friend with surprise, not unmingled with annoyance.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, after a few moments' silence, "I see. You have notfinished those mysterious warnings of yours. Why the deuce don't youspeak right out and tell me what you mean?"
"I have no intention to malign the woman who is to be your wife, Hugh,"the artist answered quietly. "I've given you certain hints already,and--"
"Enough of that," cried his companion, with some asperity. "Though youare an old friend, it gives you no right to interfere with my privateaffairs."
"That's true," Jack admitted hastily. "Don't for a moment think Idesire to intrude unwarrantably. It's merely friendly advice I've givenyou."
"Friendly advice--bosh!" Trethowen said in disgust. "Whatever you knowdetrimental to Valerie, you'll oblige me by keeping in future toyourself."
The man addressed muttered something in an undertone, and, turning,gazed abstractedly out of the window.
They were in Hugh's sitting-room in St. James's on the morning fixed forthe marriage. It was almost a month since Trethowen had left Spa, andthe time had been pleasantly spent with Valerie at Brussels and Ostend.Now that they had returned to London, she had again taken up her abodein her little flat in Victoria Street, while the arrangements for themarriage were completed.
Jack Egerton, dressed more sprucely than usual, and wearing the orthodoxlavender gloves and a flower in his coat, had called upon his friendhalf an hour before, and was waiting to accompany him to the church.His task he regarded with abhorrence. He would rather have doneanything than assist at the ceremony, and see his friend bind himself tothat dark-eyed Circe. Yet he, helpless and under the merciless thrallof the woman, was there by sheer compulsion. A fortnight ago he hadreceived a letter from her. She did not ask or entreat, but commandedhim to be present and act as Hugh's best man.
"I know," she wrote in French, "the task will be scarcely congenial, butyour presence will inspire him with confidence. He has promised me hewill ask you, and if you refuse, he will suspect that it is repugnant toyou. Understand, he must know nothing of my affairs. When we last metat Laroche you threatened me, but I need hardly impress the necessity ofsilence upon you, having regard to the fact that the reward of yourzealousness on your friend's behalf would be a life sentence. Accepthis offer and attend the wedding, otherwise I shall know you are playingagainst me. If you do, beware! for I shall win. I have all the honoursin my hand."
He was reflecting upon this last sentence as he stood staring aimlesslydown into the street. She possessed the dark secret of his life, andheld him in her power, so that he was compelled to do her bidding, todance attendance upon her, and to witness her triumph at the expense ofhis dearest friend.
Grinding his teeth, he uttered an imprecation, as he realised howcomplete was her mastery, and perceived that his own ruin would be theonly reward for saving Hugh.
The latter, who was watching him, misconstrued this outburst ofimpatience and went over and grasped his hand, saying:
"Forgive me, old fellow, for what I've just said. We ought not toquarrel, more especially to-day. I was rather hasty, but I loveValerie, and anything hinted against her excites my anger. Come, let'sforget it." His companion succumbed to fate, having done all he couldin the way of resistance. Laughing a trifle sadly, he replied--
"There's nothing whatever to forgive. I shall go with you to thechurch, and I hope--well, I hope your marriage will bring you nothingbut happiness. Nevertheless, whatever is the result, remember I amstill your friend."
Trethowen thanked him, although astonished at his friend's tone, andinwardly tried to account for his apparent sadness.
Could it be, that he entertained affection for Valerie himself? Or wasit that their conversation that morning had brought back to his memorythoughts of the lost woman who, although his friend, assistant, andcritic, was not his mistress? He had spoken very little of her, withthe exception of describing the strange circumstances in which shedisappeared. Still, any mention of her seemed to cause him sorrowfulreflections.
Walking to a side-table whereon stood a bottle of champagne and someglasses, Hugh uncorked the wine, at the same time touching the gong.
In answer to the summons old Jacob appeared. He wore a largewedding-favour, and his scanty hair was parted and brushed with unusualcare.
Having filled three glasses, his master turned to him, saying--
"Take a glass with us, Jacob, to celebrate the event. Come, Jack, hereyou are. It's no innovation to drink with a servant like my trusty oldfossil here!"
The artist took the glass, and, as he did so, Hugh, holding up his own,gave the toast.
"Here's to the last hour of bachelorhood."
"Long life and prosperity to Hugh Trethowen!" Egerton exclaimed.
"And may they always lead happy lives!" added the old servant, in a weakbroken voice.
"Hurrah! Let's hope so," remarked the bridegroom, and the trio tossedoff their wine.
"And now we must be going," he added, a few minutes later. "You know myinstructions, Jacob. You'll follow to Coombe at the end of the week.If any one calls, tell them--tell them I shan't be back in town for sixmonths at least."
"Very well, Master Hugh," the feeble old man replied, smiling at hismaster's humour. "May God bless you both, sir!"
"Thank you, Jacob, thank you," Hugh replied heartily, as his manwithdrew. "He can't make it out, I think," he remarked to Jack, with alaugh. "It'll be a fresh experience for him to have a mistress. But Ifeel sure she'll be kind to him."
Then they both finally examined themselves in a long mirror in thecorner of the room, and, putting on their gloves, left the house.
An hour later the bell of the outer door of the chambers rang, andJacob, still wearing his white satin rosette, answered.
On throwing open the door he was confronted by an unkempt wretchedlyclad young woman, with tousled hair poking from under a battered crapebonnet, and a ragged shawl about her shoulders.
"Is Mr. Trethowen in?" she inquired, in a voice that was refined, andcertainly not in keeping with her habiliments.
"No, he's not," the old man replied sharply, for a woman of that classwas not a desirable visitor.
"Where can I find him?" she asked anxiously. "I must see him, and atonce."
"I tell you he's not here."
"Then where is he?"
Jacob, always a discreet and discriminating servant, did not like thelook of this ill-attired stranger. He was particularly distrustful offemales.
"I want to see him--to tell him something for his own advantage. It'simperative that I should see him immediately," she continued.
"Well," remarked Jacob, hesitating, and reflecting that it mightpossibly be to his master's advantage. "The fact is, he's gone to bemarried."
"To be married!" she echoed, staggering as if she had been dealt a blow.
"Yes; he and the French lady were to be married at twelve o'clock at St.James's. He's gone there to meet her."
"Where's the church? Quick, I must go there," she cried anxiously.
"In Piccadilly. Go to the top of the road here, turn to the right, andyou'll come to it."
"Will he return here?"
"No; he goes to Cornwall to-night."
Turning suddenly, she ran hurriedly down the stairs. "Well, well,"remarked the aged retainer aloud, as he closed the door and re-enteredthe sitting-room. "Now, I wonder what she wants? It's very strange--very; but, somehow, I believe I've seen a face something like hersbefore somewhere, only I can't recollect. Ah, well," he added, sighing,"I'm not so young as I was, and my memory fails me. After all, Isuppose it's only fancy."
Then he helped himself to a glass of his master's old port incelebration of the happy occasion.
Meanwhile the slipshod female had turned from Piccadilly up the pavedcourtyard leading to St. James's church. She hurried, with wearied eyesand pale, anxious face, almost breathless.
At the door she was met by the pew-opener--a stout elderly fe
male inrusty black--who, seeing her haste asked what she wanted.
"Is Mr. Trethowen to be married here to-day?" she inquired.
"Trethowen! Yes. I think that's the gentleman's name. What do youwant to know for?" she asked, regarding her suspiciously.
"I must see him. Is he inside?"
"No, he ain't. The party left a quarter of an hour ago."
"Gone!" she cried in dismay.
"Yes, they're married," remarked the woman. "Did you come tocongratulate them?" she asked with a