CHAPTER XII.

Torture trifleth not. It manifests in many instances the deserving

censure imposed upon its stinging touch. It acts like the poisonous

fangs of the serpent, unless extracted from its burning crypt of

chastisement by hands of wily witchcraft. So frightened did Lady Dunfern

become lest the eye of the straggler might chance more than once to

catch the meaning of Marjory's loitering about the grounds immediately

below her window, that she deemed it imperative to alter her

arrangements, and, acquainting Marjory in the usual way, appointed an

hour that would almost defy matters to be made conspicuous. This change

made both of them more free to act, and proved a decided success.

Only some weeks elapsed since Lady Dunfern's first missive reached

Marjory until word was forthcoming from Oscar Otwell. Her heart beat

wildly with joy on reading the following, slipped to her in the usual

way:--

"Hedley,

Berks.

"Dearest Lady Dunfern,

"You may well guess my gross astonishment on receipt of your long

looked-for note, and the dire news it contained. My heart bleeds

for you, and believe me, no stone shall be left unturned until

your release from that heathenish cell of woe shall be proclaimed.

Often have I looked for an answer to my letters from you, but,

alas! in vain. I began to be convinced that something must have

driven your love for me into hate. I am further surprised that my

uncle, who purchased Dilworth Estate, and who permanently resides

at the castle with his wife and daughters, never alluded in any

way in his letters to me to your retirement as it were from public

life. His answers to my many questions concerning you he entirely

evaded, and never having had an opportunity of a personal

interview with him since I entered Chitworth College,

I unfortunately have been debarred from rendering long since the

aid you now seek.

"Your suggestion shall undoubtedly have my prompt attention, and

I'll now say no more, until I rejoice in your freedom.

"Ever your loving

"OSCAR."

The mind of him who was in full possession of the facts regarding Lady

Dunfern's present position became perfectly distracted, and on entering

College next morning, after receiving her note, was so overcome with

grief as to cause grave alarm amongst the many students who benefitted

so much by his strenuous efforts to insure success. Doctor O'Sullivan,

the eminent President of the College, on seeing Oscar, whom he lately

observed was labouring under some weight of sorrow, in such a state of

despair, strongly advised a change of air, at the same time kindly

offering him a substitute for four weeks, at the end of which time, if

he still found himself unable to resume his tuitions, he would prolong

his vacation by two weeks. This was the very thing Oscar wanted--absence

from duty--and he gladly availed himself of the worthy president's

generous offer.

How Oscar quitted the college on receiving the news which liberated him,

not only for four weeks, but for ever!--how he sped along to his room in

Upper Joy Street, and there wrote a few words to her who longed for his

presence and aid, wondering how the clever trick, so ably concocted by

Lady Dunfern, would be accomplished, or if attempted, would

succeed!--better leave it to her who had so well managed to even reach

the length of liberty which marked her heroism already.

Lady Dunfern was busily engaged, during her hours of uninterruption, in

marking notes, with great caution and clearness, on paper for Marjory's

use; and well guarded and guided must the steps be that should again

lead her into the open field of freedom and health.

The heavy rain beat furiously against the darkened window of Lady

Dunfern's confined and much-detested abode as Rachel approached her with

supper on the night of 24th December.

As the next day brought many touching remembrances with it, Rachel, this

iron-willed attendant, spoke in rather soothing strains to her whom more

than once she tried to betray. Lady Dunfern, being so fully charged with

thoughts edging on her flight, remained in perfect indifference to all

her cunning remarks, never betraying the least outward symptom of the

excitement that then raged so terribly within her; she was resolved that

no word of any description whatever should be conveyed to him who so

eagerly awaited Rachel's retracing footsteps outside the cell.

Prompted strongly by Sir John before entering, Rachel carried with her

messages of a rather condoling character, to be delivered to her

ladyship in such pitiful phrases as to twist from her remarks for the

use of him who feared that something dreadful was about to happen owing

to a miserable dream he had only a couple of nights before.

But Lady Dunfern was too watchful to allow even one word to escape her

lips that might innocently convict her; and steadfastly guarding against

the tongue of the treacherous maiden, remained in silence. The

evil-intended Rachel lingered around the room fully fifteen minutes,

thus affording Lady Dunfern every opportunity of saying something, but

all of no avail; and angrily snatching up the large silver tray, bounced

out of the room, banging the great door after her, probably in order to

frighten her mistress, but not a nerve did the rude and audacious act

disturb.

Turning the light very low, the confined woman slipped on tip-toe behind

the defiant door, and heard faint sounds proceed from the adjoining

corridor, the voices she well knew to be those of both her husband and

Rachel. Her heart sank somewhat at the discourse that followed Rachel's

recent visit, lest it might be concerning either herself or Marjory; or,

worse still, she thought, relative to her intended flight within five

hours, which she earnestly implored should not be prevented.

The voices, however, after a lengthy conversation, suddenly ceased, and

gently moving to the fire, she sat quietly down to heat her icy limbs,

that were almost benumbed with cold.

The thoughts which she allowed to disturb her anxious mind she found

were very numerous, the principal one being that of flight, which she

trusted strenuously should be fully accomplished within the time

specified. The first hour slipped in, the second moved round too,

likewise the third; and, gazing in wild despair in the direction of her

dainty-jewelled watch, which she kept suspended from a trivial hook

above the mantelpiece of richly carved oak, could scarcely refrain from

tears.

The smallest hand of her little timekeeper could not fail to show that

the hour of eleven had just been reached; this was precisely the time

all the household retired, including Sir John, on whose part it was not

a case of command, but option.

On this particular night the staff of servants was not so fully

represented as usual. Marjory Mason had not been amongst the number who

sought sleep, neither was it known by any one whether or not she was in

her own room.

Immediately adjoining Marjory's room was Rachel Hyde's, both of which it

was Marjory's duty always to keep in perfect order, thus affording the

great friend of Lady Dunfern a daily opportunity of viewing the drawer

in which the great key of her ladyship's room was at rest.

It was a habit with Rachel to sleep with her bedroom door ajar, by order

of her master, lest a fire might originate during the hours of repose,

or burglars enter and carry with them some valuables of no slight worth

or interest.

About ten o'clock, an hour before Marjory's usual time to retire, she

ably feigned a very severe attack of indigestion, and, trying to look as

dejected and sick as she could in consequence, requested that she might

be permitted to go to her own room for the night; a request which Rachel

readily granted, as Marjory and she always travelled by the express

train of friendship. Rachel added that she would act in her stead by

clearing her master's supper table herself.

No sooner had Rachel granted Marjory's request than she dashed up the

many and winding steps of ascent until she reached the object of her

premeditated scheme by boldly entering the housekeeper's room and taking

therefrom the choicest treasure it contained--namely, the key which was

so soon to prove the nature of the severe illness she so capitally

assumed.

Rachel, on entering the room in which Sir John sat, was quickly asked

where Marjory was; and after satisfying him as to her illness, she

hastily removed the articles used at supper, and repaired to rest. When

passing Marjory's door, Rachel tapped lightly, and failing to gain

admission, called on her to admit her with a cup of hot milk. Still no

reply came from within. Then, slowly turning the handle, she tried to

admit herself without awaking Marjory, feeling sure that she must be

sound asleep.

It was only during her third attempt to seek entrance that she found the

door locked. Moving into her own room, she muttered something that did

not distinctly reach the ear of her who was safely secreted underneath

the housekeeper's bed. Divesting herself of her clothing, Rachel soon

put herself in a position to guarantee slumber. She wrapped herself well

within the fleecy folds of nature, and in less than ten minutes was

safely sailing in the boat of dreamland.

Marjory, for it was she who lay stretched under the bed of her who never

at any time doubted her word or actions, when fully convinced of

Rachel's safe retirement, crept along the carpeted floor on hands and

knees, carrying with her the key to victory. Proudly and much agitated

did Marjory steal her way along the many winding corridors of carpeted

comfort, until at last she came to the bottom of the ghost-like marble

steps which led to her mistress; and swiftly running up the icy heights,

until reaching the door of danger and blood-thirsty revenge, she, with

the caution of a murderess, thrust with great and exceptional care the

key into its much-used opening, and heroically succeeded in gaining

admittance.

Behind the door lay Lady Dunfern, as if dead. With great presence of

mind Marjory locked the door from within, struck a match, and tried to

light the lamp, which had been extinguished not long before; this with

difficulty she nervously did. Then, turning to her mistress, whose

changed countenance was a sight Marjory never forgot until her dying

day, she tried every effort to arouse her who so soon was likely to

track the path of powerful pursuit. It was fully some minutes until she

saw the faintest glimpse of animation, and gently raising the shadowy

form in her strong arms, used every means in her power to quickly

prepare her for the most trying part of all.

At last Marjory's efforts were completely baffled; and knowing it was

approaching the time at which Oscar was to be in readiness at the gate

farthest away from the mansion, that was seldom or never used, the poor

trembling girl had now enough to bear. She believed the cup of sorrow

had been drained to its last dregs; still she hoped on, never giving

place to the remotest trace of doubt, being fully assured of achieving

the topmost tier of triumph.

Lady Dunfern had, through pure fear of being caught in her adventure,

stood an hour or so behind the door before Marjory's welcome steps were

heard, and momentarily on hearing her trusted maid's nimble tread make

such rapid strides towards her release was with overjoy so quickly

stricken down, at a time when two-fold energy was most required, that

she utterly failed to regain the slightest strength; and in this sad

state her helper found her!

The moments were passing more quickly now than Marjory wished, and

bestowing one final look at her ladyship's watch so firmly clutched in

her fingers, was about to break down in despair, when she was suddenly

aroused by a dash of sandy pebble thrown against the window, which

unmistakably announced the arrival of him who so soon was to shield the

shaken form of her once lovely mistress from the snares of jealousy and

intrigue.

Oscar, who stood at the gate appointed, was very uneasy, no doubt, as

the hour slowly approached that should make him the recipient of the

treasure he at first should have honestly secured, and fearing lest the

escape might be detected in time for rescue, he was unable to remain any

longer where he was. Mounting the iron gate, he soon flung himself over

its speary top, and hurriedly making his way towards Lady Dunfern's

window, where he perceived the dim light, he announced his arrival in

the manner described.

Wringing her hands in wild despair, Marjory touchingly prayed for speedy

release from such cruel torture, and opening the door for the last time

she carried her mistress into the corridor, and there deposited her

until again locking the giant block of oak, then she lightly tripped

down the ashen steps, along the corridors, until at last she reached the

open door of Rachel's room. Pausing for a moment lest the housekeeper

might be awake, she satisfied herself this was not so. She then

courageously entered and safely deposited the key in the exact spot

whence she took it, retracing in a wonderfully quiet manner her shaking

footsteps until arriving to convey her precious charge to a place of

safety. Clasping Lady Dunfern once more in her arms, she crept down the

chilly steps of fate along the well-padded paths of tapestry, down

numerous flights of wiry-carpeted stairs, until finally reaching the

lofty hall, where she paused for an instant, being a complete example of

exhaustion, and dreading the least delay, approached the door with

safety. She then deposited her ladyship on a lounge that lay right

behind it until she secured the key which from previous observation she

noted, in case of emergency, hung on a silver hook not eight feet

distant.

With the air of a duchess, Marjory dashed open the outer door, at the

left wing of the building, and, with her liberated load of love, swept

for ever from its touch. Blowing faintly a whistle she bought for the

purpose, she soon was released of her charge by him who instantly

appeared to shield them both from the breezy blast which bitterly swept

that night o'er hill and dale.

Taking Lady Dunfern in his arms, Oscar paced the broad and pebbled

walks, speedily arriving at the spot where stood a vehicle in readiness

to convey them to their destiny. Not a word was spoken by Oscar, neither

did Lady Dunfern betray the slightest symptoms of recovery until safely

driven to the pretty home Oscar had previously arranged for her rescue,

some twenty miles distant from Dunfern Mansion.

It was situated nearly in the centre of Dilworth Park, and generously

handed over to Oscar as a conditional gift from his uncle, the Marquis

of Orland, who owned its many acres. Marjory's joy at this stage fully

balanced her previous hours of sorrowful and dangerous adventure. She

could hardly refrain from tears as she viewed the weary night before

through the telescope of trickery. She seemed confident of having

performed a great and good work by liberating from the pangs of

emotional imprisonment the weak and forlorn, who so soon would have been

ordered to separate herself from a closet of chastisement to enter the

home of joy everlasting, which ever has its door of gladness open to the

ring of the repentant and contrite.

After leaving Lady Dunfern in the careful charge of Marjory, Oscar

proceeded to handsomely reward his uncle's coachman, who drove them so

quickly from Dunfern Mansion to Audley Hall, requesting him at the same

time to treat the matter with profound silence.

The rescued form now opened her eyes, and suddenly a convulsive twitch

shook her feeble frame. Casting her heavily-laden orbs of blinded

brilliancy around the cosy well-lighted room, had not to be informed by

any one what had happened; she gasped, "Thank Heaven, I'm safe!"

Oscar, tenderly bidding Lady Dunfern "Good night," instructed Marjory to

carefully administer to her wants until daybreak.