wild extent of woodland stretched on one side of this romantic scene; on the other a broad moor spread wide before a r

tainment, there had been perpetual discussion of the arrangements necessary, the probability of fine weather, and the date to be finally chosen. The baronet had proposed this rustic fête when his own heart had been light and happy; now he looked forward to the day with a sickening dread of its weariness. Others would be happy; but the sound of mirthful voic

guests emerged in groups from the wide, arched doorway, and took their places in the car

igible bachelors. Deeply as she was already in debt, Miss Graham had written to her French milliner, imploring her to send her a costume regardless of expense, and promising a speedy payment of at least half her long-standing account.

all due circumlocution and politeness, that, unless her long-standing account were quickly settled, legal proceedings mu

e of simplicity, it was twice as costly as her own more gorgeous attire. The jewels, too, were worth more than all the trinkets Lydia possessed; and sh

envious heart that never had she seen her look more beautiful, more elegant, or more fitted to adorn the position which Miss Graham would willingly have persuaded he

ges; but at last all was arranged apparently to every one's satisfaction. There w

gements. She saw his favourite horse brought round to the broad steps; she saw her husband mount the animal without a word of remonstrance, without so much as a reproachful glance, though her heart was swelling with pa

each other, everything tends to widen the breach. The jealous husband had chosen to separate himself from his wife in a sudden imp

nd the barouche. "Unrestrained by my presence, she will be free to revel in the flatteries of her younger admirers. She w

ns. He little dreamed that laugh was assumed, in order to deceive the malicious Lydia,

way behind the carriage, and watched

e eager for the privilege, and the occasion was a fitting one for the display of feminine coquetry. Miss Graham did not neglect the opportunity; and aft

ainful eagerness to see who would take this place, for amongst the ge

e, and seat himself opposite Lady Eversleigh. He took it for granted that it was on that lady's invitation the young man occupied this place of

sed in county history and archaeology, and will be able to tell us all manner of

She knew that her hints had already had their effect on the baronet; and she now sought, by every base and treacherous trick, to render Honoria Eversleigh an object of suspicion in the eyes of her husband. She had a doub

r than herself. She little thought that Victor Carrington's searching glance had penetrated the s

o September, the weather was warm and b

much offended him since he had first set himself to watch the surgeon. And Lady Eversleigh did not discourage her admirer; she let him talk; she seemed interested in his conversation; and as Lydia Graham and Lord Howden were entirely occupied with each other, the conversation between Honoria was a complete tête-à-tête. The young

le. The long line of equipages drew up at last on the margin of a wood; the pleasure-seekers alighted, a

his arm; she had a faint hope that he would do so, even in spite of his evident estrangement; but her hope w

Hetherington?" he said. "We old folks have pleasant memories of the past, and are the fittest companion

peech. For a moment she was inclined to break down the icy barrier of reserve. The words which she wanted to speak were almost on

ustomed deferential manner. She accepted the proffered arm, scarcely k

t. "What is this cruel mystery which divides

everal voices; "we want you to a

le parties, whose talk and laughter rang out clearly on the balmy air; sometimes strolling tête-à-tête, and engaged in conversations of a more confidential character. Half-hidden by the foliage of a little

were lulled to temporary rest by the enjoyment of her own triumphs; for the young lordling seemed

she had at last made a conquest that might be better worth the making than an

the subjugation of this empty-headed young nobleman she might attain a highe

f Raynham Castle," she thought. "As Countess of Vandeluce, I

ous one, enlivened by the sound of laughter, the popping of champagne corks, the joyous talk that emanated alike from the really light-hearted and those whose gaiet

e marquee - to the table where her husband had b

tween herself and her husband was so unexpected, so inexplicable, that she was powerless to

ndered over the smallest and most insignificant actions - the lightest words - of the pas

had said nothing, she had done nothing, wh

ery of my past life. He has heard sneering words and cruel innuendoes fall from the lips of his fashionable friends, perhaps; and he is ashamed of his marriage. He little knows how gladly I would release him from the tie that binds us - if, indeed, it has grown hateful to him." Thus musing and wandering alone, in one of the forest pat

she asked of the old groom who general

him saddled a quarter of an

ld has go

and he rode off as fast as he could go, across th' moor - it's the nighe

. What was the meaning o

the message from Raynha

for sure and certain that the message

ir Oswald take

alone.'" This was all that Honoria could learn from the groom. She walked back towards the marquee, w

ioned. Here the younger members of the party were waltzing merrily to the accompaniment of one of Strauss's sweetest waltzes; whi

s used and less crowded than the others. Here she found a servant, whom she sent into the marquee

; and Lady Eversleigh seated herself on a camp-stool,

om the marquee, but from the pathway by which she herself had come. There was an unwonted agitation about

eet him, pale

ou everywhere, Lady Eversl

or me? Something has hap

pily, of Sir Oswal

are agonizing me, Mr. Carrington - for pity

n his way across the moor, and lies dangerously hurt, at the ruins of Yarborough Tower - t

e, let me go at once! Dangerously hu

from the boy

g our company. Yes; you are a su

ry to Sir Oswald immediately, and in the meantime

ildly. "Call the servants, Mr. Carr

oice had a choking sound, and but for the surgeon's support

take her to her husband, a faint rustling stirred the underwood beneath some

bsence of Lady Eversleigh from among her guests, and, being no longer occupied by her

e by the scene which she beheld from

w the baronet's wife clinging, in some wild terror, to the arm of the surgeon; and she began to thi

ar a word that was spoken. She could only watch the

n!" repeated Honoria; "why

do him all the harm they possibly can. What would be the effect of a crowd of half-drunken men, clustering round him, with their noisy expressions of sympathy? What I have to propose is this: I am going to Sir Oswald immediately in my medical capacity. I have a gig and horse ready, under that group of fir-trees yonder - the fastest horse and lightest ve

arquee as the surgeon spoke; and

afely back at Raynham. But you had better go and tell Plummer, the groom, to send the barouche a

ed Victor; "I

me by the fir-trees when you return, ready to start with you! Do not waste

e she found the gig of which he had spoken, and the horse standin

of a sloping bank, Lydia Graham made her way, careless what injury she inflicted on her costly dress, so eager was she to discover whither lady Eversl

spot. She was still more mystified when she saw Lady Eversleigh clasp her hands before he

to elope with this Carrington. She may be wicked; but she cannot be so insane

top of the woody bank, and looking downward towards the fir-grove, with watchful eyes.

n orders about

given all nec

and drove away - slowly while they were still on the edge of the

off with that penniless young man. And now, Sir Oswald, I think you will have good reason to repent your fine romantic marriage w

en had now left the marquee; the full moon was rising, round and yellow, on the horizon, like a great globe of molten gold. Preparations

mer night, while poetically-disposed young gentlemen replied in the same strain. All was animation and excitement. The champagne and burgundy, the sparkling hock and moselle, which had been consumed in the marquee, had only rendered the ma

weak-brained young nobleman, she might lure him on until he made a formal proposal, from which he would find it no easy matter to recede; for Captain Graham was at his sister's call, and was a gentleman of no very yielding temper where his own interests were at sta

champagne and moselle had produced anything but an exhilarating effect. He was dull and stupid, pallid and sleepy;

m tell one of the grooms to put him into a close c

journey, in spite of Honoria's entreaties to Victor Carrington. The young man was almost as dull and stupid, to all appearan

of that intended stroke of treachery; but he was aware that it would involve misery and humiliation for Sir Oswald, utter ruin and disgrace for Honoria. The very un

r her; but with no avail. Sir Oswald was also missed; but Plummer, the old groom, informed Mr. Eversleigh that his uncle had left some hours be

arrington. It was Lydia who drew at

ars that something must have happened to her - that she had wandered too far, and lost her way in the wood - or that she had missed he

who had been in charge of the gig and the horse belonging to it, told the other servants that Mr. Carrington had said he

s; and the question of Lady Eversleigh's disappearance being at once

dy Eversleigh to give us such unn

second place in the barou

" she said. "I felt sure that somethi

oing home in a gig," said Lydia, maliciously; "for

Lady Eversleigh's humble extraction, an

gnorance has now betrayed her into a terrible breach of the proprieties. Her conduct is, to say the least of it, most eccentric; and you may depend, n

e. "Poor Sir Oswald! What could he expect wh

, with his arum folded, and his eyes fixed on v

ype="