noted his daughter's face. Airlie was going
away, and therefore she was dull--that was just as it should be. He
was delighted that she cared so much for him. He told Lady Helena that
he had not thought Beatrice capable of such deep affection. Lady
Helena told him she had never known any one who could love so well or
hate so thoroughly as Beatrice.

The morning came, and Lord Airlie lingered so long over his farewell
that Lady Helena began to think he would alter his mind and remain
where he was. He started at last, however, promising to write every
day to Beatrice, and followed by the good wishes of the whole household.

He was gone, and Hugh was gone; for three weeks she had nothing to
fear, nothing to hope, and a settled melancholy calm fell upon her.
Her father and Lady Helena thought she was dull because her lover was
away; the musical laugh that used to gladden Lord Earle's heart was
hushed; she became unusually silent; the beautiful face grew pale and
sad. They smiled and thought it natural. Lillian, who knew every
expression of her sister's face, grew anxious, fearing there was some
ailment either of body or mind of which none of them were aware.

They believed she was thinking of her absent lover and feeling dull
without him. In reality her thoughts were centered upon one idea--what
could she do to get rid of Hugh Fernely? Morning, noon, and night that
one question was always before her. She talked when others did, she
laughed with them; but if there came an interval of silence the
beautiful face assumed a far-off dreamy expression Lillian had never
seen there before. Beatrice was generally on her guard, watchful and
careful, but there were times when the mask she wore so bravely fell
off, and Lillian, looking at her then, knew all was not well with her
sister.

What was to be done to get free from Hugh? Every hour in the day fresh
plans came to her--some so absurd as to provoke feverish, unnatural
laughter, but none that were feasible. With all her daring wit, her
quick thought, her vivid fancy--with all her resource of mind and
intellect, she could do nothing. Day and night the one question was
still there--what could she do to get free from Hugh Fernely?

Chapter XXXIII

A whole week passed, and the "something" Beatrice longed for had not
happened. Life went on quietly and smoothly. Her father and Lady
Earle busied themselves in talking of preparations for the marriage.
Lionel Dacre