CHAPTER V.

Our hopes when elevated to that standard of ambition which demands

unison may fall asunder like an ancient ruin. They are no longer fit for

construction unless on an approved principle. They smoulder away like

the ashes of burnt embers, and are cast outwardly from their confined

abode, never more to be found where once they existed only as

smouldering serpents of scorned pride.

The little chat that Irene apparently enjoyed in the conservatory would

gladly have become an act of forgetfulness on her part had not Sir John

reminded her of its existence a few days afterwards. The spark of

jealous passion had not fully died out after the incident referred to,

and awaiting silently its decease, Sir John almost had grown a mourner

to its imagined demise, following its undying remains so far as the

village of Opportunity, when it was again to revive and shine as

luminously as before.

It happened about three weeks preceding the day set apart for their holy

union, on Sir John arriving at the castle, he was informed of Irene's

recent exit, and gently turning away, he resolved to have a stroll in

the tastefully laid-out gardens with the sole object of meeting her.

Walking leisurely along, and stooping to pick up some fallen fruit,

he suddenly heard a faint sound issue amongst the trees. Remaining

breathless for a few seconds, lest he might be deceived by the rippling

sounds of the adjacent waves, he again heard the same sweet strain, but

of much longer duration than before, and quietly moving towards the spot

whence it issued, another sound met his ear in the distance, which

seemed to be the hasty tread of some one making good an escape, before

he got time to view the object he would eagerly have pursued, but

checking his desire somewhat, he allowed the matter to sink into

silence. Boldly moving towards the spot whence the sound of music

issued, how delightfully surprised was he to find a

magnificently-constructed little summer-house, a charming pyramidal

Gothic structure, robed internally with mossy mantles of nature, and

brightened beyond conception with the instrument of humanity which gave

origin to such pathetic and sweetened strains.

Politely offering an apology for intruding on the private little palace

of Irene, who failed completely to hide her gross confusion from the

keen gaze of her espoused, who never seemed to notice in the least the

sudden change that swept so swiftly over her pallid cheeks at his

unexpected visit, Sir John sat down.

Irene held in her snowy palms a roll of Italian music, which she

earnestly endeavoured to conceal from his penetrating stare, probably on

account of the words contained therein, which for ever would be unknown

to his varied sphere of knowledge, and which would undoubtedly have

betrayed her feelings, never dreaming that they should strike other ears

than those for whom they practically were intended.

Perceiving her great excitement at the unexpected appearance of him,

who ever afterwards kept his jealous thoughts in silent motion, he

absolutely evaded making any inquiry whatever, or slightest allusion to

the name and nature of the parchment she so firmly retained. Sir John

chatted gaily until he gained good ground for delivering to her the

message that instinct had so prompted him to utter.

"Irene, my beloved one," he began; "it is now only about a score of days

until I hoped for ever to call you mine; a hope which unmercifully has

haunted me since I fortunately gazed on your lovely face; a hope which I

trusted should be fully appreciated by both you and me, and which, I now

must own, can never be realised until the clearance of the barrier that

since our engagement has been but too apparent.

"The sole object of my visit, my dear Irene"--here Sir John clasped her

tender hand in his--"tonight is to elicit from you a matter that lately

has cast a shadowy gloom over my anticipated bright and cheerful future.

I am not one of those mortals who takes offence at trifles, neither am I

a man of hasty temper or words--quite the contrary, I assure you; but it

has, fortunately or unfortunately, been probably a failing amongst my

ancestors to court sensitiveness in its minutest detail, and, I must

acknowledge, I stray not from any of them in this particular point.

"I must acquaint you, though it pains me deeply to do so, that lately

you have not treated me with such respect or attention as you certainly

lavished upon me before the announcement of our engagement, and for what

reason or reasons I now wish to be apprised. You seem when in company

with others to ignore my remarks to you entirely, and treat them with

proud disdain, as if shame took the place of pride at my wordy approach!

I felt and do feel quite hurt, and am resolved that no such repetition

shall take place in future. I promised to be at the castle last night,

but unfortunately I felt indisposed, and only that I wished to have a

thorough understanding relative to your recent conduct, and which has

pained me acutely, I should not have ventured out of doors this evening

either. I was, in consequence, obliged to write you last night, asking a

written reply, which you failed to give! And this evening, instead of

being doubly rejoiced at my presence, you, on the contrary, seem doubly

annoyed! I therefore pray, my dearest Irene, that you will, and I am

persuaded honestly, not hesitate to satisfy me regarding this

unpleasantness, that should anything of which you are now aware cause

your conduct to be changed towards me, do not allow it a lair within

your breast, but confide in me as thou wouldst in a dearly-trusted and

faithful lover."

At this stage Irene began to consider seriously the earnestness that

accompanied the words of Sir John, knowing well she had been guilty,

grossly guilty, of the charges with which he impeached her, and which

were mixed with child-like simplicity, descriptive only of a world-famed

bachelor. She pondered whether or not honesty should take the place of

deceit--too often practised in women--and concluded to adopt the latter

weapon of defence. Raising her hazel eyes to his, and clearing the weft

of truth that had been mixing with the warp of falsehood to form an

answer of plausible texture, fringed with different shades of love,

she thus began:

"My dearest and much beloved, I assure you your remarks have astounded

me not a little! Your words sting like a wasp, though, I am quite

convinced, unintentionally. You are well aware that within a short

period I will be marked out publicly as mistress of Dunfern mansion--an

honour revered in every respect by me; an honour to which I at one time

dare never aspire; an honour coveted by many much more worthy than I,

whose parentage is as yet bathed in the ocean of oblivious ostentation,

until some future day, when I trust it shall stand out boldly upon the

brink of disclosure to dry its saturated form and watery wear with the

heat of equality. You are about to place me in a position which cannot

fail to wring from jealousy and covetousness their flaming torch of

abuse. Yes, Sir John, on me you have not ceased to lavish every

available treasure and token of your unbounded love. You have been to me

not only a loyal admirer, but a thoroughly upright and estimable example

of life's purest treasures. You have resolved to place me by your side

as your equal, whilst wealth in boundless store is thirsting for your

touch. You have elevated my unknown position to such a pitch as to defy

taunt or jeer, and at any time if I may have, seemingly, ignored your

advances, it was purely want of thought, and not through any underhand

motive or scheme whatever.

"I assure you your allusion to my verbal answer last night is very

pronounced, and may be overlooked on the ground of pure disappointment.

Our time of singleness is now short, and begging your forgiveness for my

seeming neglect or indifference, I hope the tide, which until now has

flown so gently, may not be stayed on the eve of entering the harbour of

harmony, peace, and love."

At the commencement of Irene's answer of lavishing praises and flimsy

apologies, her affianced moved to the opposite corner of the rustic

building to scan the features of her he wholly worshipped and

reluctantly doubted. Every sentence the able and beautiful girl uttered

caused Sir John to shift his apparently uncomfortable person nearer and

nearer, watching at the same time minutely the divine picture of

innocence, until at last, when her reply was ended, he found himself,

altogether unconsciously, clasping her to his bosom, whilst the ruby

rims which so recently proclaimed accusations and innocence met with

unearthly sweetness, chasing every fault over the hills of doubt, until

hidden in the hollow of immediate hate.