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It was of no use denying it, she was fond of Charley. Of late it had dawned dimly and deliciously upon her that Sir Victor Catheron was growing very attentive.
About my private affairs I will answer no impertinent questions, either now or at any future time." Miss Catheron was then allowed to retire. The jury held a consultation, and it was proposed to adjourn the inquest for a few days, until Juan Catheron should be discovered.
But you're safe to find her at home any evening you may name, Lady Catheron, after seven P.M." She takes the slip of paper very humbly very unlike the Edith he used to know her lips quivering, as he can see. "May I go at once?" she asks in that humble little voice; "I can't wait. I want to see your mother, and I will stay until Trixy comes." "My mother will be there, and charmed to see you.
She rose hurriedly to go. "Will you come to Powyss Place on Thursday next?" she asked. "I hardly like to press you, Inez, under the circumstances. For poor Victor's sake I want to make the best of it. I give a dinner party, as you know; invite all our friends, and present Lady Catheron. There is no help for it. If I take her up, all the country will; but if you had rather not appear, Inez "
To-morrow, Miss Stuart's sprain permitting, we will all visit Catheron Royals. Do come, Miss Darrell; it will do you a world of good." She hesitated a moment, then went. What difference did it make? Trix wouldn't be jealous now. What difference did anything make, for that matter? She was dull and low-spirited; she needed a walk in the fine fresh air.
By the night train, a few hours later, Inez Catheron went up to London. As Madame Mirebeau's young women assembled next morning, she was there before them, waiting to see Miss Stuart. Edith came a foreknowledge of the truth in her mind. The interview was brief. She left at once in company with Miss Catheron, and Madame Mirebeau's establishment was to know her no more.
"Insanity is in the Catheron blood I knew that from the first. His father lived and died a maniac. The father's fate is the son's. It has lain dormant for three-and-twenty years, to break out on his wedding-day. Lady Helena, am I right?" But Lady Helena was sobbing convulsively now. Her sobs were her only reply. "It is hard on you," Edith said, with a dreary sort of pity. "You loved him."
Edith, my love, my darling, leave me this one hope, give me this one promise before you go?" "I promise to come," was her answer; "I promise to listen I can promise no more. A week ago I thought I would have died sooner than pledge myself to that much sooner than look in your face, or speak to you one word. And now, Sir Victor Catheron, farewell." She turned to go without waiting for his reply.
Eight days after the burial of Lady Catheron, several events, occurred that wrought the seething excitement of Chesholm to boiling-over point events talked of for many an after year, by cottage fireside and manor hearth. The first of these, was Miss Catheron's examination before the police magistrate, and her committal to jail, until the assizes.
As she sat, leaning forward, breathless, trance-bound, the singer vanished, the curtain fell. "Oh!" it was a deep drawn sigh of pure delight. She drew back, lifted her impassioned eyes, and met the smiling ones of Sir Victor Catheron. "You did not know I was here," he said. "You were so enraptured I would not speak. Once it would have enraptured me too, but I am afraid my rapturous days are past."
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