United States or Democratic Republic of the Congo ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
He looked stealthily round at the man whose life he had saved at the man who had devotedly served him in return. A hideous cunning leered at his mouth and peeped out of his eyes. "Arnold Brinkworth pretended to be married to her at the inn. By the lord Harry! that's a way out of it that never struck me before!"
"May I ask who she is?" Before the question can be answered, a knock at the house door announces the arrival of visitors. For the third time, Julius and his wife look at each other. On this occasion, Julius interferes. "My wife has already told you, Lady Lundie, that we expect Mr. and Mrs. Brinkworth to lunch. Sir Patrick, and the new Lady Lundie, accompany them.
"Surely I have some association with that name?" "You have probably heard of him, Mrs. Delamayn, as the heir to Miss Brinkworth's Scotch property?" "Exactly! Have you brought Mr. Brinkworth here to-day?" "I bring his apologies, as well as Sir Patrick's. They went to Edinburgh together the day before yesterday.
Lady Lundie, as a good Protestant, lifts her hands in horror declares the topic to be too painful to dwell on and, by way of varying it, goes straight to the point at last. Has Lady I Holchester, in the course of her continental experience, happened to meet with, or to hear of Mrs. Arnold Brinkworth? "I have ceased, as you know, to hold any communication with my relatives," Lady Lundie explains.
You have been all that is generous, all that is delicate, all that is kind in this matter. You have kept my disgraceful secret I am quite sure of it with the fidelity of an honorable man who has had a woman's reputation placed in his charge. I release you, with my whole heart, dear Mr. Brinkworth, from your pledge. I entreat you, on my knees, to consider yourself free to reveal the truth.
It was only on Friday last that she consented to let the day be fixed and even then she made it a positive condition that the marriage was not to take place in Scotland. Pure willfulness! But what can I do? Sir Patrick submits; and Mr. Brinkworth submits. If I am to be present at the marriage I must follow their example.
You are Arnold Brinkworth's wife. I wish you joy, and good-by forever." Address those lines: "To Mrs. Arnold Brinkworth;" instruct the messenger to leave the letter late that night, without waiting for an answer; start the first thing the next morning for his brother's house; and behold, it was done! But even here there was an obstacle one last exasperating obstacle still in the way.
"Quite impossible!" she rejoined. "If you want any more encouragement, you must speak to my uncle." "I'll speak to him," returned Arnold, "before I leave the house." There was another cry for "Mr. Brinkworth." Blanche made another effort to push him out. "Go!" she said. "And mind you get through the hoop!" She had both hands on his shoulders her face was close to his she was simply irresistible.
There's only one creature in the world I ever heard of as having a good word to say for the man." "And who might that be?" "The Hon. Mrs. Brinkworth, widow of his younger brother. You'd think the man was an angel to hear her sing his praises. Her husband, too, was a wild sort. Left her up to her ears in debt, without a penny to bless herself, and with a boy of five to rear and educate.
The one exception was directed to "Arnold Brinkworth, Esq., care of Lady Lundie, Windygates House, Perthshire" and the envelope was specially protected by a seal. It was not known to him but it was obviously the handwriting of a woman. Lady Lundie was sitting opposite to him at the table. He said, carelessly, "A letter for Arnold" and pushed it across to her.
Word Of The Day