The Mysterious Key And What It Opened

mained with them, and till Paul chose to renew the old friendship it was best to remain silent. Great was the surprise and delight

e about him?" said Lillian, eager to assure the wanderer of a

oses he can renew the acquaintance so strangely broken off. Be patient, and above all things remember, Lillian, t

and not be afraid of shocking the proprieties

An elderly groom now rode behind her, and she surveyed him with extreme disgust, as she remembered the handsome lad who had once filled tha

id Maud Churchill, who had joi

y and truth had a conflict just then. "He's so perfectly absorbed and devo

" And Lillian rode home at a pace which

trothed!" she cried, runnin

with a warning look, for there he stood, with hal

an elaborate curtsy, saying, with a half-merry, half-reproachfu

r you a seat, Miss Lillian," he said, assum

e difference between the lad she remembered and t

riously four years ago," she said, with a touch of the childish

you appeared with news conc

n!" exclaim

always together till I left her to serve Colonel Daventry. The death of the old priest to whom I entrusted her recalled me to Genoa, for I was then her only guard

hamber; I always thought so," and Lad

ope and then climbed in at the closet window of the state chamber. When you came, my lady, I thought it was Hester, and slipped into the bed, meaning to give her a fright in return for her turning the key on me. But when

nd a half-proud, half-submissive expression replaced the former candid one. Lillian observed this, and it disturbed her, but my lady took it for shame at his boyish freak and received his confession kindly, granting a free pardon and expressing

benefactor, and I hope to enjoy it well and wisely," he said in a gra

? That depends on your cousin, perhaps." And Lady Trevlyn regard

fiancee yet, Miss Lillian." And the shadow lifted as he laughed, looking at the youn

rld's report," she said,

s you will find in time

cousin, Paul. Will she recei

o enjoy new faces, even kind ones. I have promised perfect rest an

meet her and chose to seclude herself, as if regardless of the interest and admiration she excited. "I will see her in spite of her refusal,

tle Paul had really told them of his past life or future plans. It was agreed among them to say nothing of their former relations, except to old Bedford, who was discretion itself, but to appear to the world as new-made friends-thus avoiding unpleasant and unnecessary explanations which w

self as she liked. As if fearing her courage would fail if she delayed, Lillian ordered t

ng the old woman into an amiable mood by every winning wile she could devise. "I think you'll like it, and if

ou, chil

e always looks grave and grim when I ask questions. That's provoking, and I won't hear it. Maud is engaged to Raleigh, you know; well, he confided to her that he and a friend

etly relishing the prank, for she was dyi

and give me a chance to look. Now say you will,

y. She was alone, and when first seen was bending over a flower which she caressed and seemed to examine with great interest as she stood a long time motionless before it. Then she began to pace slowly around and around the little grass plot, her hands hanging loosely clasped before her, and her eyes fixed on vacancy as if absorbed in thought. But as the first effect of her beauty passed away, Lillian found something peculiar about her. It was not the somewhat forei

ashed was she that Hester's call was unheard, and Hester was unseen as she came and stood beside her. Both looked a moment, and as they looked

s sad and won't talk of her, and that she

but don't understand

diot, though that's a hard word

The thought of it haunted her continually; the memory of the lonely girl gave her no peace; and a consciousness of deceit burdened her unspeakably, especially in Paul's presence. This lasted for a week, then Lillian resolved to con

can have no peace till I am

he asked, looking dist

him with her sweet face, so full of pity, shame, and g

me for discoverin

greater fault, Lillian," he answere

how can you so easily pardon it in me?" she asked, quite o

such a thing in another?" he said, with

in those I loved, I could fo

ulsively, "How little changed you are! Do you reme

e answered, wit

t we tal

childish gossip

ch p

Lillian looked up now, longing to ask if Hele

, and his own hand went involuntarily toward his

e asked, smiling at

d wed your fair little

e cried, with sudd

marry

that I

to a-" The word died on her lips, but a g

e demanded,

stammered Lillian, entirely forgett

?" asked Paul, lookin

oor H

hat base lie?" And his voice

fliction; Hester said so, and I bel

is blind, but no

gh many phases of jealousy, hope, despair, and self-delusion. The joy she felt on seeing him again, the pride she took in him, the disgust Helen caused her, the relief she had not dared to own even to herself, when she fancied fate had put an insurmountable barrier between Paul and his cousin, the despair at finding it only a fancy, and the anguish of hearing him declare his unshaken purpose to marry his first love-all these conflicting emotions had led

n. Forgive me, and forget this folly. I'm sad and heavyhearted just now; it's the anniver

n return for the one you gave me long ago. This is a talisman, and tomorrow I will

saw the glitter of an antique ring, felt the touc

Yes, tomorrow there shall be an end of this! We must risk everything an