The Essential Elinor Glyn Collection. Glyn Elinor

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      "Have you no message for him then, Theodora, when I see him?"

      And now there was some sign. Theodora clasped her hands together, and she said in a constrained voice:

      "Yes. Tell him I hope he is well--and I am well--just that," and she walked ever to the dressing-table and picked up a brush, and put it down again nervously.

      "I shall tell him no such thing," said her step-mother, kindly, "because I don't believe it is true. You are not well, dear child, and I am worried about you."

      But Theodora assured her that she was, and all was as it should be, and nothing further could be got out of her; so they kissed and wished each other good-night. And Jane Fitzgerald, left to herself, heaved a great sigh.

      Next day, after this cheery pair had gone, things seemed to take a deeper gloom.

      The mention of Hector's name and whereabouts had roused Theodora's dormant sorrows into activity again; and with all her will and determination to hide her anguish, Josiah could perceive an added note of pathos in her voice at times and less and less elasticity in her step.

      Once he would have noticed none of these things, but now each shade of difference in her made its impression upon him.

      And so the time wore on, their hearts full of an abiding grief.

      When October set in Josiah caught a bad cold, which obliged him to keep to his bed for days and days. He did not seem very ill, and assured his wife he would be all right soon; but by November, Sir Baldwin Evans, who was sent for hurriedly from London, broke it gently to Theodora that her husband could not live through the winter. He might not even live for many days. Then she wept bitter tears. Had she been remiss in anything? What could she do for him? Oh, poor Josiah!

      And Josiah knew that his day was done, as he lay there in his splendid, silk-curtained bed. But life had become of such small worth to him that he was almost glad.

      "Now, soon she can be happy--my little girl," he said to himself, "with the one of her class. It does not do to mix them, and I was a fool to try. But her heart is too kind ever to quite forget poor old Josiah Brown."

      And this thought comforted him. And that night he died.

      Then Theodora wept her heart out as she kissed his cold, thin hand.

      When they got the telegram in New York at Mrs. Fitzgerald's mansion, Hector was just leaving the house, and Captain Fitzgerald ran after him down the steps.

      "My son-in-law, Josiah Brown, is dead," he said. "My wife thought you would be interested to hear. Poor fellow, he was not very old either--only fifty-two."

      Hector almost staggered for a moment, and leaned against the gilded balustrade. Then he took off his hat reverently, while he said, in his deep, expressive voice:

      "There lived no greater gentleman."

      And Captain Fitzgerald wondered if he were mad or what he could mean, as he watched him stride away down the street.

      But when he told his wife, she understood, for she had just learned from Hector the whole story.

      And perhaps--who knows? Far away in Shadowland Josiah heard those words, "There lived no greater gentleman." And if he did--they fell like balm on his sad soul.

      XXXI

      It was eighteen months after this before they met again--Hector and Theodora; and now it was May, and the flowers bloomed and the birds sang, and all the world was young and fair--only Morella Winmarleigh was growing into a bitter old maid.

      At twenty-eight people might have taken her for a matron of ten years older.

      She had wondered for weeks what was the result of her action with the letters. She hoped daily to hear of some catastrophe and scandal falling upon the head of Theodora. But she heard nothing. It was only after Josiah's death that details were wafted to her through the Fitzgeralds.

      How poor Mr. Brown had never really recovered from a slight stroke he had had on leaving Beechleigh, and of Theodora's goodness and devotion to him, and of his worship of her. And Morella had the maddening feeling that if she had left well alone this death might never have occurred, and her hated rival might not now be a free and beautiful widow, with no impediment between herself and Hector when they should choose to meet.

      She had meant to be revenged and punish them, and it seemed she had only cleared their path to happiness. There was really no justice in this world!

      Theodora had gone to meet her father and step-mother in Paris.

      Her sisters were married and very happy, she hoped. Prosperity had wonderfully embellished their attractions, and even Sarah had found a mate.

      And Lady Bracondale remained her placid, stately self. Her grief and disappointment over Hector's departure from England had passed away by now, as so had her treasured dream of receiving Morella Winmarleigh as a daughter. But Anne whispered to her that she need not worry forever, and some day soon her brother might choose a bride whom even she would love.

      Hector had continued his wanderings over the world for many months after Josiah's death. He felt, should he return to England, nothing could keep him from Theodora.

      And she, too, had travelled and explored fresh scenes, and was now a supremely beautiful and experienced woman--courted and flattered, and besieged by many adorers.

      But she was still Theodora, with only one love in her heart and one dream in her soul--to meet Hector again and spend the rest of her life in the shelter of his arms.

      She heard of him often through her step-mother; and sometimes she saw Anne--and both Hector and she understood, and knew the time would come when they could be happy.

      Jane Anastasia Fitzgerald had romantic notions. This pretty pair, whom she looked upon as of her own producing, must meet again under her auspices in like circumstances as they had done on the happy and never-to-be-forgotten day when she herself had promised her heart and hand to Dominic Fitzgerald.

      "There is something lucky about Versailles," she said, "and they shall experience it, too!"

      So she planned a picnic, and arranged it with Hector before he reached Paris. He was not to show himself or communicate with Theodora; he was just to be there at the Rservoirs and wait for their arrival.

      And the gods smiled--and the day was fine--and the trees were green--as had been another day, two years ago.

      And oh, the wild, mad joy that surged up in their hearts when their eyes met once more!

      They could not speak, it seemed, even the words of politeness; so they wandered away into the spring woods, silent and glad; and it was not until they reached the shrine of old Enceladus that Hector clasped Theodora again in his arms, and gave rein to all the passionate love and delirious happiness which was flooding his being.

      There one can leave them--together--for always--looking СКАЧАТЬ