Dr. Edith Romney: A Novel

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Chapter I. " Hugo ! "

" 0, these men, these men ! "

Othello.

During that last week before the concert Sibyji was a great deal at the Hall. Mr. ' Barlowe's slightly-hinted dissatisfaction had made Mrs. Lorimer insist upon the most energetic efforts on the part of the amateurs. She even went so far as to invite those performers who had hitherto practised in Mona's drawing-room to dinner twice, for the rehearsal of the whole programme. In short, she was merciless, and the organist's gratitude for her help was great.

Sibyl, therefore, saw Mr. Lester a great deal. But it did not seem as if she made much progress in softening his anger. He was always as distant and formal as on that first evening. Her

VOL. ni. 1 42

A woman's chance.

charming manner, her sweet, arch smiles, appeared to make no impression upon him. He looked at her coldly and blankly when she tried, in her bewitching way, to draw him into talk. Once or twice, when she was most gracious, she had fancied she caught the faintest smile of something almost like scorn in the comers of his grave eyes, and the fact or fancy had curiously piqued her. AVas he contemptuous of her friendliness ? Did he believe she was merely coquetting? Of that she was not quite sure herself; she disliked being treated coldly, and it was as natural as breathing to make some attempts to produce a good impression again.

One or two trifles occurred to encourage her — they proved she had a small remnant of power over him. She was quick to notice that an unexpected address from her made him start, and that his eyes followed her whenever he believed her unobservant of his glance. One evening she dropped her handkerchief as she stood near the piano. Lester, who sat some little way off, apparently absorbed in a magazine, sprang forward and picked it up. As she took it their fingers touched, and either the stooping or the touch brought a quick flush to his face.

The next afternoon she sat alone in the library in the dusk. Violet had been summoned to see

" HUGO ! "

callers, and Sibyl lay back in a great arm-chair, quite in shadow. The door opened, and Lester looked in.

" When he sees me he will go away," thought Sibyl.

He did not go away. He closed the door, and came and threw himself on the hearthrug, putting out his hands towards the red bed of coals.

" How cold and raw it is to-day ! Even riding hardly warmed one. This is delicious," he remarked, in a tone of satisfaction.

For some reason the friendly manner and voice made her heart beat faster. She kept motionless for a half-minute, and then leaned forward to say something. Her fair face was gentle and grave in the warm firelight.

Lester turned. He started, and stumbled to his feet. " I beg your pardon," he said, hastily. " I — I thought you were Miss Lorimer."

A chill struck her. A hot tear smarted in each eye.

Lester took out his watch. '* I may as well go and dress at once," he muttered.

But Sibyl sprang up. " If one of us must drive the other away, I will go," she exclaimed. *' You need the fire, and I am quite warm."

"Miss Fane ! — pray ! " he deprecated.

She swept past him with a laugh, and he was

A woman's chance.

left with the confused impression of an angry glance flashed from wet grey eyes. That was the last day but one before the concert.

Next morning Sibyl was writing letters, and finding the duty rather irksome than agreeable, when Mr. Lester was shown into the room. Miss Fane slightly raised her eyebrows as she shook hands.

" Do you mind sitting by this fire while I am in the room?" she inquired, demurely, as she pushed forward a lounge. **But perhaps you have called to see my brother — I am sorry to say he has just started on his rounds."

*^No — my errand is to you," said Lester, fumbling in his pocket.

"EeaUy?" in innocent surprise.

" I was charged to deliver this note to you."

Sibyl read the note.

"It needs no answer," she said carelessly. " It is only a reminder from Mrs. Lorimer of a question she wishes me to ask Austin. I am sorry you have been troubled to bring it. You should have made Mr. Lorimer do so — what are young men for if they can't make themselves useful ? "

'' Lorimer has gone hunting."

" Why didn't you go ?" she asked, serenely.

" I had an errand or two in the town," he

replied.

'' HUGO ! "

" I return to London to-morrow morning."

" Really ? " she murmured. " Then you will not hear this unique concert ? "

"No. You see, I have been privileged so greatly in hearing the practisings that I am almost resigned to my loss. I have done my duty. I have contented Mrs. Lorimer by buying the tickets she ordered me to buy."

" You have done nobly."

" Can I do anything for you when I get back ? " he asked. " Can I take any message to Mrs. Fane ? "

"Thank you," said Sibyl. "You are very kind. But I think it is hardly worth while to trouble you. I was just writing to Aunt Fane," — she spoke very slowly. " The fact is, I am sorry — I am very sorry — ^but the fact is, she has summoned me back to her at once. She cannot spare me any longer — she insists upon my returning to London for the coming season — and I am sadly afraid I must obey her. Indeed, I have hardly been able to get permission to stay over this concert."

Lester's face was downcast — quick changes were passing over it.

" When do you go ?" he asked, with constraint.

" On Saturday." She glanced at him, and

A woman's chance.

went on in the same sweet tone of regretful sympathy. " Indeed, I am sorry ; I quite understand how unfortunate it is. But, you see, it can't be helped. Wanningster is not my home, and I must return to Aunt Fane's sooner or later. Don't you think by careful management it will be possible to a great extent at least to avoid meeting ? "

" I hope so," he muttered involuntarily, below his breath.

"Ah, I am so glad you think so," she said, more cheerfully. " If we both try — "

Lester raised his eyes and looked across at her.

The words died on her lips as she met his direct gaze.

" You quite ignore the serious cause I have to avoid you," he said.

" I am afraid you won't let me ignore the fact that you are as unreasonable as the rest of your sex when you don't get exactly what you want," she said. Her eyes were very bright ; she got up from her seat, and stood with her hands loosely clasped behind.

" Unreasonable ! " he exclaimed, also rising.

"Yes. Most unreasonable," she repeated,

calmly.

" Would you kindly explain ? " — ironically.

" HUGO ! "

" Your unreasonableness ? " with a light laugh. " I fear the task would be impossible ! "

"I think you would turn everything into jest," he said, pacing about a little.

" What else should I do ? — I always like comedy better than tragedy."

" I wish you would be serious for five minutes. I should like to know what you mean by my unreasonableness ? "

" How you worry the poor word ! " said Sibyl. "Is it such a grave charge ? Candidly, don't you think it is unreasonable for a man — mind, a man — to bear malice for — let me see, how long ? — for six months against a woman for changing her mind ? "

" Oh, that is how you put it I " He laughed. " Now hear my side. Do you expect a man who has been deluded, played with, thrown aside, and made a mockery of — do you expect a man who has had the dearest hope of his life in his grasp, as it were, one moment, and then snatched away the next — do you expect him to think and feel so little of all this that he can meet the woman who has made him suffer so like a mere acquaintance, and be ready to answer her with jests and laughter ? "

Sibyl crushed her hands together. The strong

terras of his side stung her like sharp strokes

A woman's chance.

from a lash. The pain, so new, so strange, so stinging, made her only perversely rebellious.

" But I suppose you do," exclaimed Lester. ** What else should you think ? You can surely have no heart, to treat other people's as you do."

" A barrister should be able to argue logically," she said, derisively. " But your remark is trite — as trite as — grapes are sour. A man always thinks that about the woman who is unfortunate enough not to be able to give her heart to him. It is the only possible explanation of the mystery, I suppose."

"But if a man hears one day that he haa gained her heart,'' said Lester, facing her steadily, "and only four days after — "

The bright, vivid scarlet swept over her face. She threw back her head haughtily. "Was it not better to find out my mind at once than when it was too late ? "

" You would not have found it out then," said Lester, in a low moved voice.

" What do you mean ? "

" I should have made you happy — I loved — I worshipped you so ! "

" You are very confident ! " She laughed outright. " Too confident — did I not tell you that

I was afraid ? "

" HUGO ! "

"All your remarks were characterised by perfect candour."

" As soon as we were engaged I felt afraid/' said Sibyl. '' I felt that T had lost my freedom — that I was a trapped creature — I belonged to some one. Oh, I could not endure it 1 I must be free— I must always be free. I will not marry." She said this with a defiant, bewitching smile.

Lester looked at her as she stood opposite, slender, graceful, with her fair head thrown back a little, and calm, wilful, smiling eyes, and felt an insane desire to carry her off, in the fashion of the good old days — as the " strong man from the north," for instance, managed his wooing. She bewitched, she tormented him ; he was bafiied and exasperated by her, and yet he longed to kiss her lovely, audacious lips.

**I think you are right," he said, brusquely, as he took up his hat and riding- whip. " An inclining of mercy towards your unfortunate men fellow-creatures would prompt you to make that determination widely public, Miss Fane."

" I might then escape hard accusations and much injustice."

" It is possible you might," he said drily.

"But now we have had another quarrel

A woman's chance.

about it, you will let bygones be bygones ? " she said. '^ You will forgive me ? "

"According to your own showing, I have nothing to forgive," he said, moving to the door ; "and according to mine, there is no possibility of my forgiving you. Good morning."

Sibyl stood quite motionless for a few

minutes after he had gone. She was very

pale, her eyes were hard and bright, and her

lips were pressed close together. " I will not

go to-night," she said aloud. " I will not.

* Deluded ' — * played with ' — ^ thrown aside '

— ' made a mockery of ' " — she went over the

words that had struck her so sharply, and each

repetition was sharper, keener pain than when

he had uttered them. His harsh judgment of

her behaviour to him was a severe shock. The

unconscious belief, caused and fostered by the

adulation and homage given her by men, that

all she did and said to them must be charming,

received its death-blow. She felt shaken, scared,

dismayed. For some time she walked about

the room unable to think of anything else.

She had at first resolved not to go to the Hall

this evening, but as the day wore away that

Her absence w^ould disappoint Violet, and upset

their last practising ; it would occasion more

" HUGO ! "

talk than it was worth as she had no excuse of illness to send ; and, chief reason of all, if she kept away this evening Mr. Lester might suspect it was on his account; he might even guess at the truth — that his words had had some effect upon her — and that thought was not to be endured. She dressed herself with great care and went.

All the performers assembled, for it was the last evening before the great event, and there was an atmosphere of excitement over the proceedings — each singer being painfully conscious of the importance of his or her part. Sibyl was the most unconcerned of all. As she came into the drawing-room before dinner, all in soft trailing white and jflashing ornaments, she looked so fair and brilliant that more than one pair of eyes were dazzled.

" Ah,'' thought young Barlowe, with a pang of admiration, *' if she looks like that to-morrow evening, it will not matter how many mistakes she makes."

While Lester turned hastily to the person next him, and plunged headlong into talk.

Oscar jflushed and paled as Sibyl passed him,

and watched her with unwilling admiration.

At times he felt as if he hated her for her

fairness. She glanced round after speaking to

A woman's chance.

Mrs. Lorimer, and smiled at him, even moved a step nearer to put an animated question about a trio she was to sing with him and Bertie.

Dinner was a very business-like meal. Sibyl was glad when it was over. She and Oscar and Bertie were lively in the extreme at their end, although Mr. Lester's grave, impassive countenance opposite was cold enough to check any mirth.

The girls took possession of the piano for some preliminary efforts before Mr. Barlowe appeared, and Sibyl sauntered into the conservatory.

She had not sat there in the fragrant shade for five minutes, when, raising her head, she found Oscar standing before her.

He laughed rather oddly. *' How deep in thought you are ! " he said, dropping into the seat beside her.

"One must think, sometimes," she said, lightly, somewhat embarrassed at being caught in a reverie.

Oscar laughed as if he found her words delightfully amusing. He put one arm along the back of the seat behind her, and bent towards her with a curious, watchful look on his handsome face.

"Yes; it is a disagreeable duty," he mur-

" HUGO ! "

mured. "You looked as if you found it very disagreeable when I came in."

Something in his manner roused Sibyl's alarm. His face was flushed, his eves were restless and excited. She wished fervently that she had not left the safety of numbers in the drawing-room. " I must go in for the practising now," she said coldly, and made a movement to rise.

But Oscar put out his hand to detain her.

" There is no hurry. Barlowe is putting Chutterworth through his song, and growing haggard with despair. We are not wanted yet. It is far pleasanter here."

" Yes ; but we must not keep the others waiting," — icily.

" There is no danger of that. Why are you in such a hurry ? Why do you speak like that ? What can I have possibly done since we parted after dioner to oiFend you ? "

Sibyl resigned herself to her fate — angry at the calm insolence of the last remark, and yet afraid of exciting him further if she showed any resentment. She leaned back, and said carelessly, ' ' What an imagination you have ! "

" I may have — but the most powerful

imagination needs something to set it going."

Sibyl looked thoughtful. "Isn't there an

A woman's chance.

expression — it strikes me I have heard it — about a creative imagination ? ''

Oscar burst out laughing. There was a mirthlessness, a harshness, in his laughter she did not like.

" So you are going away ? " he said, keeping the same v^ratchful glance upon her, his colour changing as he spoke. '' I heard the news just now."

" It is quite true. I go home on Saturday."

" That is very soon. What shall we do without you ? "

"What you did before I came, I suppose. I have not the vanity to suppose Wanningster will suffer for my departure."

" Do you really think that ? " — staring at her.

"Think what?"

"That your visit has made no difference — that we can, as you say, go on as we did before — that /can, at least ? "

Sibyl drew a long sigh — what she had dreaded was coming now, and she called her courage and self-possession to her aid, for it certainly seemed to her that her task would be less easy than it had been the first time in London. She shrank from the idea of a scene — she had not half her former serenity.

" Please don't talk any nonsense."

'' HUGO ! "

" 1 won't — if you will tell me what to talk about," said Oscar, making a great effort to control himself.

She drew a breath of relief.

"Ah, now you are sensible. I shall be very sorry to leave Wanningster. I have made some pleasant friends here. But I shall see them when I come to visit my brother ; and I hope that when you are in London you will come and see me.'' She smiled at him and rose composedly to return.

Oscar sprang up, and placed himself before her. He was terribly excited. He stared at her hard, with a burning glance that was fierce in its wretchedness; and, when she made a startled attempt to pass him, he seized her hand, and held it unawares so tightly that the rings hurt her soft fingers, and she pressed her lips in pain.

" Do you ask me to do that ? — do you think I will ever knowingly put myself in your way again ? " he cried, in low-toned vehemence. " I wish I had never seen your face again — I wish I had never seen it at all. You can have no idea how much I wish that ! I have helped to give you some amusement during your stay in Wanningster, and I should be content with that fact, and the permission to see j^ou when I go to

London. I must not complain — I am not to

A woman's CHAJ^CE.

talk * nonsense' — it is my own fault — I ought to have remembered my London episode."

" You are unreasonable — ^you are unjust! " exclaimed Sibyl, scornfully. " Can you blame me because you did not know your own mind ? Let me go ! "

He dropped her hand ; the passion died out of his face. * * You have made up the sum of your benefits to me," he said, slowly.

Just as he uttered the words Lester, who had entered the conservatory a moment ago, and was walking with bent head towards them, caught the sound of voices, and looked up. Seeing the two standing together, he turned at once to retreat. At the same moment the sound of his step reached Oscar. He glanced round, saw Lester, and making Sibyl a low bow, he disappeared through the door opening into the garden, near which they were standing, before she was aware of his intention.

There was a rustle of drapery, and a low agitated call behind Lester.

" Hugo !— Mr. Lester ! "

He wheeled round. Sibyl was close behind, pale and startled, with heaving breast and imploring hands.

"Take me into the drawing-room," she faltered.

Lester seized her hands. ** What is the

" HUGO 1 "

matter ? has he been annoying you ? " with a wrathful glance towards the door of Oscar s exit.

" I want to go back to the drawing-room," said Sibyl. She tried to draw away her hands, but Lester held them fast. He bent towards her close.

"Yes, yes — but you are not fit to face them yet. One moment, Sibyl — why did you call me that just now ? "

She blushed hotly and looked down. " I did not know what I was saying — I was confused ; " and then vehemently, "Oh, why do you ask me ? Let me go —someone will be coming — 1 forgot — it was a mistake."

" I wish you would make it again," said Lester. " Sibyl, dear, be true to me ! — tell me honestly whether you have changed your mind unalterably as to what you said about caring for me last July. Don't play with me any longer ! "

His voice was earnest and entreating. Sibyl had a short struggle with herself, holding off from him, with her blushing face turned away.

"You said you could never forgive me," she murmured, half shyly, half archly.

"Forgive me for behaving so badly this

morning," he said.

" I will, if you will let me go now." VOL. III. 17 43

A woman's chance.

He released her hands, and sorrowfully turned away. But Sibyl touched his sleeve, — " Hugo ! " " Well — is it a mistake this time ? " " Yes — if you don't take it as it is meant," she answered, saucily.

Chapter II. Before The Concert

" She stood up in bitter case, with a pale yet steady face, Like a statue thunderstruck, which, though quivering, seems

to look Right against the thunder place. *' — ^Mrs. Browning.

" Thou find'st to be too busy is some danger." — Hamlet.

Next morning Edith received a visit from Mona. The young lady, in her clinging, trailing, curious dress, came into the dining-room with a hurried step, and both hands outstretched.

" Miss Romney ! Tve come to throw myself upon your compassion ! " exclaimed she, breathlessly, and for a moment Edith feared a literal suiting of the action to the word. She took the outstretched hands in their long, untidy gloves, and guided her visitor to a chair.

" Is anything the matter ? " she asked.

Mona sprang up again, excitedly. " I want

you to do me a favour — a great, great favour ! "

'* If it is anything in my power — "

A woman's chance.

" Oh, it is ! it is ! Promise you will help me, dear Miss Eorimey ! ''

Edith knew Mona too well to feel alarmed at this exaggerated agitation. She smilingly shook her head. " Impossible to promise anything in the dark. Tell me what this immense favour is."

" If you don't grant it I shall be in despair," cried Mona, clasping her long hands tragically. " You are my only resource, and if you fail me, I don't know what I shall do." And then, in a more rational manner, she added, " I want you to take me to the concert this evening."

" Is that all ? "

** Ah ! you don't know what it means to me ! — Then you will take me ? "

" I don't want to go at all," said Edith, frankly. " Besides, I thought you intended going with Mrs. Chutterworth."

" I didl' said Mona, darkly.

Edith's lips twitched in spite of herself.

'* Won t you tell me a little more ? " she suggested.

" ' I must needs tell thee all ; ' and when you

hear, you will see how terrible the consequences

of your refusal will be." Mona threw herself

upon the hearthrug and hugged her knees, while

she gazed impressively at Edith. " The fact is,

I come fresh from a dreadful quarrel with Jack."

BEFORE THE CONCERT.

This was not the first time Mona had made this confession ; Edith bore the announcement, therefore, with fortitude.

" You will make it up before this evening," she said.

" Never ! "

'' Pray think better of it ! "

Mona obstinately shook her head. " ' When I'm determined, I always listen to reason, because it can then do no harm,' " she quoted.

** Remember you are to be married in a fortnight."

" I don't think that will stop our quarrelling — it will only give us more opportunities."

" It seems rather a sad prospect."

" * Where quarrelling is bliss, 'tis folly to be quiet ' — and all married people do quarrel ; it's the chief privilege of the state. Jack and I are only preparing for our felicity. ' I hope upon familiarity will grow more contempt.' But this quarrel is an exception to all the others — it is one that can never be made up ! Why, Miss Romney, what do you think it was about ? "

Edith tried to think of some cause trivial enough.

** Well, you must know," said Mona, "that I

showed him the dress I mean to wear this

evening, — actually took the trouble of putting

A woman's chance.

it on this morning, — and he positively said he couldn't admire it ! And it's the loveliest costume ! — a sort of tawny orange and peacock blue, with a fan of peacock feathers. So I told him, * quenching my familiar smile with an austere regard of control,' that he was a Philistine, and that I wouldn't go with his mother and the girls to-night. You see they are going to finish up with a supper at The Elms ; but I told Jack I wouldn't go. I sent him away quite miserable, and he deserves it — he deserves to be punished, and he shall be ! Papa, of course, will be in attendance on Miss Eobinson ; and I have only you — if you won't take pity on me, and be my chaperoUy I shall be^the most forlorn creature under the sun. Sometimes I think I am already."

" But I like Mr. Jack, and I don't want to help to punish him," objected Edith.

Mona pleaded — she couldn't go with the

Ch utter worths, she coulda't go with her father,

and yet she must do her part — Mrs. Lorimer

would never forgive her for disturbing the

arrangements at the last moment — although she

would enjoy doing so because Jack would be so

unhappy. In short, she had set her heart upon

it. Edith did not wish to go, still less did she

care to help Mona s amiable scheme for worrying

her betrothed; but then Mona would certainly

BEFORE THE CONCERT.

keep her word about not going under the Chutterworths' escort, and compliance with her whim would probably bring the refractory young lady back to common sense sooner than anything else. So Mona got her own way, and that done, she gleefully produced a ticket.

** You go as a friend of one of the performers, so you must sit with the others," she said. " They have seats reserved for them at the side of the platform. All the hall is left for the public, and we have good hopes that it will be filled. We expect a grand success. Papa has given tickets to a lot of his work-people, and so has Mr. Chutterworth. He wouldn't have spent the money, only, as his own children are to take part, he is anxious they should not sing to empty benches — and then he likes to act the great man. And I am so glad you are going, Miss Eomney ! I shall always be grateful to you for taking pity upon me in my need — always ! "

Edith was indifferent as to what part of the

hall she sat in. Had she had her own way, she

would have chosen a less conspicuous place ; but

she was in Monads hands, and Mona settled it as

she pleased. The old town-hall was of modest

size, for it had been built in the sleepy days

before Wanningster became enterprising and

ambitious. There was, therefore, no absurdity

A WOMAN S CHANCE.

in its being engaged for the purpose of an amateur concert ; nor were the performers' hopes of its being filled at all unreasonable. Indeed, as some of the richest families in the town were interested in its success, their names, their talk about it, and their friends' talk, almost made advertising unnecessary. But no means had been neglected, and expectations were sanguine. Mrs. Lorimer arrived amongst the earliest. She lingered a while in the little room at the right of the platform, where the performers were assembling, and where they were to wait between their songs, spoke encouragingly to each, repeatedly adjuring them not to be nervous, and then, attended by Lester, — who, it is needless to say, had found business would allow him to stay for this important occasion, — she proceeded to her seat of honour, in the front row. Through a double eye-glass she watched the interesting operation of the seats filling, now and then making some gracious bow of recognition, now and then addressing her companion with a smile that showed her to be well pleased. Soon Mrs. Lorimer's attention was claimed by other friends, who had seats on those favoured benches, and a great deal of chatter and congratulation went on in the charmed spot.