The woman known as Mrs. Mona May had lost no time in adapting herself tocircumstances. That she had found her way on to the terrace for no goodpurpose was known to three people, although in all probability sheimagined that Tchigorsky alone was acquainted with her designs.
He had laid a trap for her and to a certain extent he had forced herhand. But she was too brilliant and unscrupulous a woman not to be ableto turn misfortune to her own advantage. And was she not here----here aguest among those who for some reason she hated from her soul?
Why, it matters not for the present. From Mrs. May's point of viewTchigorsky alone knew, and Tchigorsky was going away ere long. Butwhether Tchigorsky remained or not, Mrs. Mona May could defy him toprove that she was in any way connected with the misfortunes of theRavenspurs.
Once the man she had most reason to dread had withdrawn to the billiardroom, the adventuress lost no time in ingratiating herself with herinvoluntary hosts.
This was the woman with whom Geoffrey had dined. Vera regarded hercuriously. She was very beautiful and fascinating. She had a manner thatattracted. Her conversation was bright and interesting.
"You must not mind me," she said to Vera. "And you must not grudge me alittle of your lover's company."
Vera blushed divinely.
"How did you guess that?" she asked.
"Oh, there are signs, my dear. I have had my own romance and I know. Butwomen of my age can never really rival young girls like yourself. Welack the one great charm."
"I should not have thought so," said Vera.
Mrs. May patted the girl playfully on the cheek.
"That is a very pretty compliment," she replied. "But it does not alterfacts. A woman of forty may be fascinating. She has the brilliant parts.But, alas! it is only once that she can possess youth."
The speaker turned away with a gentle sigh and began to discuss the arttreasures in the drawing room with Mrs. Gordon. All the time Marion hadheld coldly aloof from the stranger.
"You are not like yourself to-night," Vera murmured.
Marion's dark eyes were lifted. There were purple rings under those eyesand a hunted expression on the white face. It was the face of one whohas seen a terror that it is impossible to forget.
"Am I not?" she said indifferently. "Perhaps so."
"Don't you like that woman?" Vera asked.
"Frankly, I don't," Marion admitted. "But there are reasons. Strangethat you don't recognize the likeness between us. Geoffrey did at once."
Vera started. Strange, indeed, that she had not noticed it before. And,now that Marion had spoken the likeness was surprising. Making allowancefor the disparity of years, the two faces were the same.
"Is there another mystery?" Vera asked.
Marion smiled like her old self.
"Indeed there is," she confessed. "But it is a poor, vulgar little thingbeside your family mystery. Mrs. May is a connection of mine. As amatter of fact, she is closely related to my mother's family. She is nota good woman, and I hope you will see as little of her as possible."
"But I suppose she came to see you?"
"Oh! dear no. She would never have done that. She knows perfectly wellthat I should strongly oppose her coming here. Beyond question, hertaking up her residence for the benefit of her health in this villagewas simply a coincidence."
Vera looked closely at the visitor.
"Mrs. May doesn't look like an invalid," she said.
"She doesn't. It is her heart. Any sudden excitement might be fatal toher. Is it not strange that I have the seeds of the same complaint?"
"You, Marion? I never heard that before. And you are here!"
"Oh, yes, I am here. A bad place for heart troubles, you would say. ButI am young and strong. I merely made the remark--perhaps it would havebeen better had I not said anything about it."
Mrs. May was talking. She protested gently against the trouble she wascausing. Indeed, there was no reason why she should not have gone backto her farm. Still, her kind friends were so very pressing she wouldstay the night. But she must be up and away early in the morning. Shehad pressing business, tiresome law business, to see to in York.
"And now I am not going to keep you up any longer," she said with abrilliant smile. "Who will help me upstairs? Will you, dear?"
She had risen to her feet and approached Marion. The girl seemed toshrink back; it looked as if she was being dragged into some painfulundertaking. Then the natural sweetness of her disposition conquered herdislike.
"If you think I can manage it," she said.
Mrs. May hobbled upstairs, leaning on Marion's shoulder, chatting gaily.The latter helped her into the room set apart for the involuntary guestand at a sign closed the door. All her smiles and pretty feminineblandishments vanished; her eyes were dark and hard; her manner was coldand stinging.
"You fool," hissed Mrs. May. "This is a nice thing you have done!"
Marion smiled wearily. She seemed to have suddenly fallen under themantle of years. She dropped into a chair like somebody old and weary.
"What have I done?" she asked.
"Fallen in love with Geoffrey Ravenspur."
The words came like a blow. Marion staggered under them.
"I deny it," she said weakly. "It is false."
"It is true, you idiot. You are blushing like a rose. And to-night, whenthat fiend Tchigorsky played that fool's trick upon us you had no eyesfor any one but Geoffrey. Frightened as I was, I could see that. Yourlooks betrayed you. What are you going to do about it?"
Marion shook her head sadly. Never had any one at Ravenspur ever seenher look so forlorn and dejected as she did at this moment.
"I don't know," she said hopelessly. "I know what I ought to do. I oughtto kill you and throw myself into the sea afterwards. Why should I go onleading my present life? Why should I shield you? What are you? What areyou to me?"
"You dare ask me that question?"
"Oh! I dare anything in my present mood. Still, I am in your power. Youhave only to say the word and it is done."
"Then why do you take every means of thwarting me?"
Marion rose and crossed over to the door. Her eyes were shining. Therewas a certain restless motion of her hands.
"Take care," she whispered. "Don't drive me too far. Oh, if I could onlylive the last four years of my life over again!"