should recommend your advising your friend to confide every circumstance connected with his daughter to me. He is keeping something back, and that something nullifies all our efforts." " I think he must have told you everything, especially connected with his daughter." " There is small chance of success if he does not." "I suppose you have no intelligence as yet?" said Glynn. " This is all we have discovered," said M. Claude, throw- ing open the doors of a large armoire, or clothes-press, and there hung, in ghastly mockery, the pretty white ball- dress which had so delightfully become the wearer, its 96 AT BAT. bouquets of wild flowers crushed and flattened, and a long revolting stain of half-dried mud along one side of the creamy silk. " Good God ! " exclaimed Glynn, starting back horror- struck. " Where where did you find this ? " " One of our men found it near the Pont de L'Alma early this morning. See ! here is where the lace and knot of ribbon were torn away. There is no other mark of violence. The intention evidently was to throw the par- cel (it was tightly rolled up) into the Seine ; but it fell short, and the river was low. You recognize the dress ? " " Yes ; and now ? " " This proves nothing," said the imperturbable M. Claude. " The dress was deliberately thrown away, either to direct attention on a wrong scent, or simply to get rid of an encumbrance." " Then you have not advanced since yesterday ? " " Not much. I have found that M. Vincent is at Bor- deaux, but alone." " And you have seen M. Deering ? " said Glynn, quickly. " Yes," returned M. Claude, looking at him for an in- stant. " He caine to seek tidings of the missing young lady, in whom he seems deeply interested." There was a pause. Glynn sought in his soul for some suggestion to keep the inscrutable detective in conversa- tion. He could not help a conviction that he was in pos- session of more information than he cared to impart ; but nothing came to him. "You do not, then, believe that any great crime has been committed ? " he faltered. " All things are possible ; but I hope that before many days are over you will hear from the young lady herself. I believe it is an unusually clever case of elopement. I have communicated with the English police ; but " an eloquent shrug " they have fewer facilities than we. My telegram yesterday was too late to catch the Dover mail- boatnot that I think it was of much consequence, for " His reason was never uttered ; a tap at the door inter- rupted him. He rose, took a dispatch from the hands of a messenger. Closing the door, he read it, and then with a grim smile said ; PURSUIT. 9fr " My suspicions are not far wrong. The young lady ia safe and well at Bordeaux and not alone." " What does your employe say ? " cried Glynn, not much comforted by the announcement. " Read for yourself," said M. Claude, handing the tele- gram to him. Glynn eagerly scanned the lines. " Young English or American lady answering to descrip- tion arrived here last evening ; is staying at ' The Lion d'Or,' on the quay. Has been visited by the captain of an American steamer and another man. Father must come at once and identify her, or she may escape." " This is some mistake," said Glynn, the words dancing before his eyes. " This cannot be Miss Lambert." " It is most unlikely that my colleague at Bordeaux should be in error. He is one of the siirewdest employes of the surete. At all events we must inform tue fatiier." He rang, and desired thai; M. Lambert should be re- called. Glynn was infinitely touched by tlie dulled, help- less look of the once bright, alert Lambert. He watched him read the telegram, and observed with surprise that his face brightened, and an expression of pleasure gleam- ed in his eyes. " This is a chance, anyhow," he exclaimed. " Of course 111 go. When is the next train ? " The detective watched him curiously. " But, Lambert," exclaimed Glynn in English, " you surely do not believe this can be your daughter ? You do not think that delicate, tender creature would fly from you to meet men of whom you know nothing ? " " Maybe I do," said Lambert, " and maybe I don't. Drowning men catch at straws. I'll go, anyway." He swayed slightly as he spoke, and caught Glynn's arm. " It is more than he can bear," said M. Claude, with a rare gleam of feeling. " I will telegraph to my colleague to meet you at the Gare. The mail train leaves at six. You will be in Bordeaux about noon to-morrow. You will, I trust, need no further assistance from my depart- ment. I wish you good-morning, gentlemen." He opened the door politely, and they went forth. " Lambert," said Glynn, as lie supported his friend's 7 98 AT BAY. unsteady steps, " you are not fit to travel alone. I will go with you." " I'm better," returned Lambert, withdrawing his arm, " and I thank you from the bottom of my heart ; but I'd rather go alone. If if oh! great heavens! She mightn't like to see you, Glynn. No, no," with increasing decision, " I would rather go alone, and I will send you word what I find. You have been wonderfully good to me, and you know what she was is. Why do I despair ? If oh if," with sudden fury, " I ever get my grip on the infernal villain that drove her to this, he'll have seen the last of light, and go down to darkness forever. There, I don't know what I am talking about. My head seems all wrong." " You had better let me go with you, Lambert. Be- lieve me, you are not fit to go alone, and you must keep well, at any rate, till you recover or rescue your daughter." " Eecover her ! Ay, that I will," standing still suddenly. " Do you think I'm not proof against everything till I find her? and then and then, when she is safe, I have done my work, and I'll rest ay, rest well and long. But I'll make this journey alone." There was nothing for it but to gire up all thoughts of persuading him. Then he seemed to revive, to master his terrible despondency. He accepted Glynn's invitation to luncheon, and forced himself to take food and wine. Then he returned to his desolate home, to make prepara- tions for his departure ; finally Glynn saw him safely into the train. The hours which succeeded, how slowly, yet swiftly, they dragged their torturing length ! slowly, for the mo- ments as they dropped into the abyss of the past seemed deliberately distilled from the bitterest ingredients life could siipply ; swiftly, for every hour of delay added to the difficulty of the search, on the success of which all Glynn's hopes hung. He exhausted himself wandering to and fro the Kue de L'Eveque, the Rue de Jerusalem, even the Morgue, where he would rather have found the corpse of her he loved than know her alive under such circum- stances as the detective's telegram suggested. But this he did not for a moment believe, though through his long mental agony strange doubts would obtrude themselves PURSUIT. 99 more of Lambert than his daughter. He was evidently concealing something. Those vague threats against some unnamed villain, what did they indicate ? Knowledge of some possible and real abduction, or merely imaginative fury? Still, fast or slow, the hours went by. Glynn was finally overcome with fatigue and sleep, so enjoyed a few hours of blessed oblivion. He woke with a startled sense of wrong-doing in having forgotten even for a moment the awful uncertainty that had laid its curse upon him, and collecting his thoughts, remembered his surprise at not having received a tele- graphic message from Lambert. True, lie might not have succeeded at once in seeing his supposed daughter. The expected communication came, however, before he sallied forth to renew the restless round of yesterday " Officer mistaken. A fresh track. Am off to Marseilles Will write." In a sense this was a relief ; but Marseilles ? that seemed the most unlikely place to find the object of their search. However, all places were unlikely. Lambert had better keep at hand in Paris. He would write and beg* him to return. Glynn had taken his hat and was at the door, when some" one knocked, and Peering entered, well-dressed, cool, distinguished-looking, as ever, but with a somewhat haggard aspect, and a set, sinister expression about his mouth. " I suppose you have heard nothing fresh ? no discovery of any clue to the whereabouts of Lambert's daughter ? " he asked. " Nothing. Her father went down to Bordeaux yester- day at the suggestion of M. Claude to identify a girl de- scribed as resembling Miss Lambert, I have just had this telegram from him." " Ha ! " said Deering, on reading it, " I doubt if Lam- bert will afford M. Claude much assistance. I fancy some of his raffish associates have earned off the young lady, and he is too much in their power to be very earnest about discovering or punishing them." " Have you suggested this idea to the chef de la surete f " asked Glynn coldly. 100 "AT BAT. " Why should you think so ? " " Because he talked to me of Lambert's concealments as militating against the success of the search, just after you left him." Deering's brows met in a fierce, quick frown, and then resumed their ordinary haughty composure. " Yes ; I thought it well to warn him. I am even now endeavoring to sift a curious story about Lambert ; it may not be true, but I am a good deal concerned at this disappearance of his daughter, and, I think, so are you. She is a fascin- ating morsel of female flesh, and it is maddening to see the prize you had marked for your own carried off under your very eyes. Really there is no line deep enough to fathom a woman." " I never marked Miss Lambert as my own," said Glynn angrily. " I object to your mode of mentioning her. As to Lambert, no one can doubt the unfortunate man's despair and distress. I do not believe that Miss Lambert left her home willingly, unless decoyed by false pre- tences." " Be that as it may, I would give a good deal to know where she is. I believe she is in England ; she was brought up there, I believe. Well, I cross to-night, and will set the police at work so soon as I get to London. Shall you be much longer here ? " " My movements are uncertain," returned Glynn stiffly. " You'll wait and assist the bereaved father, I presume," said Deering, with an unpleasant smile. " By the way, Vincent has returned, and is awfully cut up about the affair. Vincent was, I fancy, a suitor ; might have been a decent match for Miss Lambert ; he is a shrewd fellow. But you are in a hurry, I will not detain you." He bid Glynn " good-morning " with courteous friend- liness, and left him half-maddened with torturing waves of doubt, which seemed rising on all sides. Another long miserable day, its only solace a visit to poor Madame Weber and Celestine, who talked of the " dear lost child " with unbounded panegyric and floods of tears. No letter from Lambert, and failure in an attempt to aee the chef de la siirete, completed the day's trials. The fourth morning brought Lambert's promised letter. PUKSUTT. 10l The girl supposed to resemble Elsie was a rouged modeste, with dyed hair, and rather good blue eyes, the only real point of resemblance. " The reasons for his expedition to Marseilles were too numerous for a letter," Lambert wrote. " He had some faint hopes of success, and would tell all when he returned, if Glynn was still in Paris." If! how could he tear himself away till this cruel mystery was cleared up ? In the porter's lodge, as he passed out, Glynn found a police agent with a message Could he come soon to the Bureau de la sdrete ? M. le Chef wished to speak with him. Glynn 's reply was to hail a fiacre, and making the agent come with him, drove at once to the bureau. " So the commissaire at Bordeaux was mistaken," said M. Claude. " That is the difficulty of descriptions, even photo- graphs sometimes deceive. I am having several copies made of mademoiselle's, and shall send them to the prin- cipal towns." He paused, and looking at Glynn, said, " I do not approve this demarche to Marseilles ; M. Lambert should have confided his reasons to us. He cannot work independently ; but he will make nothing by his journey. Were he here there is a fresh and more hopeful report from Bruges this morning." " And it is ? " exclaimed Glynn, leaning forward in his chair, quivering with anticipation. " Two ladies, one young, fair, blue-eyed and English ; the other elderly, German or Kussian, well-dressed and well-bred, arrived the day before yesterday at the Hotel des Trois Couronnes. They keep most retired, and only go out in a covered carriage, to the convent of the Beguines. The younger lady weeps a good deal, and often mentions the word ' father ' with emotion. They have told their landlord that they await the coming of the young lady's father." " This sounds more promising," cried Glynn, all eager attention. " Were M. Lambert here he might take the journey to Bruges, and identify them. Probably he is the father they expect." " I wish he were here, but, in his absence, / will under- take the journey ; I can identify Miss Lambert." 102 AT BAT. " Do you think her father will thank you ? * " I do. Can you doubt his agonized impatience until he can get tidings of his daughter ? " "No ; but there is something in the affair T cannot quite fathom." There was a pause. " I suppose," resumed Glynn, " there is no objection to my visiting the ladies your agent de- scribes ? " " None ; in the absence of the father." " Then I shall start at once. Give me a line of intro- duction to your representative. I shall telegraph to you the result of my journey. No doubt you will see M. Lambert back to-morrow." M. Claude wrote the desired letter, and armed with it, Glynn left the bureau. A rapid journey followed, a journey such as men make in bad dreams, with a curious sense of acting under some hideous malignant influence, a depressing amticipa- tion of coming failure. Often in after-life the memory of that journey came back as the most painful experience of all he had ever known for years it haunted him with thrills of horror. Little he heeded the quaint aspects of the old mediaeval town, though the picture of the streets through which he was conducted to the Hotel des Trois Couronnes remained forever stamped upon his memory. His anticipations were fulfilled. The ladies were both total strangers to him ; he had therefore nothing for it but to apologize and retire. Back to Paris, where Lambert had not yet returned, and M. Claude received him with cold displeasure. M. Claude was growing impatient at the unwonted failure of his emissaries. It was now six days since the disappear- ance of Miss Lambert, and not the faintest clue had been found by which to trace her. The keen-eyed chef de la surete threw himself into the pursuit with all the energy ti his nature, all the profes- sional pride that a high re] fttation could inspire. There was not a town of any importance in Europe where his researches did not penetrate, and yet the days rolled on, and not a trace was to be found of the missing girl. For some reasons unknown very little was said of the occur- rence in the newspapers. The police, always powerful in PURSUIT. 103 France, were especially potent in the later days of the Empire. One or two journals mentioned the mysterious disappearance of a young lady, and the matter was dropped. To Glynn the terrible darkness, which seemed closing in deeper and deeper with each succeeding day over the fate of the fair girl he had learned to love so passion- ately, was appalling. He chafed against his own hope- lessness, he exhausted himself in conjectures and restless going to and fro. When Lambert came back from his fruitless journey to Marseilles, he seemed sunk in a strange, sullen apathy, nor did he accept Giynn's well-meant efforts to comfort and sustain him with cordiality. He declared his inten- tion of remaining in Paris as the place where the earliest tidings of his missing daughter were most likely to reach him. He had already given notice of his intention to leave his apartments, and now dismissed Madame Weber and the bonne. " I do not know where I may have to go, or what I may have to do," he said to Glynn. " I'll hang on here till my time is up, and then I'll take a room somewhere and just wait. You are very good, Glynn ; you could have done no more if you had been my poor darling's affianced lover. I little knew you were a rich man, and partner in a great firm, when I offered you her poor little portion." " Do not speak of it," said Glynn, with inexpressible emotion ; " but treat me as a trusted friend. Tell me what conjectures you have formed as to her fate." "I believe she is dead," said Lambert in a broken voice, and covering his face. " Had she been in life she would have managed to communicate with me. Now I have nothing left to live for but revenge." " Have you any idea where to direct your vengeance ? " " I cannot answer yes or no yet, though if I'd answer any one it would be you, Glynn." " That means ' Yes,' " returned Glynn. Lambert did not reply. He seemed sunk in gloomy, hard resignation to a detested destiny. " You shouldn't wait on here, Glynn," he resumed, after a minute's si- lence. " You can do no good, as they didn't find her within the first week it will just be a waiting race. We'll 104 AT BAT. hit on ttoft truth just by accident, that will be the vr&j of it." But Glynn could not tear himself from Paris. How often he recalled the circumstances under which he had uttered these words to Elsie ; they were almost the last he had spoken to her. He could almost hear the soft, tremulous tones in which she promised to listen to his reasons for not being able to tear himself away. No, it was impossible that she could have had the smallest an- ticipation of the dreadful catastrophe which awaited her. Yet her very last words her last look haunted him. The questioning, wondering glance, the half -whisper "you puzzle me ! " Twice during this miserable period of indecision Glynn encountered Vincent, once on the stair leading to Lam- bert's abode, and once in the Boulevards. In the first instance he greeted Glynn with the frankest expression of sorrow and sympathy for the great misfor- tune which had befallen Lambert, mentioning his own deep grief, and his compassionate forgiveness of Lambert's injurious accusations against himself. Glynn found Lambert in a state of furious excitement after this visit, and uttering violent half-unintelligible threats against Vincent. On their second meeting Glynn tried to pass him, but in vain, and was obliged to listen to a string of sugges- tions and conjectures respecting the supposed fugitive which nearly drove him to throttle his interlocutor and fling him into the street under the hoofs of the passing horses, especially as he felt that Vincent's small, pene- trating, watchful eyes were intently, searchingly fixed on bis face while he spoke. At length letters from his partners obliged him to quit the scene of so much suffering and disaster. It was with the deepest reluctance that Glynn bid Lam- bert good-bye. The unhappy father still wore the same aspect of helplessness, of sullen submission to the irre- sistible. He scarcely heeded Glynn's announcement of his immediate departure, and merely answered his ardent request for the earliest information respecting any crumbs of intelligence in the affirmative. He put Glyrin's card in his pocket-book mechanically. Yet he wrung his hand PURSUIT. 105 hard at parting, and bid God bless him, brokenly yet heartily. Glynn, not satisfied with Lambert's promise, obtained an interview with M. Claude, who was even more curt and immovable than ever. He, however, condescended to promise that he would not fail to let him know should any traces of the missing girl be found. Glynn was not perhaps fully aware of the withering change which the torture of the last three weeks had wrought in him until he attempted to resume the routine of his former life. The color and flavor seemed to have been extracted from existence, nothing was left worth hoping for, working for, living for, and the heads of his firm exclaimed at his haggard, worn aspect. The second day after he had resumed his attendance at the office he found himself too faint and dizzy to continue the writing on which he was engaged. His head ached intensely, his pulses throbbed. He rang, and began to explain to the clerk who answered his summons that he felt so ill he must return home ; but before he could finish his sentence he fell heavily at the feet of his startled hearer. He was conveyed carefully to his own residence, which he did not leave for many weeks, not till he had been brought to the verge of the grave by a fierce brain-fever. CHAPTER VII. WILL-O'-THE-WISP. A NEW year was opening on the just and the unjust the fortunate and the unfortunate. Lady Gethin had arrived in town after a prolonged. Christmas visit to some attentive relatives in one of the midland counties. She was always pleased to be at home ; she liked to exercise a friendly hospitality, and she was by no means afraid of a lonely evening, of which she never had too many. It was the day after her return. Night had closed in ; her dainty dinner was over, and she was established in her favorite chair beside a bright wood and coal fire in the smaller and cosier of her two drawing-rooms, which was lighted only by the ruddy glow of the fire and a shaded reading-lamp, by which she was perusing a new novel. She had laid down the book and was thinking, with an unusually softened expression on her strong face, of her favorite, Hugh Glynn. She had been intensely anxious about him during his severe illness. She had constantly visited his sick-room, and satisfied herself that nurses and servants were doing their duty. When Kis life was despaired of, she was grimly still, silent, and endur- ing, but she knew that all the woman in her somewhat masculine nature had gone out, in maternal affection, to her husband's nephew. When he was slowly struggling back to life and strength she accompanied him to a south coast bathing-place, and gave him the great benefit of her companionship, for she knew how to be sympathetically silent, as well as congeni- ally talkative. In this prolonged tete-a-tete Glynn grew sincerely and gratefully attached to the outspoken free- thinking old woman, whose frank kindness was never oppressive, and whose uncompromising sincerity might *onvince the hardest sceptic of its reality. WILL-O'-THE-WISP. 107 Attachment brought confidence, and before they parted Hugh Glynn had told her the strange history of his sud- den love for Elsie Lambert, of the hold it had taken of him in spite of reason, prudence, worldly wisdom every motive that ought to guide a man of his maturity and experience. He even confessed to the weakness of regret- ting he had rejected Lambert's proposal of marriage with his daughter. In the story of Elsie's disappearance, Lady Gethin was profoundly interested, though, to Glynn's disappointment and indignation, she did not hesitate to declare her belief that the young lady eloped voluntarily, and had probably since informed her father of her whereabouts a fact which he might think it wiser not to divulge. She further declared that although she did not think the worse of Glynn for his infatuation, she thought he had had a great escape, and believed he would come to think so himself when he had recovered his health and resumed the ordi- nary routine of his life. Keviewing these conversations Lady Gethin sat forget- ful of her book, when the object of her thoughts was announced. "Why didn't you come to dinner?" she exclaimed, holding out her hand. " Because I have been dining earlier than usual at the house of a cousin of mine in the suburbs, where I have been officiating as god-father to his first-born son." " A very patriarchal proceeding. Who* is this cousin do I not know him ? " " I think not ; he is a cousin on my mother's side, and has a cure of souls at Clapham." " Well, Hugh, and how are you ? You look better and stronger." " I am ! I have turned the corner, and am beginning to pull mechanically against the collar once more." Lady Gethin looked earnestly at him. He seemed taller than ever gaunt and bony. His dark face was very colorless, his eyes sunken ; yet his attitude and air ha take courage and believe that her father's innocence would yet be proved, and the villainy plotted against him frustrated. It was a dreadful wrench for Elsie to part from her father. It needed the united influence and urging both of Glynn and Lambert to persuade her at the last. For the few days intervening between Glynn's avowal and Elsie's departure, Lambert walked every morning in the little garden behind the house, leaning on his daughter's arm. He seemed feverishly eager to regain strength now that the local doctor who attended him ceased his visits, and declared him convalescent. Lambert, having determined to declare himself to Deer- ing, was less nervously anxious to keep in hiding, and even drove with Glynn and Elsie as far as Lady Gethin's the morning of the day the latter were to start for the Continent. He wanted, he said, to see the last of his child. " The last for the next few weeks," corrected Glynn. m " May be so, may be so," said Lambert, with a sad ring in his voice. Lady Gethin made him welcome, and at once evinced an inclination to pet Elsie, who was too much overcome by the dread of leaving her father to heed the minute kindnesses heaped upon her. " Don't be too downcast about her," said Lady Gethin, who was in her element at the head of affairs and in the centre of a romantic mystery. " When she is clear away, and has had a few cheering letters from her father, she will be all right. The sooner he makes things square with Peering the better. I can never believe he would be such a headstrong idiot as to throw away a splendid estate and high position for the sake of mere revenge." " Mere revenge ! It is a powerful incentive. Kemem- ber the ill-health of that crippled boy of his ! I doubt if he cares to transmit much to him, and then he no doubt counts on a compromise that he would be left the life-use of the property." " To which I hope and trust you would never consent, Hugh ! I'd take that wretch's skin off, if I could ! In fact I have set my heart on seeing you master of Denham one of these days. It is infamous that wickedness should flourish in high places." " I prefer keeping my word to Lambert that Elsie should never know how her real father died, to possessing the finest property in the kingdom." " Well, you need not break your word ; neither need you be Quixotic." These sentences were exchanged in the dining-room, from which Lambert and Elsie had retired to have a few words in private in Lady Gethin's boudoir. Thither she and Glynn followed them, the latter drawing Elsie into the conservatory adjoining. " The next fortnight will be awfully blank," he exclaimed, when they were out of earshot. " By that time I trust all difficulties will be surmounted, and I shall be able to start with your father for Lausanne ; then I trust there will only be peace and love for you both in the future." " Would to God this terrible interval were over ! " said Elsie, with a quivering sigh. " I intend to insist on your father's staying with me in 172 AT BAY. my chambers until he is free to join you I Trust him to me, dearest," replied Glynn. " How good you are ! How can I ever thank you enough ? " cried Elsie, and carried away by tenderness and gratitude her arms stole round his neck, and she kissed him repeatedly in all the simple sincerity of unhes- itating affection. Soon after, as it was growing late, Lambert proposed returning to his lodgings. He had said good-bye to Lady Gethin, and tenderly embraced Elsie. He had even gone half-way down-stairs when he suddenly paused, and turn- ing back exclaimed, " I must take one more look at her," and ascending to the drawing-room, took her hand in both his own. Gazing intently into her face, he said softly, " My own jewel ! Have I made you happy ? Will you pardon me any wrong I may have done you ? " " Wrong ! you have done me nothing but good. No father ever made a daughter happier than you have made me." " Then give me a loving thought now and again. God bless you, my darling. Good-bye, good-bye." " Only for a little while, dearest, best ! " she exclaimed. " Be careful, and come to me soon ! " Lambert made no reply. He hurried into the cab which waited below, and accompanied by Glynn returned to his lodgings in safety. * There was little or no difficulty in persuading Lambert to accept his future son-in-law's invitation. Though greatly pleased to know Elsie was with Lady Gethin, he evidently shrank from being alone, and was in so low and nervous a condition that Glynn insisted on carrying him off to his chambers the day after Elsie's departure. Here he revived considerably, and was able to receive a visit from Mrs. Kellett. Letters from Elsie and Lady Gethin also cheered him. Still he was not himself, and his restlessness was painful at times. Glynn carefully avoided any appearance of change in his habits, and went out to dinners and parties as usual. At one of these he encountered Deering, and took the in- itiative by asking if he had been all this time in the coun- try, as he had not met him anywhere lately. A TRUE LOVERS KNOT. w I stayed longer than I intended at Denham, putting matters in train for the election, and now that radical fel- low Smithson will neither die or retire. But you have been rather scarce lately. I haven't seen you in the haunts of men." " I think I have been as much about as usual. By the way, is your American friend Vincent in town ? I fancied I saw him the other day in Bond Street." " Vincent ! yes ; at least he was last week. The fellow is a born detective. He will not give up the chase after Lambert and his daughter. It seems he found out that the woman who brought Miss Lambert up is staying at Clapham, and he has been dodging her, thinking he will track the Lamberts through her. By the way, the Amer- ican police are duffers : they have at last found out that they have been hunting the wrong man. My own belief is that Lambert never quitted England." " Perhaps not," returned Glynn. " Are you to be at the Milton wedding next week ? Lady Agnes is your sister- in-law, is she not ? " " No, only my wife's cousin ; she is not very well, Lady Frances I mean, and I have begged off the fes- tivity. I go down to Denham on Wednesday for a few days. I am making some alterations there, and want to look after them." "Well, good-night." Glynn Beturned with so much information for Lambert, who was evidently stirred by it. "I am better and stronger," he said, rising and stretching himself : "I'll take heart, and go talk to him in the midst of his ill-gotten property ; maybe he'll hear reason. If not " "If not, let me see him and remonstrate." " Anyway, I'll not bear this state of misery any longer ; 111 find freedom somehow ! " cried Lambert, with an air of determination. CHAPTEB XI. PAID IN FULL. "I FEEL like myself," said Lambert to his host, a few days after the encounter above recorded. " I'll go down to Denham to-morrow, and get my interview with Deering over." " I am not at all sure you are equal to it, Lambert ; you are feverish and excited. Why not wait till he comes up to town?" " Because I'd feel safer in the country. That fellow is just traitor enough to keep me in talk while he sent for a constable, and made a charge of murder against me. Constables are not so near at hand in the country." " I think you are mistaken ; I don't fancy Deering will cut off his nose to spite his face." "It's hard to tell. Anyhow I'll try him. I suppose there is some village or town near where a man could put mp?" " There is a village at Denham, I believe, but the rail- way-station is five or six miles off, I am told, at a town called Earlshall, where no doubt you will find accommo- dation. I wish you would leave the matter in my hands, Lambert." " That I cannot ; but I think I am sufficiently backed up now to make terms with him." " I wish you could carry the war into the enemy's coun- try, but that without witnesses would be impossible," re- turned Glynn. " Make the best terms you can. I agree with you in thinking that no amount of wealth could atone for shocking and grieving Elsie." " Nothing could 1 " ejaculated Lambert. "And suppose I am hanged, will you be true to my darling ? " " Yes, even if I believed you guilty of murder, I would iticktoher!" Lambert seized and pressed his hand, and after a mo- ment's silence resumed : (174) PAID IN FULL. 175 " 111 go and sleep at my own place to-night ; it's nearer the Great Northern, and I'll start off to-morrow morning. Maybe I'll be lucky, hey ? " He pulled out Elsie's last letter and read it through in silence. " She is happy any- way, but she's wearying for her old dad ! God bless her ! God bless her, and watch over her ! " with a burst of feeling. "The blessing of a vagabond like myself isn't worth much, but there it is. Maybe but for me she'd be a great lady now, and holding her own in the sight of all men." " And perhaps but for you she would be in her grave, or struggling in poverty and degradation," said Glynn. "Who can tell?" rejoined the other, and he left the room to prepare for his return to his own abode. " I'll not write to you, Glynn," were his last words at starting ; " I'll just come straight back and tell you every- thing." "Do; and remember that the bolder front you can show, the greater the chance of his yielding. Speak as if you had a cloud of witnesses to back you." " Ay, that's the plan ! I'll try it, if only my nerves keep as steady as they feel to-day." The chief inn of Earlshall, a small town on the borders of Northshire, was full and busy one morning in May, more than twelve months from the opening of this true history. It was market-day, and the coffee-room resound- ed with the loud voices and creaking boots of the neigh- boring farmers, who had looked in for a mouthful and " a drop of drink " somewhat stronger than coffee. The stables were full of strong, serviceable nags, worthy of the shire which bred them, and the busy hostlers had scarce time to attend to the demand of a stranger, who had been staying for the last two days at the inn, that one or other of them should saddle the horse he had ridden each day since he arrived. " Hand it over to me, and I'll saddle him myself," he aid at length. " I am no fool about a horse, and can generally manage all I want with my own hands." So saying, he proceeded to saddle the steed he had selected, and soon trotted out of the yard. 176 AT BAT, A stranger was a novelty at Earlshall, and several! inquiries were addressed to " mine host," who mixed OB. pleasant, easy terms with his guests. " The visitor was from 'Lunnon' or from furrin parts." But he knew a horse when he saw one ; he had been over to Denham all day long ; the landlord's opinion was that likely he came from a newspaper, and he hoped as how he would write up the ' Black Horse.' There was a letter for him that morning from Denham. " I know the paper and the crest stamped outside," added the host ; " I dare say he's an electioneering chap." Unconscious of these comments Lambert rode on, with a grey, set face, and firmly-closed mouth. The letter he had received that morning had been brief : " I will hear what you have to say, but I do not wish a criminal to cross my threshold. You must meet me by the Deer's Barn in the Beech Wood, about a mile from the village. Any one will direct you." This had no signature, and was addressed to " Mr. Smith." Lambert took it out and read it, gnashing his teeth as he did so. " The insolent, daring villain," he muttered ; " can I do nothing to turn his flank? If he had a gleam of con- science he would be less daringly unscrupulous, but he hasn't enough to make a coward of him. Glynn is my best card, but Deering knows his strength ; he has only to lie boldly, and I am at his mercy. But hell never get hold of her : she is safe from him." Then his thoughts wandered away to a bit of country near Mrs. Kellett's home, where in some of his many visits to his darling daughter, he had led her little Welsh pony, while she talked to him of her own simple fancies of her dearly loved pets, of the wild flowers, and birds, and insects, all of which were so familiar to the country-bred child. What a foretaste of heaven it all was ! No soiled sinner purified by purgatorial fires and admitted into the divine calm of celestial joy could have felt more keenly the sense of regeneration and revival than the poor battered wan- derer who had devoted himself to the care of his enemy's orphan ; and now, as he reflected that he had brought misfortune to the creature he so fondly loved, that he had unconsciously put her and himself into the power of a bold scoundret his heart throbbed with fury so wild, so overpowering, that he was almost alarmed at himself. PAID IN FULL. 177 " I must keep my brain clear," he muttered. " I wish I could get quit of this mad desire to shoot Deering, it wouldn't do, it wouldn't do. I could never stroll through cool country lanes with my Elsie again ; I never could stroke her bright hair with this right hand if it had committed murder. That I have never done. No, Deer- ing, you infernal liar, never ! only in fair fight have I killed my man." He stopped with an odd sense of confusion, finding that he spoke aloud. His horse stumbling at the same tune, the current of his thoughts changed. He began to look forward. Elsie and Glynn were married ; they had a beautiful home in London, and he (Lambert) a snug little apartment in Paris he was more at home in Paris and they visited each other. Then as years stole on, and he didn't care to move about much, he would sit in his chair, and Elsie would soothe him with her heavenly songs, her delicious voice. Ah well, he might bring Deering to rea- son ; if not, well, he could never meet Elsie's eyes when opened to the knowledge of deeds hidden away in his past life. Anyhow he must commit no act of violence; this ' must not ' but thinly veiled a strange kind of conviction that something beyond himself would compel him to do a desperate deed. When he reached the very humble little hostelry dis- tinguished by the sign of the ' Saracen's Head,' the creet of the Deerings, which stood beside the village green of Denham, Lambert was cool and collected enough. He dismounted, and desired that his horse should be given a feed of oats, that the girths should be loosened, but the saddle was not to be removed, " for," said he very deliber- ately, " I want to finish a sketch of the Deer's Barn, and get back to catch the up-train at Earlshall about six, so I may want the horse all in a hurry." So saying, he walked quietly through the great old wrought- iron gates, and up the stately avenue for a few hundred yards. Then striking to the left, he quickened his pace, and plunged into the beautiful woods all nushed with the first tender green of spring, trampling down the great feathery fronds of the fern, the variously-tinted leaf- age of the undergrowth, till he reached an open space, from which a heath and porse-grown upland sloped gently 12 178 AT BAT. towards some distant hills. And all these grand woods, this beautif ul sweep of hills, these groups of dappled deer, that murmuring brown stream, the solemn, stately beeches that clustered round the barn which stood at the verge of the deer-park, all these were Elsie's; and as he thought, Travers Deering came out from the shadow of the rough, picturesque edifice and advanced to meet him. % The two men came face to face, a little in the rear of the bam, and stood in silence for a few seconds, eyeing each other with deadly hatred ; nor was the gaze of the unscrupulous villain a shade less steady or unflinching than that of the man he intended to make his victim. " Pray why have you taken the trouble to come down here, when you "might have seen me in town next week '? " asked Peering coolly. " For various reasons, chiefly because I could not wait." " Then you have something important, something favor- able for yourself to propose. First, where is Elsie ? You know?" 'I do." 'Is she in England?" 'No." ' Will you tell me where she is ? " ' I will further on." ' Very good. Let me hear what you have to say," taking out a cigar, and striking a fusee he lit it with elaborate composure. " I succeeded in hiding myself and my child from you and your devilish designs," began Lambert in a voice that vibrated with the anger he could hardly control; " and if I had not been struck down by illness, my girl and I would have been out of your reach at the other side of the world. However, I couldn't carry out my plans, and I know one cannot keep out of sight forever, so I made up my mind to see if we can't come to an agreement. Let us go, and I'll never say a word against you, or meddle in any way." " Is that all you have to say for yourself ? " returned Deering contemptuously. " I thought you had something new." " So I have ! I have found a man who believes my story, and he is a backer not to be despised." PAID m FULL. "And he is?" asked Peering, without taking his cigar from his lips. " Glynn ! You know him." " Ha! and he "believes your little romance ? " a look of concentrated fury contracting his brow. " Satisfactory to you ; but unfortunately men's beliefs are not evidence. Now I have positive evidence." " Deering ! you are the most accursed scoundrel that ever disgraced God's earth ! Were it not for my child, I'd gladly pay forfeit with my life for the pleasure of killing you." " I dare say ! Knowing my man, I am not such a block- head as to come here unarmed.," and he made a motion with his hand to his breast-pocket. " Good," cried Lambert, and he laughed a peculiar wild laugh. " But this is nonsense," he resumed ; " let us talk like reasonable beings. Just see what folly it is to throw away fortune, and all this " waving his hand towards the trees and upland "for what? a whim, a bit of revenge! "When you have destroyed me, and planted a thorn in Elsie's heart that'll pierce her through her life long for you can do that, though she's beyond your power to harm more how will you lake to turn out of this grand place, and count every penny in your pocket ? " " I don't intend to do either ; I shall be rewarded for my disinterested honesty by keeping the estate for my life. My son, a mere helpless cripple, can exist on a trifle; my lady wife is only half alive as it is, and probably may resign the frail half she possesses before long, then I may marry my sweet cousin, and all will go well and happily when we have hung you, you blundering blackguard " with a sudden flash of rage and hatred. " Gently," said Lambert, thinking the moment was come to play his trump card. " You'll not be able to carry out your neat little scheme. My Elsie is engaged to Glynn, and will be his wife before three weeks are over. She is staying with Lady Gethin until the wedding takes place ! " Deering was moved at last ; he started back. " What 1 has Glynn known your secret during " " The last month, and more," interrupted Lambert. " And Lady Gethin? is she equally well informed? " "She i*" 180 AT BAT. Deering grew deadly white ; his sharp, teeth pressed his under lip for a moment of silence before he burst out : " Infernal idiot 1 you have driven the last nail into your own coffin. Elsie, Glynn's wife ! I'd strangle her with my own hands first ! You have left me no alterna- tive. I must in mere self-defence attack you. You have shattered your own safeguard ! If you have told Glynn and that sharp-tongued old woman, I must not keep quiet any longer. Their credulity does not weaken my position; it is impregnable, if I have pluck enough to stand to my guns, which I have I You have left me nothing but revenge, and I'll have tlwi. Who will believe a word you utter ? I'll make your visit here the starting-point of my accusa- tion. You have come to extract money ! and threaten me with the claim a of Gilbert Deering' s daughter. I, having always suspected you, and having recently met Vincent and heard his story, I lay the matter before a magistrate, both to obtain and bestow justice. Then let Glynn marry the protegee of a disgraced, detected criminal if he will, nothing shall save you from appearing in Elsie's eyes as the murderer of her own father, the destroyer of her life. There ! I tell you my plan ; repeat it or not as you choose. Your words, your story, your very existence are in vain. I have but to be firm, and you go to a dishonored grave, followed by the horror and disgust of the creature on whom you spent your life! ay! who, rejected by Glynn, will yet be mine." Lambert had listened with a wild mingling of fury and despair. He gazed at Deering to see if there was any sign of faltering, of hesitation, but the leader of the rebel angels himself could not have looked more deter- mined to "make evil his good." Contempt as well as hatred gleamed from his fierce light eyes, a sudden sense that all hope was over, that a dark cloud streaked with blood was already rising between him and his darling, his jewel, pressed with maddening force upon Lambert. Deering misunderstood his momentary stunned silence, and added with a sneer: " I am master of your fate. Find a way out of the dilemma if you can." " There is one way left," cried Lambert hoarsely ; and snatching a revolver from his breast-pocket, he fired almost before he ceased to speak. PAID IN FULL. 181 The ball pierced Deering's right temple. With a groan he fell to the ground, dead, helpless, harmless ! Lambert stood quite still for an instant, his pistol still held out, waiting lest Deering might rise and attack him, but his enemy was quieted forever. Lambert then put up his own weapon carefully, and bending over the prostrate form, took out the pocket-revolver to which Deering had alluded. Examining it he found the six chambers loaded, then aiming low into the brushwood, he discharged one of them, and laid the pistol at a short distance from the dead man's outstretched right arm, as though it had fallen from his hand : all this with singular mechanical deliberateness. Then he turned and walked briskly, not hurriedly, back to the little inn. A great deadly calm had fallen upon him. There was no more danger from Deering, nothing to fear from his vile projects ; but he, Lambert, had died too, he had done that of which he dreaded being falsely accused. He had done with life, but at least he had cleared a venomous beast out of his darling's path ; nothing now remained but to efface himself. " None will ever know the exact truth, and my jewel will always believe the best of me ; time will heal up her wounds, ay, soon, soon." He paused a,id looked round him. How beautiful the country looked ; how sweet the air, laden with the odor of violets and fresh grass ! He had loved life, and enjoyed it, and done his best in his own rough way, and now he firmly believed he was doing his best still. No horror at his own act thrilled him ; he had but executed wild justice. His thoughts grew strangely confused. He fancied at intervals he was going back to Paris to his little home there, and that he would find Elsie at the piano, and Madame "Weber knitting. Then he would pull himself together, and think hard of a certain plan he was trying to mature. Beaching the little inn he called for his horse, and asked for a glass of ale. " You'll have to ride sharp," said the landlord, as Lam- bert paid his bill. " I thought you wouldn't be back in time ; that's what you artist gentlemen don't think of. "We've lots of 'em sketching about Denham woods in Bummer-time." 182 AT BAT. " Ah ! few have done so complete a bit of wort as I have," returned Lambert grimly, as he started at a quick trot. His horse was fresh and free, and did the distance to Earlshall within the time allowed by his rider. The hostler remarked that the gentleman must have been took ill or summat, he had such a ghastly, dazed look in his face. " Anyway, he did not forget to tip me handsome afore he ran off to catch the train." Meantime the first and second dressing-bells rang in Denham House, but the master did not come in from the walk he had evidently prolonged. Weldon had come over to dine and discuss business with his employer, and endeavored to keep up a conversation with Lady Frances, sitting in state in the grand solemn drawing-room. The dinner-hour was long past, and Lady Frances grew un- easy. Deering's valet was called, but could give no ex- planation of his master's absence. Night closed in while search was being made, and then a cold and rigid figure, that a few hours ago was the lord and master of Denham, was brought reverently back, carried by the gamekeepers and gardeners, and followed by the awe-struck men who had assisted in the search. The revolver, which had ap- parently fallen from his hand, was recognized by the valet as belonging to his master ; indeed he saw it in its accustomed place that very morning. Yet neither Lacly Frances or Weldon could accept the idea of suicide. Ha wfis so active, so full of schemes, so instinct with life. But there was the incontrovertible fact Peering of Denham was no more, and Bertie his son reigned in his stead. Away by the beautiful shores of Lake Leman Elsie Lambert enjoyed a growing sense of security. Lady Gethin was a strong protectress. Lambert wrote cheer- fully, and seemed to enjoy his visit to Glynn ; and the latter's frequent letters were an ever-increasing source of delight, while it was an ennobling education, in Elsie's estimation, to answer them. With Lady Gethin she grew in favor day by day ; her thoughtful softness, her delight in learning, and her delicious voice charmed the PAID IN FULL. 18S somewhat exigeant dowager. Again and again she vowed to herself that she would never rest till she had won back that dear girl's rights, and exposed Deering. " I believe every word that good soul Lambert says," was the gen- eral climax of her meditations. Lady Gethin was pondering these things one day as she sat, after luncheon, on the delightful balcony of their hotel overlooking the lake. She had begun to speculate when Glynn would join them, and what preliminary arrangements would be nec- essary previous to the wedding, which she hoped would soon take place. The approach of a waiter disturbed her. He brought a telegram. It was from Glynn. "Keep all newspapers, especially English ones, from Elsie ; will be with you on Wednesday." "There is something dreadfully wrong," said Lady Gethin to herself, " and the wrong is with Lambert. I trust the poor man's head hasn't turned with all his trou- bles. I hope Hugh will write. This is Saturday : one, two, three days to wait and hold my tongue. Why, it is more than human nature can endure." But though carefully keeping the papers from her young protegee, no very difficult task, Lady Gethin searched them diligently herself, and soon found the word of the riddle, first in a column headed " Mysterious Death of Mr. Deer- ing of Denham," followed by all particulars, and an ac- count of the stranger artist, who had been sketching in Denham woods, and had, according to the evidence of the hotel-keeper at Earlshall, received a letter with the Deer- ing crest the day previous to the fatal event. In another column was an account of a robbery and murder in a railway-carriage between York and London. On reaching an intermediate station, one of the carriages of the up-train was found open and empty, the door swing- ing to and fro, while the cushion beside it was smeared as if something bleeding had knocked against it. The carpet was displaced, and some sovereigns and loose silver scat- tered about. On search being made, the t>ody of a middle-aged man, well dressed, and apparently in good circumstances, was found lying beside the rails some miles back, his head and face shattered, his pockets turned inside out, and at a 184: &T BAT. little distance lay an American revolver. His purse was gone, but a valuable watch was still in his pocket, and an old envelope, with an American stamp, addressed, " M. Lambert, Eue de L'eveque, Paris," was the only clue to his identity. After reading these ghastly details, Lady Gethin spent an anxious and miserable time until Glynn appeared. He had sent a hasty line to Elsie, to say he was trying to clear away an accumulation of business in order to be with her on Wednesday. " I suppose my father will come with him ? It is strange he does not mention him. Nor has my father written for several days," said Elsie. " Oh ! Hugh will explain everything when he comes," replied Lady Gethin ; who immediately after declared she had a sick headache, and retired to bed, to avoid the dis- tressing sight of Elsie's unconscious content. Lady Gethin contrived to impress Elsie with the idea that Glynn would not arrive till late in the evening, and so managed to secure a short interview with him before he went in to break his sad news to the orphan. He looked ill and worn. " Oh, Hugh ! what an awful business," exclaimed Lady Gethin. "A profound tragedy," he returned. "To you I may venture to confess my belief that Lambert first shot Deering and then blew his own brains out He couldn't have been recognized, poor fellow! His head was so shattered, and the curious thing is, he had on different clothes from any I had ever seen him in. I suspect he bought them somewhere between Earlshall and London. It was the day after Deering's murder Lambert destroyed himself. I have been expecting every day to find that he has been identified in some way with the artist who spent a couple of days sketching at Denham. Of course the watch and a ring, and the man's figure generally, were enough for me. / knew who he was fast enough. I attended the examination, and gave my evidence frankly. Nothing was said about Deering. Now let me go to Elsie ! I both long and dread to see her." Lady Gethin led him up-stairs to their private sitting- PAID IN FULL. 185 room, and said, " Elsie dear, here is Hugh sooner than we expected him," and discreetly closed the door. Glynn paused just within it, and gave himself one mo- ment of delighted contemplation, as Elsie sprang forward to greet him. She wore a dress of soft grey, and a deep red rose, with its green leaves, at her throat. The evening sun lit up the golden sheen of her hair ; she had color in her cheek ; the light of joy in her eyes ; and he had come to darken all. " Oh ! you have come at last ! " she cried, forgetting for one brief moment even her father. " My Elsie, my love, my life ! " he exclaimed, clasping her closely to him, while his heart throbbed with sympathy and sorrow. At the sound of his voice she drew back and looked intently in his face. " Ah ! you have brought bad news. My father he is ill ? he is dead? " A short, breath- less pause between each question. "He is," returned Glynn, solemnly gathering her again to his heart. " He is at peace, and I must be husband and father both to you, my darling." " Oh, no, no ! not dead ! " she cried piteously. " I may see him once more. He will speak to me again. Take me to him, dear Hugh ! " Breaking away from him : " Let us go at once." " It would be of no avail, dearest ! you could not even recognize him ! " " How ! why ! Why did you not send for me when he was ill?" " But he was not ill, darling ! He was killed on the railway ; he must have leant against the door of the car- riage, and it probably flew open. He fell, and it is sup- posed was instantaneously killed." " Shall I never, never see him again ? It is too cruel ! " She wrung her hands and looked despairingly round her ; then with a sharp cry threw herself into his arms, and an agony of tears came to her relief. N* With infinite care and tenderness Glynn soothed the poignancy of her first grief, and soon persuaded her she could show no better respect for the dear dead than by fulfilling engagements to which he had agreed. Some 1B6 AT BAY. months later, therefore, a very quiet wedding took place at Lady Gethin's residence. Glynn's clerical cousin from Clapham and the faithful Mrs. Kellett were the only guests, and gradually time and tranquillity healed the wound which death had inflicted. But Lambert lived ever tenderly cherished in his daughter's memory, and Glynn found that the best com- fort he could give his young wife was by describing the cheerfulness and returning sense of enjoyment displayed by her father during the time he spent with his intended son-in-law. The mortal agony that darkened his last hours she never knew. Even when in the course of time she was obliged to believe she was not his daughter, her stnse of loving gratitude was only deepened and exalted. Ten years later. Scene : a reception at Lady Frances Verner's. Speakers : a well-known dowager and a nephew just returned from India, whom she is lionizing. " Yes ; Lady Frances is very handsome, and has a good deal of quiet animation. She was the widow of that poor Deering of Denham, wiio ^not iiimself some years ago. That stout, broad-shouldered man with the blue ribbon is Admiral Verner, and the pale, delicate-looking lad talking to Madame Ronika, the great violinist is young Deering, who writes such beautiful poetry." " Who is that distinguished-looking woman the smaller of the two talking to Admiral Verner? She has such a sweet, pensive face, and great blue eyes." f ' " Oh, you mean Mrs. Glynn. She is greatly admired by artists and those sort of people, and has such a roman- tic history. Her father was murdered by the Indians or the Kaffirs ; she was saved by a Yankee gold-digger. He brought her up in the Eocky Mountains among an awfully lawless set of men. Then he took her to Paris, and I believe she was to come out as the daughter of the Incas, in a ballet or some such thing, when Glynn saw her and married her, which seemed rather idiotic. However, old Lady Gethin recognized her remarkable likeness to a dear friend who married Gilbert Deering, and whose daughter she proved to be. Then they found the nurse to whom the Yankee had given her, so the Deerings thought it PAID IN FULL. 1&7 better to come to an amicable settlement. Lady Frances keeps her dower, and young Deering the estates for his life ; but this charming Mrs. Glynn, or her son, will suc- ceed him. They are great friends. What splendid dia- monds she has ! " "Well!" exclaimed the Indian nephew, "truth really is stranger than fiction." We areth Sole^ Publishers of Ella Wheeler Wilcox'g Book* The Poetical and Prose Works of ELLA WHEELER WILCOX Mrs. Wilcox'B writings have been the inspiration of many young men and women. Eer hopeful, practical, masterful views of life give the reader nc~v courage in the very reading and are a wholesome spur to flagging effort. Words of truth so vital that they live in the reader's memory and can so him to think to his own betterment and the lasting improvement of his own work in the world, in whatever line it lies flow from this talented woman's pen. MAURINE Is a love story told in exquisite verse. "An ideal poem about as true and lovable a woman as ever poet created." It has repeatedly been compared with Owen Meredith's Lucile, In point of human interest it excels that noted story. "Maurine" is issued in an edition deluxe, where ttre more important incidents of the story are portrayed by means of photographic studies from life. Presentation Edition, 12mo. olive green cloth $1.00 De Luxe Edition, white vellum, gold top 1.60 New Illustrated Edition, extra cloth, gold top 1.50 De Luxe New Illustrated Edition, white vellum, gold top, 2.0O POEMS OF POWER.. New and revised edition. This beautiful volume contains more than one hundred new poems, displaying this popujar poet'> well-known taste, cultivation, and originality. The author says: "The final word in the title of the volume refers to the Divine power in every human being, the recognition of which is the secret of all success and happiness. It is this idea which many of the verses endeavor to inculcate and to illustrate." "The lines of Mrs. Wilcox show both sweetness and strength." Chicago American. "Ella Wheeler Wilcox has a strong grip upon the affections of thousands all over the world. Her productions are read to-day just as eagerly as they were when her fame was new, no other divinity having yet risen to take her place." Chicago Record-Herald. Presentation Edition, 12mo, dark blue cloth $1.00 De Luxe Edition, white Tjellum.gold top 1.60 THREE WOMEN. A STORY IN VERSE. 'THREE WOMEN is the best thing I have ever done." Ella Wheeler Wilcox. This marvelous dramatic poem will compel instant praise tecause it touches every note in the scale of human emo- tion. It is intensely interesting, and will be read with sincere relish and admiration. Presentation Edition. 12mo. light red cloth .'.i.OO De Luxe Edition, white vellum, gold top 1.60. POEMS OF PLEASURE. Many of the best poetic creations of Ella Wheeler Wilcoft are to be found in this charming collection. Besides many admirable specimens of romantic verse, there are several poems of rare beauty, dealing with every-day topics. Every line of these poems pulsates with life and throbs with emotion "Mrs. Wilcox is an artist with a touch that reminds one of Byron's impassionate strains." Paris Reeister. "Everything that she writes has the mark of her unique, powerful personality impressed upon it, and this volume will not be a disappointment to those acquainted with her."~ New York Press. "The book is replete with good things and, though a book of fewer than two hundred pages, it is worth whole reams of the sentimentalism nourishing under the misnomer of liter- ature." Western Bookseller. "Mrs. Wilcox takes her raptures with a full heart, revel- ing in blisses and draining sorrows deeply; not morbidly but hopefully. Skeptic as she is of all formal creeds, she does not become cynical or pessimistic, but makes a glad religion out of evolution and human fellowship." New York Daily News. Presentation Edition, 12mo, maroon cloth $1.00 De Luxe Edition, white vellum, gold top 1.60 POEMS Of PASSION. Ella Wheeler Wilcox is known as the greatest Hvine poet of passion. To her the human heart seems to have revealed its mysteries, for she has the power to picture love in all its moods and variations as no other has done since Byron. "Only a woman of genius could produce such a remark- able work." Illustrated London News. Beside many others, there are some fifty poems which treat entirely of that emotion which has been denominated "the grand passion" love. Among the most popular poems in the oqok are Delilah, Ad Finem, Conversion, and Communism. These vibrant poems have attained a reputation that is above and beyond criticism. "Her name is a household word. Her great power lies in depicting human emotions; and in handling that grandest of all passions love, she wields the pen of a master. "Saturday Record. Many thousands of the book have been issued in the plain edition. The author's numerous admirers called for a de luxe impression, and in the New Illustrated Edition the demand Jsmet by a 3EA11 TIFVLLY PRODUCED AND CHARMINGLY EMBELLISHED EDITION certain to satisfy the most fastidious taste. In its new form, the book is sure to find additional favor. Presentation Edition. 12mo, blue cloth $1.00 De Luxe Edition, white vellum, gold top 1.50 New Illustrated Edition, extra cloth, gold top 1.60 D Luxe New Illustrated Edition, white vellum, gold top, 2.00 EVERY-DAY THOUGHTS In Prose and Verse. Her latest, largest, and greatest prose work. work consists of a series of forceful, logical, and fascinating "talks" to every member of the household, in which the author fearlessly, but with delicacy, discusses every-day sub- jects, and directs attention to those evils which menace the peace and safety of the home, "tvery-day Thoughts" is not a mere book of advice, neither does it attempt to preach, but it contains more good counsel and wholesome moral lessons than are to be found in the average sermon. "These thoughts, lofty and uplifting, are stated with viril- ity. both in prose and verse. The noble sentiments expressed in this volume will widen the circle of her admirers." Roches- ter Times. "Few people are so good as not to be made better by a stu- dious perusal of this useful and Interesting book, which is, in brief, a short and vigorous dissertation on moral conduct and the springs of right living. Mrs. Wilcox's latest publication is a worthy addition to the best works of moral philosophy and her treatise deserves wide reading." New York Daily News. Presentation Edition, 12mo, gray cloth, gold top .......... $1 50 De Luxe Edition, white vellum, gold top ................... 2.00 KINGDOM OF LOVE, AND OTHER POEMS. A magnificent collection of poems suitable for recitations and read- ings, true to the very best there Is in human nature. In the preface to this collection, the author says: "I am' constantly urged by readers and impersonators to furnish them with verses for recitation. In response to this ever- increasing demand, I have selected for this volume the poems which seem suitable for such a purpose. In making my col- lection of them, I have been obliged to use, not those which are among my best efforts in a literary or artistic sense, but those which contain the best dramatic possibilities for profes- sionals." "Her fame has reached all parts of the world, and her pop- ularity seems to grow with each succeeding year," American Bookseller. Presentation Edition, dark red cloth ....................... $1.00 DeLuxe Edition, white vellum, gold top .................. ,. 1.50 AN AMBITIOUS MAN Prose. A realistic novel of the modern school of fiction. Although the plot borders on the sensational, the motive of the story is a.good one. It teaches that hereditary tendencies can be overcome; that one can conquer passion and impulse by the use of the Divine inheritance of Will, and compel public re- spect by lofty ideals; in other words, that one may rise on the "stepping-stones of a dead self to higher things." Mrs. Wilcox is a successful novel writer as well as a poet, and this story is another evidence of her wide range of thought. "In 'An Ambitious Man' the central figure is a woman, who becomes chastened through suffering and purified through sin." "Vivid realism stands forth from every page of this fasci- nydng and interesting book,'" Every Day. Presentation Edition, green silk cloth ..................... 81.00 AN ERRING WOMAN'S LOVE. There is always a fascination in Mrs. Wilcox' s verse, but m these beautiful examples of her genius she shows a wonderful kn y Elfr Wneefe? WUcox'has impressed many tho-. 3a nds of people with the extreme beauty of her philosophy and the rr-iUrlmpnqf fulness of her point of view. DO ston Uiooe. eXC "Mrs B Wi1coxs e t 5 a S nds at the head of fH^^JT-l^tSS her verses and essays are more widely copied and read than thVUp of any other Amer can literary woman New York wfrld "Power and pathos characterize this magnificent poem A deerTunderstanding of life and an intense sympathy are beautifully expressed. "-Chicago rrtbune. Presentation Edition. 12mp, light brown cloth ............ *i.w De Luxe Edition, white vellum, gold top .................. *" MEN, WOMEN AND EMOTIONS. A skilful analysis of social habits, customs and follies. A common sense view of life from its varied standpoints. . . . full f S " Th^e'essays tend to meet difficulties that arise in almost every^fe Full of sound and helpful admonition, and is Iu?e to assist in smoothing the rough ways of life wherever it be read and heeded. ' '-Pittsburs Jimcs. 12mo, heavy enameled paper. ........... ................... _ Presentation Edition, dark brown cloth ................... l.W THE BEAUTIFUL LAND OF NOD. the world. "-A'. O. Picayune. Quarto, sage green cloth baby's book in \V. B. CONKEY COMPANY, Hammond^ Indiana m "I/ //III ///// III//////////// /I