forward and hid her face on her sister's shoulder, averting her eyes in shuddering anguish from Walter's bed. Lord De Cressy had rightly judged that her nerves were scarcely strong enough for the trying scene. But Agnes was calm and tearless, as a mother can be, even when her heart is breaking, and, signing to her husband to remain, she led Kathleen into the adjoining room. "Oh, Agnes!" said Kathleen, when she could find voice to speak, "I did not think that I should have been so weak; but he is so changed." "Edward says," replied Agnes, "that his countenance is more easy than it was, and he is certainly less restless, so we hope the fever is subsiding. But tell me, dear, why you have come. It will be rash to go back to your own home, from this infected house." "I have come to stay if you will have me, Agnes." "With Lord De Cressy's consent?" Agnes asked, with a suspicion of the truth. Kathleen's answer was given after only a moment's hesitation. "No, Agnes, without it. You will not send me away, to be haunted by the thought of all that you have to do and suffer here, whilst I live alone, in dreary, heartless luxury." "Not alone, but with your husband," said Agnes, gently; but the words did not avail to check her sister's passionate vehemence. "True, with Lionel. We shall go out driving together, and he will talk of books and pictures — of everything but the one subject of which my heart is full. Agnes, at least let me stay till, till " Agnes shrank from the words which faltered on her sister's lips. She had no hope, but not yet could she endure to hear that the same conviction was shared by another. "Dear Kathleen," she said, "do not give me the pain of refusing what you ought never to ask. My head is so tired that I cannot advise; but you will know what is best what Lord De Cressy would wish you to do." "I cannot tell what Lord De Cressy may wish possibly, that I should not go back at all. He will be very much displeased." "Then, at least, you can write to tell him that you are here, and leave it to him to decide. For Walter's sake, of whom our memories should be only peaceful, do not let him be made the cause of strife between you." This plea prevailed. Agnes returned to her boy's room, leaving Kathleen to write to Lord De Cressy and, with reluctance and many tears, the task was at last accomplished. "DEAREST LIONEL, Agnes says, that it was very wrong to come away as I did and so I believe it was. I am ready to do what you wish about going home, but there may be some risk in that now. Walter is still very ill. "Your affectionate "K. De C." As she signed her name, it occurred to her that this was her first letter to her husband since their mar riage. She would not dwell on so bitter a thought, and she hurrried away to find a messenger by whom to dispatch her note, and then to fulfil her promise of putting Cecil to bed. CHAPTER XXIX. The sweeteste flowere our ghirlonde all among FAERIE QUEENE. LORD DE CRESSY dressed with deliberation, and he was not much surprised to find, on his return to the drawing-room, that Kathleen was not there. He waited some time before ringing to desire that a message might be sent up to Lady De Cressy to inquire whether she preferred having her dinner in her own room. He was therefore wholly unprepared for the disclosure which followed; and, as Kathleen had foreseen, his displeasure was excessive. He was more affected by the ésclandre of the affair; if she had ordered the carriage, he might have passed over an act of wilfulness for which the circumstances afforded some excuse, but it was impossible to forgive an act of imprudence which would publish their disagreement and her open defiance of his authority to their household in the first instance, and through them to the London world. In a few days an exaggerated report of his bride's reckless indiscretion must reach the ears of their acquaintance, who would, after the fashion of society, take up the matter as a party question, and argue respecting the degree of blame to be attached to either side. "No doubt," thought Lord De Cressy, when, after pacing the room in great agitation, he paused before the window, and saw the reflection of the lamps on the wet pavement "no doubt I shall be considered a pretty tyrant for turning my wife out of doors on such a night as this. And how my uncle will triumph at this speedy accomplishment of his predictions respecting our short-lived happiness!" He still stood at the window, unable to determine what course to pursue, when a carriage stopped at the door. After a brief delay, a single figure alighted, and he almost ventured to hope that his difficulties were solved by Kathleen's speedy return. He was prepared to be cold, displeased, but not altogether implacable, when the door opened, only to admit his cousin, Adelaide Wilmot. "I am on my way to Brompton," she said, too nearsighted to detect that anything was amiss. "As soon as you were gone, I coerced mamma to let me go, and be of what use I can to poor Mrs. Lisle. And I came round this way to tell Kathleen, and see her before I go. Is she in her room?" "Kathleen has been before you," said Lord De Cressy; "she has, I believe, gone to Mrs. Lisle's." "You believe?" repeated Adelaide, in some surprise. "I suppose that is only one way of admitting a disagreeable certainty. I honour Kathleen for having disregarded your fear of infection, or your love of exclusiveness which is it? It seemed unnatural to keep the sisters asunder at such a time, under any pretext, considering Mrs. Lisle's helplessness, and her absorbing passion for the poor boy." |