Miss Mountjoy's Lesson

CHAPTER I. The long, slanting rays of a golden sunset were Btreaming in through the crimson stnined glass windows of Olarice Mountjoy's elegant boudoir, aiid lighting np in subdued apleudor the costly apphances aiid luxurious omaments that ftlled the apartinent. Before the lofty mirror sat a hatighty, imperial woman, upon whose raven black masses of hair, arched eyebrows of the saine ebon hue, and flashing eyes of midnight darkness, the rose-tint from the window feil in beconiing addition to her costly toilet. A frown rose on her brow, and she tapped her delicately-booted foot in vexation and impatience. " To think that, af ter all the pains I have taken to have the jewels collected, I am unable to wear them to tho only evening party I care a straw for. Wliore is the use of having diamonds and pearls if we haven't a suitable toilet to appear in?" She pulled the slight silken cord by her side, whose tinkling summons brought her maid. "Felice, I must have my dove-colored moire for this evening, come what will. Put on your cloak and run down to Madame Ruche, and teil her I cannot tnink of going without it, if I must wait until 12 o'clock. " Obedient to her imperious mistress' commands, the lady's maid departed to extcute her commission. " I am determined to wear it, and my elegant diamonds with it ! Sir Irvine Tressell shall see me in my splendor, and he will soon decide that English ladies can surpass the foreigners he lias danced with." She rose and looked searchingly in the mirror. " People say I am beautiful. Well, I know I am; I have every desirable feature necessary to beauty, from my head to my feet; but all is naught to me if it does not win me his love - the love I have cherished for months - the love I must win, and win soon - to-night !" Her beautiful lips were parted in a circle of grateful pride, as her eyes wandered over her feet, face and form. "Ah, Sir Irvine Tressell, you little know Olarice Mountjoy would barterlife, soul - honor, I had almost said - for your sake !" A timid rap at the door dispelled her soliloquy, and she turned with a gesture of irnpatience to the intruder. ' ' Lilias, how of ten have I requested you not to annoy me when I am alone ? You seem to have a singularly deep regard for this room. Do you want anything?" The dark hazel eyes of the intruder - "Lilias" she was called - flashed a moment darkly; but the voice, low, sweet and modulated, replied: "I am very sorry if I disturbed you. I merely dropped in to see if I could be of any assistanee to you in your preparations for Lady Armstroug's reception." A selfish smile played over the carmine lips of Clarice Mountjoy. " Oh, will you help me get my moire finished, if the dressmaker cannot ? I will give you my old blue silk, if you will." The lips of Lilias Bradley curled scornfully; but, as before, she curbed the rising anger. " Tliank you, Oousin Clarice, I do not need the old blue silk. I will assist Felice to finish your dress when she returns, if you think you must wear it without fail." " Indeed I must, and shall, too ! For Sir Irvine Tressell saya a golden moire with diamonds is the most bewitching eostume lie ever saw. Tlic Princesa Louise wore one at a presentation, and he is constently rem.indingme how much I resemble hejv' Lilias made no reply, but gazed thoughtfully out of the wmdow. "I hope yon are not envious of my good luck, Lilias Bradley, because I happen to be on heiress, and the future wife of the splendid Baronet, Sir Irvine Tressel?" A smile, half-pitying, half-amused, lighted üp Lilias' sweet, paíe face. " Oh, no, Clwice. t "was only wondering íf, with all your wealth, your aristocratie lovers, and dreams of future happiness, you were really as happy as "As yon, Lilias Rradley?" Olarice allüost shrioked the worcls, so ridiculous did she regard the comparison. "Yes," returned Lilias, quietly. "I would not change places for all the world." An nngry fiKfflti eontracted Clarioe's white brow. " Here comes Felice, thank goodness ! Now, Lilias, you will have to exert every effort to finish it by midnight." " I think we can complete it by nine or ten ; that will give yqn uWcienl time to dress. I, too, ffl'ást ieaVe ii at that hour, tó fulíill iny engagement." A bïush overspread Lilian's face. " That poor lover of yours again tonight ? 1 siíotild tliink you'd hate a man as poor as you say William Sherrard is. Why don't you marry a rich onej who can support you hahdHoniely v" There wal a contemptuous imperiousnees ih Olarice's tones that brought the blood rushing to Lilias' cheeks. ' ' Because T never would marry for money ; I will never give my hand to a man because he bas a fortune at his disposal. Wealth is a great gift, büt it does not purchaae happiness. " " How dO yöü know ? You have never enjoyed wealth. " A qttietj Stïaïig'è smile - ohe that had annoyed Olai-ice many times since the orphan Lilias had come to their uncle's, six months before - lighted the sweet ] face, disclosing tiie 'pearly fceeftu " True, I am no in the enjoyment of weaíth ■ yet, judging froni yoiirself, dear Clarice, í shoüld cohclude it did not bring bliss. " "But it will, when I have once attained iny object - the dream I have chérished for the half-year you . have been here. When I am once the Mfe öf Sir Irvine Tressel), tító only man I eyer loved or evér shall love, I defy anything to make me unhappy. His love is all I ask." A bright smile, that made her really lovely, lighted her midnight eyes as she thought of him - her idol. " You've never seen him, Lilias, I beliove," she went on to sa.y. " He is the most handsome niaii I ever saw I" ' ' I thinit not. You know you requested ne never to come in the parlor when you had company." " He is tall, and dark, and very graceful, and so polite !" Olarice'fs Voleé Was enthusiasm personifica, "Yes, so is my William," returned Lilias, thoughtfully. iantr"Wliy,Pïffiastiira(dfënentlife not to be mentioned in the same breath !" "Oousin Olarice, be thoughtful ! Do j not speak slightingly of my betrothed husband because he happens to be poor." The gentle hazel eyes were dark as [iilias spoke ; but she Vas answered by a íarsh laügh. " Nor of you, because you happen to :e poor, and a dependent on my charity and your Únele Peter's." With a proud flushing of her cheeks, and a flashing of her eyes, Lilias tossed ihe expensive moire off her lap. "Never has that been said of a Bradey before, Olarice Mountjoy ; never shall it be repeated. Tell me with your ips if I do not eam my bread and clothes ? Teil me if the assistance I render to you in every imaginable way does not merit more than any servantvoman would receive for her services ?" " Oh, yes, I suppose so ; but, after all, ; can get on as well with only Felice. Are you not going to finish my dress ? Jo, Lilias, just this once, and I'll con'ess you are not only indispensable, but absolute mistress of the establishment. 3lease do, Lil, for you know I am dying 0 wear my newly-reset diamonds - the old family fire-diamonds, you know. I should expire from disappointment if I did not realize the expectations I have anticipated for this evening. Sir Irvine L'ressell will not fail to be there, and in my moire and diamonds I shall be so rresistible he cannot avoid a proposal. 1 is on the tapis, I know, for he is all levotion." "Your dress is done, Clarice. And now I must leave you to attend to Uncle ?eter's supper." CHAPTER II. " And my darling is willing to intrust ïer happiness to me, poor and friendless ,hough I may be ?" Lilias' lover drew her beautiful head o his breast, as he entwined his arms about her. "You may be poor and friendless in one sense, William, but are you not wealthy in my love ? Will not our home, f tmblessed with all the luxuries of riches, be abundant in peace and con;entment ?" "Spoken like the dear, true little woman you are ! And now, dearest, I must impose my first command upon you. Will you obey ?" He smoothed her hair playfully off the clear, white forehead, and glanced mischievonsly in her deep, true eyes. " On second thought, I think I'll ell you first what I desire you to do. Listen, dear Lilias, and blush as much as you please ; but don't turn your face away." And, in truth, the pink tints were already coming and going on check and row. " Lilias, darling," and his voice grew strange and earnett, "we must be married to-night. No, do not start ; not for worlds, unless you wish it ; but I have certain particular reasons for it, to gratify which would delight me beyond expression. I have got an Archbishop's special license, and I have made all the requisito arrangements. " For a moment, Lilias buried her face against his shoulder ; then she lifted it, rosy and happy, to the dark, flushed one bending over her. "A week can make no difterence, William. I have tried you, and proved you ; we love each other fondly. William, I will be your wife to-night." His handtiome face lighted up witli a proud, triumphant smile, and lic kisw-d her fondly, just as approaching footsteps warned them. "Lilias, Lilias, where is the key of Unclc Peter's safe 'i 1 want the diamonds ; it is high time I was off, and Sir Irviije Trensell ncvcr tikês to Befe a lady later tlian ten." Clarice (ame rnpidly down tke stairs to the apartment where, in the shade, Lilias and her lover stood. She could not see them at all plainly, for the gas was turned down to a twilight-darkness. " On the ebony cabinet in my room, Olarice." As Lilias replied, Clarice frowned in displeasure-, "It beeins to me, Miss Bradley, you had better invite your followers into the breakfast parlor snotlier time. The drawing-room is intended for the lady of the house, remember." Lilias toade a oareless ötirtsey. " Unclo Peter is master, not you, Clarioe. I shall use the drawing-room just as long as he sees fit. " "You are a bold minx, and shall be turned out of this house, as suro as that my name will be Lady Tresnel," Olarice MoÜhtjoy ascended the stops again, while Lilias deprecatingly explained and apologized to her lover. "Never mind, dearest," replied William Sherrard. " In our new house she shall not annoy you, whether she be Lady Tressell or anybttdy etëe. " "Pooi1 girl, she does not enjoy life much. She is in love, hopelessly in love, with this Sir Irvine Tressell you heard her mention." " Who is he, do you know ?" "I have never seeii him ; Iljever have cared to see ahybody Biíice I kiaew you, He pressed her hand tenderly. "And now, Lillie darling, I will wait here while you get ready for a quiet wedding at the church, where all things are waiting, for I knew you would consent. Send Uncle Peter down ; I wish to talk to hitti," He kied lier as she left , him, so happy, and with the saine peculiar smile playing on ter ip%; " The noble feüow !" she murmured ; "how impatient I am to teil him my secret !" With rose-tinged cheeks, and a proud consciotisnesB Jjf beauty iil her êapphire eyeè, uhe hastily made her toilet ; smiling the while, and anoh trilling a h'ttle air that relieved her full heart. It was a heavy, dead silk of rich, white that she wore, and over it a filmy lace robe, that floated like a cloud abo.ut her slender form., , Around her neck she claSpëd a necklace of rarest diamonds, and fastened a coronet about the veil that rested among her sun-bright curls. "He will be so surprised," she repeated, joyfully, as over the magniflcent bridal costume she put a plain, unpretending muslin robe, simple and sweet. Down the stairs she went; aiid iiito the drawihg-ïooiïi, which, now that Clarice was gone, and Uncle Peter entered, was a blaze of light. "Lillie, darling, you look a very angel ! My bride, my little treasure !" With extended hand, her lover met her near the door. "And you, William - you are dressed fit for a Queen's levee ! Wliy, Will, I am afraid you could not afford this expensive wedding-suit !" She blushed, as if oonscious of saying eaught her Tianus, anti lauglied gayly. "We will economizo af ter, to make up, pet. Come. Uncle Peter, you must give the bride away." Together the two entered the caiïiage in waiting, and drove rapidly to the church, where, at the altar, the clergyman stood ready to unite them. The ceremony was brief, and Lilias heard but little of it. She only understood that she was being married, and to her chosen one. The congratulationB were over, and the pair l'e-entered the carriage, Uncle Peter returning home. "William, may I teil you a little secret, the only one I ever kept from you - the only one I ever will ? See, my husband ; see my wedding-garments." She threw aside the disguising robe, and displayed her elegant costume. In amazemen't he gazed at her. "Silk, laces, diamonds! My dear wife, I do not comprehend." A delighted smile answered him; and then she spoke: "William, you did not take a penniless wife. You have married me for myself, not my money, for I am wealthy, dearest; the sole heiress to the great wealth of mydeceased parents. Uncle Peter is my guardián whom I desired should appear to own the estáte, while I personated the orphan niece, a dependent on hid bounty. I feared my wealth would allure those who otherwise would not have cared for me, but now I have found you, my dearest husband, to be all I can desire. We are rich, William. independently rich." "Lillie," he murmured, bending his head to her shoulder, " my Lillie, this is indeed a surprise. But what of your cousin, Miss Mountjoy?" " She is an adopted child of a friend of mine, who, on her death-bed, gave her to my mother Poor Clarice, also, will be penniless, unless she marries her rich lover, Sir Irvine Tressell." William made no reply, for the carriage stopped at a splendid mansion, brilliantly lighted. " We will alight here for a few moments, and then I shall bear you to your future home. Come, darling, let me teil you my secret now." Her shawl being removed in the dressing-room, she was joined at the door by her husband. ' ' Lilias, do not be surprised at anything you mayhear. Will you promise?" "I will promise, but I am bewildered. Whose house is this - whose gucsts down stnirs ?" "A friend of mine, dearest Lilias. Lady Armstrong, who holds a reception, is the hostess." "And Cousin Clarice is here," said Lilias, " and I shall see her lover. I am ready, William." She glanced into his face. His eyes were overflowing with merry mischief, and his cheeks were flushed with pleasurahle excitement. Up the stairs they went, and to the door of the crowded reception-room. He handed a card to the footman, who announced them with a loud, sonoroim voice - " Sir William Irvine Tressell and Lady Tressell I" Every eye turncd on the pair. Lilias started and glanced timklly at her husband's face. She met an assuring look, and a whispered, " Don't be vexed, my darling. " He pressed her arm closely to his side, and she returned the silent careas, In that caress all was forever explaincl. Radiant in her diamonds, Clarice Mountjoy had been anxiously looking for her lover's arrival. She was in the music-room when he carne, and his presence was unknown to her. A half-hour afterward, some one tapped him on the shoulder with a fan. " Sir Irvine Tressell, I am glad you are here at last. You remember the clanoe you are engaged to me for !" 8he smüad brightly upon him, buéhe liowcd Very gravely. "Miss Mountjoy wiU.be goodeuough to excuse me. I am already engaged i'or l!n ciitivr cvr'iiiug." He spoke coldly, almost sternly, and she raised her eyes to his. They were regording her intensoly; and a vague fear that, after all, she might loso him, atole over her. " Miss Mountjoy, will you take my arm a moment f' The invitation was brief and cool; but how delightedly she accepted it. "I have a friend I must introduce you to. You wül flnd her a lovely woman, as beautiftil in mind as in person,'1 He led her to a solitary iigure, who leaned against a statue in the deserted music-room. "Miss Mountjoy - my wife. Lady Tressell, late Mis Lilias Bradley." With a shiver Of lielpleBsneSS, (Jlarlce gazed upon her cousin's flushed, beautiful face, and, with a low cry of anguisli, covered her face with her fan. Sir ïrvine gazed sternly upon her. "You will regard my wife aa a fit occupant of a breakfast parlor, together with her followei'fl ? You ivill tnrn her out of her own house, wherein you are the dependent charity-child, as sure as your name will be Lady Tressell ? You have merited „your , reward, Clarice Mountjoy; and when I teil you what my wife, in the pjbodness of her heart; Would never teil you, tliat the very ciiaüionds you wear are hers, you will learn to be more kind, more human, toward those in a humbler station than yourself." Olarice had heard him through, silent and motionless ; and, when he had finished and given his arm to his beautiful bride, she bowed a haughty acknowledgment, sWept pfoiidl j; ffbÜl tlie iöom, and entered her carriage. That carriage never cai-ried her home. Whither she went, or what beeame of her, they nèver knew. 1 1