CHAPTER III.

Arouse the seeming deadly creature to that standard of joy and gladness

which should mark his noble path! Endow him with the dewdrops of

affection; cast from him the pangs of the dull past, and stamp them for

ever beneath the waves of troubled waters; brighten his life as thou

wouldst that of a faded flower; and when the hottest ray of that

heavenly orb shall shoot its cheerful charge against the window panes of

Dunfern Mansion, the worthy owner can receive it with true and profound

thankfulness. Three weeks had scarcely passed ere Sir John was made the

recipient of another invitation to Dilworth Castle. This second effusion

of cordiality required neither anxious thought nor prolonged decision

how to act, knowing as he did that it would again serve to bring his

present thoughts into practice by affording him another opportunity of

sharing in the loving looks of one for whom he feared there dwelt a

strong inclination on his part to advance his affection.

Irene stood looking out on the lake beyond the richly draped window,

ruminating on the days of her childhood, which lent a look of dullness

to the beautiful face that beamed with delight as Sir John Dunfern

entered. The evening was very pleasantly and quietly spent, Irene

commanding the greater part of his time and attention, on account of

Lady Dilworth being slightly ailing, whose health, generally speaking,

at this period was not so robust as formerly, and consequently failed to

warrant too many callers. As the clock struck eleven Sir John began to

think of returning home, feeling quite happy, fancying his great

affection was returned in full by Irene.

Being very domesticated, and having the stiff ideas of a bachelor of

long standing so firmly imprinted in his nature, he felt very diffident

in asking the object of his visit when next they should meet. But Lady

Dilworth entering before taking his departure, saved him putting the shy

question by placing herself in his position and demanding the required

reply. Sir John promised without further ceremony to visit them more

frequently in future, and left their midst with hasty step, lingering in

the hall to cast another look at the lovely form which stood not far

distant. Leisurely leaning back in his carriage, and burying himself in

his great and costly cloak demanded by the night's icy aspect, he rolled

along towards his home drowned in sweet thought of the beautiful girl

whom he only recently knew, but whose regard for her raged with such

rambling anxiety as to convince him of the propriety of making her aware

how he meant to play the part of lover.

Until now he was inclined to be prejudiced against the snares and

allurements of women, but he strongly resolved to try gradually and

abandon every unkind thought harboured in his mind against them, fearing

lest all his conjured imaginations were both unjust and selfish; and

determined to drown them for ever in the clashing gulf of fate, felt a

prouder and happier mortal than before.

But time would solve the problem and heal the wound which penetrated so

deeply his bosom. Yea, a short time he hoped would bring his creeping

fever of endearment under the binding stay of appointed authority, and

heal its weakening effects with the sacred salve of truth.

Not until the horses dashed up the winding avenue with increased

alacrity was he shaken from his meditating attitude, to be ushered once

more into his home of boundless wealth. The lonely stare of grave

bewilderment took the place of happiness that formerly seemed built in

abundance for him within its walls, as he entered the palatial and

gorgeously equipped abode he principally inhabited, feeling the tinge of

the dull past filling him with entire despair, whilst meditating on the

happy future which presented itself to him. How in a trivial period this

lonely spot, he thought, should prove the beacon of never-dying bliss,

when once furnished with the most precious treasure on earth--a virtuous

woman! Ah! the very thought of his embosomed and anticipated alliance

made him nervously happy; and believing a bright and noble future lay in

store for the lonely owner of Dunfern Estate, he resolved to indulge

nature in a few hours of calm repose.

The days moved along more quickly Sir John believed than formerly; and

possibly he may have imagined this was so, as he felt no longer fettered

with fear of fighting with his inward friend--obstinacy, whose hand of

drowsy bachelorism seemed for ever closed to his changing charity; he

had at last thrown aside the garb of female dislike, and patronised that

of a warm-hearted lover.

Irene did not lead Lady Dilworth to believe that she really cared for

Sir John, and, when his name cropped up occasionally, she allowed

herself always to keep the coast of conversation clear that would likely

convict her views most, and managed cleverly thereby to deceive the

friend who came not a day too soon to her rescue. Perhaps had Lady

Dilworth proved less concerned about the orphan charge she freed from a

life of toil, apparently, and instructed her more on the branches of

integrity, then the lovely youthful Irene could have decided more

honorably in all cases of questioning, and would have done justice, not

alone to herself, but to all concerned; but, like many others similarly

surrounded with lovers, battling in the war of extremes, and encompassed

on all sides with apparent luxuries, she was confident she would some

day come off victorious by acting the clever Corinthian.