and the midsummer sunlight shone up

ng range of noble Tudor windows looked out upon the broad terrace, beyond which there was a garden, or pleasaunce, sloping down to the park. In the centre of this long fa?ade there was an archway, opening into a stone quadrangle, where a fountain played perpetually in a marble basin. This was Ra

r the castle, and as good a chance of a welcome, as he who had once been acknowledged heir to tha

, and had taken up his abode in a modest lodging, situated in a small street at the West-end of London. Here he had tried to live

playing billiards, haunting all the aristocratic temples of folly and dissipation; but, at the worst, conducting himself with gre

on; "but take care that your little follies don't reach the ears of your uncle

I throw myself over one of the bridges, and make an end of my miserable existence, the better. According to Millard's account my uncle's infatuation for that singing-girl grows stronger and stronger. Not a w

to your chances. I think, from what Millard tells us, there is very little doubt Sir Oswald will make a fool of himself by marrying this girl. If he does, we must set our wits to work to prevent his leaving her his fortune. She is utterly friendless and

erstand you,

in which he was apt to address his friend; "but that is not of the smallest consequence. Only do what I tel

ween Raynham Castle and Arlington Street, and during which

n who paid so handsomely for that pupil's education. She had always a good account to give of Sir Oswald's protégée- there never was so much talent united to so much industry, according to Miss B

ger improved day by day. The Italian singing-master spoke in raptures of his pupil - never was there a finer organ or more talent. Miss Mil

t on her own industry depended her future fortune. He no longer spoke in glowing terms of that brilliant pathway which lay before her. His manner was entirely changed, a

upon this alteration one day

that Sir Oswald Eversleigh has changed his mind with regard to your

ey, which would be wasted if I were not to make music my profession. Besides, what else have I to look to in the future? Remember, Sir Oswald has

when I think of any pupil of mine standing on a public stage, to be gazed at by the common herd; and I told Sir Oswald, when he first proposed bringing you here, that it would be necessary to keep your destiny a profound secret from your fellow-pupils; for I assure you, my love, there are mammas and papas who would come to this house in the dead of the night

his protégée's progress were more than usually enthusiastic, his visits were generally followed very speedily by the arrival of some costly gift for Miss Beaumont's p

itude was obvious to her generous protector. Her beautiful face was illuminated with an unwonted radiance when she entered the drawing-room

new graces; and her beauty had developed into fresh splendour in the calm repose of that comfortable abode. She was liked by her fellow-pupils; but s

er chief happiness had been derived from her studies. Thus it was, perhaps, t

swald's mail-phaeton and pair drove

the pupils seated near the windows, a

d. She had not long to wait. The young woman appeared at the door in a

It was the first time that she had ever known Miss Beaumont to

and took the hand which

s Beaumont that I had something of a serious nature

nk I can guess what you are going to say," she added, after a moment's hesitation; "my musical educatio

"so far from wishing to hasten your musical education, I am abou

me this, Sir Oswald -you who have so often told me that all my h

art very much

I love li

resign all idea of a public career - to aban

d then the girl answe

the cruel streets, amongst all the noise and confusion, singing to people who cared so little to hear me. I have never thought of that - I love m

eauty, as well as your voice, would win - does the idea of r

hook her h

throng of the opera-house, but the squalid crowd which gathers before the door of a gin-shop, to listen to a vagrant ballad-singer. I have sung at races, where the rich and the high-bo

silent admiration, and it was some momen

hes is delightful, and - and I think I shall be better able to say what I wish t

e always preserved in her intercourse with him, and they walked out upon the velvet lawn

out for you a career by which you might win distinction for yourself, and placed you in the way of following that career. I meant to spend last year upon the Continent. I did not expect to see you once in twelve months; but the strange influence which possessed me in the hour of our first meeting grew stronger upon me day by day. In spite of myself, I thought of you; in spite of myself I came here again and again, to look upon your face, to hear your voice, for a few brief moments, and then to go out into the world, to find it darker and colder by c

urely, you must know that I admire and reverence you for all your noble

steem. Do you remember the night I first heard y

in a tone of surprise - the question seemed so strange t

were singing - the last song

e answering It was evident that she could not

aid; "I was so weary, so miserable; and yet, stay,

listened to every note of that old ballad. Although those words had long been familiar to me, they seemed new and strange that night. An irresistible impulse led me to the spot where you had sunk down in your helplessness. From that hour to this you have been the ruling influence of my life. I

make you happ

erably

it is

ite of the differenc

a woman's affection? From the first hour in which some guardian angel threw me across your pathway, what have I seen

ure brow -"Honoria, you have made me too happy. I can scarcely believe that this happiness is not som

upreme happiness he was obliged to remember Miss Beaumont, who

a professional career, Honoria?" said

ey you in

ou leave this house, you will

was evidently somewhat astonished by the duration

usual for a gentleman visitor and a pupil to promenade in the grounds tête-à-tête; but I suppose, in

be reminded of his time of life at the very moment when he

e of admiring your grounds, Miss Beaumont," he said, pres

al privileges under this roof - a separate bed-room, silver forks and spoons, roast veal or lamb on Sundays, throughout the summer season - to say nothing of th

day, and an important change will, I trust, speedily occur in my life, and in that of Miss Milford. When I first proposed bringing her to you, you asked me if she was a relation; I t

best to suppress all signs of that feeling. Sir Oswald told her that, as Miss Milford was an orphan, and without any near relative, he would wish to take her stra

pupil, Lady Eversleigh;" or, "that sweet girl, Miss Milford, who afterwards married the wealthy baronet, Sir Oswald Eversleigh." Sir Oswald pleaded for an early celebration of the marriage - and Honoria, accustomed to obey him in all things, did not oppose his wish in this crisis of his life. Once more Sir Oswald wrote a cheque

tnight to the delightful task of shopping. She drove into town almost every day with Honoria, and hours were spent in the choice of silks

ing-fit from sheer exhaustion before the counter at Howell and James's, sooner than I would fail in my duty to the

with a nameless and friendless bride? Miss Beaumont was the only person whom he could trust, and even her he had d

the penetration of the watchful Millard. He had perceived that the baronet was more than usually

know what it is. I dare say that young woman is at the bottom of it. I never did see

his friend in blank despair

said; "and now, perhaps, you will beli

ald Eversleigh made any communication to his valet. Wh

you will hold yourself in readiness to accompany me. I shall post from London, starting from a ho

going abr

do not go alone. I am going to be married to-morrow mo

lcome to old servants as the marriage of a master who has long been a bachelor. Let the bride be never so fair, never so high-born, she will be looked on as an in

for the journey of the following day, and could find no time

I dare say, poor, unfortunate y

peared in "The Times" newspaper; for, though he had celebrated that marriage wit

Fulham, Sir Oswald Morton Vansittart Eversleigh, Ba

er a night spent in dissipation and folly. He threw the paper away from him, with an oath, and hurried to his toilet. He dressed h

in a cottage, which was then almost in the country. It was a comfortable l

e hackney coachman; "I shall

ld Eversleigh strode impatiently past the trim little servant~girl who

ear its fairest shape. In the snug drawing-room to which Reginald Eversleigh was admitted all was bright and fresh. White muslin curtains shaded the French

this elegance of poverty. For him nothing but

to him while he s

with his unexpected visitor. "I can see that you have something of im

ery much to see you, you may depend upon it, Carrington," answered Reginal

are good enough to call it - suits my habits. Besides

l's house," said Reg

rds and flowers," answered the surgeon; "and

ransformation as he spoke of his mother. The bright glitter o

and dangerous nature was this man

t at the back of the house, and e

rt or elegance. The bare, white-washed walls had no adornment but a deal shelf here and there, loaded with strange-looking phials and gallipots. Here all the elaborate paraphernalia of a chemist's la

d about him in ut

the laboratory of some alchymist of the Middle Ages

astic student of my art

some object on the table near the stove. Carrington perceived the glance, and, wi

Reginald Eversleigh had distinguished the nature of th

of metal, wi

, eh, Carrington?" said Mr. Eversleigh.

in chemistry are poisonous

nger in the atmosphere

you have bad news to tell me, or you would

ws. My uncle has married

try to turn this m

w s

strangement. You can venture to speak freely of these things now, you will say, for now that your honoured uncle has found new ties you can no longer be suspected of any mercenary motive. You can now approach him boldly, you will say, for you have hencefor

a wonderful fel

ored to your old position as your uncle's heir.

rives, you shall not

your letter. I want to see you invited to Ray

why

de is like. Our future plans

before seen. She was very like her son. She had the same pale, sallow face, the same glittering black eyes. S

as he stood for a few minutes talking to her. Nothing which interested her son was witho

West-end that morning. He lost no time in writing the letter suggested by his friend, a

reach my uncle at a time when he will be intoxicated with his new position as the husband of a young and lovely bride; and

o his epistle with feverish impatienc

urn of post, and was even more favourable than his m

ouched me to the heart. Let the past be forgotten and forgiven. I do not doubt th

e. I am spending the first weeks of my married life amidst the lovely solitudes of North Wales. On the 24th of this month, Lady Eversleigh and I go to Raynham, where we shall be glad to see you immediately on our a

d Eversleigh and Victor Carrington dined together that evenin

lf as agreeable as possible to the bride, win your uncle's heart by an appearance of extreme remor

uce can you hel

lds, and take care to follow suit with whatever cards you see me playing. Whatever I do will be done in your interest, depend upon it. Mind, by the

I shall be inclined to trust you implicitly in the future. I suppose you will want to be paid r

you know, and do not pretend to be disinterested or generous. H

re to set foot upon that broad terrace, never more to pass beneath the shadow of that grand old archw

ld servants looked at him coldly, and that their greeting was the chilling welcome which is accorded to a poor relation. He had never done much to win affection or gratitude in the days of

uffer for their insolence," thought the young man, as he walked across

s servants. Another and far more important person occ

t home?" he asked, wh

dyship is in the

oor, and ushered Reginald into one of

dressed in pale gray silk, relieved only by a scarlet ribbon twisted in the masses of her raven hair. Her beauty had the same effect upon Regi

, is my uncle's wife," he thought; "this is the stree

inald Eversleigh stood abashed before the calm pr

adopted son who had once been so dear to him. But while ready to open his arms to the repentant prodigal, his intentions with regard to the disposit

he first confidential conversation which they

more roughly reared. Since you have left the army, I have heard no more of your follies; and I trust that you have at last struck out a better path for yourself, and separated yourself from all dangerous associates. But you must choose a new profession. You must not live an idle life on the small income which you rec

ir, and am ready to ob

hoose to enter yourself as a student in the Temp

cle, you ar

e to others. And now, Reginald, we will speak no

beautiful creatur

iful - a pearl of price, Reginald. I thank P

sor of Raynham Castle, I suppose,

y, almost as if in answer

old vigour. But death sometimes comes suddenly to men whose life seems as full of promise as mine seems to me now. I wish that when I die there may be no possible disa

r," murmured Reginald, who felt that hi

the landed estates will, of course, go to him; but in any case, Lady Eversleigh will be mistress of a large fortune. I leave five thousand a year to each of my nephews. As for you, Reginald, you will, perhaps, consider yourself bitterly wronged; but you must, in justice, remember that you have been your own enemy. The annuity of t

statements from his uncle's lips. Fortunately for the young man, Sir Oswald did not observe his countenance, for at this

g?" he asked. "I have transacted all my business, an

better than by showing me some more o

ride or drive? Perhaps, as the afternoon is hot, we had better take the barouche," continue

Already he had contrived to banish the traces of emotion from his

d, unaccustomed to luxury and splendour - were each to have an income of five thousand. And this woman - this base, unk

ress of the mansion. There are some women who seem fitted to occupy any station, however lofty. They need no teaching; they are in no way bewildered by the novelty of wealth or splendour; they make no errors. They possess an instinctive tac

it caused her no bewilderment; it did not dazzle her unaccustomed eyes. She received her husband's nephew with the friendly, yet dignified, bearing which it was fitting Sir Os

e. But, then, who would not act a part for such a prize as she is likely to win? I wish Victor were here. He, perhaps, might be able to penetrate the secret of her existence.

ham to pay their homage to Sir Oswald's bride. Nothing could exceed her husband's pride as he beheld her courted and admired. No shadow of jealousy obscured his pleasure when he saw younger men flock round her to wor

but with such a man, one breath of suspicion, one word of slander

e. They had gone nowhere without him since his arrival at the castle; for at present he was

Oswald; "and you will find the old place more to your taste, I dare say,

h for the arrival of your bachelor friends; though I dar

l. Do you remember Lydia Graham, the si

member her

something like a flirtat

in the barouche; Reginald rode by their side, o

est of the castle, there was a range of heather-clad hills; and between those hills and the village of Raynham there flowe

the grandeur of wilder scenery, were alike

heir drive the summit of a wooded hill, whence a superb range of country was to be

wife alighted, and walked up a woody pathway leading to the summ

and it was only on the summit that the open country burst on the view of the pedestrian. On the summit they found a gentleman seated

m his work as Sir Oswald and his companions approached. He wore a loose travelling

of firs near at hand, fastened t

er was Victo

igh; "whoever would have thought of

e looked handsomer in his artistic costume than ever Reginald Eversleigh had seen him look before. The loose vel

ave still more right to be surprised

ncle, Sir Oswald Eversl

in four miles of the village of Abbey w

little distance from the two young men; but Sir

end, Reginald," he said,

raceful bearing was calculated to make an agreeable impression at the outset, and Si

fter glancing at the young man's sketch, which, even i

ly bring myself to resign it. I have been wandering about this delightful county for the last week or two, with my sketch-book under my arm - halting for a day or

neighbourhood, you must take your horses from the

e inn by Abbe

rs, Mr. Carrington, according to country habits.

Sir Oswald; but my d

excuse a traveller's toilet. If you are not bent upon finishing this very charming sketc

ome to Yorkshire with the intention of studying this woman as a man studies an abstruse and difficult science; but he was too great a tactic

od market out of her beauty; but it is only the beginning o

arently accidental revelation of his early struggles, his mother's poverty, his patient studies, and indomitable perseverance. He told of these things without seeming to tell them; a word now, a chance all

should not fear for his future career, Mr. Carrington," said the bar

ise in me are qualities which you cannot expect to find in him. I was a pupil in the stern school of poverty from my earliest infancy, while Reginald was reared in the lap of luxury. Pardon me, Sir O

do you

have become a blackleg, a swindler, a drunkard, a beggar at the doors of the kinsman who had cast him off. But it was not so with Reginald Eversleigh. From the moment in which he found himself cast adrift by the benefactor who had been more than a father to him, he confronted evil for

began to think that it was just possible

which I arrived a year and a half ago is one that I cannot alter now. I have formed new ties; I have new hopes for the future. My nephew must pay the penalty of his past errors, and must look to

f the conversation. He had sown the seeds of doubt and uncertainty in the baronet's breast. Time only could bring the harv