Fallen Fortunes

ugh something new and wonderful had come into his life, as though some great and marvello

strangely light. A curious loathing and shame at himself was blended with a sense of exultant triumph, which held him in a mood of ecstasy. For a long while he drifted onwards, scarce thinking or knowing whither he went, till a sudden consciousness that he wa

riend's levee, meet all those of his comrades who had energy to pay their customary devoirs to their patron, and di

t city. He could almost hear the great guffaw of laughter with which Lord Sandford would greet his confession. He half feared the powerful personality and the imperious temper of the man who had been a good friend to him, and who had the reputation of being a dangerous enemy when his will was crossed. Grey knew that this man liked him-went near to loving him-would not easily let him go. He knew that he

did not see his way honourably to break. He had promised to ride Don Carlos the following Saturday in a course against three other picked horses, and heavy wagers, he knew, had been laid upon or against his steed. This engagement he felt he could not break; but the rest he would. He might even make

knew that his ability to see both sides of a question often led him into difficulties and the appearance of vacillation. Surely he could keep h

the other rivalries (to them more important) of the reigning beauties of the gay world, Grey felt that it would indeed be impossible to speak in this company of any of those things which were in his mind. He contented himself by standing

al queens is fairest to look upon. I have promised both the dear creatures to be there, to give my admiration to both alike. Shall I risk the undying enmity of either by giving the palm to one? No such fool, gentlemen-no such fool is Sandford. I vow I will have ready such a pretty speech or couplet for each that she shall

es ready to follow Lord Sandford to whatever place of entertainment

en be there in the

s that the sharp mocking eyes of Lord Sandford should see him at this moment, albeit h

h Lord Sandford lead away th

delicate perfume over his person, as a finishing touch to his toilet. "The Lady Geraldine is no longer to lead the life o

r of a grown-up daughter-ha, ha! How comes it that this young beauty hath never been shown before to the world? Other dams

er's aunt; for my Lord and my Lady Romaine are cousins, and Mrs. Adair was trusted and revered by both. Young children are in the way of such gay ladies of fashion, wherefore the babe

t that item, my lord. It is whispered that it will make the b

Only a small knot remained with their patron, discussing the plans for the day; and Grey stood still in the embrasure of the window, his heart still beating with curious violence and rapidity. When those men were speaking of Geraldine, he had scarce been able to keep his fingers from their throats. What business ha

n the river well-nigh since sunrise to rid me of the vapours. Methinks I will se

urday. Man and beast must come to the field strong and robust, with nerve and wind and muscle true and taut. But you must make one of our party to Vauxh

the overwhelming desire to see Geraldine again-perhaps to speak a word of farewell-

nough for that; you

inations as the times had to offer were to be enjoyed, and where ladies and their attendant beaux fluttered about like so many gay butterflies, and found opportunity as the dusk fell for walks and talks of a more private nature in the bosky alleys and sha

his friendship with Lord Sandford. But Grey made small response to overtures, quickly shook himself free, and pursued his solitary ramble, till at length a sound of gay voices, laughter, and almost uproarious mirth, in which the tones of Lord Sandford could plainly be heard, drew him to a wide open space where an illuminated fountain seemed to have drawn a great conc

tering, admiring, laughing. He only saw one white figure, standing aloof and for the moment alone, the moonbeams glimmering upon the sh

ocking crowd; and he felt the clinging clasp of her fingers thrilling him to his heart's core. He heard the breath of re

u, Lady Geraldine. Why d

eyes. With an impulse for which he could not account, he covered the fingers which la

you from them all. I ask only to live and die as you

quiver of the hand he held. He knew not how long the silence l

ht. A maiden is not free to choose her friends; and the knights of chivalry are long since vanished from the earth. I would that I might call you friend, that sometimes we might meet and hold conv

essed emotion which he scarcely understood. The tumult of his own hea

be your friend-your servant!" he pleaded. "And

ed her bent head and gazed earnestly at h

nd of Lord Sandfo

eks. He has shown me much kindness and

Sandford? Is he leal and true, faithful, loving, and loyal? Is he better than the crowd who follow at his heels and ape his m

there be moments when he repels me too. He is a good friend-I would not speak a word against him; yet it is said that he can be a bitter and an unscr

cruel and

not tasted of the other. For the rest, he is a man of parts, and can do all well to which he puts his hand. Methinks he would be strong enough to break off his reckless a

oaching along the dim alley; and Geraldine looked

which the young man heard without understanding. He faced roun

at. To her has been adjudged the prize. She now desires the presence of her daughter, to share her triumph. We shall sup anon, and the tabl

is voice which the young man had never heard before, and which he di

" he answered. "

ay the fair Geraldine, who threw him one strange, half-appea

what ailed him, but a fever was consuming him. He left the gardens, but walked on and on, not knowing or caring whither he went. The ni

post, thankful for the peace of the streets, and Grey met no interruption, till suddenly, round a corner, h

creature? You have taste, Grey, and I am well pleased that you have. Those painted, patched, and powdered Jezebels, smirking and ogling and running all over the town for the adulation of the crowd, are as little to your mind as to mine. We can flatter and fool and make mock wi

s they passed beneath the gateway, and the lamp shone upon his face, Lord Sandf

chosen? What think you of the Lady Geraldine Adair? Is she not a matchless

d himself by

ine Adair, then, yo

l be betrothed ere long. I thought you might be learning as much from

d no desire to fence or parry-he felt too stunned and bewild

art upon her sleeve. And your acquaintance is of the slightest; is it not so? Have you met

stunned fashion; and when they had entered the house, he made excuse to go a

n his face, which slowly clouded over, till there was

that must be put a stop to. I will have no rival in Geraldine's heart. She does not love me yet; but she fears me a little, and she thinks of me. That is no bad basis to build upon. I shall win her yet, if I have a fair field. But a rival-no, that must not be! And yet I read somewhat in her eyes to-night which had not been there before. The fiend take all false friends! I must rid myself of