Rhoda Fleming -- Volume 5

avily, stopped her breathing, and hoped her unshaped hope again. The last time he was in sight, she found herself calling to him with a voice like that of a burdened sleeper: her thought bei

ind, when the marvel of beholding Dahlia stepping out of the garden made her for a moment less the creature of her sickened senses. Dahlia was dressed for a walk, and she went very fast. The same paralysis of motion afflicted Rhoda as when she was gazing after her father; but her hand stretched out instinctively for her bon

her prayer. "Send death to her rather!"-and Rhoda's vision under her sh

shall deal with his creatures. The strain of a long uncertainty, and the late feverish weeks had distem

e her strength to rise. As swiftly as she

h; the nature of which was an advertisement cut out of the county paper, notifying to one Robert Eccles that his aunt Anne had died, and that there was a legacy for him, to be pai

from Major

n to be of your opinion-there are some things which we

e clear morning air, scenting exci

en, which he r

lf free. At any rate, keep guard over her, and don't leave her. Mrs. Lovell has herself been moving to make discoveries down at Warbeach. Mr.

ou

er

nthony, who was unsteadily gazing at a

said Robert, a

ed along: nor did Robert stop until they reached Greatham, five miles

t: you want lif

might be. Yet the tender ecstacy of being paid for was i

tles of sherry, Robert locked the door. The devil was in him. He compelled Anthony to

You've robbed me,

haven't," An

en! if you resist, I'll hand you over to bluer imps than you've ever drea

ept into

Hackbut. You've robbed me of my sweetheart. Never mind. Life's but the pop of a gun. Some of us flash in the pan, and

his maundering account of his adventure with the Bank money, sternly replenishing his glass. His attention was taken by the sight of Dahlia steppi

in the fields leading to Wrexby. Robert saw two female figures far ahead. A man was hastening to join them. The women started and turned suddenly: one threw up her hands, and darkened her face. It was in the pathway of a broad meadow, deep with grass, w

's

r hands off; before you

ly beg your pardon.

emy's courteous tone. "I've come for my wife. I'm just down by train, and a bit out of my way, I reck

len against the roots of a banking elm, and surveyed the scene w

a fool? Eccles, you know me better 'n that. That y

ly, and quivered, and turned her eyes supplicati

u had," said Robert, spying for the point of his per

ed. "A man may get in a passion, when

," said Rhoda; muttering, "

'tis-you've been at my servants to get at my secrets. Some of you have. You've declared war. You've b

ehemently. "You live in Hampshire, sir, I think; I don't know any more

ur part of the country," said

tremendous blow. Robert strode over him, and taking Dahlia by the elbow, walked three paces on, as

ickest gliding step. At the last stile of the fields, Rhoda saw that they were not followed. She stopped, panting: her heart and eyes were so full of that flaming creature who was her lover. Dahlia took from her bosom the letter she had won in

ave you

e things," Dahlia replied, a mu

"I could get a little

of grief for what I hav

so; don't let us

ound to her. Yet she was the first to resume: "I think I shall be sav

nd again Dahlia shrank from t

readiness to go up to Wrexby Hall. "He would sell me to save the farm." She reproached herself for the thought, but she could not be just; she had the image of her father plodding re

n met them i

eeth of his quiet grin were stamped on the impressionable vision of the girls in such a w

iteously, and she bit on her underlip. Rhoda tried to detain her; but Dahlia repeated,