t you three--nearest and dearest to me?--That is
well. Lumley, then, you know all--my wife, he knows all. My child, give
your hand to your cousin--so you are now plighted. When you grow up,
Evelyn, you will know that it is my last wish and prayer that you should
be the wife of Lumley Ferrers. In giving you this angel, Lumley, I atone
to you for all seeming injustice. And to you, my child, I secure the
rank and honours to which I have painfully climbed, and which I am
forbidden to enjoy. Be kind to her, Lumley--you have a good and frank
heart--let it be her shelter--she has never known a harsh word. God
bless you all, and God forgive me--pray for me. Lumley, to-morrow you
will be Lord Vargrave, and by and by" (here a ghastly, but exultant
smile flitted over the speaker's countenance), "you will be my
Lady--Lady Vargrave. Lady--so--so--Lady Var--"

The words died on his trembling lips; he turned round, and, though he
continued to breathe for more than an hour, Lord Vargrave never uttered
another syllable.

CHAPTER III.

"Hopes and fears
Start up alarmed, and o'er life's narrow verge
Look down--on what?--a fathomless abyss."--YOUNG.

"Contempt, farewell, and maiden pride, adieu!"
_Much Ado about Nothing_.

THE wound which Maltravers had received was peculiarly severe and
rankling. It is true that he had never been what is called violently in
love with Florence Lascelles; but from the moment in which he had been
charmed and surprised into the character of a declared suitor, it was
consonant with his scrupulous and loyal nature to view only the bright
side of Florence's gifts and qualities, and to seek to enamour his
grateful fancy with her beauty, her genius, and her tenderness for
himself. He had thus forced and formed his thoughts and hopes to centre
all in one object; and Florence and the Future had grown words which
conveyed the same meaning to his mind. Perhaps he felt more bitterly
her sudden and stunning accusations, couched as they were in language so
unqualified, because they fell upon his pride rather than his affection,
and were not softened away by the thousand excuses and remembrances
which a passionate love would have invented and recalled. It was a deep,
concentrated sense of injury and insult, that hardened and soured his
whole nature--wounded vanity, wounded pride, and wounded honour.

And the blow, too, came upon him at a time when he was most dissatisfied
with all other pr