Was it so? Did Miss Neville"s fate, indeed, rest in his hands? If so, then, he must no longer remain inactive, but must bestir himself. He looked around, but during his conversation with Frances, short as it was, Miss Neville had disappeared. As Frances and the rest adjourned into the billiard-room for a game he again sought Amy; surely she had not gone with the rest? No; there she sat alone in the inner drawing-room.
"You are almost in total darkness, Miss Neville," said he, drawing a chair near her, as she sat within the shade of the alcove or arch dividing the two rooms.
The fire burnt low in the grate, while the lamps were all out save one, which threw a strange, fitful light every now and then across the room.
"Mrs. Linchmore likes this room kept dark; she says it is sometimes pleasant to come into, and a relief to the eyes after the brilliant glare of the other rooms," replied Amy.
"Perhaps she is right; it certainly is a pleasant rest for the eyes after the intense glare of the many lamps out there."
"Yes; and then one is almost sure of being quiet and alone late in the evening, as no one cares for this dull room then; the lamps are never trimmed after being once lit, but are allowed to die out as they like."
"Slowly, like the hopes of our hearts."
Amy looked up surprised.
"It is best to have no hopes," she said.
"That would be contrary to human nature. We all hope, even the most satisfied mortal, and sometimes our hopes last a life time, and only fade with our lives."
"It is true; but perhaps our hopes, if realised, would only render us miserable. It is best after all to go hoping on."
"It is best," he replied, quietly.
Amy thought what a strange mood Mr. Linchmore was in. Why did he speak and talk so gloomily? Had Mr. Vavasour vexed him again by devoting himself too much to his wife? or she been flirting more than usual?
This inner room they now sat in was not so large as the drawing-room, part of it being taken off for the conservatory, which ran its entire length, and then adjoined the drawing-room at the point where the arch which separated the two rooms terminated. In the day time the smaller room was the prettiest and most cheerful, as the windows at the end commanded a fine view of the magnificent woods and country beyond, with the lawn sloping down in front almost to the banks of the lake, whereas the view from the drawing-room on that side was entirely concealed by the conservatory.
As Mr. Linchmore silently revolved in his mind how he should begin about Mr. Vavasour; how broach the subject so as to find out how far her heart had been won--or as he thought, lost--thrown away on so unworthy an object; given to one who neither cared for or valued the rich treasure he had won, and Amy sat in silent wonderment as to what he would say next; the rustle of a silk dress was heard, and in another moment two forms were indistinctly seen through the flowering shrubs and exotics of the conservatory.
Amy"s breath was hushed, her very pulse was stilled, as she distinguished Robert Vavasour and Mrs. Linchmore.
Yet why should they not have separated from the rest? There was nothing so very strange in it. But Amy felt as if some impending calamity hung over her, or was near, and she without the power of averting it; and would have given worlds to have turned and fled. Brave as she was, she felt a very coward now, and would have warned them how near they were to others if she could; but it could not be, the windows were closed, no sound might reach them.
And now Mr. Linchmore"s eyes were fixed in the same direction. He had seen them, too.
Amy rose as if to go. She would leave him and join them, come what would, but--
"Sit still, Miss Neville," he said, sternly, and in a tone that compelled obedience, and Amy sank down again without a word; in dread and fear; feeling more utterly helpless than ever to avert the coming storm her heart suggested.
Once more she looked through the evergreens and tall dark plants. They were still there, close to one of the doors now, and almost opposite.
He gathered and offered a flower.
That she received it with a flush of pleasure, could be surmised by the gentle bend of the proud head, and the soft smile which could almost be distinguished flitting across her features.
They came nearer still. Oh! when would they go away? What could interest them so deeply, and why did he look so earnestly in her now averted face? What could he be pleading that she would not--did not wish to grant?
She has turned her head towards him now, and is looking down on the ground as though loath to meet his gaze--is speaking--has granted his request, whatever it is, and he has seized her hand and is kissing it again and again.
A hasty, pa.s.sionate exclamation from Mr. Linchmore, as he suddenly sprang to his feet, and in another moment would have dashed into the conservatory, shivering the slight gla.s.s door into a thousand fragments, but Amy threw herself in his path.
"Oh, stay, stay!" she said. "Don"t go, please don"t!"
"Away!" he said. "Out of my way! He shall rue this deeply!" and he tried to shake her off, but in vain; she clung more firmly to him than before, beseeching him to stay.
"Don"t, don"t go," she continued, imploringly. "I must not let you go!
Pray, pray, listen to me; you will be sorry if you don"t. Oh! Mr.
Linchmore, be advised. You cannot tell why he has taken her hand."
"Villain!" he muttered, between his clenched teeth. "Scoundrel!"
"No, no! you are mistaken," said Amy, hurriedly, "indeed you are. How can you guess at anything? He may be entreating her good will, may be telling her of his love for another. Oh! Mr. Linchmore, be yourself again; don"t give way to this sudden anger until you are certain you are right, and you may be wrong. Believe me, you _are_ wrong. Oh, don"t harm him, pray don"t!" and Amy"s eyes filled with tears, as she felt she could urge nothing more; was powerless if he would go.
But as her voice grew hushed, and she relaxed her hold, he turned and said,
"Miss Neville, you love this man?"
"Oh, no, no, no!" replied Amy, now fairly sobbing.
"Then why this interest in him? Why seek to palliate his conduct, base as I believe it to be?"
"I would not, if I thought it base, but--but I do not. I am but a poor ignorant girl, but I implore you, for your wife"s sake--your own sake, do nothing rashly."
"I will not. I am calm again--as calm as you wish; but this must be sifted to the very core, must be explained till all is as clear as the moon, which shines so brightly through that half-darkened window. No half measures will satisfy me. I must not only be convinced, but feel so. You say he is pleading his love for another--entreating _her_ good will in his behalf. Be it so. Then who is this other?"
He was quiet now, very quiet; with a firm, gloomy determination from which there could be no escape, no loophole to creep out of. All must be as clear as day. He had stood his wife"s heartless conduct too long, he would stand it no longer. No half measures, as before, would now satisfy that angry husband, with the demon jealousy roused in his heart--that stern yet loving heart.
Alas! this jealousy, what mischief it causes. What hearts it sunders and wounds with its fierce stabs; and how powerless are most to rise above it or shake off its strong iron grasp. If once allowed to enter our hearts it is an enemy difficult to contend with; still more difficult to get rid of, for although only a small corner may be taken possession of or unwillingly granted it at first, yet in time what a much larger portion becomes its share.
"Who is this other?" again asked Mr. Linchmore, more gently.
"I cannot tell," replied Amy.
"I am willing to believe, Miss Neville, it is as you say; but there must be no more trifling or prevarication, matters have become too serious for that. This other you speak of. Who is she? I _must_ know; and if this man"s heart is capable of love, and she loves him," and he looked fixedly at Amy, and spoke more slowly as if wishing her to weigh well every word, "then let her be his wife; if she wills it so; but--it will be to her sorrow."
"You cannot tell that," replied Amy, seeing he waited for her to speak.
"He may love her with all his heart."
"He may. But what is all his heart when he is so ready to trifle with others? Miss Neville," and his voice was still more gentle, and very pitying in its tone; "you are alone, perhaps feel alone in this house, and are young, very young to be so thrown upon the world, which you find a cold and desolate one, I have no doubt. _He_ has been ever kind and courteous. I fear too much so, and I do not wonder he has created an interest in your heart, and at last won it. But he must not be allowed to trifle with it while I stand by. No. It shall never be!"
"Oh! Mr. Linchmore!" exclaimed Amy, now indeed feeling utterly desolate at this continued accusation, and belief in her love for Robert Vavasour.
"Hush!" he rejoined, gently placing his hand on her soft hair, as she sat with her face bowed in her hands. "Poor girl; poor desolate young creature; your happiness shall be my first care, you shall no longer feel alone; there is no need to tell me anything. I know all that your heart cannot speak, even to your fainting when you saw him brought home the other evening."
Amy"s sobs burst out afresh; she felt totally unable to stay them or convince Mr. Linchmore he was mistaken.
"Well, well," he continued with a sigh, "it cannot be helped now, things must take their course; but with him I _will_ have a reckoning," and the old stern look once more flitted across his face. "But fear not, Miss Neville; for the sake of your love for him, I will be calm and control my anger."
"You will not tell him I care for him--love him, Mr. Linchmore? Oh! no, no, you could not do so!" said Amy, with fear.