XXXIII -- VIOLET REGAINS HER LIBERTY
THE light was fading when Violet Wayne lay in a low chair by the fire inHester Earle's drawing-room. A bitter wind wailed dolefully outsideamong the swaying trees, and the room was growing dusky, but now andthen a flickering blaze from the hearth forced up the girl's face out ofthe shadow. It was, so Hester who sat opposite her fancied, curiouslyweary, and there was a suggestive listlessness in her attitude. She had,though few of those who met her would have suspected it, been livingunder a constant strain during the last two or three months, and it wasa relief to feel that for the time at least she could relax her effortsto preserve her customary serenity. Hester evidently understood this,for she was a young woman of discernment, and the two were closefriends.
"I am glad you have asked the Cochrane girls to stay with you, Violet,"she said. "I think you need stirring up, and though there is not a greatdeal in Lily Cochrane or her sister, nobody could accuse them of unduequietness. They are coming?"
"I believe so, but Lily seemed uncertain whether she could get away, andwas to telegraph us to-night. Still, I almost fancy I would rather bewithout them. There are times when one scarcely feels equal toentertaining anybody."
Hester nodded sympathetically. "Of course, but it is in just such casesthe effort is most likely to prove beneficial," she said. "Have you hadany word from Tony since he left?"
"Two or three lines written in pencil from Havana. He was going into thecountry to find Mr. Appleby."
Hester gazed thoughtfully at the fire for awhile, and then suddenlyfixed her eyes upon her companion's face.
"We have been friends since the time we wore short frocks, and thatimplies a good deal," she said. "Now, it is a little more difficult todeceive me than the rest--and I have been concerned about you lately. Iwonder if I dare ask you if you have quite forgiven Tony?"
"I don't know"; and Violet's voice was a trifle strained. "I feel that Ishould--but it is difficult, and I can't convince myself. It may be alittle easier by and by."
Hester made a little sympathetic gesture, though she was almostastonished, for it was seldom that Violet Wayne revealed her feelings.
"Still, we understood that you would marry him when he came back," shesaid.
Her companion sat still for almost a minute, while the flickeringfirelight showed the pain in her face. Ever since the shock of NettieHarding's disclosure had passed she had grappled with the questionHester had suggested, and striven to reconcile herself to the answer.Tony had been suddenly revealed to her as he was, and the love she hadonce cherished had not survived her belief in him, but there was in hera depth of almost maternal tenderness and compassion which fewsuspected, and the man's feebleness appealed to it. She knew how heclung to her, and that if she cast him off he would inevitably sink.There was a trace of contempt in her compassion as she realized it, andyet she had been fond of him, and he had many lovable qualities. She hadalso made him a promise, and his ring was still upon her hand, while shereflected with a tinge of bitterness that it is not wise to expect toomuch, and that men of stainless character were doubtless singularlyscarce. The joy of life had vanished, but she felt that Tony's fate wasin her hands, and the duty, at least, remained.
"Yes," she said very slowly. "If he still wishes it when he comes back."
Hester nodded gravely. "I think you are right," she said. "Tony willwipe the blunder out when he has you to prompt him, but I think he wouldgo to pieces if you sent him away. Of course, it is not everybody whowould feel it--but it is--a responsibility. You can, you see, makewhatever you wish of him."
"One would esteem a man with the qualities which make that easy?" saidViolet, with a little weary smile.
"They might occasionally prove convenient in one's husband," saidHester, with a faint twinkle in her eyes.
Her companion seemed to shiver. "I wonder what Tony is doing now," shesaid. "It is, at least, hot and bright in Cuba, and if I had only knownwhen he was coming back we would have gone away to the Riviera." Thenshe straightened herself a little. "Isn't it time your father arrived?"
Hester smiled, and wondered if Violet was already sorry that she hadunbent so far.
"He should be here at any minute unless the train is late," she said,and, feeling that her companion would prefer it, plunged into adiscussion of Northrop affairs.
While she made the most of each triviality there was a rattle of wheelsoutside, and Mr. Earle came in. He shook hands with Violet, and stood amoment or two by the fire.
"I had expected to find your mother here," he said.
"It was a bitter afternoon, and I persuaded her to stay at home."
The man took a pink envelope out of his pocket, and handed it her.
"I passed the post-office lad walking his bicycle over a very soft pieceof road, and pulled up to ask if he had anything for me," he said. "WhenI found he had only a telegram for your mother I offered to bring it on,and he seemed quite willing to let me. The vicar hasn't turned up yet,Hester?"
"No," said Hester. "I am expecting him."
Earle went out, and Hester proceeded with the account of a recent dancewhich she had been engaged in when he came in, while Violet turned overthe telegram.
"It will be from Lily Cochrane to tell us she is coming, and I thinkI'll open it," she said.
Hester nodded. "Ada Whittingham in green--there are people who reallyhave no sense of fitness," she said. "The effect was positivelystartling."
Violet tore open the envelope, and gasped, while the words she read grewblurred before her eyes. For a moment or two she could scarcely grasptheir meaning, and sat staring at the message, and trying vainly to readit again. The branch of a trailer rose rapped upon the window as itswayed in the moaning wind, and Hester ran on.
"Lottie had out her diamonds, the whole of them--somewhat defective tasteconsidering the character of the affair. Mrs. Pechereau was there withMuriel in a black gown I've seen already--one would never fancy she wasthat girl's mother."
Violet closed her fingers tight upon the telegram, for her companion'sprolixity was growing unendurable, and she wanted quietness to realizewhat had befallen her. The firelight had died away, and, now her senseswere rallying, she could not read the message. Then a faint flickersprang up again, and Hester, glancing round, saw the tension in herface.
"You're not listening," she said. "Why, what is the matter? Isn't Lilycoming?"
Violet rose up with a curious slow movement, and her face showed almostas pallid as the white marble of the mantle she leaned against. Then alittle quiver ran through her, and the fingers of one hand trembled uponthe stone.
"I don't know," she said. "Let me be quiet for a moment, Hester!"
Hester rose, and laid a hand restrainingly upon her arm. "Can't you tellme? What has gone wrong?"
Violet let the telegram fall, and turned a cold, still face towards her.
"Tony is dead," she said, and sank back, shivering, into her chair.
"Oh," said Hester, "I am so sorry!"
The words were sincere enough, but just then the conventionality of themappeared incongruous, and when Violet made no answer Hester picked upthe telegram and held it near the fire.
"Anthony Palliser killed in action, Santa Marta, Cuba. Particularspersonally. Sailing New York Saturday, Bernard Appleby," she read.
Then for the space of minutes there was silence in the room save for thewail of the bitter wind outside, and Violet lay staring at the fire withvacant eyes. Hester found it becoming unendurable, and touched hercompanion gently.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" she said.
"No," said Violet, with a visible effort as she rose. "I think I will gohome. You will tell your father and the vicar, Hester. I can get my hatand wraps myself. I don't wish you to come with me."
She straightened herself slowly and passed out of the room, while whenshe entered it again dressed for the drive Mr. Earle laid his hand uponher shoulder.
"You have our sincere sympathy, but I can't help fancying th
at it is notaltogether hopeless yet," he said.
The girl looked up at him with incredulity in her eyes. "You must knowit is. What do you mean?" she said.
"Well," said Earle, with a glance at the vicar, who had come in andheard the news, "it is a little difficult to make clear. Still, you see,my dear, that men who do not answer to the roll after a battle now andthen turn up again. A blunder may have been made in the confusion, whilewe do not after all know anything very much to the credit of Mr.Appleby. I would suggest that your mother ask lawyer Craythorne to meethim. Men are apt to believe what they wish to now and then."
"I don't in the least understand you."
Earle appeared disconcerted. "If this distressful news were true Applebywould be the gainer."
Once more the girl looked up with a chilling serenity that unpleasantlyaffected him.
"There is no hope left," she said. "The man who sent the message madeabsolutely certain or he would never have written it."
Earle glanced at the vicar, who nodded gravely.
"I wish I had not to admit it, but I feel that Violet is right," hesaid. "Would you like me to drive over with you, my dear?"
"No," said the girl quietly. "I would much sooner be alone."
She passed out from among them, and Earle turned to the vicar again.
"It does not sound charitable, and I fancy you and Hester know rathermore about the affair than I do, but I can't help believing that Tonycould not have done Violet a greater kindness," he said. "I am, however,a trifle astonished that you seem to participate in the curious beliefshe evidently has in Appleby. You can't be well acquainted with him, andhe is taking a serious risk in coming here since there is still awarrant out for him."
The vicar smiled. "I have heard a little about him, and I scarcely thinkhe would let the fact you mention stop him carrying out what he felt washis duty."
The vicar's faith was warranted, for while Violet Wayne was driven homethat evening with her thoughts in a whirl, and a remorseful tendernesswhich overlooked the dead man's shortcomings bringing a mist to hereyes, Appleby sat under the electric lights in a room of a great NewYork building. He felt the pulsations of a vast activity about him, forthe thick doors and maple partitions could not shut out the whir of theelevators, tinkle of telephone bells, murmur of voices, and patter ofhasty feet, though his eyes were on the agreement bond he was attachinghis name to.
Harding, who sat opposite him, smiled as he laid down the pen.
"Now I guess that's all fixed up, and I don't think I'm going to besorry I took you into the business," he said. "You'll draw 'most enoughalready to live out on the Hudson if it pleases you, and, so far as Ican figure, we'll roll in money once we get the sugar trade going again.You'll go right back and straighten up when we've whipped the Spaniardsout of Cuba."
"I'm afraid I have scarcely deserved all you have offered me, sir," saidAppleby, whose fingers trembled a little as he took up the document."Nobody could have anticipated this result when I came across you onboard the 'Aurania.'"
Harding rose, and opening a cupboard took out a bottle and two glasses,which he filled to the brim.
"I've no great use for this kind of thing in business hours as a rule,but the occasion warrants it, and I believe only Austrian princes andtheir ministers drink that wine," he said. "Well, here's my partner'sprosperity!"
They touched glasses, and a flush crept to Appleby's forehead, whilethere was a little kindly gleam in Harding's eyes.
"I'm grateful, sir," said Appleby, and stopped abruptly.
Harding laughed. "Now, don't worry," he said. "I've no use for speeches,and am going to get my money out of you. This is a business deal, andthere's something else to go into. You have quite fixed to sail in the'Cunarder' on Saturday?"
"Yes. Still, I should not be much more than three weeks away."
"Well," said Harding a trifle dryly, "I don't quite know. I think Nettietold me there was a warrant out for you, and I believe it's quitedifficult to get round the police in your country."
"I must take my chances. There is a woman in England that Tony Palliserwas to have married. He expected me to go."
Harding looked at him curiously. "Oh, yes," he said.
"Nettie told me about her. Well, I guess if you feel that way I have gotto let you go, and I don't quite know I'm sorry you have these notions.They're a kind of warranty, and it wasn't altogether because you've gotin you the snap and grit that makes a man who can handle big affairs Imade you my partner. Still, time's getting on, and Nettie is expectingus at Glenwood."
He summoned two clerks, who attested the agreement, and in another tenminutes they were waiting for the elevator, while late that nightAppleby contrived to find Nettie Harding, who had been very gracious tohim, alone. She was standing by the marble hearth in the great drawing-room where snapping logs of scented wood diffused a warmth andbrightness which would, however, scarcely have kept the frost out butfor the big furnace in the basement.
"What happened to-day has your approbation?" he said.
Nettie smiled. "Now, I think that is quite unnecessary when you know ithas," she said.
"Perhaps it is. I can't help fancying you were not greatly astonished atyour father's decision."
"Still," said the girl quietly, "I don't think I could coax Cyrus P.Harding into making a bad bargain. Besides, if I had a finger in it, isit more than any one would have expected?"
"I don't quite understand."
"No?" and Nettie smiled incredulously. "Well, you picked me up one nightwhen I might have gone out over the rail on the 'Aurania.'"
"I don't think you could have managed it had you tried."
Nettie stood silent a moment, and then a little flush crept into herface, as she glanced down at the diamonds on her white wrists, and herlong trailing dress. It was, Appleby fancied, of as costly fabric as thelooms in Europe could produce.
"Well," she said with a curious little sparkle in her eyes, "there wasanother night I met you when I wasn't got up like this, and you weredressed in rags. Still, I knew that I could trust you. Do you believethat I should have been here, with everything that a woman could wishfor, now, if I had not had that confidence?"
Appleby turned his eyes away, for certain fancies which had once ortwice troubled him became certainties, and he recognized that the regardthe girl had for him alone warranted the almost daring speech.
"I really don't remember very much about the night in question," hesaid. "Nobody in my place could. I was wounded slightly and almostdazed, you see."
Nettie smiled curiously. "That is, of course, just what one would haveexpected from you."
Appleby showed a faint trace of embarrassment. "I have been waiting mostof the night to ask you a question," he said. "What did you say to TonyPalliser and Miss Wayne about me in England?"
"You will never find out--unless she tells you."
"That is most unlikely."
Nettie smiled in a curious fashion, and then looked him in the eyes.
"Well," she said reflectively, "I don't quite know. You have already gotmore than you ever expected, Mr. Appleby. Anyway, it is getting late,and you will excuse me now."
She moved away, and then, turning, stood smiling at him a moment by thedoor.
"Can't you tell me what you mean?" said Appleby, moving towards her witha little flush of color in his cheeks.
"You are going to England on Saturday," said Nettie, and slipped out ofthe door.
XXXIV -- THE RIGHT MAN
IT was on the Saturday morning the "Cunarder's" passengers disembarkedat Liverpool, and within an hour of the time the answer to the telegramshe despatched came to hand Appleby had started for Darsley. It was,however, late in the afternoon when he arrived there, and proceededstraight to Craythorne's office. The clerk's manner made it evident thathe was expected, but he was a trifle astonished to find two other menbeside the lawyer waiting him when he was shown into a lighted room.
Craythorne closed a little sliding window before he shook hand
s withhim, and then turned to the others.
"This is Colonel Melton, appointed joint trustee with me by the willAnthony Palliser made the night he left for Cuba," he said. "I think youhave met Mr. Earle. He came here with the sanction of Colonel Melton,and Esmond Palliser, on behalf of Miss Wayne, in case anything you haveto tell us concerns her. He will, of course, withdraw if you wish it,though both he and Colonel Melton have long been confidential friends ofthe Palliser family."
Appleby greeted the two men, and then sat down with a little gleam inhis eyes when Craythorne pointed to a chair.
"I should like to tell you that I left my business in New York and camehere against my partner's wishes because I felt it was a duty I owedMiss Wayne and my late comrade's relatives," he said. "That was my onlymotive, and it seems to me desirable that you should realize it."
"You apparently do not know that you are a legatee under AnthonyPalliser's will," said Craythorne.
"I was not even aware that he had made one, though he told me that hehad made over Dane Cop to me."
Colonel Melton looked at Earle, and Craythorne, who took a document froma drawer, passed it to Appleby.
"Then you will be astonished to hear that the personal estate scheduledhere was bequeathed to you?"
"I certainly am. I am also not sure that Tony had exactly the right toleave this property to me. Traditionally, and, I think, ethically, itbelongs to the estate, and should revert to Esmond Palliser."
Colonel Melton appeared a trifle astonished, but Craythorne smileddryly. "That is also Esmond Palliser's opinion, and he informed me thathe intends to act upon it."
"He is, of course, at liberty"; and Appleby showed a trace ofimpatience. "His intentions do not, however, in the least concern me.Now, gentlemen, I have come here to tell you of my comrade's death, andI have another appointment to keep this evening."
Melton glanced at Craythorne, who nodded. "We will ask you to be asexplicit as you can," he said.
Appleby spoke for rather more than ten minutes, and when he came to theassault upon Santa Marta it was evident that Colonel Melton waslistening with eager interest. He turned to Appleby abruptly with atrace of embarrassment.
"I knew your father, Mr. Appleby," he said. "In fact, I once offendedGodfrey Palliser by expressing my opinion of the fashion in which hetreated him, and now I can only hope you will excuse the attitude Ithought necessary when you came in. You did a thing not many drilledtroops would have accomplished. A frontal attack in daylight, with acoverless strip to cross! They would have swept you out of existencewith shrapnel."
"They hadn't any"; and Appleby laughed.
"Still, they had two quick-firers, and your attack was directed at onenarrow entrance," said Melton. "Now--"
Craythorne raised his hand. "I fancy it would be advisable to discussthese points later on," he said. "What we are immediately concerned withis the proof of Anthony Palliser's death."
"Precisely!" said Earle.
Melton flashed an angry glance at the lawyer, and Appleby's face becamea trifle grim.
"I have here the depositions of two men who saw him buried attested by aSpanish notary, and am willing to make another now before a commissionerfor oaths," he said. "My partner in New York will also testify to Tony'sconnection with the Sin Verguenza."
"And Miss Wayne, that he told her he was leaving for Cuba to find Mr.Appleby, if Craythorne is unwilling," said Melton.
Craythorne smiled and opened the little window. "Ask Mr. Gordon, thenotary, to come here at once," he said.
"May we ask your partner's name?" said Earle.
"Cyrus P. Harding, New York," said Appleby.
Earle appeared astonished, and almost disconcerted. "I think that factis sufficiently convincing," he said. "I am sure you will understandthat it was necessary for us to proceed circumspectly, Mr. Appleby."
Again Craythorne smiled curiously. "I think Mr. Appleby understands theobligation placed on a trustee. In that respect alone our attitude wasnecessary."
Appleby flushed a trifle. "Still," he said, "I am glad you sent for anotary."
"Well," said Craythorne. "Dane Cop was not bequeathed to you in theevent of his death by Anthony Palliser, but made over to you before heleft for Cuba. It is yours absolutely, but in regard to the legacy itwill be necessary to prove the will, and Esmond Palliser requested me toinform you that he purposed to contest your claim. I should suggest thatyou instruct a lawyer to confer with me."
"It will not be necessary, since I waive any right I may have. I do notintend to live in England, but to go back to New York almostimmediately."
There was a murmur of astonishment, and Melton said, "I think that isunreasonably generous."
"No," said Appleby. "I scarcely fancy it is. Dane Cop is mine, and Ishall hold on to it, but it would be difficult to get anything worthwhile out of the other property, which is after all of no great value,without personal supervision, and you may remember that there is still awarrant out for my apprehension."
Melton looked at his companions, and it was evident that they concurredwith Craythorne when he said, "In the event of a trial you could clearyourself."
"Yes," said Appleby quietly, "I believe I could, but I have reasons fordeciding not to run any risk of being compelled to do so. My partner,who is acquainted with them, does not consider it necessary, and it ismore than probable that the police have no longer any expectations oftracing me."
"You understand what you are purposing to do?" said Craythorne.
"It is, of course, quite clear to me. Still, I intend to remain inAmerica."
There was a curious silence, and then Melton, moving forward, shookhands with Appleby.
"I have seldom heard of a finer thing than your decision, though afterwhat I had seen of your father's life I should have expected it fromyou," he said. "With all respect to the Pallisers, none of them evermade so good a match as the one who married the ranker. While you remainat Northrop you will stay with me."
Earle smiled a little. "I must tell you, Mr. Appleby, that we understandyour reasons--and appreciate them. Colonel Melton has, however,anticipated my intentions of offering you hospitality."
"You have evidently heard more than I hoped you would have done," saidAppleby quietly.
"No," said Melton. "I, at least, know nothing, but I surmise a gooddeal. If I had not been your father's friend I should, however, neverhave grasped your motive."
Then the notary was shown in, and Earle rose. "We will wait in the otherroom," he said. "Mr. Appleby will no doubt have affairs to talk overwith Craythorne."
It was half an hour later when Appleby came out, and found them waitingstill. "I understand you are going on to see Miss Wayne, and I should beglad to drive you over," said Melton. "Then as you can't get back hereto-night you will have to decide which of us shall have the pleasure ofentertaining you. I don't wish to be unfair to Earle, but I think I amentitled to a preference."
Appleby felt curiously grateful to the gray-haired officer, but hesmiled a little.
"I wonder if you realize what you are taking upon yourself, sir?" hesaid.
"If everybody at Northrop heard you were staying with me I should beespecially pleased," said Melton gravely.
"Still, in case you did not consider that convenient we will contrive toarrange it differently."
Appleby went with him, and an hour or two later was shown into Mrs.Wayne's drawing-room. He waited a little, with unpleasant misgivings,and his heart beating a trifle more rapidly than usual, and then felt aslight relief when Violet and her mother came in. The girl was dressedin a long robe of black that emphasized her pallor, but Appleby wasreassured when he noticed her quiet composure.
"I felt that you would wish to see me, though I am afraid I can onlycause you distress," he said.
Mrs. Wayne pointed to a chair. "You have come a long way," she said. "Weappreciate the consideration for us that brought you."
"I had business with Mr. Craythorne," said Appleby, with a trace ofembarrassment.
<
br /> Then there was a silence he felt horribly unpleasant until Violet Wayneturned her eyes upon him.
"Will you tell us--everything--from the time you met Tony in Cuba? Thereis so much we wish to know," she said quietly.
Appleby, who wished that the obligation had not been laid on him,commenced abruptly in disjointed sentences, but the memories crowdedupon him as he proceeded, and he became oblivious of everything but thenecessity of making the most of Tony's part in them. The scenes hepictured became almost more real to him than when they were happening.He was once more in Cuba, and made his listeners see the sun-scorchedhacienda, the long column crawling in the moonlight down the dim whiteroad, the waves of dusky cane, and the glaring streets of Santa Marta.He felt they realized with him the tension of the silence until therifles flashed, the flitting shadow that brushed through the cane, thetramp of weary feet, and the exultant shouts of the Sin Verguenza.
In the meanwhile the color appeared and faded in the girl's face, whilenow and then her lips would tremble and again set tight. Then as he cameto the last struggle on the veranda he saw a glow in her eyes, and felther intent gaze draw the picture out of him. At last she sank back inher chair with a little gasp, and Appleby, who knew he had never spokenin that fashion before, felt suddenly nerveless and embarrassed. Foralmost a minute he sat staring vacantly in front of him, and thenstraightened himself with a little abrupt movement.
"I am afraid I have distressed you--but it seemed due to Tony that Ishould tell you this," he said.
Violet slowly raised her head, and looked at him with hazy eyes. "Ithink we shall always be grateful--and you must have felt it--you were hisfriend," she said. "I can't ask the questions I wish to know--you willcome back again?"
Appleby rose, and Mrs. Wayne, who went out with him, turned to him inthe hall.
"Are you staying any time at Darsley, Mr. Appleby?" she said. "We shallbe pleased to see you."
"It was good of you to permit me to come once, madame," said Appleby."It will be a week, at least, before I can get away, but I think alittle reflection will convince you that it would be better if I did notcome here again."
Mrs. Wayne looked at him quietly. "There is no reason why you shouldnot. You will, of course, understand that Violet told me Miss Harding'sstory."
Appleby did not remember what he answered, but he drove away with acurious feeling of content, and Mrs. Wayne went back to the room whereher daughter sat very still in her chair. Stooping down she kissed hergently.
"Did it hurt very much, Violet?" she said.
The girl seemed to shiver. "No," she said in a strained voice. "Not somuch as I expected--in the way you mean. It was a splendid reparationTony made."
Mrs. Wayne laid her hand caressingly on her daughter's hair. "You havetold me very little, Violet--and people with your reserve find theirtroubles the harder to bear."
For a moment or two the girl gazed at the fire. "Mother. I must talk atlast. I have almost a horror of myself," she said. "I was wickedly hardto Tony when Nettie Harding told me, and I felt very bitter against himwhen he went away. I could not overcome the feeling, though I tried--andnow when I should ask it of him--he cannot forgive me."
Mrs. Wayne did not appear altogether astonished. "And yet I think heunderstood that you would marry him when he came back."
"I made him an implied promise--and I would have kept it. I am glad I didso now."
"It would have been difficult? Still, you loved him once."
Violet turned her eyes away, and once more seemed to shiver. "No," shesaid with a little quaver in her voice. "I seem to have realized sincehe went away that I never did. Still, until Nettie Harding told me, Ifancied I did--and I believed in him. He was so generous, and light-hearted--and, though I am wickedly exacting, I am not hard all through. Ican't shake off the horror I feel because I am not more sorry now."
Mrs. Wayne bent down and kissed her again. "My dear, I do not think theright man would find you hard," she said. "Still, I am afraid you willdie single. You expect too much."
Appleby, who saw Violet and her mother twice before the week was out,found that the negotiations for an extension of building sites and waterrights at Dane Cop which Craythorne had undertaken would delay himanother week. The lawyer had urged him to wait in London, and pointedout the risk of recognition or an encounter with Sergeant Stitt; butColonel Melton lived at a distance of several miles from Northrop, andAppleby for no very apparent reason preferred that vicinity. Then whenthe affair was decided, and there was nothing to delay his sailing forNew York, he set out on foot on a farewell visit to Mrs. Wayne's house,and, as it happened, did not find her or her daughter in. He went on toLow Wood, and discovering that Hester Earle half expected Violet spentan hour there in fierce impatience. The afternoon was rapidly wearingthrough, and as he had taken his passage by the "Cunarder" to sail fromLiverpool on the following day it was essential that he should leaveDarsley that night.
Still, Violet did not come, and he was proceeding ruefully towardsColonel Melton's when he overtook her walking home. The light wasgrowing dim, but he almost fancied that she started when she saw him.Her voice was, however, as quiet and low as usual when she greeted him.
"I am very glad I met you, because I could not find you at home, and Iam going away to-night," he said.
There was the slightest trace of astonishment and concern in the girl'seyes. "Then you will come back with me," she said.
"I'm afraid I can't," said Appleby, with a glance at his watch. "Still,with your permission, I will walk a little of the way with you."
They went on together, and it was not because they desired it that TonyPalliser held a leading place in their thoughts, and twice at leastAppleby mentioned him. Then the girl said slowly, "I have heard from Mr.Earle that you do not mean to clear yourself. That is very generous but--one must mention it--is it wise?"
Appleby showed a trace of disconcertion. "I do not know why he told you,but as I shall, I think, spend most of my life in America it could do melittle good to vindicate myself," he said. "Only a few people know thetruth, and they will keep my confidence, while the rest would notbelieve it. Tony made reparation for the wrong he did me, and if he hadnot risked the cazador's bayonet I do not think I should be here now."
"Still, did it never occur to you that you might marry?"
Appleby stopped without intending it, and both stood still. The saffronand green of the sunset was shining low down between the bare branchesof a copse close by, and there was still a little light in the sky, andthe man, lifting his eyes, looked at his companion. It was evident thatshe had spoken without reflection and was sorry for it, for he could seea tinge of color in her face, but it was the vague apprehension in hereyes that seized his attention. For a moment he stood silent, and felthis heart beating. Then an impulse which rose from the depth of hisnature swept restraint away.
"Yes," he said almost grimly. "Still, that may never happen. I have toogreat aspirations, you see--and if it ever came about the woman wouldunderstand my motives."
"Then you have seen her--she is not a fancy?"
Violet had not meant to say this, but the words seemed forced on her,and it was almost with a sense of confusion she realized that they hadescaped her. Still, she stood looking at the man quietly, and saw thelittle quiver that ran through him. Then it was with a strenuous effortshe preserved her tranquillity, for she knew.
"Yes," he said in a strained voice, "I have seen her. Her face was withme on many a weary march in Cuba--though I tried to drive it away."
The color was a trifle more evident in the girl's cheeks. "You found itdifficult? But would not the stain of an offence you did not commitprove an insuperable barrier?"
"No," said Appleby with a quietness that cost him an effort, "I do notthink it would. The story would not be known in America."
There was silence for a space, and while both stood very still the truthwas plain between them. Then it was the girl who spoke.
"You have great faith," she sai
d.
Appleby made a little forceful gesture. "It is warranted," he said. "Iam going away to-morrow. You know why it is necessary--but if I come backagain will you listen to what I shall have to tell you?"
Violet Wayne regarded him with eyes that shone softly.
"Yes," she said very quietly.
Then with a grasp of her hand Appleby turned away, and Violet went onslowly down the dusky lane.
THE END
[Transcriber's Note: Inconsistencies in application of accents andhyphenation have been preserved as in the original.]
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