The Rake's Progress

brary she went instantly and stealthi

in a hushed yet insi

dress and mob cap appeare

ing furtively behind her, and the mai

stress's face, her own sharp fair countenance alert and eage

ss clutche

moment under his roof, not anothe

seem to expect it; they had the manner of adepts in qui

t secrecy, Honoria preceded her mistress do

e wide steps where the mo

he Countess, and the maid ob

u going to d

esture tore her purple gow

the place, I cannot endure

!" whispere

e hysterical sound and again

assed under the shadows of the high rustling trees

has happened, my lady; why, you have neither mantle, nor hat, nor money-

sed her open hand

lly. "I am going back to my father if I have to walk; he can b

ress on through th

y, not loosening her hold. "Return home! i

ntess s

o consider? I am

stioned Honoria shrewdl

nt to bring gentlemen's swords to the crossing! 'What do we marry you for if not for o

roat. In the darkness cast by the peaceful trees, alone in the free air with her one confidante, she

to me of any matter of his world, taking it for granted I could not understand; my people were not genteel; I should be waiting in my father's shop. But there was alw

support, and leant heavily again

"He spoke to me after his brother's fas

oked at he

lemen are strange. But they are men," she added quickly, "and you are a woman

with tumultuous sobs that hurt her breast. She clasp

aving foliage, and showed her delicate, sharp face and the curling lo

have and the power it gives you over both of

st," came heavily fro

she but a perked-up Miss that lost her head?' Great ladi

I vow it! But did he not threaten to shut me up in Bedlam? You heard him tell me my

igned," returned

e is it to me? What pleasure have I in seeing it go to pay his debts, to procure luxuries for his mother, to keep up the estate he mocks me with, to mini

reath. The maid eyed her k

ied the Countess. "I

hrough the trees, a

ches and crushing back of leaves was distinctly heard. The Countess pu

y as that cousin of his? Why should they turn their backs on me? I wo

is your strength, my lady. You do not hold him by the bonds of fancy, or the bonds of liking,

gh the dark trees ran the constant tripping murmur of the wind, and the long grass bent towards the

ack at the house, impassive and

paid for them with pieces across the counter in our tradesmen's way, sooner than have made t

gure. Her face was in shadow, and she supported herself by resti

are the Countess of Lyndwood, and that means you may do

answered her mistre

know not who hath, my lady. They make nothing of you now, but in a ye

urned her head and fixed her

rother, and between these two proud ladies of his? There is always Mr. Hilton behind you with the m

nd gently touched

ners, my lady, will avail you now. Do you not suppose that my lord would be pleased to see you in the sulks that he might shut

wered the Countess, in a deep breath.

back; and ther

n looked at

still be a great lady. My lord is the most famous ra

s discredit, as some set-off to his scorn of her. Much of what she heard was false, but she knew more of the truth about things than any save her maid guessed. Marius had thought her soft

er dark eyes were fixed blankly on t

hen I should know-yes, when I had done him a mischief, I should know what my feeling for him is. And

a. "But take your part now, and carry it through. Let him

y. "Something might be done that way. Which of them do you thin

Boyle at the Wells. You remember I found the paragraphs in the papers last season, a

fine lover, my lord! Well, we will see!" She shivered. "They

noria, "and we had best return

replied the Countess fier

her heart, expelling peace and ease. She was calm because

s some knowledge which we could turn into weapons as sharp as those with which he to-night struck me-ay, and Marius Lyndwood, too-t

ot mouth and stared at the n

ria!" she cried, catching

whispered the maid. "They hav

t warm rain began to fall, and

asked the Cou

low light was diffused over the jasmine

thed Honoria, and slip

ck catch of her breath

he voice of Susannah Chre

. Hilton's daughter, "

lt. The speaker came rapidly up the steps, and fa

allid lips; "I think it is raini

ed into the house, after

d her mistress. "I shal

e girl dropped a quick curtsey, an

ht, wild figure in her dark plain dre

aking of me to y

drew back aga

she said, and her

d the Countess. "I wonder what name

h Chressham, breathing hard. "But why this tone to me

he has to bear?"

am straighte

of my lord and

ge fierce eyes on Susannah, and passion sprang up in them like a flame.

ed to Miss Chr

d!" she sai

oice wavered and sank. "But remember it, we

fter her with a full glance of horror. At the ne

that word," she said huskily,

nd Rose's cousin watched her until the childish violet