e must be a vulgar woman. Oh! if
you could manage, Harry, to get this woman to come--you could do it so
easily! while they are at the pie-nic tomorrow. It would have the best
effect on Rose. She would then understand! And the Countess!'
'I could send the old woman a message!' cried Harry, rushing into the
scheme, inspired by Juliana's fiery eyes. 'Send her a sort of message to
say where we all were.'
'Let her know that her son is here, in some way,' Juley resumed.
'And, egad! what an explosion!' pursued Harry. 'But, suppose--'
'No one shall know, if you leave it to me-if you do just as I tell you,
Harry. You won't be treated as you were this evening after that, if you
bring down her pride. And, Harry, I hear you want money--I can give you
some.'
'You're a perfect trump, Juley!' exclaimed her enthusiastic cousin.
'But, no; I can't take it. I must kiss you, though.'
He put a kiss upon her cheek. Once his kisses had left a red waxen
stamp; she was callous to these compliments now.
'Will you do what I advise you to-morrow?' she asked.
After a slight hesitation, during which the olive-hued visage flitted
faintly in the distances of his brain, Harry said:
'It 'll do Rose good, and make Harrington cut. Yes! I declare I will.'
Then they parted. Juliana went to her bed-room, and flung herself upon
the bed hysterically. As the tears came thick and fast, she jumped up
to lock the door, for this outrageous habit of crying had made her
contemptible in the eyes of Lady Jocelyn, and an object of pity to
Rose. Some excellent and noble natures cannot tolerate disease, and are
mystified by its ebullitions. It was very sad to see the slight thin
frame grasped by those wan hands to contain the violence of the frenzy
that possessed her! the pale, hapless face rigid above the torment
in her bosom! She had prayed to be loved like other girls, and her
readiness to give her heart in return had made her a by-word in the
house. She went to the window and leaned out on the casement, looking
towards Fallowfield over the downs, weeping bitterly, with a hard shut
mouth. One brilliant star hung above the ridge, and danced on her tears.
'Will he forgive me?' she murmured. 'Oh, my God! I wish we were dead
together!'
Her weeping ceased, and she closed the window, and undressed as far away
from the mirror as she could get; but its force was too much for her,
and drew her to it. Some undefined hope had sprung in her suddenly. Wit
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