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"A prophet, by gad!" exclaimed Rosmore. "I entered this room in time to hear your transaction with Judge Marriott," said Crosby. "Now the story ends in one of two ways. You have two orders of release, one for Mistress Lanison, one for me.
"You see, mistress, I did not forget," said Martin; and, taking up his fiddle from a table, he went out, closing the door softly behind him. There came a little cadence of notes the laugh of the fiddle. Somehow there was the sound of wailing rather than of laughter in it to-night. Barbara Lanison suddenly remembered how much she had thought of the man who stood before her.
Your fortune was in his keeping, and he used it." "Then I have nothing!" exclaimed Barbara, turning to Gilbert, "and I have been thinking and planning that " "My dear, your money was nothing to me." "I know, but " "Better let me finish the story, Mistress Lanison," said Fellowes. "In some way, I cannot tell you how, Lord Rosmore discovered what your uncle was doing.
A servant was sent to inform Mistress Lanison of her uncle's departure, and in a few minutes he returned to say that Mistress Lanison was out. "Out! Where?" "I have made inquiries, my lady, but no one seems to know," said the servant. "Madam went out with her maid quite early this morning, but returned shortly afterwards.
"That's well; they have given up the pursuit," and he turned and went at a brisk canter across country. The maid said nothing about the trooper to her mistress; she only told her that an early start would have to be made. "Very well, Harriet, I shall want nothing more to-night, and will put myself to bed." But Barbara Lanison was in no haste to seek sleep.
"Mistress Lanison, I ask your pardon for to-night. Forget it, blot it out of your memory, if you can. If some day you would deign to set me a task whereby I might prove my repentance, I swear you shall be humbly served. Against your will, perhaps, you have picked me out of the gutter. Please God, I'll keep out of it. Thank you for all you have done for me."
For a moment Rosmore hesitated. "No; we will not shake hands," he said. "If I have found consolation, I cannot forget who you are and that you have robbed me of Mistress Lanison. To clasp your hand would mean to wish you good luck, and I cannot do that. I want her to know that she has chosen badly. You and I could never be friends, Mr. Crosby."
"I have not seen him since we parted the other night," Fellowes answered. "I have picked up some information, but have had no one to tell it to." "And I have seen Mistress Lanison." "Seen her!" "Seen her and spoken to her. It is a miracle, I tell you."
He was convinced that his treatment of Barbara Lanison had been diplomatic, whereas his whole manner and conversation had put her upon her guard. He had succeeded in convincing her that he was laying a trap for her indiscretion, and that to trust him would be only playing into the hands of her enemies.
"Heart and soul for Mistress Lanison," said Fellowes. "Heart and soul," said Crosby. "Three honest and true men," murmured Fairley, and tears were in his eyes. "A triple alliance." Lord Rosmore thought little about the assizes as he supped alone and drank his wine, unconscious of the many times he filled and emptied the glass.
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