a I B RAR.Y 
 
 OF THE 
 UNIVLRSITY 
 Of ILLINOIS 
 
 L4le 
 v.\
 
 
 
 / /^/^
 
 X ' 
 
 EYES so BLUE.
 
 EYES SO BLUE 
 
 3t Boh(\. 
 
 BY 
 
 AGNES LAW. 
 
 IN THRIVE VOLUMES. 
 VOL. L 
 
 HontJon : 
 SAMUEL TINSLEY & CO., 
 
 10 SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND. 
 
 1878. 
 I All rights reserved.l
 
 855 
 
 CONTENTS OF VOL. I. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
 I. A Fishing Village 
 IT. Mavis Austin 
 III. Lord Durant 
 IV. The Thunderstorm . 
 V. At Pen Vychan Castle 
 VI. An Unexpected Meeting 
 VII. Music and Marriage 
 VIII. The Journey to Ireland 
 IX. The Legend 
 r^ X. At St. Hilda's 
 C^ XL Lord Durant's Desire 
 <^ XII. Ivor's Ambition 
 
 XIII. The Death of the Smuggler 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 «^ 
 
 i 
 
 PAGE 
 1 
 
 19 
 
 36 
 
 57 
 
 78 
 
 93 
 
 124 
 
 140 
 
 152 
 
 180 
 
 201 
 
 23G 
 
 255
 
 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 A FISHING VILLAGE. 
 
 O'er the glad waters of the dark blue sea, 
 Oar thoughts as boundless, and our souls as free. 
 Far as the breeze can bear, the billows foam, 
 Survey our empire, and behold our home. 
 
 Byron. 
 
 It was just beginning to get dusk, the sun 
 was sinking down behind a great bank of 
 dark clouds on the horizon ; the smallest 
 ripple on th6 calm sea shone bright with 
 crimson and gold ; there was scarcely breeze 
 enough to fill the sails of the fishing- boats as 
 they floated in the bay. 
 
 A group of fishermen were standing on 
 
 VOL. I. ^ B
 
 2 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 the beach, talkmg earnestly together about 
 the signs of the weather. One of them, a 
 stout old man, had prophesied wet, at which 
 his younger com})anions were scornfully 
 laughing, when tlieir number was increased 
 by a new arrival, who came up nnperceived, 
 and stood silently listening to the conversa- 
 tion. 
 
 He was a tall, thin, rather careworn- 
 looking clergyman, whose face wore a 
 discontented look, as if his life had been 
 one hard struggle against adverse fate and 
 poverty. 
 
 He was the curate of the church in the 
 small Welsh village of Pen Vychan. Very 
 few people came there ; it was too far from 
 any railway to attract tourists, so that the 
 rare beauty of the surrounding scenery 
 remained almost unknown to the outside 
 world : even the vicar lived far away, 
 leaving his ^parishioners to the care of the 
 curate, tlic Kevercnd Hugh Williams. 
 
 The clergyman remained silent, without 
 joining in the conversation, which was in 
 Welsh, his native language, the one almost
 
 A FISfllNG VILLAGE. 
 
 universally spoken at Pen Vychan, although 
 most of the villagers understood English. 
 
 At length, during a pause in the discussion, 
 he addressed the principal speaker. 
 
 '^Do you know where your grandson, 
 young Morgan, is?" he asked. ^^ I came 
 down expecting to find him on the beach ; 
 I hope he has not gone home yet." 
 
 ^^Ivor Morgan do you want, sir?" asked 
 a young sailor, pushing his way through the 
 group, and approaching the clergyman. ^^ I 
 saw him, half an hour ago, with Captain 
 Asliton ; I believe they went on board our 
 vessel, the Orient." 
 
 Mr. Williams's brow darkened, ' as he 
 glanced towards the little schooner anchored 
 at some distance outside the bay, for he had 
 his suspicions about the trade in which Cap- 
 tain Ashton was engaged ; he knew that 
 Pen Vychan was conveniently situated for 
 smuggling, and many of the fishermen had, 
 some time or other, managed to cheat the 
 Custom-house officers. Captain Asliton, 
 however, was in appearance a gentleman ; 
 still, it was cuiTently reported that^ the
 
 4 EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 greater part of the cargo of the Orient con- 
 sisted of casks of brandy, which were 
 secretly conveyed on shore at night. The 
 force of habit had caused the clergyman to 
 think but liglitly of the crime of smuggling, 
 but it annoyed him to believe that his clever 
 young parishioner, in whom he took unusual 
 interest, should form associates likely to 
 corrupt his principles of honesty. 
 
 ^' I '11 go on board, sir, and tell him you 
 want him," said the sailor, noticing Mr 
 Williams's altered expression. 
 
 ^' Yes; tell him I shall be glad if he will 
 drive over to Ehos Celyn : I shall borrow 
 Farmer Ap Thomas's pony-chaise," replied 
 the clergyman in English, for he perceived 
 that the young sailor had difficulty both to 
 speak and understand Welsh. - 
 
 ^'What a pleasant-spoken lad!" he con- 
 tinued, as soon as the sailor was out of 
 hearing. '^ Do you know who he is ? " 
 
 ^^He's on board the Orient; they say 
 he's a nephew of Captain Ashton's," was 
 the reply of the old man, who had remained 
 silent ever since Mr. Williams had inquired
 
 A FISHING VILLAGE, 5 
 
 after Ivor Morgan. ^' Could you say some- 
 thing, sir, to keep my poor dead son's boy 
 from sucli as he and that Captain Ashton, 
 who 's about as much captain as 1 am ? I 'm 
 too old a sailor to like the look of such a 
 craft as the Orient." 
 
 *^I will do my best, Morgan, you may be 
 sure. I have not much fear ; Ivor is not 
 one to do wrong knowingly ; I 'm sure he 
 tries to be dutiful to you, and also to his 
 mother ; but he 's high-spirited, and fond of 
 change ; I fear our village life is very irksome 
 to him ; his mother wishes him to go to sea ; 
 I cannot understand why an old man-of- 
 war's man like you should be so set against 
 it." 
 
 ^'Ah, you don't know!" replied the old 
 man, shaking his liead sadly. " Ivor is not 
 fitted for the hardships of a sailor's life, and 
 how could r part with liim ? I sliould be 
 alwa3's picturing his poor father's death, and 
 living tliat dreadful time over again when I 
 saw liim drowning." 
 
 As he said this the tears stood in the old 
 man's eyes. He had been out on a voyage,
 
 EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 the last one he ever took ; his son accompanied 
 him, a young man who, not long before 
 tliey started, had brought home his bride. 
 It was a good match for the handsome 
 sailor, for slie was maid to one of the ladies 
 at Pen Vychan Castle, the residence of an 
 English nobleman, Lord Durant. 
 
 But young Jack Morgan's married life 
 was of short duration. In the return voyage 
 he accidentally fell overboard, and, in spite 
 of his father's efforts to save him, was 
 drowned. 
 
 Almost heart-broken, the old man returned 
 home to break the news to the young widow. 
 She bore it calmly, so calmly that the bereaved 
 father thought she had no heart ; she did not 
 even seem to care for her child, a boy of only 
 a few weeks old, but occasionally, the grand- 
 father thought, almost regarded him with 
 dislike. In less than a year she married 
 again, a young farmer, David Hughes, and 
 it did not require much jDcrsuasion to induce 
 her to give up little Ivor to his fond old 
 grandfather. David Hughes, however, was 
 always kind to his stepson, and as he grew
 
 A FISHING VILLAGE. 
 
 older welcomed him whenever he chose to 
 ccmie to the farm to see his mother or his 
 little half brothers and sisters. 
 
 Old John Morgan had saved sufficient 
 money to live comfortably in his old age. 
 He sent Ivor to one of the best schools in 
 Pen Vychan, determined to give him a good 
 education ; for David Hughes was well off, 
 and his wife often used to boast that his 
 children sliould be brought up as ladies and 
 gentlemen ; Ivor, she declared, ought to 
 be a sailor, as his father and grandfather 
 had been, and she grew angry when the old 
 man declared that his clever grandson 
 should not occupy an inferior position to his 
 brothers. 
 
 During the conversation between the sailor 
 and Mr. Williams the boat propelled by the 
 strong arms of young Edward Ashton had 
 reached the Orient. 
 
 He sprang on deck, and in a moment his 
 quick eye perceived the object of his search, 
 — a handsome, broad-shouldered lad of about 
 sixteen years of age, who was leaning against 
 the bulwarks of the vessel.
 
 8 ETFS SO BLUE. 
 
 Even in his rough, sailor-like dress tliere 
 was a look of peculiar refinement in the 
 appearance of Ivor Morgan that could not 
 fail to arrest the attention even of tlie most 
 careless observer. It was not altogether the 
 beauty of his features and curling dark hair 
 that proved so irresistibly attractive, so 
 much as the splendid intellect that was so 
 unmistakably imjDrinted on his broad, open 
 brow, and the expression of energy and 
 courage in each glance of his magnificent 
 brown eyes. 
 
 He was gazing abstractedly at the pink- 
 and-gold tinted clouds scudding across the 
 horizon, and an absorbed, almost melan- 
 choly look crossed his face. He started 
 suddenly when Edward Ashton came u^) and 
 touched him on the shoulder. 
 
 " The parson 's been inquiring after you,'' 
 said the latter, with a slight, almost imper- 
 ceptible look of contempt, which Ivor was 
 not slow to detect. 
 
 ^^ I suppose he wants me — do you know 
 why?" he asked, without moving his posi- 
 tion.
 
 A FISHING VILLAGE. 
 
 '' To keep his model school-boy out of 
 bad company," was the sneering answer. '' I 
 shouldn't wonder if he does not want you to 
 take the little girls out for a walk, or mind 
 the baby. A pretty Molly you '11 be, if you 
 go on acting the good boy to please the 
 parson ! " 
 
 Ivor's face flushed with resentment at this 
 taunting speech ; he raised his hand to strike 
 Edward, who quickly warded off the blow, 
 and, with the superior strength that two 
 years' seniority gave him, felled his young 
 adversary to the deck. 
 
 Half-stunned with the force of the blow, 
 Ivor rose up and rushed at his opponent, 
 when he was seized and dragged back. 
 
 ^^ What, fighting!" exclaimed a voice; 
 and Ivor, turning suddenly round, with a 
 desperate effort tried to free himself from 
 the grasp on his arm. '^ Come, be quiet ; 
 don't be foolish, you'll only get hurt," 
 continued the new-comer, in an authori- 
 tative but not unkind voice, ^^ or I shall 
 have to u>e my power as caj)tain of this 
 vessel. I will have no quarrelling here.
 
 10 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 Edward ! how dared you strike a lad 
 younger than yourself ? " 
 
 '' He attacked me first," answered the 
 young man, sullenly, turning his back on 
 his uncle, and walking away. 
 
 Captain Ashton smiled grimly, and relaxed 
 his hold on Ivor. ^' You are not hurt," he 
 said, ''and had better go on shore, it is 
 getting late ; and, look you, if I have any 
 boyish brawling I shall order you to be put 
 in irons ; it is only that I admire your pluck 
 that saves you now from punishment." 
 
 " Thank you, sir," answered Ivor, humbly. 
 '^ I know I did wrong, but he made me 
 angry." 
 
 Captain Ashton laughed loudly. ''Come 
 along, and I will row you on shore. You 
 must not repeat our late conversation 
 to your grandfather ; and, remember, 
 any time I shall be glad to take you, 
 without any premium. You have only 
 to make up your mind, and there is the 
 opening of a splendid fortune before you." 
 
 " My grandfather does not wish me to 
 take to a seafaring life," replied Ivor, seating
 
 A FISHING VILLAGE. 11 
 
 himself in the little boat; ^'and I do not 
 know that I have any particular fancy for 
 it. I should, of course, like to see foreign 
 countries, but I do not like hardships. 
 However, I will consult Mr. Williams." 
 
 ^' I '11 beg you to hold your tongue before 
 him ! " Captain Ashton exclaimed, hotly. 
 *' If I thought you were not to be trusted, 
 you would never reach the shore alive ! 
 I 'm not one to be trifled with. It will be at 
 your peril if you betray me." 
 
 '' Then, sir, I must most certainly decline 
 accepting your ofl'er," replied Ivor, firmly 
 but respectfully ; and then he was silent 
 until they reached the landing-place. ^' Good 
 evening, sir," he said, as tliey stepped on 
 shore, ^' I am very much obliged to you for 
 your kindness." 
 
 He hastened along in the direction of the 
 village, but had not gone very far before 
 he encountered Mr. Williams. 
 
 ^^ 1 have been waiting for you," began the 
 clergyman ; *' I am expecting a young lady, 
 a niece, by the evening coach. Shall you 
 be able to borrow Mr. Ap Thomas's pony-
 
 12 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 cliaise, and drive over to meet her? You 
 must inquire for Miss Austin." 
 
 i^Yery well, sir, I will start as soon as 
 possible; I should have come away more 
 quickly if I had known. However, I will be 
 sure to be in time." 
 
 "" I wish you had ! the less you have to 
 
 do with the crew of the Orient the better," 
 
 ' was the grave answer. '^ I intend S2)ea]ving 
 
 to your grandfather ; it is time you obtained 
 
 some regular employment." 
 
 Ivor turned away, with a determined, 
 almost sullen look. ''I wish he would not 
 try to force me against my own inclina- 
 tions," he muttered, angrily, as he started 
 off to walk at a quick pace along the valley 
 road, and in less than three minutes he was 
 out of sight. 
 
 Mr. Williams continued his way, and, 
 taking a narrow street, he climbed upwards 
 between the fishermen's cottages, which were 
 built round the side of the hill, that sheltered 
 them from the fury of the north-west Avind, 
 which in rough weather blew fiercely along 
 the coast of Pen Vychan. Higher up he
 
 A FISniNG VILLAGE. 13 
 
 came to tlie principal street, with its few 
 little shops and dwellings of the better class 
 of villagers ; the road ran round the moun- 
 tain, so that when he had walked on for a 
 few minutes the view of the sea Avas shut 
 out. Then a glorious panorama of scenery 
 unfolded itself before his gaze; a noble park, 
 extending for many miles, lay in the broad 
 valley below, and up the opposite hills. The 
 mountain streams flowed into a large sheet 
 of water, almost surrounded by thick woods, 
 and further on, on slightly elevated ground, 
 stood Pen Vychan Castle, situated on a 
 gentle ascent, about three hundred yards 
 from the lake. It was almost shut in by 
 trees, so that from where Mr. Williams stood 
 he could only discern the smoke issuing from 
 the chimneys. By the road through the 
 valley the castle was not more than a mile 
 from the village ; it was, in fact, the only 
 approach used for vehicles, as the upper 
 road curved far away towards the town of 
 Rhos Celyn. 
 
 A narrow pathway and a few steps cut 
 out of the rock brought Mr. Williams close
 
 14 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 to the old grey stone church, situated below 
 the upper road, about half way between it 
 and tlie one in the valley ; he stopped short 
 before he reached it, and, turning aside 
 through a small garden, entered his own 
 cottage dwelling. With a sigh of relief, for 
 he was tired with a long day's v/ork, he 
 passed through the hall, and, opening a door 
 on the left-hand side, went into a parlour, 
 with shabby, well-worn furniture. The three 
 occupants of the room looked up, and one of 
 them, a middle-aged lady, rose to welcome 
 her husband ; the two others, girls of fourteen 
 and sixteen years of age, did not move, but 
 resumed their occupation of learning lessons. 
 
 ^^ I thought you'd gone over to Rhos 
 Celyn," said the elder girl, as soon as her 
 father had finished his request for tea. 
 
 •' No, I was tired. I have been walking all 
 day. I sent Ivor Morgan to meet your 
 cousin ; I suppose she will be here by half- 
 past ten. I 'm sure I wish she was not 
 coming. What on earth shall we do with her? 
 A London young lady, all dress and 
 affectation, coming into such a place as this !
 
 A FISHING VILLAGE. ]5 
 
 She will be filling the girls' heads with her 
 extravagant, fantastic notions. I don't like 
 the idea of my children associating with 
 actresses.'' 
 
 *^ I think you should scarcely call Mavis 
 Austin an actress," interposed Mrs. Williams, 
 laying down her work. ^^ She sings at 
 concerts, and gives music lessons ; I think it 
 is very creditable for a girl of eighteen to be 
 able to gain a livelihood; besides, she is your 
 sister Mary's child, after all, and now she has 
 been ill it is our duty to receive her here," 
 
 '^ Of course it is only right to have her,'* 
 answered the clergyman. ^' When I\Iary 
 died, and left 'her an orphan, what did I do 
 but offer to receive the girl as one of my 
 own? only she turned independent, and 
 preferred to lower herself rather than accept 
 a home from her nearest relatives." 
 
 " And you blame her for that ! why, Hugh, 
 I think it is one of the best traits in her 
 character ; she knew how poor we are, how 
 hard we have to struggle to keep Gwendoline 
 and Jessie even in decent clothes; and she 
 did not choose to be a burden; however, you
 
 16 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 cannot regret more than I do that she is 
 coming J for the girls' sake." 
 
 ^' Why, mother! we are looking forward 
 to her visit," exclaimed Gwendoline, shut- 
 ting up her book, and leaning back in her 
 chair (she was a tall, growing girl, whose 
 out-grown dress showed off the awkward 
 movements of her long limbs); ^^it will be 
 such a change to have a grown-up London 
 lady like our unknown cousin ; she will tell 
 us all the new fashions. I wonder if she is 
 as beautiful as peoj^le say she is, and if she 
 will think us too countrified to speak 
 to?" 
 
 '^Yes; she's sure to think that of you, 
 Gwendoline," said Jessie, who was short and 
 plump, and looked with envy at her sister's 
 superior height. ^^ I guess what she will be 
 like ; she will be tall and thin, with black 
 hair and big brown eyes, just like Lord 
 Durant. I told Ivor Morgan about her, 
 after Sunday-school, and he drew her 
 portrait." 
 
 A loud shout of laughter from Gwendoline 
 followed this communication.
 
 A FISHING VILLAGE. 17 
 
 '^ How absurd, Jessie ! Do let us look at 
 it, and then we shall see whether she is really- 
 like it or not." 
 
 After some hesitation Jessie brought out 
 the drawing. It was evidently a hasty- 
 sketch, produced with only a few lines, but 
 gave evidence of unusual skill in so young 
 an artist. 
 
 ^' He did it in church during the first 
 lesson, while he was pretending to find the 
 chants ; I saw him ! " triumphantly exclaimed 
 Gwendoline. ^^ Jessie is always encouraging 
 him to behave badly." 
 
 '^ The lad has decided talent," said Mr. 
 Williams, looking attentively at the sketch, 
 without making any comment on his eldest 
 daughter's speech. '^I do not know if I 
 have any right to oppose him in his wish to 
 study painting. I should like to ask some 
 advice ; when Major Durant comes over I 
 shall consult him." 
 
 '^ I doubt if he will trouble himself about 
 a common sailor-boy," replied his wife. ^^ You 
 will only do harm if you give Ivor notions 
 beyond his station ; you had better leave 
 
 VOL. I. c
 
 18 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 him alone ; you seem almost as fond of him 
 as if he were a son of your own." 
 
 The entrance of the servant, with tea for 
 Mr. Williams, put an end to the discussion ; 
 his wife and daughters had had theirs some 
 hours before ; and as soon as he had drunk a 
 cup, the clergyman went into the little room 
 at the other side of the hall that he used 
 as a study, and set himself to work at his 
 next Sunday's sermon.
 
 MAVIS AUSTIN. 19 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 MAVIS AUSTIN. 
 
 Blue were her eyes as the fairy flax, 
 
 Her cheeks like the dawn of day, 
 And her bosom white as the hawthorn buds 
 
 That ope in the month of May. 
 
 Longfellow. 
 
 The town of Rhos Celyn was about ^ve 
 miles from Pen Vyclian. Although it was 
 honoured by the name of a town, it was 
 scarcely more than a good-sized village ; but 
 there was a market-place, a town-hall, and 
 several manufactories for the making of 
 flannel, which was the principal trade of the 
 inhabitants. The nearest railway-station was 
 at Elton, about twelve miles off, which was 
 reached by coaches that ran between the two 
 places. 
 
 It was after nine o'clock when Ivor
 
 20 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 Morgan drove along the gas-lit streets in the 
 old-fashioned pony phaeton, which the owner 
 was always glad to lend for Mr. Williams's 
 use ; the coach had not arrived when he 
 stopped at the inn. 
 
 ^^ It was due five minutes ago," said an 
 ostler, who was waiting near the stable-yard ; 
 ^^ they are never much behind time." 
 
 Just as he s^Doke, the sound of a horn was 
 heard and the rumble of wheels, and, in 
 another moment, tlie coach, with its four 
 grey horses, came in sight. 
 
 ^^ I wonder if I shall know the young 
 lady — if she is like Miss Jessie's description," 
 thought Ivor, as he gave the reins to a boy 
 who was loitering about, and descended from 
 his vehicle when the coach drew up. 
 
 The passengers were getting down from 
 the outside. It only needed one glance to 
 assure Ivor that Miss Austin was not amongst 
 them ; they were mostly townspeople, well 
 known to him. 
 
 Two ladies were inside, one a tall, impe- 
 rious, but fine-looking lady, whom he instantly 
 knew as the Dowager Lady Durant, the step-
 
 MAVIS AUSTIN, 21 
 
 mother of the owner of Pen Vychan Castle ; 
 the other was a stranger. Ivor just caught 
 sight of a gleam of bright, golden hair, as, 
 with a sweet voice, she addressed her fellow- 
 traveller : — 
 
 ^' Will you be kind enough to tell me if I 
 must get out here ? I am going to Pen 
 Vychan." 
 
 Lady Durant looked down with an ex- 
 pression of surprise and disdain at being 
 thus spoken to, but she was saved the trouble 
 of replying. 
 
 A military-looking gentleman, who had 
 come down from the top of the coach, ap- 
 proached ; the likeness was enough, even if 
 Ivor had not already been aware of it, to 
 proclaim him to be Lady Durant's son. 
 
 '' Yes, this is Phos Celyn. Are you expect- 
 ing any one to meet you, or can I assist you 
 in any way ? '' he asked, good-naturedly. 
 
 ^^ If you will be so kind," replied the 
 young lady. '' I have been unused to travel- 
 ling, and I get so bewildered with the dread- 
 ful Welsh language. I do not see any o 
 my friends here."
 
 22 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 '^ Please, sir, is Miss Austin here ? " said 
 Ivor, addressing Major Durant. ^^ Mr. 
 Williams has sent me to meet her." 
 
 ^' Yes, she is; I am Miss Austin," ex- 
 claimed the young lady, eagerly. ^^Is my 
 uncle here ? " 
 
 ^' No, miss ; he was too tired to drive over; 
 he sent me instead," replied the lad. '' If 
 you will come to the carriage, I will see after 
 your boxes." 
 
 '^ But I do not like to trust myself to be 
 driven over the wild Welsh hills by a mere 
 boy. I think my uncle might have sent a 
 responsible person," she said, turning her 
 blue eyes apjDealingly towards Lady Durant. 
 
 The words '' a mere boy " sounded cruelly 
 mortifying to Ivor's ears, he, however, 
 answered nothing, but stood aside whilst 
 Major Durant assisted, first his mother, and 
 then Mavis Austin, from the coach. 
 
 '^ She's very beautiful, but not like Miss 
 Jessie's idea," he thought, as for the first 
 time he caught sight of the lovely child-like 
 face, far exceeding even his most romantic 
 and wildest dreams of beauty. ^' Oh, if she
 
 MAVIS AUSTIN. 23 
 
 would only trust herself to me ! as if I could 
 allow any one so like an angel to get into 
 danger ! " 
 
 His momentary reverie was broken in 
 upon by the voice of Lady Durant. 
 
 " If the curate's niece, as I suppose this 
 young lady is," she said, in her haughtiest 
 manner, '' cannot trust her charioteer, she is 
 welcome to a seat in my carriage ; however, 
 these Welsh people are well acquainted with 
 their own roads ; it is only an imaginary 
 danger." 
 
 ^' Thank you, I will not trouble you, but 
 I am much obliged for your offer," replied 
 Mavis, imitating Lady Durant's haughtiness 
 of manner, and turning away to Ivor with 
 newly assumed self-possession. 
 
 "I think you have met with your match 
 there, mother," said the major, as he helped 
 the dowager into her stepson Lord Durant's 
 carriage, which had just driven up. ^' I sup- 
 pose you took her for a country girl ? " 
 
 ^^ She has travelled with us all the way 
 from London," was the reply. ^^I call her 
 most impertinent to speak to me as she did."
 
 24 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 '^1 call her exceedingly nice looking,'^ 
 answered her son. ^^ I have seen her before; 
 she is a singer. There was quite a furore for 
 her during the last season ; her name is Austin. 
 I almost wish I was going to stay at the 
 Castle : I miirht see more of her : but I must 
 retiu^n to-morrow." 
 
 Meanwhile Ivor had secured all Mavis 
 Austin's luggage, and with some difficulty 
 had managed to stow it in the phaeton. 
 
 *^You need not have the slightest fear, 
 Miss Austin," he said, as he seated himself 
 by her side, and took the reins. ^^Mr. 
 Williams always trusts me to drive to Rhos 
 Celyn ; it is only frve miles, and the moon 
 is up." 
 
 ^ ' Who were that lady and gentleman who 
 spoke to me ? " asked Mavis, when, after they 
 had j^roceeded some little distance, Lord 
 Durant's brougham dashed jDast. 
 
 Ivor supplied the required information. 
 
 ^'Lord Durant always lives at the castle,"' 
 he added, for Mavis's blue eyes were looking 
 into his face with an inquiring glance. ^^ He 
 is very odd and eccentric. Some people say
 
 MAVIS AUSTIN. 25 
 
 he is mad ; he scarcely ever speaks to any- 
 body, except the village people." 
 
 ^^Is the castle a handsome building?" 
 asked the young lady. 
 
 The young artist's eyes kindled with 
 enthusiasm. 
 
 ^^ It is perfect ! " he exclaimed, ecstatically. 
 " I don't think the Queen can live in grander 
 rooms. Oh, the furniture and the pictures 
 I saw them once. Miss Gwendoline and 
 Miss Jessie often go there ; they are the only 
 real ladies Lord Durant ever has at the 
 castle." 
 
 ^'I suppose Miss Gwendoline and Jessie 
 are my cousins ? " Mavis asked, with a smile, 
 amused at Ivor's freedom of manner, but 
 only half guessing what was his real station 
 in life. '^ They are strangers to me," she 
 added, in explanation. '^I have always 
 lived in London. Do tell me something 
 about them, and my uncle too." 
 
 ^^ I do not know what I can tell you about 
 them. Mr. Williams is one of the kindest 
 gentlemen I ever saw, but that I suppose 
 you know already ; but all the people don't
 
 26 EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 like him. He is very hard on some of them, 
 and then there are many quarrels between 
 the Church people and the Methodists. My 
 step-father is one of the deacons at the 
 chapel. He is very bitter against Mr. 
 Williams, partly because he is so good to 
 me, and has taught me almost everything I 
 know." 
 
 ^^ Then I suppose you go to church? I 
 don't wonder at your step-father being angry. 
 I do not think it is right of my uncle to 
 teach you to disobey him," answered Mavis. 
 
 ^^ He has nothing to do with me. I live 
 with my grandfather, an old sailor, and a 
 staunch Churchman," said Ivor. 
 
 ^^ And does my uncle keep a school for 
 sailor-boys ? " asked Mavis, with a disdainful 
 smile. 
 
 Ivor made no reply to the taunting words. 
 His face turned crimson with resentment, 
 but just at that moment they were passing a 
 dangerous piece of road, and it required all 
 his care to keep the pony on the narrow 
 track. It was cut out on the face of the 
 rock, which, in some places, nearly overhung
 
 MAVIS AUSTIN, 27 
 
 the road, and down on the other side the 
 precipice sloped perpendicularly to the sea ; 
 the wind, as old Morgan had prophesied, had 
 risen, and the waves were dashing in with 
 a roar of thunder. 
 
 ^' Oh, let me get out and walk ; this is 
 not safe ! " she cried, and her shriek of terror 
 echoed amongst the rocks, as the pony shied 
 suddenly at the tall, dark figure of a man 
 who had come up unperceived. ^' Take care ! 
 Oh, we shall be dashed to pieces ! What 
 shall I do ? '' exclaimed Mavis, clinging in 
 terror to Ivor's arm. 
 
 He was endeavouring to soothe the fiery 
 little animal into r|uietness. 
 
 In another second the stranger had seized 
 the rein. He drew the pony from the 
 perilous position close to the unfenced pre- 
 cipice. 
 
 ^^ PI old him still while I get out and lead 
 him ! " shouted Ivor, in Welsh. 
 
 But the stranger did not appear to heed or 
 understand him, and led the pony swiftly 
 onwards beyond the dangerous spot ; then 
 he turned, looked fixedly at the occupants of
 
 28 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 the phaeton, and, before Mavis had been able 
 to get out a word of thanks, he had disap- 
 peared down a narrow, dark lane. 
 
 ^^Who can it be ?" whispered the young 
 lady, in a low, frightened voice, for the 
 sudden apparition had alarmed her quite as 
 much as the impending accident. 
 
 ^^ I saw his face the moment he turned ; the 
 moon shone on it. I am certain it was Lord 
 Durant," replied Ivor. ^^It's just like him 
 to wander out alone." 
 
 ^^The madman ! " said Mavis, shuddering. 
 " Oh, dear, I wish I was safe at my uncle's 
 house." 
 
 ^^ We shall be there before very long. The 
 way is as safe as possible now," was the 
 reassuring answer. 
 
 Never was the sight of home more wel- 
 come to the returning pilgrim than was the 
 cheery blaze of light to Mavis as she entered 
 her uncle's parlour. 
 
 ^^You are pale and tired," said Mrs. 
 Williams, kindly, after she had welcomed 
 the trembling girl. '^ It has been a long 
 journey, and you are not yet strong. When
 
 MAVIS AUSTIN, 29 
 
 you are rested a little you will feel better, 
 I hope." 
 
 ^ ' Oh, I am very well ; but I have had a fright 
 on the road," replied Mavis, laughing slightly 
 at her former fear, now that she felt safe and 
 at ease. 
 
 She then recounted the late adventure. 
 
 '^How funny to be afraid of Lord 
 Durant !" laughed Jessie. ^^He won't hurt 
 any one." 
 
 Mrs. Williams now proposed that her 
 niece should change her travelling dress ; 
 but Mavis pleaded fatigue, and, as it was 
 already late, she preferred retiring for the 
 night, and very soon after she found herself 
 in the small cheerful-looking room that she 
 was to occupy. She slej^t soundly. 
 
 The sun was shining brightly when she 
 awoke, feeling refreshed with her night's 
 rest. She rose, and going to the window, 
 pulled aside the curtain and looked out over 
 the fairest expanse of scenery that she had 
 ever beheld. Her window faced down the 
 valley, the mountains on the other side 
 towering up, and, as it seemed to her, almost
 
 30 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 touching the clear blue sky. By turning her 
 head she could catch a sideways glimpse of 
 the sea, and the sails of the fishing-boats 
 glistening white in the morning sun. 
 
 Down below lay Pen Vychan Park ; the 
 trees grew in handsome clumps, half way up 
 the hills. 
 
 Mavis uttered a cry of delight as a herd 
 of deer emerged from a grove, and passed 
 up the valley. She watched them until 
 they vanished out of sight, feeling a child- 
 like pleasure in a scene so new and strange 
 to her, for this was almost her first visit to 
 the country, and it had an additional charm, 
 as Pen Vychan was her mother's native 
 place. 
 
 Mrs. Austin, Mavis's mother, was the only 
 sister of Mr. Williams ; their parents had 
 died when she was quite a child, and left 
 her to the care of her brother, who was many 
 years her senior. At the age of eighteen, 
 she went on a visit to some friends at Rhos 
 Celyn, and whilst there she met an actor, of 
 the name of Henry Austin, who was travel- 
 ling with a London theatrical company. He
 
 MAVIS AUSTIN. 31 
 
 was struck with the beauty of the simple 
 country girl ; and, flattered by the attention he 
 paid her, the admiration that Mary Williams 
 felt for talents changed into deep affection. 
 
 He was a clever, designing man, who had 
 been originally in the navy, but was induced 
 to resign his seafaring life for that of an 
 actor, for which he had peculiar talent. 
 
 It did not take much persuasion before the 
 foolish girl agreed to a runaway marriage — 
 she knew her brother would never consent to 
 her engagement with an actor. They went 
 off to London, Mary going under the pro- 
 tection of one of the actresses, and, true to 
 his promise, Henry Austin married her. 
 
 It was a great blow to Mr. Williams, who 
 felt at first that he never could forgive his 
 sister ; but when she wrote the news of the 
 birth of a daughter, speaking in high terms 
 of the kindness and liberality of her hus- 
 band, her brother began to relent, and to 
 think that the match was perhaps not so bad 
 as he had at first fancied. But this happi- 
 ness was not of long duration. When the 
 little girl Mavis was about five years of age,
 
 32 ErES SO BLUE. 
 
 Mary Austin was attacked with small-pox, 
 and for some time it was feared she could 
 not live. However, she recovered, but all 
 her beauty was gone, and with it her hus- 
 band's affection. He had been training her 
 for his profession, but now there was no 
 chance of success at that, with her shattered 
 health and scarred face, from which every 
 remnant of her former good looks had dis- 
 appeared. The actor's coldness to his wife 
 soon changed to positive dislike and neglect, 
 and then, for the first time, she began to see 
 his true nature, and bitterly to regret her 
 hasty marriage. 
 
 The misery of the next few years was so 
 ficreat that she had no heart to write to her 
 brother ; she was ashamed to let him know 
 how her life had changed. She would not 
 separate from her husband ; she still loved 
 him, in spite of his cruelty ; her only desire 
 was to keep her child, as she grew older, in 
 ignorance of her father's villainy. 
 
 In spite of his faults Henry Austin was 
 fond and proud of his daughter, especially 
 as, when she grew older, she gave promise of
 
 MAVJS AUSTIN. 33 
 
 possessing extreme beauty. He 2)ei'sisted, in 
 spite of liis wife's opposition, tliat slie should 
 be educated for tlie stage, and at fifteen 
 years of age she was placed under the tuition 
 of an accomplished actress. But Mavises 
 chief talent was for music, and this her 
 instructress carefully fostered, in the hope 
 that her jxipil would do her credit as an 
 opera singer. 
 
 She was making fair progress in her new 
 career, and had several times even appeared 
 in some minor character before the public, 
 when she was horrified by the information 
 that her father had deserted her and her 
 mother. He had left his home mth a young 
 actress, Maud Stanley, who had not long 
 before made her first appearance in London, 
 and was well known to Mavis. Shocked 
 beyond expression, and almost heart-broken, 
 the poor child gave up her profession in dis- 
 gust, and returned to lier mother. 
 
 l\Iary Austin never recovered the blow 
 caused by her husband's desertion ; her 
 health, always delicate, gave way entirely ; 
 her friends wished her to apply for a divorce, 
 
 VOL. I. D
 
 34 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 but she refused, for she felt that already her 
 days were numbered, and her husband had 
 left some money with her, for even he could 
 not allow her to come to want. 
 
 But in the midst of her misery her chief 
 thought was for her daughter, whose recently 
 developed vocal talents left no choice to her 
 but to follow the bent of her genius. With 
 careful economy she managed to secure first- 
 rate tuition for Mavis, who already began to 
 earn some little by teachino: music. 
 
 Whilst Mrs. Austin lay on her death-bed 
 ♦she accidentally heard news of her husband. 
 He had quitted the stage, returned to his 
 former calling, and obtained an appointment 
 at a coastguard station ; during an encounter 
 with smugglers he suddenly disappeared, 
 having, they supposed, fallen overboard. 
 
 A calmer, happier look came over Mrs. 
 Austin's face when she heard the news of her 
 husband's death ; she could not feel regret, 
 and during the rest of that evening, in con- 
 versing with Ma\ds, she only remembered his 
 former kindness, just after their marriage. 
 Tlie next day she died, and Mavis was left
 
 MAVIS AUSTIN. 35 
 
 an orphan J with scarcely a friend to turn to 
 for help, only an old servant who had 
 remained with her mistress through all her 
 troubles. Her uncle, Mr. WilHams, wrote 
 ^ offering her a home, which she declined, pre- 
 ferring to trust to her o^vn exertions ; and 
 bravely she struggled on, earning l^y her 
 teaching enough to support herself and Susan 
 Barker, the faithful old servant, and to pay 
 for the lessons that were to perfect her in 
 singing, and enable her to appear before the 
 public at concerts, or in the opera. 
 
 In the spring of her eighteenth year she 
 sang at her first concert and met with a good 
 reception ; afterwards she obtained many 
 engagements, and before the season was 
 over, the heat of the weather and the 
 unaccustomed life of excitement told upon 
 her health, so that she consented to quit 
 London and accept her uncle's invitation to 
 pay a visit to Pen Vychan.
 
 36 EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 LOED DURANT. 
 
 There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, 
 There is a rapture on the lonely shore, 
 'There is society where none intrudes 
 By the deep sea, and music in its roar. 
 
 Byeon. 
 
 Breakfast was ready, and her aunt and 
 cousins were waiting, when Mavis came 
 downstairs. The parlour, which had seemed 
 so dreary the evening before, now looked 
 quite cheerful, in spite of the shabby carpet 
 and furniture, for the morning sun was 
 shining, and the fresh sea-breeze came in 
 through the open window. Perhaps it was 
 because she was refreshed after a good 
 night's rest that Mavis felt her spirits rising, 
 and all the dejection of the past night
 
 LORD DURANT, 37 
 
 totally disappearing under the influence of 
 this bright summer morning, and the 
 pleasant, home-like feeling that she had 
 never before experienced in her unsettled 
 life. 
 
 '^ If you intend to be busy this morning, 
 I think I had better take a stroll about the 
 village,'' she said, presently, addressing her 
 aunt, when the two girls were preparing to 
 start to school. ^' I can take a book and go 
 down on to the sea-shore." 
 
 Mrs. Williams readily acquiesced. She 
 had been wondering what she should do to 
 amuse her niece whilst she was busied over 
 her household duties. 
 
 '^ If you will not be lonely, it will be the 
 best thing," she replied. '^ The sea-breeze 
 will strengthen you, and you will find some 
 beautiful scenery about here. On Saturday 
 your cousins have a holiday, so they can 
 take you into the Castle grounds ; Lord 
 Durant has given tliQm leave to go there, 
 whenever they feel inclined." 
 
 Mavis selected a book and went out, 
 taking the upper road on her way towards the
 
 38 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 beacli. The cottagers came to their doors to 
 look after her, for it was a rare thing to see 
 a stranger in so sechided a village, and 
 indeed Mavis's appearance and extreme 
 beauty were such as to attract attention, 
 and her fashionably made dress, although 
 only of 2)lain material, was altogether 
 superior to anything produced by the Pen 
 Vychan dressmaker. 
 
 She soon reached the shore, and selecting 
 a spot sheltered from the sun and wind she 
 sat down on the smooth, dry sand, and 
 looked out over the calm sea, allowing her 
 book to lie ojien on her lap. 
 
 ^^ Oh, how pleasant it would be alwa^'s to 
 live here, to have nothing to do but amuse 
 myself, no more work, to have plenty of 
 money, and live in ease and luxury ! '^ was 
 her thought, when she recalled the dismal, 
 dusty London street, with its heat, and 
 ceaseless noise, and bustle of never-ending 
 traffic. Here all was cool and still — even 
 the waves seemed joyous, breaking in upon 
 the sand, each moment stealing up nearer 
 and nearer.
 
 LOBB DUBANT. 39 
 
 There was no one in sight except a man 
 repairing a boat ; the sound of his hammer 
 every now and then reaching Mavis's ears — 
 a sort of distant accompaniment to the mono- 
 tonous roar of the waves. 
 
 Far out in the bay the Orient lay at 
 anchor, gently rocking to and fro in the 
 fitful breeze. 
 
 A dreamy feeling stole over Mavis's senses : 
 her eyelids drooped, and, in spite of her 
 endeavours to fix her attention on the open 
 page before her, the drowsy effect of the 
 increasino; heat forced her to succumb 
 beneath its influence. Her head fell back 
 against the rock, and she slept, and dreamed 
 she was back again in her old London 
 home. 
 
 She awoke with a start ; and for a second 
 or two gazed around bewildered, as if she 
 could not at first remember wdiere she was. 
 By degrees her scattered faculties returned, 
 and she became aware that there was some 
 one near her. A tall gentleman, who had 
 been wandering over the rocks, had ap- 
 proached the sheltered nook where Mavis
 
 40 EYES SO, BLUE. 
 
 lay sleeping, and stood still with surprise and 
 admiration at the lovely apparition. 
 
 He did not seem at all amused at her 
 look of astonishment and vexation when 
 she sprang to her feet, her long hair, 
 which had come uncoiled, falling like a 
 golden shower round her. His face was 
 perfectly grave, — there was even a sad look 
 in the depths of his beautiful browm eyes*; 
 and although he did not utter a word, there 
 was something in his expression that caused 
 Mavis almost involuntarily to turn and 
 glance at him before she moved to go away. 
 He was very handsome, — one of the most 
 distinguished men she had ever seen, with 
 almost faultless features. The lower part of 
 his face was hidden by a long dark beard, 
 in which only a few silver threads had begun 
 to mingle, whilst his hair was thickly streaked 
 with s^rev. 
 
 His face seemed familiar to Mavis. She 
 was wondering where she had seen it, when 
 all at once it flashed across her mind that 
 the resemblance was to Major Durant, whom 
 she had met the evening before. No doubt
 
 LOUD DURANT. 41 
 
 this was his unfortunate brother ; but he did 
 not look mad : his countenance was calm and 
 peaceful, and on the whole he was by far 
 the most attractive looking of the two 
 brothers. 
 
 If liis frame lacked the vigour and im- 
 mense strength of the major, it was atoned 
 for by the peculiarly delicate beauty of ex- 
 pression that alone was sufficient to com- 
 mand attention. 
 
 ^' I am afraid I startled you," he said, pre- 
 sently, speaking in deep, musical tones, clear 
 but low, with the unmistakable accent of a 
 thoroughly educated gentleman. ^' But, 
 look, — the tide is coming in fast ; it will not 
 be safe to remain here much longer. I was' 
 just going to rouse you when you awoke. 
 In five minutes these rocks will be com- 
 pletely surrounded by the sea." 
 
 Mavis looked round, startled at these 
 words. The way by which she had come 
 was under water. Apparently all communi- 
 cation with the village was cut off, for on the 
 other side were rough, jagged rocks, rising 
 to a considerable height.
 
 42 EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 ^^ Oh, what shall I do ! " she exclaimed, in 
 real terror, for she saw no course but to re- 
 main on the rocks until the tide turned ; 
 but one glance at the calm, undisturbed face 
 of the nobleman convinced her that there 
 must be some escape. 
 
 ^^If you will accompany me," he "con- 
 tinued, in the same courteous accents, ^^I 
 can show you a safe jDatli. I conclude you 
 wish to return to the village ? " 
 
 *^ Yes; I am staying with Mr. Williams," 
 replied Mavis. '' I am his niece. I shall 
 indeed be grateful to you if you will show 
 me the way." 
 
 As she spoke, she had twisted up her thick 
 hair and replaced her shady straw hat. 
 
 ^^I suppose I ought to introduce myself," 
 said the nobleman, giving his hand to Mavis, 
 to help her over the rocks; ^^I am Lord 
 Durant; vou must no lono-er reofard me as a 
 stranger ; I have already heard of you." 
 
 ^^How is that?" asked Mavis, wonder- 
 ingly, knowing that her fame could not 
 have penetrated to such an out-of-the-way 
 village.
 
 LOBD DUBANT. 43 
 
 ^^ Mr. Williams's cliildren spoke of your 
 expected arrival, also my brother mentioned 
 that you travelled in the same coach with 
 him yesterday; he recognized you, having 
 seen you in London." 
 
 *^Yes, at a concert, I suppose !" replied 
 Mavis, so bitterly that Lord Durant felt 
 sorry that his words had produced a look of 
 pain on such a beautiful face. 
 
 ^'What is the reason of that sad expres- 
 sion?" asked Lord Durant, looking down 
 pityingly at her flushed cheeks. ^'Do you 
 not like your profession ? Can it be that you 
 are not fond of music ? " 
 
 ^^I am devoted to music," she exclaimed, 
 earnestly, dashing away the tears that had 
 risen to her eyes, '^ but it is the degradation 
 of selling my voice for money that I hate ; I 
 could glory in singing if I were free, but to 
 feel that my choicest possession is the pro- 
 perty of the public, that my voice is, for the 
 time, the slave of a fickle audience, — that is 
 what I dislike!" 
 
 They had now passed over a flat ridge of 
 sand below the cliffs, and then came to a
 
 44 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 
 
 low door, thickly studded with iron nails, 
 placed in the face of the rock. Lord Durant 
 took a key from his pocket, and opened it, 
 revealing a long narrow passage, evidently 
 the entrance to a cave, almost dark, except 
 where a stream of light came from a small 
 opening much further on. 
 
 Mavis shuddered and drew back; what she 
 had heard of Lord Durant's madness flashed 
 across her mind, but in an instant his voice 
 reassured her. 
 
 ^' Come along," he said, ^Hhere is no 
 danger ; this is only a private road into my 
 grounds." 
 
 He locked the door after them, and, 
 taking her hand, drew her onwards, through 
 the cave, until it grew lighter, and then, 
 ascending a few stej^s, they emerged into 
 the open air, on the other side of tlie 
 mountain. 
 
 ^ ' You do wrong in undervaluing your 
 priceless gift," said Lord Durant, continuing 
 the conversation as he walked by Mavis's 
 side along the smooth j^ath. ^^ There is no 
 degradation in giving pleasure to others.
 
 LOBD DUEANT. 45 
 
 and what pleasure is more hcart-satisfving 
 than music ? " 
 
 ^^ I wish I could think of it in that li^'ht, 
 instead of always having the idea before my 
 mind of the money 1 can earn," said Mavis, 
 with a sigh ; ^' I often think if I could only 
 get an established reputation I should 
 devote my life more to serving music, not 
 only to please an audience ; at present, if I 
 offend them, my livelihood is gone." 
 
 ^^ I am afraid you are right," replied Lord 
 Durant ; ^^ but it is one of the little trials 
 that every one has to contend with; I sup- 
 pose there is no one to whom life is j^erfectly 
 smooth and mitroubled." 
 
 They had now descended the side of the 
 mountain, and were walking along a path 
 through the woods that skirted the park. 
 Down below, in a cleft in the rocks, -so deep 
 that the eye could not pierce through the 
 dense mass of foliage, the river rushed past 
 in a foaming torrent towards the sea. As 
 Mavis stopped to gaze at the lovely scene, 
 every now and then she caught sight of the 
 spray from the cascades flung on high,
 
 46 EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 amongst the leaves, glistening with bright 
 jirismatic tints where it caught the sun's rays. 
 The park beyond lay in all its natural 
 beauty, while further on, surrounded by the 
 noble trees, whose shadows were reflected in 
 the deep lake, rose the majestic towers of 
 the Castle. It had the appearance of great 
 age — in fact, in many places it was almost a 
 ruiu, but, whilst the ^picturesque look had 
 been retained, enough of the original build- 
 in o: w^as restored and rebuilt to form a com- 
 fort able and spacious modern residence, thus 
 preserving the beauty of age with none of 
 its drawbacks. 
 
 Mavis glanced up into Lord Durant's face 
 when he uttered his last words ; her eyes had 
 turned from contemplating the fair scene, 
 and the idea crossed her mind, — 
 
 '^ How can any one, possessing such 
 boundless vrealth, with everything the world 
 can give him, ever know the weight of a 
 trial or sorrow ? " and yet surely if a face 
 ever bore traces of sadness Lord Durant's 
 did ; and whilst he was speaking the 
 shadow had deepened, as if his mind was
 
 LOBB BUEANT. 
 
 far away, dwelling on sad memories of the 
 past. 
 
 However, Mavis's sudden glance of inquiry- 
 was not unnoticed by him ; he read her 
 thoughts as if they had been spoken, and 
 replied, — 
 
 ^^ You think I am not one Avho ought to 
 talk of the trials of life — you imagine, because 
 I am rich, that trouble never comes near me, 
 that money can buy ha2^j)iness. Oh, if it 
 were only so ! " he continued, speaking his 
 thoughts aloud, '^ if there were any possible 
 means to get rid of the torturing remorse 
 that is wearing away my life, that has 
 silvered my hair, and rendered me an old 
 man at forty years of age ! " 
 
 There was something peculiarly pathetic 
 in this display of grief ; the rich nobleman 
 uttering aloud, to this young stranger, whose 
 beauty had impressed him so deeply, thoughts 
 which he had kept locked up in his lieart for 
 many weary years, for Lord Durant had 
 gone through great troubles, so deep that 
 they had ruined his happiness, and shattered 
 his reason. For many years he had been an
 
 48 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 inmate of a lunatic asylum. Some people 
 said it was the death of his wife that had 
 affected him so deeply ; but the few who 
 could lay claim to the slightest intimacy 
 with him declared that his married life had 
 not been one of happiness, and that Lady 
 Durant's death could not have produced any 
 lasting effect. He had no children, his only 
 son having died in infancy ; his step-brother, 
 Major Durant, for whom he showed great 
 affection, being his presumptive heir. The 
 secluded quiet life he led v/as generally 
 considered to be induced by a fear lest 
 his mental affliction, of which he was pain- 
 fully sensitive, might return, and this belief 
 kept a good many j)eople aAvay, who would 
 otherwise have only been too glad to be 
 on visiting terms with Lord Durant, thus 
 securing for him the j^rivacy in which 
 he delighted, and which to a man of his 
 position is so difficult to gain. 
 
 He said no more, evidently wishing to 
 change the subj ect of his thoughts ; he led 
 the way down steps hewn out in the almost 
 perpendicular banks of the stream ; a light
 
 LOBD BJJRANT, 49 
 
 rustic bridge spanned tlie foaming torrent, 
 just below a waterfall that fell over the rocks 
 nearly thirty feet above. 
 
 Lord Durant stopped in the middle of the 
 bridge, and stood silently by, watching the 
 expression of surprise and delight on Mavis's 
 face, as she remained motionless, gazing 
 upwards at the rushing water, touched here 
 and there with bright sunlight, which found 
 its way through the trembling leaves, wet 
 Avith the showers of spray. 
 
 ^^Oh, it is lovely!" she exclaimed, and 
 Lord Durant bent his head to listen, for the 
 noise of the falling water prevented her 
 voice reaching him. ^^ I think I never could 
 weary of standing here." 
 
 She turned with a smile, as she spoke, 
 and Lord Durant, who had been watching 
 her, could scarcely take his eyes from her 
 face, there was something so attractive in 
 her attitude of apparent unconsciousness of 
 her own beauty, which the surrounding 
 scene appeared to enhance. Years before 
 he thought he had steeled liimself against 
 any emotion of love or admiration ; and now, 
 
 VOL. I. E
 
 50 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 before one glance of the innocent, cliild-like 
 beauty, all vanished, and the barriers that 
 he vainly imagined time had erected romid 
 his heart were melted by the low, musical 
 accents that fell from those rosy lips. 
 
 Pie walked on by her side, as if in a 
 dream. Mavis was accustomed to admira- 
 tion, and when she felt Lord Durant's hand 
 tremble, as he lielped her along the steep 
 rough paths, she only needed one glance 
 into his handsome face to show her he was 
 touched by her beauty and grace. She 
 smiled gently to herself, and went on talk- 
 ing about London, and the opera, and 
 concerts she had sung at ; no longer hesi- 
 tating, from any false pride, in oj)enly 
 acknowledging her profession, for she per- 
 ceived that her companion regarded it in 
 its highest, most artistic light. 
 
 From this they turned to pictures, and 
 Mavis learned, to her joy, that the nobleman 
 was not only a connoisseur of art, but a 
 collector on a large scale. 
 
 '^ You will come in and see the picture 
 gallery ? " he said, as they approached the
 
 LORD DVRANT. 51 
 
 Castle ; '' I can see by your face that you can 
 appreciate it." 
 
 ^* Thank you," she replied, gladly; '^but 
 you must not expect me to know any more 
 about them than anv Londoner who often 
 visits the galleries there ; I have so little 
 time I cannot make painting a study ; music 
 claims all my attention at present." 
 
 A door opening on the well-kept lawn 
 admitted them into a small, plainly furnished 
 room, lofty and old, evidently one of the 
 most ancient in the Castle ; the stone walls 
 were bare, untouched by a vestige of paint, 
 the floor only covered with matting ; the 
 solid oak table, and a fcAv chairs, forming 
 the only furniture ; the tiny casement had 
 neither blind nor curtain, but there were 
 shelves filled with books, and over the wide 
 firej)lace hung a picture, having a curtain 
 drawn before it. An open book lying on 
 the table gave evidence that the room had 
 recently been occupied. It almost seemed 
 incredible that this should be the favourite 
 sitting-room of the owner of the Castle, but 
 such was the case ; it was isolated, being at 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 ILLINOIS LIBRARY
 
 52 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 some distance from the other rooms; there 
 was a narrow staircase leading from it into 
 Lord Durant's sleeping apartments, thus, 
 perhaps, accounting for his j)reference of this 
 room for his study. 
 
 A narrow passage led into the spacious 
 entrance-hall ; the floor was covered with 
 soft carpets, statues were placed in niches, 
 and flowers bloomed luxuriantly, forming a 
 striking contrast to the bareness of the room 
 they had just left. 
 
 ' ' You will rest a little before we go up 
 into the gallery?" said Lord Durant. ^' We 
 shall find Lady Durant in here, I expect." 
 He opened a door as he said these words, 
 and led Mavis into a cheerful, elegantly 
 furnished sitting-room with two French win- 
 dows, one of which opened into a conserva- 
 tory; the other led to the terrace, beyond 
 which lay the lake ; a fresh breeze had sprung 
 up, blowing straight from the sea, and, 
 although the sun was shining brightly, the 
 room felt cool and pleasant. 
 
 Seated at a work-table in tlie window was 
 a tall, dark-haired lady, and Mavis instantly
 
 LOBD DUIiANT. 53 
 
 recognized her as Lady Durant, whom she 
 had seen on the previous evening. 
 
 She was introduced as Miss Austin, Mr. 
 Williams's niece, and welcomed j)olitely, if 
 not cordially, by Lady Durant, who found 
 it convenient to forget her former haughty 
 manner Avhen she saw Mavis in her stej:)- 
 son's company. She made room for her on 
 the sofa by her side, and entered into con- 
 versation with as much affability as it was 
 her nature to show, while Lord Durant drew 
 forward a chair and sat down at some little 
 distance. 
 
 Mavis's first impression was one of dis- 
 like towards Lady Durant, there was some- 
 thing so im2:)erious and haughty in her 
 manner. She was a striking-looking, dark- 
 complexioned Avoman, considered exceed- 
 ingly handsome. Although she was above 
 fifty years of age, there was scarcely 
 a wrinkle in the proud face, and not one 
 single silver thread among her thick masses 
 of jet-black hair ; Lord Durant's was 
 plentifully streaked with grey ; indeed, 
 beside his stepmother, he looked the elder
 
 54 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 of the two, although he was, in reality, 
 ten years younger. 
 
 He was very silent whilst they walked 
 from picture to picture, watching Mavis's 
 evident delight at his sj)lendid collection, 
 occasionally putting in a word or two, but 
 leaving his stej^mother to explain the sub- 
 jects, or tell the names of the painters. 
 
 At length the inspection was finished, and, 
 after partaking of some refreshment. Mavis 
 took her leave, having accepted Lady 
 Dm*ant's invitation to come again, and went 
 away, to relate to her aunt and cousins the 
 account of the morning's adventure, speak- 
 ing in high praise of Lady Dur ant's kindness 
 and affability, declaring that she had quite 
 changed the opinion of her that she had 
 at first entertained. Of Lord Dm-ant she 
 kept more silence, only replying to her 
 cousins' eager questions by saying that she 
 thought him grave and gentlemanly, but 
 rather silent. However, she did not dis- 
 miss the meeting from her mind, and impa- 
 tiently looked forward to the hoj^e of another 
 visit to the Castle. It came sooner than
 
 LOUD DVRANT. 65 
 
 she expected ; three days after a footman 
 brought a note from Lady Diu^ant, request- 
 ing her company to hmcheon. It was the 
 beginning of a closer intimacy, for it was 
 dull and quiet at Pen Vychan, and Lady 
 Durant was only too glad to find a com- 
 panion of whom her stepson did not disap- 
 prove. She was essentially a selfish woman, 
 and, being fond of music, as soon as she 
 discovered Mavis's talent never seemed 
 more content than when she saw her 
 seated before the superb grand piano in 
 the Castle drawing-room ; and Mavis was 
 flattered by the attention, and nev^r objected 
 to give up as nnicli time to the dowager's 
 amusement as that ladv demanded. 
 
 Lord Durant often came in, and stood by 
 the piano. He himself was a musician of no 
 mean talent, and loved to listen to the clear, 
 bell-like soprano, and watch, with ecstasy 
 of admiration, the beautiful face lit up with 
 enthusiasm, as she played or sang. 
 
 And all this time Lady Durant, absorbed 
 in her own amusement, never perceived liow 
 fast the wealthy nobleman was drifting into
 
 56 EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 love with the obscure, penniless singer. She 
 saw he was happier, and attributed it, rightly 
 enough, to the charm of Mavis's singing, 
 but it never seemed to strike her that he 
 could regard her otherwise than as a humble 
 dependent, to whom it was an act of con- 
 descension for Lady Durant to extend her 
 patronage and approval. 
 
 Nevertheless so it was, and by the time 
 Lady Duran t ook her departure for London 
 her indiscreet conduct in admitting her step- 
 son into close comj)anionship with a lovely 
 and fascinating girl had done its work, and 
 Lord Durant loved Mavis Austin.
 
 TBE THVNDEIiSTOBM. 57 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE THUNDERSTORM. 
 
 Then sudden through the darkened air 
 
 A flash of lightning came ; 
 So broad, so bright, so red the glare, 
 
 The castle seemed on flame. 
 
 Scott. 
 
 The library at the castle had originally 
 been a banqueting-hall, and still retained 
 its look of ancient grandeur, improved and 
 beautified by careful restoration and the 
 addition of stained glass in the windows, 
 as well as a good organ placed on an oak 
 screen, carved in exact imitation of the old 
 furniture and wainscoting. 
 
 Lord Durant sat there alone at the table, 
 resting his head on his folded arms. It was 
 nearly dark, although not more than seven
 
 58 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 o'clock, on a September evening, but the 
 sky was black with clouds, and every 
 now and then loud peals of thunder 
 seemed to shake the very ground, echoing 
 and reverberating amongst the mountains, 
 whilst the lightning flashed incessantly, and 
 the loud roar of the stormy sea could be 
 jDlainly heard. 
 
 For a long time Lord Durant remained 
 motionless, except for a slight shudder as each 
 time the thunder pealed louder and louder. 
 
 A violent ring at the bell, followed soon 
 after by the sound of voices and footste23s in 
 the hall, first caused him to raise his head. 
 ^^ Who could it be?" he thought; when he 
 was alone at home visitors so rarely came, 
 particularly in such a storm. Then there 
 came a cry of horror and fear, and he hur- 
 ried from the room. There, in the hall, 
 knelt Mavis Austin, drenched with the rain, 
 and supporting the head of Ivor Morgan, 
 who lay on the floor, pale and motionless, 
 with the blood streaming from a deep cut in 
 his forehead. A maid-servant stood near, 
 uttering cries for help.
 
 THE THUNDERSTORM. 59 
 
 ^MVhat is the matter? Miss Austin out 
 in this storm ! " exclaimed the nobleman, 
 quickly. 
 
 ^^ A tree was struck by lightning, one of 
 the boughs fell on him, and oh, I believe he 
 is killed ! " was all Mavis could answer. She 
 gazed up at Lord Durant, with her face 
 white with terror. 
 
 ^^ Bring him in here quickly!" said the 
 nobleman to the servants who had by this 
 time assembled ; and whilst he spoke he led 
 the way into the splendidly furnished 
 drawing-room, the one that his stejDmother 
 most frequently used. ^^ Lay him down on 
 this," — and he drew forward a pale blue 
 brocade-covered couch. 
 
 '^ Oh, my lord, not that ! He 's covered 
 with blood. It 's a shame, in this beautiful 
 room I " exclaimed one of the servants ; but 
 her master silenced her with a look. 
 
 '^ Do as I tell you," he said, sternly. ^^ It 
 is cool and airy in here." 
 
 And so Ivor lay back, still insensible, only 
 a low groan escaping his lips when he was 
 lifted up.
 
 00 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 ^' He still breathes — lie is not dead ! " said 
 the housekeeper, who had come forward. 
 '^ One of you men go for Dr. Roberts, and 
 be quick about it." 
 
 She was instantly obeyed, and then she 
 began to try and stop the fast-flowing 
 blood. 
 
 *^ We cannot do any more until the surgeon 
 comes," said Lord Durant, turning to Mavis, 
 who was crying with fright. J' I am afraid 
 his arm is broken. But your dress is wet. 
 You must get dry clothing." 
 
 Mavis was not sorry to quit the room. 
 The fright had quite unnerved her; and, as 
 soon as her wet clotlies were removed, and 
 she was sitting wrapped in a shawl by a 
 warm fire (which had been hastily kindled 
 in one of the bed-rooms), she began to sob 
 hysterically. 
 
 In spite of the unabated raging of the 
 storm, the surgeon was not long in obeying 
 the summons. He pronounced that the 
 injuries that Ivor Morgan had sustained were 
 severe, but not dangerous. However, he 
 strongly recommended Lord Durant to allow
 
 THE TEUNDEUSTOBM. CI 
 
 the lad to remain at the Castle until all 
 danger of removal had j^assed. 
 
 Of course the nobleman acquiesced, and 
 gave orders that Ivor was to be carried to 
 bed, and was to receive every care and 
 attention. 
 
 The reassuring news brought a little com- 
 fort to Mavis. The thought that perhaps the 
 young fellow had died in saving her life had 
 been .so shocking to her that she had at first 
 felt paralyzed with horror; but when the 
 housekeeper brought word that, after the 
 broken arm had been set, and the wound in 
 his head bound up, Ivor had regained con- 
 sciousness, and afterwards sunk into a quiet 
 sleep, she roused herself, and, as soon as her 
 dress was dried, in obedience to a message 
 from Lord Durant she went downstairs. 
 
 She was shown into one of the smaller 
 sitting-rooms, where, on a table drawn up 
 close to the fire, a substantial tea was 
 laid out. Lord Durant rose as she 
 entered. 
 
 " I hope you are none the worse after the 
 rain and your fright, Miss Austin? " he asked.
 
 6ii EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 ^^ How did it happen that you have escaj)ed 
 unhurt ? " 
 
 . ^^ I have been out all the evening. I started 
 for a ramble over the hills," replied Mavis, 
 as soon as she was seated at the table. ^' I 
 kept wandering about in search of some rare 
 flowers that my cousins have told me grow in the 
 neighbourhood. I did not notice where I was 
 going until the first peal of thunder warned me 
 that I must make haste home ; I must have 
 taken the wrong road ; for, before long, I dis- 
 covered I had lost my way. I was very much 
 frightened, for the storm was coming alarm- 
 ingly near, when I perceived Ivor Morgan 
 advancing in the same direction. I called 
 to him ; he said that we were nearly three 
 miles from the village. He was coming from 
 E-hos Celyn, and had taken the shortest way, 
 over the hills. I was only too glad to see a 
 familiar face, for it was raining very heavily. 
 He was kind and attentive, helping me down 
 the mountain side. I proposed tliat we 
 should go through the park, as the shortest 
 way. The storm was then at its height. All 
 at once the lightning struck one of those
 
 TEE TIIUNDEBSTORM, 63 
 
 beautiful oaks by the lake. I was almost 
 stunned, it came so close. I felt myself 
 dragged out of the way, when tlie tree fell, 
 and one of the branches struck Ivor. Had 
 he not risked his life to save mine, I must have 
 been killed/'she added,with a shudder of horror. 
 '^ I do not think I shall ever get the brightness 
 of the lightning and the noise of the thunder 
 and crashing timber out of my mind ! " 
 
 ^^It was, indeed, a providential escape," 
 said Lord Durant, in a tone of deep feeling. 
 '^ I have sent a messenger to Mr. Williams 
 to let him know that you are in safety ; and 
 so I wish vou to remain until the storm is 
 over. Hark, it is coming nearer again," — and 
 as he spoke Lord Durant turned pale and 
 covered his eyes, as a blinding flash of light- 
 ning lit up the room. 
 
 ^^ Does thunder always affect you like this?" 
 asked Mavis, noticing the increasing pallor. 
 *^ You look ill ! Shall I call any one ? " 
 
 "No, thank you, it will soon pass off; I 
 am accustomed to it. Formerly a thunder- 
 storm would make me ill for weeks ; my 
 mother and an elder brother of mine were
 
 €4 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 killed by lightning when I was about eight 
 years of age ; I was not far from them when 
 it happened ; the terror and grief brought 
 on a severe attack of brain fever, from the 
 effects of which I did not completely recover 
 for many years. For some weeks I was 
 totally blind, it was supposed from the 
 intense brightness. I regained my sight by 
 degrees, but it was very long before I could 
 escape another attack of fever during a 
 storm. Of course, by this time, I have 
 almost conquered that weakness, but to-night 
 the shock of seeing that poor young man in 
 that state brought back the scene so vividly. 
 There is something about him that reminds 
 me of my brother. I suppose it is because 
 he was nearly the same height, the features 
 and colour of the hair are also very much 
 alike. I have told you this to account for 
 what may have appeared to you foolish and 
 unmanly." 
 
 ^' Indeed I do not think so ! " exclaimed 
 Mavis; ^'I almost wonder how you could 
 bear so calmly ; when I was in such terror 
 you appeared quite cool and collected."
 
 TEE THUNDERSTOBM. 05 
 
 Lord Durant's grave look gave place to a 
 smile of intense gratitude when Mavis spoke. 
 
 ^^It is very kind of you to say so/' lie 
 said, in a low voice, ^^ I have suffered so 
 much and led such a troubled life that I 
 have learnt to conceal my feelings. It is so 
 hard to know that I have outlived sympathy, 
 that I have no one with whom to talk over 
 my sorrows ; my brother always tries to turn 
 the conversation from events of the past, 
 and Lady Durant is not one to enter into my 
 feelings. You must already have seen how 
 little affection there is between us." 
 
 ^' No, I have not noticed it,'' Mavis replied. 
 ^^ You always are so very kind and attentive 
 to her, and I should fancy her undemonstra- 
 tive manner is natural. I could never 
 imagine her feeling any strong affection 
 even for Major Durant, her own son." 
 
 '' You make a mistake there," said the 
 nobleman. ^'Her love for my brother 
 Lionel almost amounts to worship. It has 
 always been a bitter grief to her that I 
 inherited the title and estates. When she 
 married my father it was thought impossible 
 
 VOL. I. F
 
 Q6 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 that I could live, and had it not been for the 
 care of my nurse, Martha Hall, my j^resent 
 housekeeper, I never should have recovered, 
 and then, of course, Lionel would have been 
 in my place. I almost wish it could have 
 happened, for life has always been a burden 
 and a sorrow to me, one of wrong-doing 
 and deep repentance. I do not think any 
 one knows how hard it was even to exist 
 until you came and cheered my desjDond- 
 ing mind with your bright, cheerful sym- 
 pathy, I never can thank you enough 
 for it." 
 
 ^^ Indeed, Lord Durant, I do not deserve 
 such praise," replied Mavis, with a vivid 
 blush. ^^I have always felt sorry for you, 
 because you often look sad, and seem to have 
 had such trouble ; but I did not think you 
 cared for the sympathy of a poor girl like 
 I am." 
 
 By this time the storm had j^assed over, 
 and Lord Durant's brougham came round to 
 take Mavis home to her uncle's. 
 
 ^' Good-bye, my dear," he said, as she 
 rose to take leave, and, drawing her to-
 
 TEE THUNDERSTOIiM. 67 
 
 wards him, he pressed a kiss on her fore- 
 head. 
 
 ^' It is only a father's kiss," he whispered. 
 ^' If my son had Hved he would have been 
 nearly as old as you are. Grood-bye, Mavis ; 
 I may call ^^ou so, may I not ? it is such a 
 nice name for a little singing-bird like you 
 are." 
 
 In another moment the carriage had 
 driven off, and Lord Durant returned to his 
 seat. 
 
 '^ She 's a sweet, lovable, innocent little 
 girl," he said to himself; '^ and, with her 
 beauty, no wonder my heart cannot with- 
 stand her charms ; but what would she think 
 of me if she knew I dared to love her — 
 lovely and accomplished as she is, and I am 
 only a morose, prematurely aged man ? Poor 
 child ! obliged to work for her living, whilst 
 I would gladly give her all my wealth for 
 one look or word of love, if I dared ask for 
 it ! but she could not care for me, and no 
 degradation can be greater than a marriage 
 without affection on both sides." 
 
 Lord Durant' s head drooped lower, as this
 
 68 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 last thought brought to his mind the saddest 
 passage in his life — the death of his wife and 
 child. 
 
 For several years after his mother's death 
 (as he had told Mavis) Gerald Durant did 
 not fully rouse from the shock that it pro- 
 duced on his mind, and it was feared that he 
 would relapse into a state of mental torpor. 
 His father spared no trouble, and even gave 
 up most of his time and thoughts to try and 
 benefit his only living child. It was for the 
 boy's sake that he married again, hoping 
 that a mother would have more influence, 
 especially to check the violent fits of passion 
 to which Gerald was subject ; but this proved 
 a fatal mistake. A fashionable, frivolous 
 woman, only twenty-two years of age, was 
 scarcely suited to curb the unrestrained 
 temper of a strong, self-mlled boy of twelve. 
 She tried to exert authority until, in one of 
 his terrible attacks, which Lady Durant 
 knew (although she kept it from her hus- ^ 
 , band) to be fits of insanity, the young heir 
 .struck his stepmother. When his anger had 
 ■cooled down, although he was sorry and ex-
 
 TEE TRUNDEBSTORM. 69 
 
 tremely penitent, Lady Durant would not 
 accept his excuse that he was not conscious 
 of what he did at the time, but, in the 
 absence of his father, she sent him away to 
 school. 
 
 Not long after Lord Durant died, leaving- 
 his young widow with an infant son — 
 Lionel. Gerald, now possessing the title of 
 Lord Durant, still remained at school, 
 although his master repeatedly wrote to his 
 stepmother to remove him. He was so clever 
 and studious, persisting in working hard to 
 keep up mth boys so much older than him- 
 self, that the'' surgeon who had been called 
 in declared that, if he did not give up 
 study, his brain would probably give way, 
 and he would become a hopeless lunatic ; 
 but the stepmother had reasons of her own 
 for not obeying this disinterested advice — 
 perhaps she would have been glad if Gerald 
 had died — and so the young nobleman went 
 on studying hard. 
 
 Before he was eighteen, and just preparing 
 to enter college, one of his fits of passion 
 was roused at the sight of a schoolfellow
 
 70 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 ill-treating a younger boy. It proved the 
 finishing stroke ; he was obliged to give up 
 his much-loved study, and be j)laced under 
 the care of an experienced physician. 
 
 He remained there until, at LadvDurant's 
 particular request, he returned to be present 
 at his coming of age festivities. The phy- 
 sician was strongly averse to his patient's 
 obeying the summons, but Grerald seemed 
 anxious to take possession of his vast estates, 
 so that he was allowed to go. He arrived 
 at Pen Vvchan Castle on the 13th of August, 
 two days before his birthday. 
 
 Lady Durant welcomed him cordially : 
 she seemed resolved to forget her former 
 jealousy. Lionel, now a fine little fellow of 
 eight years of age, soon became attached to 
 his kind elder brother, who was so fond of 
 him, and for his sake Lord Durant allowed 
 his stepmother to reside as much as she 
 pleased at the Castle, instead of her own 
 house in London. 
 
 A year afterwards Lord Durant took his 
 little brother, accompanied by the boy's 
 tutor, to travel on the Continent for some
 
 THE THUNDEUSTOmi. 71 
 
 years; and, passionately fond as Lady Durant 
 was of her child, she let him go on account 
 of the benefit to his education. 
 
 They trayelled slowly, staying long in 
 each place, and at last reached Rome. There 
 Lord Durant met with an English family of 
 the name of Ferguson, with whom he soon 
 became intimate. 
 
 The eldest daughter, an exceedingly hand- 
 some lady, of about thirty years of age, 
 spent most of her time at a convent, where 
 she had been educated, and of which she 
 longed to become an inmate. However, her 
 father willed it otherwise ; and when he saw 
 Lord Durant, he was determined that his 
 beautiful daughter should become the wife of 
 the wealthy nobleman. 
 
 When Agatha Ferguson discovered her 
 parent's wish, she rebelled at first, but, 
 guided by the counsel of her friend, the lady 
 abbess of the convent, she prepared to sacri- 
 fice her own feelings to the will of her father, 
 and when Lord Durant offered to her, she 
 accepted him without showing her indiffer- 
 ence to him.
 
 72 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 Under the jDlea that he was going to leave 
 Eome, Mr. Ferguson hastened the wedding ; 
 and before Lord Durant had penetrated 
 through the barrier of icy reserve in Agatha's 
 manner she had become his wife. 
 
 She had never been informed of the dreadful 
 malady from which her husband had suffered, 
 and that it was liable to return. Mr. Dell, 
 the tutor, thinking it was his duty, hinted to 
 his patron that Mr. Ferguson ought to be 
 informed of it ; but Lord Durant, who shrank 
 from making the communication, put it off 
 from day to day, until finding the wedding- 
 day was so nearly approaching, he deter- 
 mined to leave it to the vague chance that 
 Mr. Dell would mention it. 
 
 He had not long been married before the 
 knowledge that he was hiding such a fearful 
 secret from his wife began to prey uj)on his 
 mind; he had not the courage to tell her 
 when he knew her affection for him was not 
 sufficient to enable her to endure such a 
 heavy blow. 
 
 ' As soon as the wedding trip was over 
 the bride and bridegroom returned to Pen
 
 THE TEVNDEBSTOBM. 73 
 
 Vyclian, whilst the dowager Lady Durant 
 took ujD her abode in her London house, but 
 Lionel, being in delicate health, spent most 
 of his time with his stepbrother. 
 
 Agatha Durant, although a gentle, charit- 
 able woman, beloved by her poorer neigh- 
 bours, was not a wife whom the irritable, 
 excitable Gerald should have chosen. She 
 was cold and haughty in her manner to him, 
 turning away from the least show of affection 
 on his part ; she spent most of her time over 
 her religious observances, driving constantly 
 to the Koman Catholic Chapel at Rhos 
 Celyn. 
 
 All her servants were Catholics, with the 
 exception of one, the wife of the sailor Jack 
 Morgan, Ivor's father, who had not long 
 been married, and on her husband's going to 
 sea she took the vacant situation as lady's 
 maid at the Castle. 
 
 As time went on the lord and lady grew 
 more and more indifferent to each other ; the 
 cold sarcastic speeches of the latter goaded 
 her husband almost beyond endurance, and 
 at last, giving way to one of his old violent
 
 74 F.YES SO BLUE. 
 
 fits of passion, lio alannocl lior so much that 
 she withdrew from his society, and turning 
 one of the Castle rooms into an oratory she 
 spent most of her days alone there. 
 
 Feeling vexed at her conduct. Lord Durant 
 wrote begging his ste])mothor to come to Pen 
 Vychan, hoping that one of her own age and 
 sex would have some influence to bring 
 Agatha to treat her husband with nu)re cor- 
 diality. Ihit this proved a direful mistake. 
 Had Lord Durant known what was to folloAv, 
 the 2)ortals of his dAvelling would never have 
 been opened to admit his pretended friend, 
 but in reality his most bitter enemy. The 
 dowager remained many months, and to all 
 a])pearance her influence seemed to have 
 good effect. Agatha l)ecame less cold and 
 distant, and (Tcrald more forgiving, and not 
 so hasty and impetuous ; he was looking for- 
 ward hopefully to the birth of an heir, who 
 he tlu:>ught would ju-ove a link of aifectiou 
 between himself and his wife. But all this 
 time Lord Durant lived in terror, for indica- 
 tions of a return of his mental affliction were 
 approaching. Secretly he considted several
 
 TEE THUNDERSTORM. 75 
 
 eminent physicians, trying to shield the 
 knowledge that he possessed from his wife, 
 whom, now her conduct was altered, he re- 
 spected, although he could not love her ; but 
 they gave no hope, and day by day the 
 afflicted nobleman grew more despondent, 
 only longing for a short respite until the 
 birth of his child, before Agatha should learn 
 the dreadful truth, for his stej)mother had 
 promised to mthhold it as long as jDossible. 
 But it was fated to be othermse. Lionel, who 
 had been spending a holiday at the Castle, 
 was retm^ning to Eton, where he had been 
 placed some time before. 
 
 Before he went Lord Durant ventured to 
 remark on the large sum of money his 
 mother had given him, adding that, as he 
 would have only a moderate fortune, it was 
 wrong to encourage extravagance when he 
 was so young. Agatha did not join in the 
 conversation, she was too indifferent towards 
 her husband's family, but Lady Durant's re- 
 sentment was roused. She accused her stej^son 
 of meanness in not providing more for his 
 younger brother, and then, in the heat of her
 
 7G EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 anger, in fear at the sudden change on 
 Gerakl's face at her accusation (for it was 
 one which he could not endure with his 
 natural generosity), she cast in his teeth the 
 dreaded secret which he was even at that 
 moment striving to conceal from his wife. 
 
 A terrible shriek from Agatha, echoing 
 tlu'ough the room, smote on Lord Durant's 
 ear, and then no more could he remember 
 except feeling himself struggling violently 
 in the hands of his servants, then came 
 bodily and mental prostration, with pain and 
 weakness, while he was carefully guarded ; 
 but, knowing himself to be mad, he tried to 
 control his mind to calmness. A baby was 
 brought to him and laid in his arms, and he 
 was told it was his own son, and was just 
 allowed to realize the fact before he was 
 taken to the jDrivate asylum, where he 
 remained twelve long weary years. 
 
 During that time Lionel often came to see 
 him, the first time bringing news of the 
 death of Agatha and her baby, which 
 happened at Naples, where she had gone for 
 the child's health. He was able to compre-
 
 THE THUNDERSTORM. 77 
 
 hend this, but none of the particuhirs, and 
 from that time he never inquired after his 
 wife or even mentioned her name. 
 
 He had returned to his abode at the 
 Castle about four years before Mavis had 
 first seen him, where he led a lonely, 
 melancholy life. He had been so long out 
 of the world that he felt he could not renew 
 the old acquaintances of his youth, although 
 his rank and riches would have procured him 
 many friends. 
 
 Mr. Williams's daughters Grwendoline and 
 Jessie were always welcomed by Lord 
 Durant whenever they chose to visit the 
 Castle, but their parents could never boast of 
 the slightest degree of intimacy. He could 
 not overcome his dislike of the suspicion and 
 kind of fear with which older people 
 regarded him, so that the confiding simplicity 
 of children won his heart, particularly Jessie 
 Williams, of whom he was very fond.
 
 78 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 AT PEX VYCHAN CASTLE. 
 
 So love was crowned, but Music won the cause. 
 
 Dryden. 
 
 Mavis Austin came down to breakfast the 
 next morning very little the worse for the 
 adventure of the past evening". Her uncle, 
 aunt, and elder cousin were waiting for her, 
 but Jessie had not yet appeared. The meal 
 was nearly over before Mrs. Williams 
 inquired for her. 
 
 '' She said she was going over to the 
 Castle to see how young Morgan is," 
 answered the servant. '' She promised to 
 be in time for school, for she will ask Lord 
 Durant to let her breakfast there." 
 
 Mr. Williams laughed, but his wife looked 
 grave. '' I don't like Jessie's wild ways,''
 
 AT PEN VYCHAN CASTLE. 79 
 
 she said; ''she seems to make herself at 
 home anywhere, from the Castle to old 
 Morgan's cottage. It was all right when she 
 was younger, but soon Lord Durant will not 
 care to have her constantly with him, as he 
 wdll not visit us ; and as for her friendship 
 with the fishermen, I must put a stop to that 
 directly." 
 
 '^ Never mind, I'm going to see Ivor," 
 replied the clergyman, '^ so I '11 take care 
 that she is in time for school. Come along. 
 Mavis, the walk will do you good ; you look 
 rather pale still. I dare say Lord Durant 
 will allow you to try over the songs for the 
 Ehos Celyn concert ; his piano will be much 
 better than the school-room harmonium." 
 
 Mavis gladly consented. She had been 
 engaged to sing at a large conbert that was 
 to be given during the following week, and 
 to her dismay had found that her uncle's old 
 piano was so completely worn out that she 
 was unable to perfect herself in the music 
 that had been assigned to her. 
 
 They reached tlie Castle in time to find 
 Lord Durant and Jessie seated at a break-
 
 80 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 fast table in a sunny morning parlour. The 
 child was evidently enjoying the abundance 
 of good things after the frugal fare at her 
 home, the glittering silver and delicate china 
 on the white cloth of finest damask looked 
 so very different from the humbly served 
 meals to which she was accustomed. 
 
 Lord Durant rose to shake hands with his 
 visitors, his face lit up with a smile at the 
 sight of Mavis ; he led her to a seat by the 
 table. 
 
 ^^You are well, I hope?*' he asked, 
 anxiously, after she had refused his offer of 
 more breakfast. '^ You do not look as if the 
 wet and fright of last evening have done 
 you any harm." 
 
 ^^ I am perfectly well, but I am anxious 
 about my young champion ; I feel so sorry 
 that his bravery in saving my life should 
 have been the means of hurting him so 
 severely." 
 
 '^ Mr. Roberts has been here, and he says 
 the lad is doing well. He is up and dressed 
 in the housekeeper's room. I found Jessie 
 in there, talking with him, when I went to in-
 
 AT PEN VYCHAN CASTLE. 81 
 
 quire how he was this morning ; he seems 
 very superior to most of his class ; surely he 
 is educated better than fishermen usually 
 are ? There is something peculiarly attractive 
 in his face ; he reminds me so much of my 
 brother, as he was some years ago. Who 
 is he ? " 
 
 ^' He is a great favourite of mine," replied 
 the clergyman. '' I first noticed his talent 
 whilst he was at the village school, so I 
 undertook to teach him a little myself ; his 
 master has also brought him much forwarder 
 than his other pupils, but his chief talent is 
 for drawing. I am no judge, but I imagine 
 he is quite a genius ; I am always blaming 
 myself for encouraging it, for I see no pros- 
 pect for him to do otherwise than take to a 
 fisherman's life." 
 
 '' I must beg for a holiday for Jessie, to 
 cheer up the poor lad," said Lord Durant ; 
 ^' he is sadly despondent, and she says you 
 allow them to associate together." 
 
 It was readily given, and then Mavis, men- 
 tioning her difficulty about the forthcoming 
 concert, begged to be allowed the use of a 
 
 VOL. I. G
 
 82 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 piano. ^^ Will it annoy you if I go into the 
 large drawing-room? I shall be paid so 
 highly that I should be ashamed if I failed 
 to do my best." 
 
 ^' You need not have asked me, Miss Mavis. 
 You used to come when Lady Durant was. 
 here ; do you think I care less for music now 
 than I did then? Any instrument in this 
 house is at your service." 
 
 Mr. Williams then took leave. ^^ I must 
 leave both my children/' he said, with a 
 smile at Mavis. '' I have no doubt they will 
 23ass a ha]3py morning." 
 
 He went away, little thinking what was 
 happening, how the elderly looking nobleman 
 was fast drifting into love with his niece, 
 forgetting that she, whom he regarded as 
 scarcely older than his own children, could 
 be thinking of marriage with a man who 
 appeared almost as old as himseK. 
 
 Lord Durant stood by as Mavis played 
 and sang in her glorious voice, which she 
 softened and modulated until it did not sound 
 too powerful for the room, and occasionally 
 he joined in with his clear tenor, that blended
 
 AT PEN VYCHAN CASTLE. 83 
 
 SO perfectly with lier bird-like notes. They 
 went on singing pieces from the oratorios, 
 until Lord Durant felt he would give almost 
 everything to j)ossess the love of the sweet 
 singer, who seemed so enraptured in the 
 lovely sounds that she was creating. 
 - ^^ Lord Durant, is not this beautiful !" she 
 exclaimed, after a duet from one of Pales- 
 trina's works. ^' I could go on singing this 
 almost for ever, I think ; I did not know you 
 could sing. Why did you not let me know 
 before ? Why should you not value such a 
 talent?" 
 
 " I do value it now, when I sing with 
 you ; oh, if it were possible that we could 
 always sing together ! " 
 
 '^ Yes, I should like it," answered Mavis, 
 simply; ^^ but I suppose it cannot be ; I must 
 return to London soon to my old work. I 
 dare say I shall feel it irksome after the first 
 real holiday I have ever enjoyed" ; and as she 
 spoke she looked uj^, and the beautiful, be- 
 seeching, half' sad expression came into her 
 eyes that bewildered Lord Durant with its 
 loveliness. If he could only prevent this
 
 84: EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 return to London, was his first thought — if 
 he could save this precious jewel from being 
 stolen from him ! he dreaded it and yet he 
 dared not ask her to stay, for he thought 
 that even his deep love could not be a 
 sufficient return for the sacrifices she 
 must make before she could consent to 
 marry him. 
 
 At one moment he was on the jDoint of 
 risking all to make sure of his fate ; the next 
 his mind was filled with horror at the bare 
 idea, fully conscious of the insurmountable 
 barrier, and anything was better than the 
 despair to which he felt so certain he was 
 doomed. 
 
 " How silent you are ! " said Mavis, after a 
 few moments' pause, speaking more merrily 
 than she had done that morning. 
 
 ^^ I am silent because I am perplexed," he 
 answered, impulsively. ^' I often wish I 
 knew what was right to do, and I have 
 nobody to whom to go for advice." 
 
 ^^Do you ever want advice?" asked 
 Mavis, wonderingly . ' ^ You always seem 
 so sensible I should imagine you never
 
 AT FEN VYCHAN CASTLE. 86 
 
 could do wrong if you followed your own 
 good impulses." 
 
 ''Perhaps if they were good impulses I 
 might do right, but my whole life has been 
 rendered miserable by self-indulgence and 
 cowardice in shrinking from duty." 
 
 '' I know you have been terribly unhappy. 
 My uncle has told me of your troubles, but 
 I should imagine they were not caused by 
 any fault of yours." 
 
 '' He has told you all about me ? " said Lord 
 Dm-ant, interrogatively, tm^ning paler than 
 before. ''And you are not afraid of me! 
 I did not believe you could have known, for 
 you must have regarded me with horror." 
 
 " Oh, Lord Durant, I wish I had never 
 said it ; I forgot how it must pain you ! " 
 exclaimed Mavis. " But, indeed, if you Avill 
 only believe me, it only makes me feel more 
 and more sorry for you." ' 
 
 "Sorry for me! when you know how 
 wicked I was to keep my dreadful secret 
 from my wife ? " said the nobleman, gravely. 
 
 "Yes, I am sorry," replied Mavis; 
 " although I do not see why you should not
 
 86 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 have told her ; if she cared for you ever so 
 little, she could not have been cruel enough 
 to blame you for your misfortune." 
 
 '' Put yourself in her place, imagine your- 
 self a wife, and your husband were to declare 
 that he was what I have been ; what would 
 have been 3^our feelings ? " was the next 
 question. 
 
 Mavis hesitated for a second, her eyes 
 were cast down, whilst her slender fingers 
 twitched convulsively. 
 
 '^ I think I should love him all the more," 
 she said, suddenly, raising her crimson face. 
 ^^ He would need more sympathy and j)rotec- 
 tion." 
 
 Do what she would. Mavis could not pre- 
 vent her vivid blushes, nor control the tremor 
 in her voice. She was not deceived about 
 Lord Durant's feelings towards her ; she 
 trembled with mingled excitement and 
 emotion, as she felt that such a brilliant 
 match was, as it were, within her grasp, and 
 yet, however she strove, she could not feel 
 enouHi affection for one who was readv to 
 place all he possessed at her feet.
 
 AT PEN VYCHAN CASTLE. 87 
 
 ^^ I know you would; I have done wrong 
 in doubting you," said Lord Durant, moving 
 from where he stood, and ajDproaching nearer, 
 where he could see each fleeting expression 
 on her face. ^'Is it too presuming if I ask 
 you to try if your words can stand a test ? 
 Dryden says, ' Pity melts the mind to love ' ; 
 could you love one whom you profess to 
 
 pity?'' 
 
 '' I don't know; I almost think I could — 
 in time," said Mavis, in a hesitating voice, 
 trying to smother the better feelings that 
 protested against the ambition that was 
 uro^ino^ her to sell herself for wealth and 
 rank. ^'AVill you wait,'- she added, looking 
 him full in the face, and struggling to subdue 
 the wild beating of her heart — ''will you 
 wait until I can feel more worthy of you 
 We have scarcely known each other — " 
 Lord Durant interrupted her, — 
 ^' My darling, say no more ! You will let 
 me be the best judge of your worth," and, 
 stooping down, he imprinted a kiss on her 
 half-averted cheek. '' You have told me 
 it is possible for you to love me, and what
 
 88 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 more can I want to make me content, except 
 the knowledge that my life will be devoted 
 to making yours a ha]3py one? And now, 
 my Mavis, there is no need for you to return 
 to London until it will be my privilege to 
 take you there when you are Lady Durant." 
 
 A proud smile lit up the fair young face. 
 Lady Durant ! How happy she would feel 
 when all her old friends heard of her for- 
 tune ! when she went to the opera, and 
 watched the singers on the same stage where 
 she had so often sung the same beautiful 
 songs. How they would envy her, when 
 they saw her dressed in the costly style 
 which, woman like, she had so often coveted 
 from those who occujDied the high rank to 
 which she should so soon attain ! 
 
 Jessie Williams entered the room as these 
 brilliant thoughts were flashing through 
 Mavis's brain. The child started when she 
 perceived her cousin's happy look, and 
 the expression of unmistakable tenderness 
 with which the nobleman was regarding 
 her. 
 
 ^^ Ivor has gone home," said Jessie ; ^^he
 
 AT PEN VYCEAN CASTLE. Sd- 
 
 was afraid his grandfather would want him,, 
 and he y/as so much better." 
 
 '' I wish he had stayed longer," said Lord 
 Durant. ^^ But, Jessie, how should you like 
 Mavis always to be near you ? She has pro- 
 mised to live at the Castle. Do you think 
 your father will let me have her ? " 
 
 '^ You don't surely mean to marry her ? " 
 said the child, bluntly. ^' You are much too 
 old. But I suppose it doesn't matter so much 
 when peoj^le are as rich as you are." 
 
 Jessie had unconsciously touched the right 
 chord that vibrated in her cousin's heart. 
 ^' The disparity of years did not matter when 
 there were such riches to be gained in ex- 
 change. Some sacrifices must always be 
 made in marriage." And to Mavis wealth 
 atoned for a great deal — almost everything, 
 she (who had known the bitterness of poverty) 
 thought. 
 
 ^^ Do you think I am very old, Jessie?" 
 asked Lord Durant, with a look of merri- 
 ment ; whilst Mavis moved away to the other 
 side of the room, feeling vexed and half- 
 frightened at what she had done. The
 
 90 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 happy tone of her lover struck her with 
 dismay ; and a sudden longing for escape 
 hlled her mind. Still she was thankful that 
 Jessie had come in : it gave her a few 
 moments' time to recover her calmness. 
 
 She did not hear what her cousin was 
 saying, for her thoughts were far away ; she 
 was looking through the window, gazing 
 half sadly, but with some delight, at one of 
 the finest scenes even in beautiful Wales. 
 She was wondering if the dreadful sacrifice, 
 as it seemed to her, of liberty, and almost 
 happiness, was worth even the possession of 
 this grand estate. 
 
 She roused herself from her reverie with 
 a start, as Lord Durant came up, and lightly 
 laid his hand on her shoulder. 
 
 ^' Wliat does my little one think about ?" 
 he asked, noticing her look of astonishment. 
 ^^ You do not seem happy. Are you repenting 
 already?" and his expression turned to 
 despondency and dread. 
 
 '^ No ; there is nothing to repent," replied 
 Mavis, bracing up all her energies to keep 
 firm to her resolutions. ^' I scarcely know
 
 AT PEN VYCHAN CASTLE. 91 
 
 what my thoughts were. I think I was 
 wondering why you could like me/' she 
 added, with a forced smile. 
 
 '^ I am afraid I love you only too dearly. 
 Your little cousin, who you know always 
 s^^eaks out the truth, has told me she fears 
 that your uncle will msh to separate us. He 
 will never consent to your marriage with me, 
 knowing as he does so much of my past 
 life.'' 
 
 A few moments before, when Mavis felt so 
 certain of the fulfilment of her highest aim, 
 she was becoming half regretful, dreading 
 the future. Now, when a chance of defeat 
 presented itself, it all seemed to wear a dif- 
 ferent appearance, and her indignation was 
 roused at the prospect of the utter annihila- 
 tion of her hopes. 
 
 ^'He has no right!" she exclaimed, im- 
 petuously. ^' Surely we can both judge for 
 ourselves. You think it right ; he dare not 
 interfere." 
 
 '^Mr. Williams is an honourable man, and 
 will study your interests, you may be sure," 
 said Lord Durant, ^^ and therefore he must
 
 92 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 be consulted. Will you rather do so, or 
 shall I go and speak to him about it ? " 
 
 ^' I wish you would do so," answered 
 Mavis, shyly, longing vainly that all the 
 difficulties were over, and she was safely 
 married to Lord Durant.
 
 ^.V UNEXPECTED MEETING. 93 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 
 
 It was the schooner Hesperus, 
 
 That sailed the wintry sea ; 
 
 The skipper had taken his little daughter 
 
 To bear him company. 
 
 Longfellow. 
 
 ^' Indeed J my lord, it is a very hard ques- 
 tion to ask of me/' exclaimed Mr. Williams, 
 moodily, as he and Lord Durant sat 
 together in the clergyman's little study. 
 ' ' You have been very candid and open about 
 the affair, but I scarcely know how to act. 
 I am, you know, Mavis Austin's nearest 
 relative, excejot her father's brother, a wild, 
 bad man, with whom I am only acquainted by 
 report, therefore I feel the great responsibility 
 of her future wellbeing rests with me." 
 
 " I cannot see that it requires much con-
 
 94 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 sicleration/' Lord Durant answered, im- 
 patiently. ^'If Mavis chooses to marry one 
 twenty years her senior, she is the best 
 judge. Do you imagine it will make me a 
 worse husband for her ? Every wish she 
 has can be gratified by me, and you must 
 know enough of the Avorld to see how riches 
 and a high station increase, although they 
 do not cause, happiness." 
 
 ''Yes, my lord, I have taken all that into 
 consideration, and I am fully sensible of the 
 honour you have bestowed on my niece — not 
 that she is unAvorthy of the highest in the 
 land ; still there is a terrible drawback to 
 my free consent to the marriage. I will not 
 wound your feelings by adding more ; you 
 must know to what I allude." 
 
 liord Durant's brow grew dark with shame 
 and anger. 
 
 ''I know what you moan," he exclaimed, 
 hoarsely. '' And do you imagine I dare 
 ask Mavis to marry me if I had not ascer- 
 tained that her love was sufficient to survive 
 (even what I know to be so im^^robable) a 
 return of the affliction that I have suffered ?
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 95 
 
 I should not be here had I not been so 
 certain I was cured ; and, besides, why should 
 my misfortunes be visited on me as crimes ? " 
 
 He was about to add more, when the door 
 was opened, and Mavis stood there with her 
 hat on, as if ready to go out. 
 
 She was retreating hastily, as she perceived 
 who her uncle's visitor was, knowing the 
 errand on which he had come ; but Lord 
 Durant rose up, and, taking her hand, drew 
 her towards him. She glanced up with a 
 bright smile into his melancholy face. She 
 looked so sweet and pretty, with the tinted 
 rosebuds in lier hat resting against her 
 golden hair, that Lord Durant bent down 
 and kissed her forehead, whilst tJic tears 
 sprang into his handsome, sad eyes. 
 
 Mr. Williams's heart softened towards them 
 as he looked at the two, so different, and yet 
 each witli their own peculiar style of almost 
 matchless beauty ; and after all Lord Durant 
 was only thirty-nine — quite in the prime of 
 his life. 
 
 '^You can plead our cause. Mavis, my 
 dearest, more eloquently than is possible to
 
 96 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 me ; try and convince your uncle not to 
 make me so utterly Avi'etclied." 
 
 ^' Do you think your mother would have 
 wished it. Mavis ? " asked her uucle. 
 * ' Consider before you answer me, and say 
 truly what you think." 
 
 ^^Yes," replied Mavis, without hesitation, 
 looking Mr. Williams full in the face ; '' her 
 great fear before she died was for me ; 
 she longed so ardently that I should have a 
 protector. And she also warned me," she 
 added, with a deep blush, ^^not to marry as 
 she had done, it could only bring misery." 
 
 '^ Well, I suppose I must withdraw my 
 opposition, although I think that Lord 
 Durant ought to allow you, if at any time 
 you think better of it, to break off the en- 
 gagement," said Mr. Williams. 
 
 ^^ My mind is completely made up," 
 answered Mavis, firmly, ^ ^ and if I wait a 
 hundred years I shall never change, and 
 nothing you can say can turn me against 
 Lord Durant — as long as you still care for 
 me, I mean," she added, addressing him. 
 
 '^ I shall not be likely to attempt anything
 
 • AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 97 
 
 of the sort," said her uncle, turning away 
 and seating himself at the table, as the 
 lovers quitted the room. 
 
 ^^Are you going straight back to the 
 Castle ? " asked Mavis, interrupting her 
 lover's thoughts of joy at the fulfilment of 
 his wish, Avhich were rushing through his 
 hrain whilst they took the downward path 
 towards the church. 
 
 ^^Yes, I have an appointment with the 
 agent for my Yorkshire estate. I wish I 
 could put it off, but it is impossible, as he 
 has come so far. Can you manage to defer 
 3^ our walk until my business is settled ? — and 
 then we could go for a stroll together." 
 
 Mavis shook her head. ^'Not this even- 
 ing," she answered. '' My aunt has asked me 
 to take a message to one of the fishermen's 
 wives : she wishes me to return soon, and 
 tlien I am afraid I shall be too tired to go 
 further ; besides, it is getting late. Good-bye." 
 And she turned away, with very little 
 apparent reluctance in one who liad only 
 that morning promised to devote her life to 
 him. 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 98 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 '^ Stay a moment^ Mavis, my darling! " he 
 exclaimed. ^' I want to ask you one question." 
 
 ^^ What is it?" she asked, turning her 
 merry smiling face towards him. 
 
 He came forward and took both her hands 
 in his, holding them tightly. ^^ You will let 
 it be soon,'' he asked, earnestly; ^'I am too 
 old to be kept waiting. I shall never rest 
 until you are really my wife.'' 
 
 ^^It is too early to think of that!" she 
 answered gaily, with a merry ringing laugh, 
 and breaking from him, she sprang up the 
 steps towards the upper road. 
 
 But soon her step grew slower, and her 
 cheerfulness gave place to gravity. If Lord 
 Durant wished it, surely it was far better 
 that the wedding should take place as quickly 
 as possible. Her health was completely 
 restored, and as she did not wish to return to 
 London, she thought it was scarcely right to 
 remain much longer with her uncle, whose 
 stipend, as curate, barely sufficed to defray 
 his frugal household expenses. 
 
 ^^ I do not see Avhy I should wait," she 
 thought, as she walked along. ' ' I am sure to
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 99 
 
 learn to care for liim, when we are married ; 
 all the wealth that will be mine must brine: 
 happiness, and I am certain many jDeople 
 marry with less love, even, than I feel ; for 
 Lord Dm^ant seems generous and kind, and 
 I see no other chance before me, except 
 marrying a singer, and keeping to my pro- 
 fession until my voice fails, and then sinking 
 into a miserable old age. It is far better to 
 take my stand as one of the first ladies in 
 the country." 
 
 By the time Mavis had returned to her 
 uncle's her mind was fully made up not to 
 shrink from the aj^parently brilHant life oj^en 
 to her. 
 
 One wet foggy afternoon, several days 
 after this resolve. Mavis was sitting in her 
 uncle's parlour reading, whilst her aunt and 
 cousins were busily sewing. The sound of 
 the hall-door shutting, as if some one was 
 going out, caused them to look up, wonder- 
 ing who could have called on such a wet 
 day. 
 
 ^' Who is it ? " asked Gwendoline of her 
 cousin, who was nearest to the window.
 
 100 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 '^ Only Lord Durant," she replied, return- 
 ing again to her book. 
 
 '' Why don't you call him Gerald ? " asked 
 Gwendoline. ^^I should if I were engaged 
 to him. I think he might have come to see 
 you ; I have never seen you together. Is he 
 very affectionate ? " 
 
 '' Gwendoline, I wish you would not talk 
 such nonsense," exclaimed Mavis, with some 
 asperity in her tone. ^^ Cannot you leave 
 me to read in peace ? " 
 
 '^ Look now, she 's blushing ! " laughed 
 her cousin, jyst as her father entered the 
 room. 
 
 ^'Why, Mavis!'' said Mr. Williams, 
 ^' Lord Durant has been with me. He says 
 you are to be married on Tlmrsday week, 
 and to-day is Wednesday. He certainly 
 wishes to lose no time." 
 
 ^'Yes," replied Mavis, laying down her 
 book; ^Mie asked me last evening, and, of 
 course, I had no objection." 
 
 ^'But, really, Mavis, you have never con- 
 sidered," exclaimed Mrs. Williams, aghast at 
 her niece's coldness. '' How are you to get
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 101 
 
 your wedding outfit ready ? If we stitch our 
 fingers to the bone, Ave can never get it 
 finished, at least not such a one as a lady 
 ought to have. Before I was married (I was 
 a governess, you know) I left my situation 
 and went to stay with my friend Amelia 
 Turner ; we were nearly three months hard 
 at work. I had a dozen and a half of every- 
 thing, all beautiful linen, every stitch done 
 so evenly that it did one good to see it, 
 and embroidered with Amelia's beautiful 
 work. I can tell you the girls nowadays 
 don't know what sewing is." 
 
 '' But, really — excuse me, dear aunt, but 
 how unsophisticated you are — as if I should 
 make my clothes myself. What would become 
 of mv hands ? " ansvf ered Mavis, with almost 
 contemptuous calmness. ^' I shall wnrite to 
 my friend, Mrs. Rockingham ; she will get 
 anything I want, if I send a list. You need 
 not be frightened, for although she is a 
 singer, she visits in good society." 
 
 '''' Of course, if you and Lord Durant have 
 settled it, I suppose it must be done ; but it 
 seems to me remarkable haste," said Mrs.
 
 102 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 Williams, whose mind revolted against her 
 idea of a properly conducted wedding being 
 overthrown. ^^ How can we invite the guests, 
 or prepare a breakfast ? " 
 
 ^^ The guests are already provided," was 
 the ready answer. ^^Lord Durant wishes 
 all to be as quiet as possible ; the major is 
 away with his regiment in Ireland, and liis 
 mother has gone to sj)end the autumn in 
 Madeira, so there will only be you and my 
 uncle ; and as I have determined to keep to 
 my concert engagement at Khos Celyn for 
 Tuesday, we both agree that the near 
 apjDroach of our wedding, and even our 
 engagement, shall be kept as much as pos- 
 sible a secret until the concert is over." 
 
 Perceiving that Mavis had arranged every- 
 thing in her own mind, her aunt desisted 
 from making further objections, but watched 
 with a smile of partial approval, as her niece 
 brought out her dainty little writing-case, 
 and began to make out a list of purchases 
 for her London friend. There were other 
 letters to write, and by the time they were 
 finished the rain had ceased, the fog cleared
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 103 
 
 off, and the sun appeared from amongst the 
 angry looking clouds. 
 
 ^^ I shall go down to the shore and see the 
 waves come in," she said, rising from her 
 seat, as the last letter was addressed. ^^I 
 do so love to look at the stormy sea, and I 
 can call at the post-office as I pass." 
 
 ^^ May I go too?" asked Jessie, eagerly. 
 
 ^^No, it is too wet," replied her mother. 
 ^' Mavis can please herself ; she does not take 
 cold easily." 
 
 '^ She's going to meet her lover," whis- 
 pered Grwendoline. ^*Lord Durant often 
 €omes out in a storm." 
 
 Mavis made no reply, but ran upstairs, and 
 soon appeared equipped in a waterproof 
 cloak and a hood drawn over her sunny 
 curls. 
 
 She started out, regardless of the wind, 
 and pursued her way towards the sea, which 
 was coming in with considerable violence. 
 It took some time before the firm, wet sand 
 was reached, and she stood leaning against a 
 rock, holding her cloak round her, and 
 watching the gigantic waves breaking against
 
 104 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 the rocks, and filling up the large' open 
 caverns. 
 
 Suddenly, footste^DS crashing in the loose 
 shingles came near her, and a man apjoeared 
 — evidently a sailor. He was about to pass 
 her, when he stopped quickly, and, looking 
 her full in the face, addressed her by name. 
 It was Captain Ashton, commander of the 
 Orient. 
 
 Mavis gave one glance into his face, and^ 
 with a cry of horror, staggered back, and 
 would have fallen had not the new-comer 
 caught her in his arms. 
 
 ^'Father, is that really you alive!" she 
 exclaimed, shuddering and putting out her 
 hands, as if to keep him off. " We thought 
 you were dead ! " — and then, with an effort, 
 she freed herself from his grasp and sj^rang 
 away to some little distance, regarding him 
 with mingled scorn and terror. 
 
 " Yes, Mavis, my child, I am alive ! What, 
 in the name of fortune, brings you here, in 
 this out-of-the-way place ? Oh, how ardently 
 I have longed to see you once again ! Why 
 do you shrink from me ? Are you not going
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 105 
 
 to give me one word of welcome ? " cried 
 the captain, in a voice hoarse with emotion. 
 
 ^^Why should I welcome you?" Mavis 
 asked, looking towards him with a wonder- 
 ing, incredulous feeling, as if she half 
 doubted that it was really her father who 
 stood before her, and not a brain-created 
 apparition. 
 
 She had deeply regretted his supposed loss, 
 remembering always her former fondness for 
 him ; but now she felt that affection return- 
 ing, and struggling with repulsion towards 
 the man who had deserted her mother. 
 
 ^' Because I still love you — because I have 
 always longed to see you ! " he answered. 
 ^' But I dared not seek an interview, regard- 
 ing with such repentance as I do my brutal 
 conduct to your mother. Cannot you forgive 
 me ? Cannot you recollect some of the love 
 you once expressed for me ? I have never 
 ceased bitterly to regret having deserted 
 you. I did not know how I cared for you 
 until you were lost to me." 
 
 ^' I don't feel as if 1 can quite forgive 
 you," answered Mavis, recovering some little
 
 106 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 of her self-possession, but still trembling with 
 emotion and terror at the unexj)ected meeting. 
 '*' I forgave you when I thought you were 
 dead ; but now, in life, it seems different. 
 IVhere is Maud Stanley ? " she added, in a 
 more angry tone. ^' How can you come and 
 beg my forgiveness, and ask me to love you 
 again, when you know how you have 
 wronged her ? " 
 
 '^ She is dead! " was the sorrowful answer. 
 *^I married her as soon as I heard of your 
 mother's death. But she did not live long 
 after; she died at the birth of her child. But 
 don't you want to know anything about me ? 
 — have you lost all interest in my welfare ? 
 Through all these years I have never lost 
 sight of you. Do you imagine I could have 
 existed had I not known how you fared ? 
 Your name is down for a concert at Rhos 
 Celyn ; so I conclude you still are not in 
 want of money." 
 
 Mavis's heart softened at these words, for 
 she saw that her father was speaking the 
 truth — that he still felt some remnant of affec- 
 tion for her. Her feelings altogether over-
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING, 107 
 
 came her ; she turned aside her head and 
 burst into a passionate fit of weeping. 
 
 "• You cannot care for me," she cried, '' or 
 you would never have left me ! You know 
 how I once used to love you.'' 
 
 '^ Indeed, I remember. But why need 
 you hate me now that I am sorry for what I 
 did ? " asked Henry Austin (or Ashton, as he 
 now called himself). '' After your mother's 
 death I should have sent for 3^ou to live with 
 me if I could have afforded to give up my 
 present business. I am now master of the 
 Orient, the vessel that lies at anchor outside 
 the bay." 
 
 Mavis glanced up. Since she had come to 
 Pen Yychan she had heard a good deal of 
 conversation about the Orient, and was ac- 
 quainted with the fact that unlawful trading 
 went on on board. 
 
 '^ You surely have not come down so low 
 as that ?" she asked, with a gesture of horror. 
 '' You might at least have taken to some 
 honest trade." 
 
 ^^I found employment at a coastguard 
 station," answered Captain Ashton (as we
 
 108 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 shall continue to call liim) ; '^ we were sent in 
 search of a suspected boat, Avhen I fell in 
 with my younger brother, Edward — you re- 
 member him, I dare say ; he ran into debt, 
 and escaj^ed his creditors by going to sea. I 
 managed to pass his goods, but by some 
 means they found it out, and I was suspected, 
 so I had to get away in my brother's vessel. 
 Soon after he fell ill, and before he died 
 confided his son to my care, and ever since I 
 have taken his place as captain. I find it 
 suits me very well ; there 's an excitement o£ 
 danger in it that I like exceedingly." 
 
 '' But to be a smuggler !" continued Mavis, 
 with unconcealed repugnance, ''it does not 
 seem rioht at all. What shall I do ? You 
 must not let our relationship be known ; it 
 would ruin all my prosj)ects, for I am en- 
 gaged to be married." 
 
 ''To be married!" echoed the captain. 
 ' ' You are very young. I hojDC 3^ou Ve not 
 been imprudent ; with your beauty and ac- 
 complishments you ought to make a good 
 match." 
 
 " I think you might have trusted me for
 
 AN UNEXFECTED MEETING. 109 
 
 that ; I am not one to act rashly," answered 
 Mavis. '' In eight days I shall be Lady 
 Durant." 
 
 Captain Ashton stepped back a pace or 
 two in his astonishment. ' ' Why, Mavis, 
 what a lucky girl you are I How did you 
 manage to gain his affection ? I thought you 
 were too much like your mother to look after 
 your own interests ; but you are right — it 
 must not be known about here that I am 
 your father. Wrongly as I have acted all my 
 life I care too much for you to wish to 
 ruin your prospects. It will be a brilliant 
 match." 
 
 ^' Yes, I suppose it is!" Mavis said, be- 
 ginning to feel some gladness at again 
 meeting her only surviving parent ; for, al- 
 though she saw his faults, she could not j)ut 
 away her natural affection. 
 
 ^^ Do you really care for your future 1ms- 
 band ? " asked the captain, looking intently 
 at his daughter, and reading the thoughts 
 that were so plainly expressed on her lovely 
 face. 
 
 ^' He is rich," she answered, evasively,
 
 110 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 ^^and of a good' family. I supj^ose he will 
 make me a kind husband ; I shall take a 
 high standing in society; he is really very 
 fond of me ; we have been much together 
 during the last few months ; his mother used 
 to like my singing." 
 
 ' ' That 's right, Mavis ! it is better to 
 marry for wealth and rank. I don't believe in 
 love matches, they generally end unhappily," 
 said her father, approvingly. ^' But you must 
 not be such a fool as to betray me, or he will 
 not like the idea of marrying you, although 
 he 's a good friend to us — he would not say 
 anything if we carried our goods ashore 
 before his face ; half the fishermen here are 
 in my pay, and he 's too good a landlord to 
 interfere with his tenants." 
 
 Wliilst they had been talking the stormy 
 sea had rapidly grown calmer as the dusk of 
 evening came on ; a small boat was dancing 
 over the waves towards the spot where Cap- 
 tain Ashton and his daughter stood. Mavis 
 remained there without attempting to move, 
 for, although in her heart she blamed her 
 father, she remembered the uncertainty of
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. Ill 
 
 his perilous life, and that this might be the 
 last time she should ever see him. 
 
 '' 'Tis your cousin Edward and my little 
 girl," exclaimed the captain. '' Oh, why does 
 he bring her ashore to-night with a heavy 
 sea on ? '' and the face of the man who had 
 deserted his wife and broken his country's laws 
 changed suddenly with fear at a prospect of 
 danger to his infant daughter. 
 
 Mavis noticed the look, and her heart re- 
 lented towards him. She felt sorry for her 
 harsh words. Surely he could not be alto- 
 gether wicked who could love a child so 
 ardently ! '' May I stay and see her ? " she 
 asked, laying her hand on her father's arm, 
 and looking up into his face with a gentler 
 expression, that caused Caj)tain Ashton to 
 start with surprise at the unsurpassable beauty 
 to which Ids daughter had attained. 
 
 The boat had already reached a landing- 
 stage built of rough stones. The captain went 
 down and returned to Mavis, bearing in his 
 arms a lovely child, frail and delicate-looking,, 
 with golden hair and mournful blue eyes, a 
 tiny image of its sister.
 
 112 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 '^ You dear little thing I " said Ma^ds, kiss- 
 ing the pale cheek of her little half-sister, 
 lying so happy and contented in her father's 
 arms, who smiled at her and caught hold of 
 one of her bright cui"ls, which had escaped 
 from beneath her blue hood. 
 
 ^' Look, Edward," said Captain Asliton to 
 his nej)hew, who had now come ujd ; ^' are 
 they not both alike ? " and he called the 
 young man's attention to the likeness of the 
 two sisters, whose features were almost 
 exactly similar, but the elder had the bright 
 hue of health, while the younger possessed 
 the pallor produced by perpetual pain — 
 strange in one so ^^oung. " She is crippled, 
 she cannot walk," said the father, sadly. 
 '^ Mavis, you will be rich : mil you promise, 
 if anything happens to me, to be a friend to 
 3'our lielpless sister ? I mil find means to let 
 you know where she is. Recollect she is 
 not responsible for the sin of either of her 
 parents. I cannot part mth her; whilst I 
 have life and liberty, her home is on board 
 the Orient." 
 
 ^^ Yes, father, I mil promise," said Mavis,
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 113 
 
 little thinking how soon the fulfilment of that 
 promise would be required ; ' ' but I fear it 
 will be impossible to keep such a secret from 
 Lord Dm-ant." 
 
 ^ ' I only ask you to do so until my death ; 
 after that, I leave all to your discretion. I 
 am glad I have seen you ; you have relieved 
 my mind of a heavy load. But we must 
 part, as the vessel must be under weigh by 
 midnight. Good-bye, my dear. Will you 
 kiss me before I go ? — I may never see you 
 again." 
 
 Mavis threw her arms round her father's 
 neck. ^^ Oh, I wish you would give up this 
 life ! " she cried, imploringly, looking up at 
 him with the tears in her eyes. ^' You own 
 that you are sorry for what you have done : 
 cannot you renounce all this dishonesty? 
 Think of the disgrace if you were found 
 out ! " 
 
 '^ Can I give up living?" asked Cai)tain 
 Ashton. '^I have the interests of my nephew, 
 as well as my child, to look after. A ca^Dtain 
 of a small trading vessel is but a poorly paid 
 post if one does not increase it by a more 
 
 VOL. I. I
 
 114 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 lucrative trade. There is no real wrong ; it 
 is only a protest against unjust taxation. You 
 must not be afraid that I shall annoy you, 
 and your grand friends need never know of 
 my existence. However, I wish I was able 
 to be present at your wedding, it promises 
 such a brilliant future." 
 
 ^^ You think I am doing right, then?" she 
 asked. " I have no one to consult. I do 
 not — I cannot — love Lord Durant, even with 
 all his goodness and generosity; it is only 
 his wealth that tempts me.'' 
 
 ^' He likes you ; what more can you want ? 
 Come, we must part now ; there is no time 
 to be lost." 
 
 He bent his face to hers and kissed her, 
 allowing her to take little Maud in her arms 
 and carry her to the boat, for the child was 
 so small as not to be too heavy for her sister's 
 strength. 
 
 Edward had already taken the oars. '^ I 
 conclude you are my cousin Mavis," he said, 
 holding out his hand. ^^ I have often heard 
 my uncle speak of you. I suppose you are 
 too high and mighty for us, however."
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING, 115 
 
 ^^ I do not see what right you have to say 
 that of me," retorted Mavis, rather nettled 
 at her cousin's contemptuous air. ^^I cer- 
 tainly have no reason to regard you with 
 much favour, when I cannot help being 
 ashamed of my nearest relatives." 
 
 Edward's only answer was a mocking ' 
 laugh ; and as his uncle, with the child in 
 his arms, was already seated in the stern of 
 the boat, he pushed off from the shore. 
 
 ^^ Good-bye," he called out ; ^' I 'm going 
 to remain in these j^arts, so I '11 come and see 
 you married. You need not be alarmed ; I 
 shan't proclaim our relationship." 
 
 Mavis slowly returned towards the village. 
 Wliilst she had been talking, she had not 
 noticed how late it Avas ; the moon had risen, 
 causing it to be still light. 
 
 '^Nine o'clock!" she exclaimed aloud, 
 looking at her watch. '^ What will my aunt 
 think of me, staying out alone so late ? " She 
 quickened her pace, hurrying on up the 
 street. 
 
 '^ Mavis! is that you at this horn-?" ex- 
 claimed a well-known voice.
 
 116 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 She turned round and perceived Lord 
 Durant standing on tlie threshold of a 
 cottage. 
 
 ^' Come in here ; you look flushed and 
 tired ! " he said, holding the door open for 
 her to pass through. ^^ I came to see Ivor 
 Morgan, and sit with him, now he is a 
 prisoner to the house." 
 
 Mavis entered the cottage. It was clean 
 and tidy; the old man was there, he had 
 been reading, but had risen from his seat 
 and laid aside his book on the entrance of 
 Lord Durant ; Ivor, looking pale and ill, was 
 on a sort of rude couch placed under the 
 window. 
 
 After inquiring after the injured arm, 
 Mavis took a seat that the old man brought 
 ior her, whilst Lord Durant moved about 
 restlessly, every now and then addressing a 
 word or two to the young man or his grand- 
 father. 
 
 *^ Miss Austin," asked Ivor, presently, ^^ is 
 that little girl Captain Ashton's daughter ? I 
 saw you talking to them." 
 
 '^ Yes, poor child, she is lame and ill,"
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 117 
 
 replied Mavis, struggling to preserve calm- 
 ness, but feeling all the while her face had 
 turned crimson, and that Lord Durant's eyes 
 were fixed on her with an eager, searching 
 look. 
 
 '^ I did not know he was married," re- 
 sumed the youth, carelessly, not noticing the 
 visible emotion on the faces of his visitors. 
 
 '' I wish you knew less of him, Ivor,'' 
 exclaimed his grandfather, angrily ; ^ ^ he 's 
 nothing better than a downright smuggler. I 
 could tell you, begging your lordship's 
 pardon," he added, turning to his guest, 
 ^^that half the young fellows in the place 
 are contaminated by him and his crew." 
 
 ^^ Never mind, Morgan," said the noble- 
 man, with a smile at the sailor's indignation, 
 '^ there is very little smuggling done now. I 
 do not think it is right of me to interfere ; 
 I'm not a Custom House officer, and I do 
 not intend to act as a spy on my fellow 
 creatures. We have no proof against them. 
 Come along. Mavis my dear, I must see you 
 home: they will be getting anxious for you." 
 
 '' Grandfather," exclaimed Ivor, as soon
 
 118 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 as they were again alone, '^ I believe Lord 
 Durant will marry Miss Austin. Did you 
 notice how angry he looked when he saw 
 her with the captain, and seemed so jileased 
 when she came in here ? He calls her by her 
 Christian name too. I hoj)e I am right ; she 
 is the nicest lady I know, exce^^t Miss Jessie, 
 and then, of course. Miss Austin is much older." 
 ^'I don't know if you ought to wish it," 
 replied the old sailor, taking up his pipe and 
 filling it with tobacco; ''his lordship 's a kind, 
 liberal landlord, but your mother, who ought 
 to know, being maid to the poor lady who 
 died, tells a different tale ; he wasn't at all 
 kind to his wife ; not that I understand much 
 about it — your mother and the old Lady 
 Durant, the one who lives in London, were 
 always at some underhand trick or other; 
 it 's my belief that they were at the bottom 
 of most of the quarrels." 
 
 ?? 
 
 After they quitted Morgan's cottage, Lord 
 Durant and Mavis walked for some little 
 distance in silence, until they reached the 
 top of the hill.
 
 AN UNEXPECTED 3IEETING. 119 
 
 ^^I was surprised to see you alone on the 
 beach so late," began the nobleman, gravely, 
 looking down at the pretty little creature 
 clinging to his arm. '' Why did you talk to 
 that man Ashton ? He is not one with whom 
 I should care to see my wife associate." 
 
 The retort rose to Mavis's lips that she 
 was not yet his wife, and therefore was not 
 answerable to him with whom she chose to 
 ■speak; but she checked the impulse, and, 
 conquering her emotion, replied slowly, try- 
 ing to assume an air of perfect unconcern, — 
 
 '^ He spoke to me first ; and then, when I 
 saw the poor crippled child, I stayed to talk 
 about it. How could I tell the man was a 
 smuggler ? " and then, as Mavis uttered these 
 words, her fortitude completely gave way, 
 and she could no longer keep back her tears. 
 
 ^^ Mavis, dearest, there is more than you 
 have told me ; you are keeping something 
 from me," exclaimed Lord Durant, in a voice 
 of the deepest pain. '' Cannot you trust me ? 
 I had no intention of spying, but I saw that 
 which convinced me that he is not a mere 
 acquaintance. My darling, try not to grieve
 
 120 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 me so terribly; depend upon it, it will be 
 better to tell the whole truth. Surely the 
 man is not a lover — you are not going to 
 prove false to me ? " he asked, in low, husky 
 tones. 
 
 ^^ Oh, no! no! indeed he is not!" cried 
 Mavis, almost frantically, looking up plead- 
 ingly into Lord Durant's face. ^' Please don't 
 question me ! I am faithful to you, indeed I 
 am ! I will not break my word ; you have 
 nothing to fear ; only trust me, and every- 
 thing will come right in the end." 
 
 ^'I do trust you, imj)licitly," was the 
 sorrowful reply. ^^I cannot doubt your 
 word; but why does not my confidence 
 induce you to open your heart to me ? " 
 
 ^^ There is a secret; I promised to keep 
 it," she murmured. ^^I dare not break my 
 promise ; besides, if I did so, you would no 
 longer care for me." 
 
 ^' Is that what is disquieting you ? Don't 
 you know my love is unalterable ? Even if 
 I knew you were false to me, I should go on 
 loving you to the end of life. Wliy did you 
 promise to keep anything from me ? "
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 121 
 
 For some moments Mavis did not speak, 
 but walked along rapidly. They had wan- 
 dered from the high road, without perceiving 
 it, and had taken a downward path towards 
 the park. 
 
 ^^ Mavis, are you not going to speak?" 
 continued her lover, in a more sorrow- 
 stricken tone than she had before heard. 
 ^^ Why, oh, why do you try so hard to shake 
 my faith in you ? How can I endure a life 
 of such repeated trials ? " 
 
 Mavis threw herself down on the wet 
 grass under the trees, crying bitterly, until 
 her whole frame shook with sobs. Each 
 reproachful word uttered by Lord Durant 
 went to her heart like a sting. She knew 
 him well enough to be certain of the agony 
 each utterance cost him, with his intense 
 love for her. 
 
 '^ My dearest, be calm ; I will not ask you 
 again ! " said the nobleman, kneeling down 
 beside her, and trying to raise the prostrate 
 girl. ^'I will trust you. I did not know 
 you loved me so much." 
 
 Mavis half raised herself and pushed
 
 122 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 back her hair that had fallen over her 
 face. 
 
 '' I will tell you ! " she cried, impulsively. 
 '^' I don't care for my promise. He is my 
 father ! " 
 
 She hid her face again as she uttered these 
 words, and a sensation of terrible shame 
 that Lord Durant should know what her 
 father was came over her. 
 
 '^He will hate me now," she thought; 
 ^' and I have thrown away all that I longed 
 for. He will cast me off, and the bright 
 future will be destroved." 
 
 But with gentle force she was raised up. 
 
 '^ Is that all. Mavis ? — and you scrupled to 
 tell me," said her lover, quietly. '^ Did you 
 think I should consider you responsible for 
 your father's faults ? I thought you knew me 
 too well to imagine that ; but you ought not 
 to have concealed from me the fact that he 
 was still living." 
 
 ^' I did not know — until I saw him this 
 evening, I thought he was dead," replied 
 Mavis, whose tears still continued to flow. 
 
 ^' The unexpected meeting has completely
 
 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 123 
 
 overcome you, my poor, little one," said 
 Lord Durant, tenderly. ^^ You are cold and 
 tired. We must hasten on ; and let this be 
 the last secret between us. We shall be all 
 the happier when ^ve know there is nothing 
 concealed." 
 
 Lord Durant did not speak much during 
 the rest of the walk, but when he left Mavis 
 at her uncle's door, he held her hand for a 
 moment or two, as if he could not part from 
 her, and the kiss he pressed on her lij)s was 
 a little more loving than usual.
 
 124 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 MUSIC AND MARRIAGE. 
 
 By music minds an equal temper know, 
 Nor swell too high, nor sink too low ; 
 If in the breast tumultuous joys arise. 
 Music her soft assuasive voice applies. 
 
 Pope. 
 
 The sleepy old town of Rhos Celyn seemed 
 suddenly to have awoke into life and 
 activity ; double the usual amount of lights 
 were flaring in the shop windows, which dis- 
 played the choicest wares. Carriages rolled 
 along the streets, and altogether the jDlace 
 seemed for one evening to have put on quite 
 a festive appearance. The focus of attrac- 
 tion was the Town Hall, the only building 
 of any pretension. On the walls were 
 placards with parti-coloured letters, announc-
 
 MUSIC AND MARBIAGE. 125 
 
 ing a grand coricertj at which several 
 London as well as some local artistes were 
 to appear. Conspicuous amongst the names 
 was that of Mavis Austin ; she it was who 
 proved the principal object of popular curio- 
 sity, for in spite of Lord Durant's dislike of 
 jDublicity, the approaching wedding formed 
 the chief subject for speculation. 
 
 It was close on the hour fixed for the com- 
 mencement of the concert that Lord Durant's 
 carriage^ drawn by his fine pair of grey 
 horses, drove up to the Town Hall. As the 
 footman opened the carriage door the noble- 
 man stepj)ed out. He was received by ring- 
 ing cheers from the crowd who were throng- 
 ing round, for his estates extended to the 
 town, and his kindness and liberality as a 
 landlord gained him the love of his tenants. 
 The people pressed eagerly forward as he 
 turned to the carriage, and handed out Mrs. 
 Williams, whom one of the stewards of the 
 concert conducted into the building. Then 
 Mavis came forth, timid, and shrinking from 
 the crowd of gazers. She was leaning on her 
 handsome lover's arm, and was dressed in
 
 126 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 pale blue, covered with delicate white lace ; 
 her blue opera-cloak with swansdown edging- 
 had fallen back just sufficiently to show the 
 magnificent pearls (that Lord Durant had 
 given her that morning) resting on her white 
 neck. 
 
 There was a sudden hush in the crowd. 
 The rare beauty of the little singer had 
 astonished them ; but in an instant she had 
 disappeared from outside view, and soon she 
 stood amongst the others who were to take 
 part in the evening's performance. 
 
 For a moment Lord Durant felt bewil- 
 dered ; the seclusion of years from all society 
 had wrought a change, and it was with an 
 effort that he looked around him, wondering 
 at Mavis's self-possession, as several of her 
 London friends came up and greeted her. 
 One of them, a strikingly elegant lady, she 
 introduced to him as Mrs. Eockingham. She 
 was quiet and gentle, with a slightly care- 
 worn expression, as if she had known trouble, 
 just the person calculated to set Lord Durant at 
 his ease, especially when he soon discovered 
 that she was one of his future wife's most
 
 3IUSIC AND MABULAGE. 127 
 
 intimate friends. But lie conlcl not remain 
 long, for ho had to take his place as presi- 
 dent, and confidmg Mavis to the care of her 
 friend, he quitted the room. 
 
 '^ Mavis," whispered Mrs. Rockingham, as 
 soon as Lord Durant was out of hearing, 
 ^' you have chosen well ; I thought my little 
 favourite would make a brilliant marriage. 
 We have made arrangements to stay over 
 Thursday, in order to be present at the wed- 
 ding. I have brought your dress with me — 
 white silk and Brussels lace." 
 
 Mavis's eyes absolutely sparkled with 
 delight. '' I know it is silly and frivolous," 
 she exclaimed, " but I do so love to be well 
 dressed ; I ought to be happy. How rich I 
 shall be ! " 
 
 ^^ You must try and make good use of your 
 riches, my dear. But see, here is my husband 
 coming this way." 
 
 Tlie new-comer shook hands with Mavis, 
 and then turned to his wife, — 
 
 '' We sing the first duet," he said. ''It is 
 past time already." 
 
 Mavis threw herself back in a seat, resting
 
 128 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 her cheek on her hand, listening to the music 
 that she loved so well. A smile was on her 
 lips, and her mind was wandering in a 
 perfect whirl of happiness, such as sometimes 
 occupies the senses, until it is too deep for 
 expression, shutting out so completely 
 thoughts of the future, which occasionally 
 flit across the mind like a hidden shadow, 
 almost a presentiment that such bliss must be 
 quickly dispelled, and a longing comes that 
 time could arrest its progress. 
 
 The conclusion of the duet caused her to 
 start a little, and turn her head ; and then 
 came Beethoven's septett, and again her 
 attention was riveted, not, however, this 
 time to wander, but firmly fixed on the 
 music, towards which even the most pre- 
 occupied minds must be drawn. A sigh 
 escaped her lips when it was over, but she 
 said nothing, only smiled quietly, and tak- 
 ing up her music, on the ap]3roach of the 
 director of the concert, she rested her hand 
 lightly on his arm, and in a moment she 
 stood before the large audience, who saluted 
 her appearance with aj^plause. Her eyes
 
 MUSIC AND MAERLAGE, 129 
 
 calmly wandered over the sea of faces in 
 search of Lord Durant. He was lookino: at 
 her tenderly, nervously, as if he half feared 
 to see a tremor or hesitation in her manner ; 
 but, no ! she was as calm and composed as if 
 she were singing to herself alone. She 
 leisurely turned over the leaves of her music, 
 and signed to the accompanist to begin. 
 Then her voice rang out clear and sweet, 
 tilling the room in every part, penetrating by 
 its rare beauty to the hearts of the audience. 
 The concert director was the writer of the 
 song. It was the first time of its jDublic per- 
 formance ; and when it was finished even the 
 composer joined in with the audience in their 
 expression of approbation and enthusiasm. 
 
 From his place in the front of the gallery 
 Lord Durant never took his eyes from the 
 lovely child-like singer. Every note that 
 issued from her rosy li^js found its way to his 
 heart. He could not look awa}^ : he was, as 
 it Avere, spell-bound ; and yet he shuddered 
 at the idea that his treasure should be stand- 
 ing there before the vast multitude, the centre 
 of observation, not shrinking from it, but 
 
 VOL. I. K
 
 130 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 remaining a^^parently unconscious of all save 
 the music. 
 
 He heard no more ; everything seemed to 
 swim before his eyes ; the sudden transit 
 from sixteen years' comparative solitude into 
 this strange, painful excitement felt to Lord 
 Durant almost more than he could bear. 
 
 '^ Why cannot I be calm, like she is ? " he 
 asked himself, as he listened to the remarks 
 going on around him about her voice, style 
 of singing, and even her rare beauty. 
 
 He had not calculated for this publicity. 
 He had forgotten that when she appeared as 
 a ^professional she was open to criticism. It 
 was an unspeakable relief when she disap- 
 peared from view, and he knew she was once 
 more in the company of her friend. He 
 listened with renewed pleasure to the music 
 and singing that followed — such pleasui^e as 
 only those can feel who have made music the 
 study of a lifetime. 
 
 Meanwhile Mavis was receiving the con- 
 gratulations of her musical friends, especially 
 those of the composer of the song. 
 
 ^'I am sure no one can feel more regret
 
 31USIC AND 3IAERIAGE. 131 
 
 than I do that this is your last appearance," 
 he said. ^^It will be an irreparable loss to 
 the musical world. However, you may rest 
 assured that you have my best wishes for the 
 future haj^piness of your married life. Not 
 that your voice will be lost," he added, 
 politely ; ' ^ it will no doubt meet with its 
 deserved appreciation in the society that you 
 are most fitted to adorn." 
 
 ^^ I must confess I do feel some regret at 
 giving up the life that has been so pleasant, 
 Mr. Fulton," replied Mavis. '^ This will not 
 be the last time we shall meet, I hope, for I 
 shall be sure to visit London next s^^ring. I 
 shall not forget my old friends." 
 
 She sighed as she spoke, as if even she felt 
 a shade of reluctance at quitting the career in 
 which she was certain of gaining distinction, 
 even for the luxury and wealth for which she 
 had sold herself. All the exultation that 
 music generally produced in her vanished, 
 and she sang the other songs almost mechanic- 
 ally, with a certain dreamy sadness that was 
 altogether fascinating. 
 
 And Avhen the concert was over, and Lord
 
 132 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 Durant came to fetch her away, it seemed 
 as if she were leaving all the freshness of 
 youth behind her ; as if she were passively 
 allowing herself to be led into the miknown 
 wilderness of the future, without an effort 
 to save herself. Could it be that she was 
 already repenting her promise to marry 
 Lord Durant ? Had she not fully considered 
 before she had gone thus far ? Perhaps so ; 
 but Mavis Austin was not one to retract her 
 word ; she would abide by her promise, what- 
 ever she imagined she would have to endure. 
 She was silent and preoccupied dming the 
 long drive home, leaning back in the corner 
 of the carriage, scarcely rejDlying to Lord 
 Durant's questions, as if her mind were 
 wandering. 
 
 ^'I expect the church will be crowded on 
 Thursday," said Mrs. Williams, triumphantly, 
 for she had no wish that her niece's beauty 
 should not be fully admired. 
 
 ^^ I hope not; I wish it could be perfectly 
 quiet," Lord Durant replied. '^ I am sure 
 Mavis agrees with me." 
 
 ^' I am perfectly indifferent. I do not
 
 MUSIC AND MAEBIAGE. 133 
 
 suppose I shall care who is there," said 
 Mavis, with a slight smile; ^^ I never feel 
 nervous in a crowd." 
 
 ^^ How strange it seems," continued Mrs. 
 Williams, addressing Lord Durant as her 
 niece again relapsed into silence, '' that there 
 will be so few of your friends j)i*Gsent at 
 the wedding — only the major." 
 
 ^^ I am not sure that my brother will be 
 able to attend," answered Lord Durant. 
 '' He was prevented visiting me during the 
 shooting season, for his regiment was or- 
 dered to Ireland. I have written to ask 
 him to try and obtain leave of absence for 
 two or three days, as I should like him to 
 be with us, but I have not yet received an 
 answer to my letter." 
 
 At length the carriage stojDjDcd at Mr. 
 Williams's gate. 
 
 '^ Good-bye, dearest," said Lord Durant, 
 as he helped Mavis out, and into the 
 small entrance-hall. ^'I shall not see you 
 again until we meet tc-morrow in tlif 
 church." 
 
 '^ To-morrow," ejaculated Mavis, with a
 
 134 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 merry laugh, recovering her spirits for a 
 moment. 
 
 He showed her his watch; it was past 
 twelve. '' You are so tired I will not stay," 
 he said ; and after an affectionate leave- 
 taking, he was gone. 
 
 Thursday, the 6th of October, dawned 
 wet, cold, and miserable. A steady rain 
 was falling, and the air was filled with damp 
 mist, rising from the yellow leaves that 
 already strewed the ground. 
 
 But Mavis seemed indifferent to the 
 weather. She sat in her bed-room, wrapped 
 in a dressing-gown, before a small, bright 
 fire. There was a smile of passive content 
 on her face, as if she were li\T.ng for the 
 present, without once looking into the future, 
 which she resolutely banished from her 
 mind. 
 
 The faithful old woman, who had been 
 to her more of a friend than a servant, was 
 still to be retained. She had come down from 
 London the day before, and was now employed 
 in brushing out her beloved young mis-
 
 MUSIC AND MARRIAGE. 135 
 
 tress's golden hair before arranging it in 
 the thick coils that almost covered her 
 shapely head. On the bed lay the dress of 
 splendid white silk and costly lace in which 
 she was presently to be arrayed. 
 
 A knock came at the door, and Mrs. 
 Rockingham entered, ready dressed for the 
 €eremony, in pale straw-coloured silk, mth 
 •dark-brown trimmings. She and her hus- 
 band had come over from Rhos Celyn on 
 the previous evening, and had spent the 
 night at the Castle, as Mr. Williams's cottage 
 could not accommodate more visitors. 
 
 '' How are you this morning? " she said, 
 kissing her friend. ^^I do not think that 
 there is any time to be lost ; it is getting 
 late. What a wet, miserable morning it 
 is! They say it is unlucky," she added, 
 laughingly. 
 
 ^' I dare say it will clear up before long," 
 answered Mavis, with a slight shudder, as 
 she stood up, and passively allowed herself 
 to be arrayed in the pure white which 
 ■enhanced her excessive beauty. 
 
 In spite of the unfavourable weather, a
 
 13G EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 large crowd of peojDle were collected in the 
 cliurcli, all of whose faces wore a look of 
 eager expectancy, when the few guests came 
 up and took their places in the chancel. 
 Lord Durant was already there, standing at 
 a little distance, half shrinking from public 
 gaze. 
 
 A rustle of silk proclaimed the ajDproach 
 of the bride. She came up leaning on Mr. 
 Fulton, the musician's arm, for he had 
 consented, in the absence of Major Durant, 
 to take his place. She was followed by her 
 two cousins, her only bridesmaids. 
 
 At length the ceremony was over, and 
 Mr. Williams had pronounced Gerald Dm-ant 
 and Mavis Austin to be man and wife. The 
 former turned to lead his beautiful bride 
 towards the vestry ; he happened to raise his 
 eyes, and at the further end of the crowded 
 churcli, close by the door, he caught sight of 
 his brother's face, pale and eager looldng, 
 regarding him with an anxious terror-stricken 
 expression. It was only one glance, the next 
 second the face had disappeared. 
 
 ^' It must be imagination," was the thought
 
 3nJSIC AND MARRIAGE. 137 
 
 that flashed through his brain. ^^ I have 
 been vexing myself too much about his 
 absence." 
 
 However, the apparition, if such it was, 
 produced an uncomfortable feeling of fear 
 in Lord Durant's mind. Mavis felt the arm 
 on which her hand rested tremble beneath 
 her touch ; she glanced up into his face : it 
 was white with terror. 
 
 His hand shook so much that when he 
 began to sign his name he could scarcely 
 hold the pen ; and, strange to say, his thoughts 
 reverted to that other time, when his signa- 
 ture had stood side by side with another, 
 written by that hand that had been laid so 
 many years before in the silent grave in a 
 foreign land. It was a weird painful thought, 
 and Lord Durant struggled to shake it off, 
 and reply calmly to the congratulations of 
 his friends, before he led his bride down the 
 aisle. 
 
 " The bridegroom seems by far the more 
 nervous of the two," was the comment of 
 one of the Rhos Celyn people, who had come 
 to see the wedding.
 
 138 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 ' ^ I should have thought he was too old 
 ior that sort of thing. Perhaps he is ashamed 
 of himself to marry a wife young enough to 
 be his daughter." 
 
 These words were sjDoken in a confidential 
 tone to a neighbour, but they did not escape 
 the ears of a gentleman who stood close by, 
 half hidden behind a pillar. It was Major 
 Durant, standing with his arms folded ; the 
 disordered look of his dress and the tired, 
 haggard expression on his face, proclaimed 
 .a hurried journey. 
 
 He listened with an eager, half-fascinated 
 attention to the conversation of the two 
 women about the wedding ; he waited until 
 they had gone, until the rest of the congre- 
 gation had dispersed, and the pew-opener 
 was 23reparing to lock up the church, then 
 he moved from his place, and the man 
 reopened the door for him to -pass through. 
 
 ^^ What time did the ceremony begin ? " 
 asked Major Durant. 
 
 ^' Ten o'clock, sir, punctual to the minute. 
 It was settled to be at eleven, but it was found 
 they could not catch the train at Elton — they
 
 MUSIC AND 3TABBIAGE. 139 
 
 drive over there — so they altered the time 
 the day before yesterday." 
 
 Major Durant waited to hear no more ; he 
 turned away with an ejaculation that sounded 
 like a muttered oath, and walked swiftly 
 towards Rhos Celyn.
 
 140 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE JOURNEY TO IRELAND. 
 
 My brother 
 Awake ! why liest thou so on the green earth 1 
 'Tis not the hour of slumber : — why so pale 1 
 
 ByRON. 
 
 There was the usual bustle, noise, and hurry 
 at the London terminus on the starting of 
 the Holyhead express. The crowd of porters 
 carrying luggage, of timid women and 
 bustling men thronged the platform, hasten- 
 ing to secure good places. Amongst them 
 came (but more leisurely than most) Lord 
 Durant and his young bride. He was paler 
 than usual; there was an anxious, rather 
 wearied look in his eyes, but he carefully 
 guided Mavis through the crowd, following
 
 THE JOUBNEY TO IBELAND. 141 
 
 their servant, who carried the travelling rugs 
 and made way for them towards the train. 
 
 ^^ Oh, dear ! I am so thankful to be at rest 
 again," cried the pretty little bride, throwing 
 herself back in the comfortably cushioned car- 
 riage, whilst the servant disposed of the lighter 
 jDart of the luggage under the seats and in the 
 netting overhead. '^ I shall not be sorry when 
 our journey is over ; I am tired of it. It is 
 so unfortunate having to return so soon." 
 
 ^^It is, indeed, unfortunate, especially as 
 there seems so little hope for Lionel. My 
 poor brother ! To think he was suffering 
 when I was so happy," answered Lord 
 Durant. 
 
 The wedding trip had been imexpectedly 
 cut short. About three weeks after they 
 had left England, Lord Durant received a 
 letter to tell him that his brother's regiment 
 had been called out to quell a disturbance in 
 an Irish village ; he had been so severely 
 wounded that his life was despaired of. The 
 letter had been sent to Paris, and had fol- 
 lowed Lord Durant from town to town, until it 
 reached him at Leipsic, nearly a week after the
 
 142 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 accident had happened. Without an hour's 
 delay Lord Durant and his wife started, 
 travelling night and day in hopes of seeing 
 the major alive. 
 
 ^^I do so hope you will not be worn out 
 with fatigue, dearest," Lord Durant said, 
 time after time, as they travelled onwards. 
 '^ I am fearfully anxious about Lionel. I feel 
 I can scarcely rest." 
 
 But Mavis only shook her head and smiled. 
 She perceived how great was her husband's 
 imjDatience, and refrained from expressing a 
 wish that would detain him away from his 
 dying brother. 
 
 The train was already on the move when 
 the door of the carriage was opened by a 
 porter, and a tall lady entered, out of breath 
 with hurrying, and sank down on to a seat 
 opposite to Lord Durant. She wore a thick 
 black veil, and was handsomely dressed. 
 That was all Mavis was able to perceive, for 
 a moment after they had entered a tunnel, 
 and there was no light in the carriage. 
 When they emerged from the darkness the 
 veil was thrown back, and the features of the
 
 THE JOURNEY TO IRELAND. 143 
 
 new-comer were clistinctlv visible. The 
 nobleman started up in amazement : it was 
 his stepmother. 
 
 '' Lady Durant ! " he exclaimed. ^' Is that 
 you ? Have you heard ? " 
 
 ''Yes,-' she replied, sadly and wearily, 
 for she was half worn out with suspense. '' I 
 have been travelling night and day. I was in 
 Madeira, as ^^ou know. When I landed in 
 England there were letters awaiting me,, 
 saying Lionel was better the day before yes- 
 terday, but still in danger." 
 
 '' Thank God that there is some improve- 
 ment ! " answered her stepson. '' Even the 
 slightest hope is better after such suspense. 
 I, too, have travelled fast, longing to see him 
 once more." 
 
 ''You? I lioj^ed you were already with 
 him. I never even thought that you would 
 have left Pen Vychan." 
 
 "Ah! you see I am changed. But you 
 have not spoken to Mavis. Surely you have 
 a kind word for my wife ? " 
 
 " Your wife ! AYhat do you mean, Gerald? 
 What are you saying ? " the dowager almost
 
 144 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 shrieked. She had not heard of the wedding. 
 The letter that Lord Durarit had written to 
 inform her of it had not reached Madeira 
 until after she had left. She regarded her 
 stepson with a frightened, searching look, 
 as the idea crossed her mind that he was 
 suffering from one of his attacks of insanity. 
 '^Are you mad?" she added, in an awe- 
 struck tone, while her face turned so deathly 
 pale that Mavis sprang forward, fearing she 
 was going to faint. 
 
 '' No, Lady Durant, I am not mad now," 
 replied the nobleman, reproachfully. '^ You 
 surely do not mean to say you were not 
 aware I was married ? " He drew Mavis 
 towards him as he spoke. '^ You remember 
 her ? She was a favourite of yours." 
 
 '^ This is the first I have heard of it," Lady 
 Durant said, in a choked voice, trying to 
 master her emotion. ^^ You must pardon my 
 astonishment," and with an effort slie forced 
 a smile as she took Mavis's hand. ^' I am 
 very pleased to Avelcome you as a daughter- 
 in-law. You naughty girl ! " she added, 
 with affected playfulness ; '' why did you go
 
 TEE JOURNEY TO IRELAND. 145 
 
 and keep it all so quiet ? You were so good 
 and demure whilst I was at Pen Vychan, 
 and directly my back was turned you 
 manage to make Gerald the stony-hearted 
 fall in love with you." 
 
 . There was a spiteful look in her eyes as 
 she spoke, notwithstanding the gay, careless 
 tone she had assumed. Lord Durant, watch- 
 ing her intently, saw through the hollow 
 mask of affectation with which she was 
 endeavouring to conceal her real feelings. 
 
 '^ She is disappointed," he thought. '' It 
 is very natural, I dare say, when she has 
 always expected that her son would be heir. 
 Poor Lionel I I am afraid all her ambition 
 for him will come to nothing." 
 
 But Lady Durant's thoughts were far dif- 
 ferent; there was no ambition for the son 
 whom she never more exj)ected to see alive. 
 There were other grave, dark memories of 
 the past, which obliterated all ideas, except 
 that uncertain dread future that was op- 
 pressing her. It was with a great effort that 
 she managed to assume her natural manner, 
 and address a few words to Mavis ; and then 
 
 VOL. I. L
 
 146 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 the conversation turned to the subject of all 
 Gerald's thoughts — Major Durant's accident 
 and danger. 
 
 He had been wounded, and was lying 
 dangerously ill in an obscure Irish village ; 
 that was all either of them knew. He would 
 be sure to have proper attention and medical 
 advice, although he had not been able to be 
 removed to the town where his regiment 
 was stationed. Still, it was a trying 
 time, and the immense speed of the ex- 
 press was even too slow for the anxious 
 mother. 
 
 But there was nothing to be gained by 
 impatience ; there were many delays before 
 the bedside of the sufferer could be reached. 
 After a long, rough passage they landed at 
 Kingston, miserable, hungry, and tired. 
 Lady Durant, aching in every limb with 
 anxiety and weariness, but with still una- 
 bated energy, could scarcely be prevailed on 
 to touch food or take necessary rest, so great 
 was her impatience. Mavis, who had been 
 ill during the passage, was glad of the two 
 hours' rest caused by the inevitable delay
 
 THE JOURNEY TO IBELAND. 147 
 
 before the starting of the tram that was to 
 carry them westward. 
 
 She lay down on a sofa in the hotel, too 
 tired even to eat, only glad to sink off to sleep, 
 whilst her husband sat close by, watching 
 her slumbers with solicitous affection. 
 
 ' ' I am afraid we are oyer- tiring my 
 poor little wife," he said, as his stepmother 
 crossed the room to watch the clock, which 
 she had consulted every five minutes since 
 her arrival at the hotel. ^' She is not strong 
 enough to bear such rapid travelling." 
 
 ^^ She is only tired. It cannot hurt her," 
 replied Lady Durant, a little contemptuously. 
 '' She can rest as long as she pleases when 
 we get to Ballinacally. You are sm^ely not 
 going to let a little fatigue stand between 
 you nd your brother ! " 
 
 '' If she is not better when she wakes I 
 cannot allow her to go on ; I must stay with 
 her ; my servant can go with you," said 
 Lord Durant, firmly. ^ ' My wife's health 
 must not be sacrificed, even for Lionel." 
 
 Mavis awoke at length. The carriage that 
 was to take them to the station was already
 
 148 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 at the hotel door. She staggered to her 
 feet, feeling faint and dizzy, clinging for 
 support to her husband's arm. Lord Durant 
 gave an appealing look towards his step- 
 mother, who was urging her to make haste. 
 
 '' Mavis, you had better stay quietly 
 here," he said. '^You will be ill if you 
 do not rest." 
 
 ^^No, Gerald; it will be worse for you if I 
 stay. I feel much better now," she said, 
 resolutely. ^'I do not mind now we are 
 off the water." 
 
 The day was just dawning when the train 
 came slowly into the station of the nearest 
 town to Ballinacally. Just as Lord Dm-ant 
 stepped out on to the platform, a Roman 
 Catholic ]3riest came up, and, glancing at 
 the name on the luggage, addressed him. 
 
 ^^ You are a friend of Major Durant, the 
 English officer who has been wounded, I 
 suppose?" he asked. ^^ We received the 
 telegram to say you were coming. He is 
 anxious for you, so I said I would go and 
 meet the train." 
 
 ^'He is better, then? You bring good
 
 THE JOUBNEY TO IliELAND. 149 
 
 news ? " asked Lord Durant, eagerly. '' I 
 am his brother. I never expected to see 
 him alive." 
 
 ^^ Better! I should think he is ! " was the 
 reply. ^^If you had seen him at the worst, 
 you 'd think there is a change. He had two 
 physicians from Dublin ; they never thought 
 he would pull through. It seems that, in- 
 stead of bullets, they had loaded the gun 
 with pieces of broken iron, which inflicted 
 a fearful wound ; but as soon as the opera- 
 tion of extracting them was over, he took a 
 turn, and seemed to get well all one way. 
 He must be marvellously strong to have 
 got tlirough like this ; and liis bravery in 
 endming suffering is almost unjDaralleled. But 
 come along. I 've brought the fastest trotting 
 horse in the county. You '11 be over at 
 Ballinacally in less than an hour." 
 
 The keen morning air blew on Mavis's 
 achino: brow as she sat in the uncomfortable 
 Irish car, supported by the arm of her care- 
 ful husband ; it refreshed her after the 
 weary journey. The drive lay through a 
 level tract of moorland; the sun was just
 
 150 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 rising above the horizon, shining across a 
 tract of unbroken level, the monotony 
 relieved only by a few scattered hovels. 
 
 The priest took the reins. The tall, raw- 
 boned horse certainly justified the eulogium 
 passed on him, for he trotted along briskly 
 over the rough road, that was scarcely better 
 than a cart track between the bogs. 
 
 It was broad daylight, but there was little 
 warmth in the autumn sunshine, when they 
 drove through the village, and the horse 
 stopped of his own accord before the small 
 roadside inn. 
 
 '' These are his quarters," said the priest, 
 springing down and throwing the reins to 
 one of the numerous ragged urchins who 
 were crowding round the carriage to see the 
 new-comers. ^' I would have taken him to 
 my own place, only it 's more comfortable 
 here. Come, my lady, this way," he con- 
 tinued, eager to show the hospitality of his 
 native villasre, and assisting- Ladv Durant to 
 alight he led her into a small parlour. The 
 furniture was plain and homely, but it had 
 the merit, so rare in Ireland, of being spot-
 
 THE JOVENEY TO IRELAND. 151 
 
 lessly clean, and there was a warm peat fire 
 on the hearth. 
 
 Breakfast was laid out on the table in 
 readiness for the travellers. The landlady 
 came in with coffee and fried ham. 
 
 ^' The gentleman is easier now,'^ she said. 
 ^' You'd better have something to eat, and 
 Father O'Bourke will go and tell him who 's 
 come to see him." 
 
 But Lady Durant declared she would go 
 and see her son first, whilst Lord Durant, 
 now that his suspense was over, began to 
 feel the cravings of hunger, and was anxious 
 that Mavis should partake of some of the 
 plain, well-cooked food that was set before 
 them.
 
 152 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE LEGEND. 
 
 And a magic voice and verse 
 Hath baptized tliee with a curse ; 
 And a spirit of the air 
 Hath begirt thee with a snare. 
 
 Byeon. 
 
 It was a j)oor, bare-looking, but large and 
 airy room in which Major Durant lay on an 
 old-fashioned four-post bedstead, with faded 
 chintz curtains, all the pattern of which had 
 long ago been washed out into a dingy 
 uniform yellow tint. The furniture was 
 poor and scanty; there were only one or 
 two strips of threadbare carpet on the well- 
 scrubbed floor, but on the table in the 
 window stood a large vase of sweet-smelling 
 flowers. 
 
 A little old woman, a sister of mercy
 
 THE LEGEND. 153 
 
 from a neighbouring convent, sat near the 
 window dihgently knitting, every now and 
 then addressing a few words to Lionel 
 Durant, whose face, though still pale, bore 
 very little evidence of the danger and suffer- 
 ing through which he had passed, but his 
 black eyes were unusually bright, and there 
 were dark circles round them, which, to a 
 close observer, spoke plainly of pain and 
 sleepless nights. He moved his head slightly 
 as the sound of a vehicle stopping at the inn 
 door reached his ear, and then came a voice 
 he recognized in the passage below. 
 
 ^^Hark! they are come," he exclaimed, 
 as the little Irishwoman started up, her 
 wrinkled face beaming with good humour 
 and merriment. '^ I hear my brother's 
 
 voice." 
 
 A moment after, footsteps ascended the 
 uncarpeted staircase, a knock came at the 
 door, and Lady Durant entered. 
 
 ^'Mother! I knew you would come!" 
 cried the invalid cheerily, while Sister 
 Bridget (as the woman who had nursed 
 Lionel was called), thinking that he would
 
 154 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 j)refer to be left alone in his first interview 
 with his mother, quitted the room, remaining 
 near the door to be in readiness in case she 
 was wanted. 
 
 ^'I've had a sharp turn," he continued. 
 ^' They have had difficulty to pull me through; 
 but now I am out of danger. The physician 
 from Dublin, who has been with me ever 
 since the accident, went back last week ; he 
 says I am quite safe to get well under 
 Robinson's care ; there 's little danger of a 
 relapse now." 
 
 ^^ You have indeed suffered; I can see it 
 by your face," said Lady Durant. ^^ You 
 cannot tell how thankful I am to be with you 
 again, after the fearful anxiety. But you 
 ought to keep quiet ; talking cannot be good 
 for you." 
 
 ^'Oh! they let me talk as much as I 
 please," exclaimed the major. '^ If I am not 
 mistaken I heard Gerald's voice. Is he 
 sufficiently devoted to me to leave home with 
 the vague chance of finding me alive? And 
 his wife ? — what has he done with her? By- 
 the-bye, mother, what did you say when you
 
 THE LEGEND. 155 
 
 heard of his marriage ? I want to know all 
 about it. I was away from the barracks — I 
 had gone to Cork — and when I returned I 
 found a letter, saying he was to be married 
 the very next day. I never was more 
 thunderstruck in my life. I set off for Pen 
 Vychan, and arrived there in time to see 
 them come from the church." 
 
 ^^ Wliy did you go on such a wild errand?" 
 asked Lady Durant, looking down calmly, 
 with a cynical smile, at her son, as she seated 
 herself near the bedside. 
 
 Lionel moved uneasily from beneath her 
 steady, searching gaze. 
 
 '^ I don't kDow," he replied. ^^ Without 
 it was a vague intention of stopping the 
 service. I came back feeling very foolish, 
 and cursing myself for being such an egre- 
 gious ass for my pains." 
 
 ^^ But it is most unfortunate," answered 
 his mother. ^' When Gerald delared he was 
 married, I felt as if I should faint with dis- 
 may. Fortunately my nerves are tolerably 
 strong; but you can fancy my feelings when 
 he coolly made the announcement to me, just
 
 156 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 after we had met in the railway carriage ; it 
 was the first I had heard of it." 
 
 ^' Never mind; I have probably lost my 
 chance of ever becoming Lord Durant," the 
 major said, with a mocking smile. '^ I was 
 always an milucky fellow." 
 
 ^^But that is not all, Lionel!" gravely 
 responded his mother. ^^ Even defeat of my 
 schemes is better than the other terrible 
 reality that must remain secret." 
 
 ^' It is all we need trouble about," was the 
 careless rejoinder. '^ MVhere ignorance is 
 bliss/ you know. Wliy should we care? I 
 really feel too ill to worry about trifles ; for, 
 after all, who knows besides ourselves. How- 
 ever, I may be thankful that, through all, I 
 have never been delirious, or I might have 
 let out unpleasant secrets. Hark! here comes 
 my doctor ! " he added, hurriedly, as a tall 
 sandv-haired g-entleman entered the room. 
 
 ^' Well, major, how do you feel this morn- 
 ing ? " w^as the greeting of the new-comer, 
 who, however, stopped short on seeing a 
 visitor. 
 
 ^^ Come in, Robinson. This is my mother,
 
 THE LEGEND. 157 
 
 Lady Durant, arrived at last," said Lionel, 
 by way of introduction. ^' She has come to 
 take me off your hands. I shall get well 
 directly when I am away from the 
 
 doctors." 
 
 » 
 
 ^^ What would have become of you, if it 
 had not been for me?" retorted the surgeon. 
 ^^You see your son has not lost his good 
 spirits," he added, turning to Lady Durant. 
 '' I never saw any one more cajDable of bear- 
 ing pain than he is. I have seen his lordship, 
 and have forbidden him or his wife to see 
 you until I know that you are getting on all 
 right." 
 
 '^His wife !And so she has come? Why did 
 she not mention it before, mother ? I must 
 make her acquaintance ; I was so struck with 
 her in London ; she must come up and see 
 me," exclaimed Lionel. 
 
 ^^ Is it right, Mr. Robinson, for my son to 
 
 have the excitement of so much talking ? " 
 asked Lady Durant, anxiously. 
 
 '^ Oh, yes; it will do him no harm. Besides, 
 I shall be downstairs. Sister Bridget must 
 see that he does not talk too much, or get
 
 o- 
 
 loS EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 feverish. I ^^dll send Lord Durant up 
 presently." 
 
 Mavis was so completely tired and ex- 
 hausted with the fatigue of the journey, that, 
 at her husband's desire, as soon as she had 
 taken some breakfast, she went up into the 
 room that had been prepared for her, and 
 lying down on the bed, soon fell into a 
 heavy refresliing sleep. Two or three times 
 in the course of the morning Lord Durant 
 went quietly in, each time finding her still 
 sound asleep in the same position. He grew 
 almost alarmed at the long protracted slum- 
 ber, but Mr. Robinson assured him it was 
 only natural after such excessive bodily 
 fatigue, unsupported by the anxiety that had 
 been felt by her husband or the dowager 
 Lady Durant. 
 
 He was ris^ht. About ^ye o'clock Mavis 
 awoke, feeling perfectly refreshed. She 
 summoned her maid, who had arrived in the 
 course of the morning from the neighbouring 
 town, where she had been left to wait and 
 bring on the luggage. Presently she de- 
 scended the stairs, dressed in a white muslin
 
 THE LEGEND. 159 
 
 dress, with only a knot of rose-coloured 
 ribbon at her throat. There was no one in 
 the parlour when she came down ; the tea- 
 things stood ready on the table, and the 
 kettle was boiling on the fire ; but before she 
 had been there many minutes, a gentle 
 tap came at the door, and Sister Bridget 
 entered. 
 
 '' If you please, my lady," she began, 
 ^' his lordship sent word that you were to 
 order what you liked ; they have all had 
 dinner long ago, but Mr. Robinson said you 
 were not to be disturbed. Major Durant told 
 me to ask you if you will go and see him 
 when you have had something to eat." 
 
 ^^ I do not care for anything except a cup 
 of tea,'' replied Mavis, throwing herself back 
 in an arm-chair, while Sister Bridget poured 
 out the fragrant beverage and brought it to 
 her. 
 
 ^^ The major seems so cheerful and happy 
 this evening," she said, " I am sure it has 
 done him good already to see familiar faces 
 round him." 
 
 '^ Has he really been in great danger ? My
 
 160 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 husband was so much alarmed about him," 
 said Mavis. 
 
 ^^Yes, indeed, my lady. We never even 
 imagined he could live at the first — he was 
 so fearfully wounded, and his right arm was 
 all crushed and broken, and his side — oh ! it 
 was horrible the way he had been shot at ; 
 and all through it he has scarcely uttered a 
 complaint. I never met with any one so 
 brave; and such a kind, considerate gentle- 
 man he is, too." 
 
 Mavis rose from her seat, and laid her 
 empty cup on the table. ^^ I am ready now 
 to go and see my brother-in-law," she said. 
 ^^ I have never seen him since my marriage; 
 and after your j)raises I shall expect him to 
 be very perfect." 
 
 As Mavis entered the sick-room, and 
 approached timidly to the bedside. Major 
 Durant gave a start of surprise and admira- 
 tion. ^' How lovely she is!" he whispered 
 to his brother, and then, in a louder tone, he 
 continued, ''I am afraid this is but a poor 
 welcome to my new sister so soon after your 
 wedding ; but indeed I am glad to see you,
 
 THE LEGEND. 161 
 
 and cannot thank you enough for coming." 
 He held out his hand as he sj^oke. ^^ You 
 must excuse my left hand/' he went on to 
 say ; ^^ the other arm is disabled." 
 
 ^^ I am so sorry to hear how much you 
 have suffered," said the little bride, gazing 
 sorrowfully at the face that seemed to her 
 worn and altered ; it was so terrible to think 
 that such a fine, powerful man as she remem- 
 bered the major to be should be rendered so 
 perfectly helpless. '^ Oh, how you have 
 changed since the only time I ever saw you ! " 
 she exclaimed. 
 
 '^Yes, I recollect it. I never thought at 
 that time that we should be so nearly con- 
 nected in so few months," replied Lionel. 
 ^^But that was not the first time I had seen 
 you." 
 
 ^^ When I lived in London, I suppose?" 
 said Mavis, seating herself on a chair that 
 her husband brouglit. 
 
 Lionel could scarcely take his eyes from 
 her face ; he seemed lost in admiration of the 
 excessive loveliness that the unstudied sim- 
 plicity of her costume only enhanced, and as 
 
 VOL, I. M
 
 162 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 he looked the vision of her as the fair young^ 
 singer whom he had seen and admired in 
 London again forcibly presented itself before 
 his mind. At that time he had almost raved 
 about her beauty and fine singing, and the 
 child-like artlessness of her a23pearance, that 
 had always been so excessively charming to 
 him. ' ' And she is Gerald's wife ! " he thought, 
 as he lay silent, for his weakness prevented 
 much more talking. ^' How strange it seems 
 that he, with his quiet melancholy tempera- 
 ment, should gain the love of such a perfect 
 little creature as she is. Could it have been 
 ambition that tempted her to marry him ? — 
 the desire for rank and wealth that they say 
 is part of a woman's nature?" 
 
 " My brother thinks you so beautiful, my 
 little Mavis," said Lord Durant, later on in 
 the evening, when he came down to join her 
 in the parlour. 
 
 ^' Does he ?" she asked, raising her blue eyes 
 wonderingly to his face. ^^ I thought that 
 he disapproved of our marriage; I know Lady 
 Durant does ; I can see by every glance that 
 she dislikes me, and I do not like her either ;
 
 THE LEGEND. Kj.'^ 
 
 there is something about her that I feel I 
 cannot trust ; she never looks one full in the 
 face." 
 
 ^' Is that the way you judge of a person's 
 sincerity?" asked her husband. "Well, I 
 partly agree with you. Lady Durant and I, . 
 although we are always polite enough to 
 each other, can never become cordial friends. 
 I can see that she almost hates me for 
 marrying. Lionel, now, is totally different ; 
 he is more like my father was." 
 
 " Yes, Sister Bridget was telling me of his 
 great bravery, and he seems so cheerful," 
 exclaimed Mavis, excitedly. " I am sure I 
 shall like him excessively, if he will allow 
 me." 
 
 Lord Durant smiled ; for anybody not to 
 like and admire his wife seemed to him an 
 impossibility, he could not understand it; 
 and Lionel, he felt sure, was a sufficient 
 admirer of beauty not to despise the humbler 
 origin of the lovely girl whom his brother 
 had elevated by marriage to a superior rank. 
 
 Major Duraut's progress towards complete 
 recovery was very slow ; there were several
 
 164 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 dangerous relapses, and many were the days 
 and nights of terrible anxiety that his mother 
 passed by his bedside. He was so weak 
 from loss of blood, that although, with in- 
 domitable courage, he managed to keep up 
 his spirits, even he himself felt afraid that he 
 must succumb. 
 
 Mavis often came to see him ; in the midst 
 of his most fiery pain, her low musical voice 
 soothed the irritability that sometimes over- 
 came his naturally good temper, and when 
 at last (but it was not until after Christmas 
 had passed and the New Year commenced) 
 lie was able to rise from his bed she would 
 sing to him some of the songs that he had 
 heard in London. 
 
 '' I am sure that you do Lionel more good 
 than anybody else does," said Lord Durant 
 one day to his wife, ^^ he always looks 
 brighter when you come. You would make 
 an excellent nurse.'' 
 
 ^' That is what my poor mother used to 
 say," answered Mavis. ^^ During her last 
 illness she was wretched whilst I was away." 
 
 ^^ You had better be ill yourself, Gerald;
 
 THE LEGEND. 165 
 
 you will never know until then what a trea- 
 sure of a wife you liaye/' said the major, 
 laughing. 
 
 The Dowager Lady Durant looked up 
 quickly, and darted an angry glance at 
 Mavis. She saw, with jealous hatred, how her 
 son liked the company of his brother's wife. 
 
 ^^How can he joke and laugh with her 
 like that ? " she said to herself, as she 
 bent her head over the fancy work she was 
 doing, but all the time regarding the little 
 group at the other end of the room. ^' How 
 can he be so friendly with one who has 
 robbed him of his lawful inheritance ? I 
 think he has no ambition. He cares for 
 nothing, so long as he can lead an idle, 
 useless existence. He never thinks of me ; 
 never even thanks me for all I have done for 
 his welfare. He would rather have one word 
 with Gerald's low-born wife than all the 
 sacrifices I can make for him. There they 
 are, talking and laughing again ! I wonder 
 what it is about." 
 
 She rose from her seat, and crossed over 
 to where Lionel lay on a sofa drawn up to
 
 166 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 the fire. Lord Durant Avas on the opposite 
 side of the hearth, resting one hand on 
 Mavis's liead, playing with her bright curls, 
 as she sat on a low stool at his feet. 
 
 '^ Come in here ; there is room by the 
 iire," slie said, drawing her silk dress out 
 of the way to allow Lady Durant to pass. 
 ^^ It is so pleasant and comfortable." 
 
 ^^Ko, thank a^ou," rej^lied her ladyship, 
 with rather a cold attempt at a laugh. 
 ^' You will enjoy yourselves better alone, 
 without an old woman like I am." 
 
 ^' Now, mother, don't be foolish!" ex- 
 claimed the major, catcliing hold of his 
 mother's dress, to detain her, as she j^assed 
 him. ^' Come, sit down ; Mavis is going to 
 favour us with a song, and you must listen." 
 
 Lady Durant looked down with proud 
 fondness at her son, who, now that he was 
 reo^aininfj: some of his old o^ood looks, and 
 losing the weary expression that illness 
 brings, was, indeed, a son for any mother 
 to o:lorv in. He was so tall and noble, so ex- 
 ceedingly handsome, and possessed with the 
 Btrength and courage of a Hercules, and as
 
 THE LEGEND. 167 
 
 lie lay there, he looked almost like a young 
 giant to Lady Durant's admiring eyes. 
 
 ^^ I did not say that I was going to sing, 
 Lionel," said Ma\ds, with a merry glance 
 towards her brother-in-law. 
 
 ^^ Oh, but I knoAV you will ; nobody ever 
 refuses my requests," retorted the major ; 
 ^^and now I am convalescent, after causing 
 you all so much anxiety, you ought to be 
 only too glad to do anything I wish.'' 
 
 ^' I think you deserve a song, for your 
 inordinate conceit," replied Mavis, with as 
 much gravity and pretended haughtiness as 
 she could infuse into her tone ; and then she 
 began, and in her sweet voice sang ''When 
 the swallows homeward fly," with a pathos 
 and beauty that even Lady Durant was com- 
 pelled to listen to with an absorbed interest. 
 
 But it was only temporary mollification. 
 Lady Durant's dislike had been once aroused, 
 and she could not put it out of her heart ; 
 even Mavis's sweetness and unvarying 
 politeness could not combat against such 
 fierce jealousy. And when she saw, as the 
 major grew better, that he delighted more
 
 1(38 EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 and more in the society of his bright little 
 sister-in-law, she began to look forward 
 anxiously to ihe time when the invalid would 
 be able to return to England. 
 
 At length, after many months of illness- 
 and suffering, the surgeon's consent was 
 gained, and the day was fixed on which 
 he was to start for his mother's home in 
 London. He was eager to leave Ireland 
 now that he had once begun to feel stronger, 
 and the spring weather had set in; for he 
 was convinced that the more cheerful 
 London life would do much towards his 
 complete recovery. 
 
 The last evening that was to be spent 
 at Ballinacally arrived. The major was 
 able to be downstairs by that time, and sit 
 in an arm-chair by the open window. It 
 was a cloudy evening, cold for the season, 
 very damp and unhealthy ; Mavis and Lady 
 Durant had gone out together to the convent, 
 to take leave of those who had been so kind 
 to them during their long stay in the Irish 
 village. 
 
 ^' Gerald," began the major, after a long
 
 THE LEGEND. 16^ 
 
 silence, during which lie had been occupied 
 in pulling to pieces the leaves of the 
 geraniums that stood on the window-sill, 
 '^ where do you intend to settle ? You surely 
 do not mean to imprison your wife all the 
 winter at dreary Pen Vychan ?" 
 
 ^' Pen Vychan would be a lonely place for 
 Mavis," replied the nobleman. '' Country 
 life is not desirable in winter, so we have 
 made up our minds to live for a time at the 
 Abbey. My agent wrote some time ago 
 to say it was tenantless, and I thought we 
 could not do better than take up our abode 
 in the house of our ancestors." 
 
 ^^ Going to St. Hilda's!" exclaimed the 
 major, contemptuously, ^*that miserable bit 
 of property. What has made you take up 
 such an idea? A good house in London 
 would be far preferable." 
 
 ^' I do not like London," his brother 
 answered, gravely. ^^ In winter the idea of 
 living there is intolerable ; indeed I scarcely 
 think I could bear it. St. Hilda's is pleasant 
 and quiet, with plenty of society for Mavis ; 
 the people will be only too glad to welcome
 
 no EYES so BLUE. 
 
 any one of the name of Durant once more 
 amongst them. Mavis, also, does not dislike 
 the prospect of life in a cathedral city." 
 
 ^'I should think she would be moped to 
 ■death in that out-of-the-way place," inter- 
 ru]Dted the major. 
 
 '' What is an out-of-the-way place ? " asked 
 a merry voice, and Mavis came in, smiling 
 and happy as usual, her hands filled with 
 beautiful hothouse flowers. ^' I brous^ht them 
 from the convent. Look, Lionel, are they 
 not lovely for the season ? You are fond of 
 flowers, I know " ; and she took a delicately 
 tinted camellia from the bouquet and fastened 
 it in his coat. ^'Now, listen! You must 
 begin to be cheerful. I heard by your voice 
 that you were grumbling when I came in. 
 What has Gerald been savino: that vou do 
 not approve of ? " 
 
 ''Lionel is vexed at my wish to settle at 
 St. Hilda's," said Lord Durant; " he thinks 
 it will be dull for you." 
 
 '' Dull ! No, I should fancy there will be 
 plenty of visiting, and I have always longed 
 to live near to a cathedral. I intended in-
 
 TEE LEGEND, 171 
 
 yiting you to spend Easter mtli us," said 
 Mavis, her merrv look fadini2r to one of vexa- 
 tion, '^ and I shall not ask you now I 
 know you mil not care to come." She went 
 off to the other side of the room, in pretended 
 displeasure, and, sitting down, began in 
 silence to arrange her flowers. 
 
 ^^ Mavis, don't be foolish!" said her hus- 
 band, smiling fondly. ^' This is childish of 
 you. Lionel has a right to hold what opinions 
 he pleases. He has been to St. Hilda's. I 
 have never seen it, although it was the family 
 
 residence until my grandfather established 
 himself at Pen Vyclian ; but you must judge 
 for yourself, if you like it, when we get 
 there: you know I only wish that you should 
 be happy." 
 
 ^^ I do not think it is fit for you to live in 
 London, Gerald," said his wife, quietly. 
 ^^ You know I never expressed a wish for it ; 
 the noise and excitement would be too much 
 for you. I see one of your bad headaches 
 is coming on ; I am sure this place is 
 unhealthy." 
 
 '^ I am scarcely ever free from pain now,"
 
 172 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 was the "weaiy answer. ^^I fancy a wall' 
 would refresh me this evening, in spite o: 
 the rain." 
 
 In a few minutes he set out, refusing hi^ 
 wife's proposal to accompany him. ^' You 
 had better stay with Lionel," he said. 
 ^^It is so cold. I shall return in an hour 
 or so." 
 
 '' Gerald is looking very pale and ill this 
 evening," said the major, as soon as the door 
 closed after his brother. ^'I am sure I look 
 by far the stronger now." 
 
 ^' lie is always complaining of headaches," 
 rej)lied Mavis, not without a shade of anxiety 
 in her tone, as she came forward and took 
 a seat nearer to her brother-in-law. ^' I hope 
 he will be better when he is quietly settled at 
 home. That is why I was vexed with your 
 proposal for us to live in London. I have 
 so long wanted to speak to you about him, 
 but I did not like to do so until you men- 
 tioned the subject." 
 
 ^' Why, Mavis, surely you are not afraid !" 
 he stopped short as he spoke. 
 
 Mavis covered her face with her hands and
 
 TEE LEGEND. 173 
 
 burst into a bitter, uncontrollable fit of 
 weeping. 
 
 ^' Yes — yes, I am afraid of it. Oh, Lionel, 
 what shall I do ? I dare not be left alone ! — I 
 cannot help feeling frightened ! " she ex- 
 claimed, in a voice choked with sobs. 
 
 Major Durant's face turned to a death -like 
 whiteness. " You do not mean to say it, 
 Mavis ? I have not noticed any symptoms 
 of insanity ; I think you are only nervous 
 and unnecessarily timid. He is never likely 
 to be very strong. Come, cheer up ! I 
 fancy it is only this dreary, damp place that 
 makes you low-spirited and fanciful ; he will 
 be more cheerful when the warm weather 
 sets in." 
 
 Mavis raised up her tear-stained face and 
 looked towards Lionel. ^^ You are not try- 
 ing to deceive me?" she asked, pleadingly. 
 ^^ I would rather know the truth. I did not 
 feel frightened when I married him ; but now 
 six months have gone by, and I am sure he 
 is getting gradually worse." 
 
 '^ I really do not think you need have 
 anything to fear," earnestly responded the
 
 174 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 major. '^But, Mavi«," lie added, gravely, 
 taking her hands in his and looking down 
 into her face, ^' did you act rightly in not 
 considering all this before you married ? You 
 could not have been in ignorance of what 
 Gerald has suffered." 
 
 Mavis faltered, and hung her head; she 
 could not meet Lionel's grave, reproving 
 glance. He had risen from his seat, and 
 was standing close to her, whilst she involun- 
 tarily looked uj) to him for protection and 
 advice. 
 
 ^' Poor little creature!" he said, kindly. 
 ^'I see how it was; the future seemed far 
 enough distant until you were married. 
 However, you must look at the bright side 
 of life. Will it be any satisfaction to 
 you if I take up my abode for a time at 
 the Abbey ; or, at least, come to ive at St. 
 Hilda's?" 
 
 "Ah, yes, Lionel!" she answered more 
 cheerfully. " I should indeed feel thankful. 
 But how should you like the dulness ?" 
 
 " I will do anything to repay what you 
 have done for me. I believe I should have
 
 THE LEGEND. 175 
 
 died if it had not been for your coming-; 
 you did me more good than all the nurses 
 and doctors. There is plenty of fishing 
 and shooting round St. Hilda's. I shall 
 not object to it. I intend retiring from my 
 profession, and selling out of the army ; my 
 income is sufficient for me, and, after such a 
 narrow escape as I have had, I shall not run 
 the risk again." 
 
 He spoke more cheerfully, for he saw the 
 look of anxiety had nearly faded from 
 Mavis's face. 
 
 " I think Gerald will be better away from 
 my mother," he said at last. '' They never 
 agree well together, and then home comforts 
 will prevent him giving way to his irritable 
 temper — not that St. Hilda's is the best of 
 places for him. I do not much like the idea, 
 knowing, as I do, the legend connected with 
 the Abbey." 
 
 '' What is it ? I never heard of it," asked 
 Mavis, eagerly. '^ I like legends. I am not 
 in the least superstitious. You need not be 
 afraid of telling me," she added, perceiving 
 that he hesitated.
 
 176 EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 '' It 's onlv a foolish old monkish tale, 
 scarcely worth telling ; only, as it happens, it 
 is very strange. The Abbey, as its name 
 implies, was originally a monastic residence. 
 At the Reformation it was given, with all the 
 property attached, to our ancestor, Mervyn 
 Dm^ant. Of com^se the monks were tm^ned 
 out, homeless and penniless, in bitter cold 
 weather. The legend states that the Abbot 
 pronounced a dreadful curse against their 
 oppressor, who no doubt deserved it. It is 
 strange, but it is perfectly true, that soon 
 after Mervyn Durant died a raving madman, 
 and, since then, in every two or three genera- 
 tions there has been a case of insanity in 
 the family. My father and grandfather were 
 perfectly sane, well-read, clever men, and it 
 is on poor Gerald that the hereditary taint 
 has fallen." 
 
 "But do you really believe it?" asked 
 Mavis, incredulously. "I mean, that the 
 curse the monks called down could be really 
 visited on Gerald, who is innocent of 
 all?" 
 
 "'Gerald himself believes it," was the
 
 THE LEGEND. X77 
 
 reply. '' He has, I understand, some high- 
 flown ideas of making restitution. He has 
 already spent vast sums of money in restor- 
 ing the cathedral, leaving the house and 
 grounds in the same impoverished condition 
 to which our great-grandfather reduced them 
 by his extravagance." 
 
 ^' But where did all Gerald's wealth 
 come from, if it was all spent?" asked 
 Mavis. 
 
 ' ' My grandfather married an heiress — Lady 
 Gwendoline Vychan, the owner of the Welsh 
 property. He was careful and economical, 
 spending little and saving much. My father 
 purchased the Yorkshire estate, the largest 
 of all, as well as some valuable mining 
 property in Cornwall." 
 
 ^^ Well, I am glad we are going to St. 
 Hilda's," said Mavis, fervently, ^^ although 
 you despise Gerald's wish to repair the 
 wrong-doings of his ancestors ; and I shall 
 like to know that we are living on the 
 oldest property." 
 
 '^ No, not the oldest : there are the remains 
 of a feudal castle in Gloucestershire, still 
 
 VOL. I. N
 
 178 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 known by the name of Durant Castle. It 
 has long ago been converted into farm build- 
 ings, with only about two fields belonging to 
 it : that is, I believe, the most ancient pro- 
 perty of all ; it is leasehold, and forms part 
 of a large farm." 
 
 They went on talking for some time, 
 until Lord Durant's step was heard ap- 
 proaching. • 
 
 " If I were you, I would not allow Gerald 
 to know that I have related the legend to 
 you," said the major, hurriedly ; ^^ he would 
 have told you himself if he had wished you 
 to know ? " 
 
 ^'Is your head better, Gerald?" asked 
 his wife, when he came in. 
 
 '' Yes, dearest ; the cool wind always does 
 me good," he answered, bending down and 
 kissing her. '^ But you have been crying. 
 What is the matter ? " 
 
 '^ Nothing ; I only feel tired and miserable. 
 I shall be so glad when the journey is over, 
 and I am safe at home," she answered, 
 evasively. 
 
 *' Lionel has not been persuading you to
 
 THE LEGEND. 179 
 
 wish to go to London ?" he asked, with a half- 
 alarmed glance towards the major. 
 
 ^^ No, Gerald ; I did wish it very much 
 once, but now I would rather goto St. Hilda's; 
 it will be far better for you, and I shall 
 be happy there?"
 
 180 ETIEJS SO BLUE, 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 AT ST. Hilda's. 
 
 And all around, on scutcheon rich, 
 And tablet carved, and fretted niche. 
 His arms and feats were blazed. 
 
 Scott. 
 
 A LARGE working party of ladies was as- 
 sembled in the drawing-room of the Deanery 
 at St. Hilda s. They were all busily sewing, 
 not talking much, except occasionally to 
 consult each other about the way in which 
 the work should be done. 
 
 It was a large, low room, with heavy oak 
 beams supporting the ceiling, and narrow 
 windows, from which much of the light 
 was obscured by the thick, dark-coloured 
 hangings. 
 
 The cathedral, a beautifully restored old
 
 AT ST. HILDA'S. 181 
 
 building, was close by ; so near, that the 
 massive square towers seemed to overshadow 
 the Deanery, rendering all the rooms dark 
 and gloomy. 
 
 ^' What do you think of the new family 
 who have come to the Abbey, Mrs. Birley ? " 
 asked the lady of the house, a tall, thin, 
 rather severe-looking elderly lady, addressing 
 the wife of the precentor of the cathedral. 
 '^ You must have seen them on Sunday." 
 
 '^Yes, I saw Lord and Lady Durant, if 
 you allude to them," replied Mrs. Birley, who 
 was a gentle, meek-looking old lady, with 
 snow-white hair. ^^ They are a nice-looking 
 couple. I think Lady Durant has one of 
 the sweetest faces I ever saw ; I quite long 
 to know her ; my husband intends going with 
 me to call on them one of these days." 
 
 '^ That is a point upon which I am not 
 quite decided, whether we ought to call or 
 not," said the Dean's lady, dropping her 
 voice as if she wished to speak confidentially, 
 but in reality each word she said could be 
 heard throughout the room, for she was 
 the acknowledged authority on matters of
 
 182 EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 etiquette in the higher rank of society at 
 St. Hilda's, and there was a sudden hush 
 when she spoke. 
 
 ^^ They say Lady Durant is of a very 
 obscure origin — an actress, or opera-singer, 
 or something equally low," she continued. 
 ^^ Of course Lord Durant, as representative 
 of such an old St. Hilda's family, ought to 
 be well received ; but, if he has made such 
 an imprudent match, he must take the con- 
 sequence." 
 
 ^^ I do not think it much signifies what she 
 was, Mrs. Melcombe : she is Lady Durant 
 now," replied the quiet voice of Mrs. Birley, 
 which was such a striking contrast to her 
 companion's harsh tones. '^What do you 
 think about it. Miss Ingram ? " 
 
 The lady thus addressed slowly raised her 
 head from her work. She was a tall, fine 
 girl of about four-and-twenty, dark and 
 handsome, with a mass of raven hair and 
 large black eyes. She waited until she had 
 done several stitches before she replied, in 
 languid tones, ^^I shall leave it to Mrs. Mel- 
 combe's decision; if she calls, I shall do so. I
 
 AT ST. HILDA'S, 183 
 
 do not think Lady Durant looks unlady-like, 
 although by the way she was gazing about 
 during service on Sunday I should imagine 
 she is frivolous." 
 
 '^ Nonsense, Isabel ! " exclaimed a merry 
 voice, and a young girl came forward from 
 amongst a group of people who formed the 
 lower grade of the members of the working 
 party, the wives of tradesmen and shop- 
 keepers, to whom Mrs. Melcombe graciously 
 extended her patronage, by asking them to 
 assist in the work of charity. 
 
 She presented a great contrast to her 
 beautiful elder sister, being short and slight, 
 with pale sandy hair and large grey eyes, 
 the only redeeming features in her face, for 
 her mouth was large and wide, and her nose 
 a decided snub ; still nobody could help 
 liking Sybil Ingram, the youngest daughter 
 of the Bishop of St. Hilda's; she was a much 
 greater favourite than her cold, haughty 
 sister Isabel, in spite of the beauty and 
 refined manners of the latter young lady. 
 
 ^^ I don't care whether you go and see 
 Lady Durant or not," she went on to say ; " I
 
 184 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 intend to be friendly with her. I admire her 
 extremely already ; and as for her husband, 
 he is like a hero in a novel, so handsome 
 and sad-looking, and his brother, the soldier, 
 is a perfect darling. I suppose he has been 
 wounded, as he carries his arm in a sling." 
 
 '' My dear child ! I wish you would not 
 be so impetuous, and use such extravagant 
 terms," exclaimed Isabel Ingram, in her slow, 
 measured voice. ^^ Poor girl ! " she added, 
 turning to Mrs. Birley, '^I'm afraid she is 
 very wild. It is so sad to be motherless ; I am 
 not old enough to have much control over 
 my younger sister." 
 
 ^^ Sybil is very amiable and affectionate," 
 answered the old lady. '^ I think, if you will 
 allow me to say it, that you try to exercise 
 too much control over her, and her naturally 
 high spirits lead her on to defy your 
 authority." 
 
 Isabel looked down, vexed at the mild 
 rebuke. '^ Sybil is so childish! " she mur- 
 mured. ^^ Nearly seventeen, and she behaves 
 like a school- girl ! It is enough to provoke 
 any one."
 
 AT ST. HILDA'S. 185 
 
 '^ If Mrs. Birley will permit me to make a 
 suggestion," spoke up the Dean's wife, ^'I 
 think Miss Ing-ram is much wiser to act the 
 part of a mother to her younger sister ; a 
 girl who has only just left school ought to 
 be kept under strict supervision,"^ — and as she 
 spoke she darted a sharp glance at the 
 offending girl, who had gone back to her 
 seat by the side of young Mrs. Brown, 
 whose husband kept a provision shop, and 
 supplied the Bishop's family with grocery. 
 
 Sybil only returned the look with a saucy 
 smile, and went on talking with her self- 
 chosen companion. '^ I don't see why there 
 should be so much exclusiveness at the 
 working party," she often used to say. ^' We 
 all come together for the same object, and 
 I do not think any of us could be con- 
 taminated by speaking to a shopkeeper's 
 wife. What does it matter? Everybody 
 knows I 'm the Bishop's daughter; I'm not 
 afraid of losing caste." 
 
 ^ ^ I shall go no more to the working party 
 at the Deanery," she exclaimed, angrily, as, 
 later on, she and her sister wended their
 
 18G EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 way towards the Bishop's palace, situated at 
 the other side of the cathedral. ^' I 'm not 
 going to be found fault with by that self- 
 righteous hypocrite, Mrs. Melcombe. How 
 dare she speak up like she did before all the 
 people ! If I were a man I 'd horsewhip 
 her — that I would ! " 
 
 ^^ Hush ! Sybil, you are attracting atten- 
 tion ; the people are coming in to evening 
 service,'' coldly answered her elder sister. 
 '^ We must hasten home. Archdeacon Hub- 
 bard and Dr. Frampton are coming to play 
 whist with papa to-night ; so we dine at 
 
 SIX. 
 
 '^ I don't care; I don't want the old fogies. 
 You can go and express my extreme regret 
 at missing the pleasure of their delightful 
 society, and I shall go in for evening service. 
 Good-bye ; give my love to Dr. Frampton ! " 
 and the merry girl ran off towards a door 
 that led into the cloisters. . 
 
 '' Stop, Sybil; come back. You know papa 
 does not wish you to be out alone so late ; 
 service will not be over until it is dark, and , 
 you always stop to hear the music after-
 
 AT ST. HILDA'S. 187 
 
 wards. I wish you would do what you are 
 told." 
 
 ^' If you are afraid of my beauty being 
 sufficiently attractive for any one to care to 
 run away with me, I will engage one of the 
 smallest choristers as an escort," replied Sybil, 
 as she disappeared through the narrow door. 
 
 '' I wish I knew how it is best to act to- 
 wards my motherless sister," sighed Isabel 
 Ingram, continuing her way. She had some 
 errands to do, so she left the quiet Cathedral 
 Close and took the way towards the busy 
 crowded streets ; for St. Hilda's was a 
 wealthy manufacturing town, and round the 
 ancient cathedral was a complete network 
 of factories and narrow, miserable streets. 
 But the commercial prosperity of the city 
 was of recent growth, and there were wide 
 modern streets, with fine shops and squares 
 and many handsome churches. 
 
 The Abbey was situated in the old part of 
 the town ; and, close to the high stone walls 
 that surrounded the spacious grounds, were 
 crowded together the squalid cottages of the 
 working population.
 
 188 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 It seemed so strange for a park of about 
 thirty acres in extent, and well-kept pleasure 
 grounds, to be in the midst of a town ; but 
 this remnant of the Durant estate had re- 
 , mained untouched. Other portions had been 
 sold or built upon, and were now covered 
 with streets and buildings, but this one part 
 had always been kept in the possession of 
 the original owners. It was quite like the 
 country, so secluded and shut in with the 
 large old trees. 
 
 The Abbey itself had been remodelled 
 from time to time, until it had lost its 
 monastic appearance, and was now merely 
 a roomy, old-fashioned house completely 
 covered with ivy. 
 
 As Isabel Ingram was turning into the 
 shop in which she intended to make her 
 purchases, a carriage passed by, drawn by 
 a pair of black horses, and having on the 
 panels the crest of the Durants, which was 
 already familiar to her. 
 
 Eagerly she glanced up, for the arrival of 
 Lord Durant at St. Hilda's the week before 
 had caused an unusual sensation in the city.
 
 AT ST. HILDA'S. 189 
 
 Leaning back amongst the cushions of the 
 easy commodious barouche was Mavis, the 
 fair young wife of the principal landowner 
 in St. Hilda's. 
 
 ^' She looks a lady in that plain muslin 
 dress," thought Isabel, as she gazed after the 
 carriage that was rolling in the direction of 
 the cathedral. ^^I wonder if I ought to 
 visit her. Mrs. Birley intends to do so, and 
 she belongs to a much higher family than 
 Mrs. Melcombe's." 
 
 As Mavis passed by, she too had noticed 
 the tall, striking-looking lady standing at 
 the shop -door. Isabel always dressed 
 fashionably and in good taste, managing to 
 show off her tall, lithe figure to the best 
 advantage. 
 
 '^ I wonder who she can be ! " said Mavis 
 to herself, turning round to look at the hand- 
 some girl. ^^ What a lovely, calm-looking 
 face ! She looks like a Greek statue, with 
 that clear, classical profile." 
 
 In another moment the carriage drew up 
 before the doors of the cathedral. The foot- 
 man sprang down from the box, and Mavis
 
 190 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 entered the sacred edifice. She looked around 
 when she was inside ; there were not many 
 people there, only about two dozen, seated 
 on the benches or waiting about the nave 
 until service began. 
 
 It was a beautiful building, not much 
 larger than many churches, but restored to 
 the utmost perfection in every detail. r 
 
 There were groups of pillars, branching 
 off into numerous arches, all carved in the 
 most perfect style of stone work ; the side 
 chapels complete avenues of the slender 
 shafts, risingin to the high-pitched ceiling — in 
 appearance such slight columns, but in reality 
 forming a firm support to the roof that had 
 stood for ages. Lovely marble monuments 
 were everywhere, conspicuous amongst them 
 those of the Durants. 
 
 The organ was placed over the entrance 
 to the chancel, on a screen so delicately 
 carved that it looked like ivory, and it was a 
 wonder to a beholder that such a light -look- 
 ing fabric could bear the weight of the mag- 
 nificent instrument placed on it. 
 
 The organist had already taken his place,
 
 AT ST. HILDA'S. 191 
 
 and the loud, sweet tones were reverberating* 
 through the building. It was usual on a 
 Wednesday to hold the service in the nave, 
 on account of the weekly custom of the 
 organist to give a musical recital after 
 evensong. 
 
 During the chanting of the Psalms, Mavis 
 felt a pair of eyes fixed attentively on her 
 face. Sybil Ingram sat near to her, regarding 
 her with undisguised admiration, not caring 
 for the glances of reproof darted at her through 
 Mrs. Melcombe's gold-rimmed spectacles. 
 
 ^' How lovely she is ! " thought the young 
 girl. '' I wonder if she will ever care for 
 any one so plain and ugly as I am ! Oh, 
 how I wish Isabel would call on her! it 
 would be so nice to know her." 
 
 It is to be feared that Sybil Ingram did 
 not derive much benefit from that evening's 
 sermon. When it was over, she waited 
 expectantly to see if Mavis would remain to 
 listen to the organ-playing. Presently Mrs. 
 Melcombe moved from her seat, and passed 
 out with looks of scorn and contempt 
 at the people who were staying on,
 
 192 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 for she was no lover of music, and strove to 
 set her face against the very fine singing for 
 which the choir at St. Hilda's Cathedral was 
 famed. 
 
 As soon as her back was turned, Sybil 
 bent forward, and whispered to Mavis, — 
 
 ' ' If you will go down further from the 
 chancel, Lady Durant, you will be better 
 able to hear the organ." 
 
 ^' Thank you," replied Mavis, with a 
 smile ; ^ ' I will take your advice : we are 
 rather too near the instrument " ; and so 
 saying she rose up, and moved away 
 towards one of the side transepts. ^^ I must 
 not go far from the door," she continued, 
 ^' because I expect my husband to come for 
 me. He said he would try and leave home 
 in time to hear the music." 
 
 '' Then this is a good seat," answered 
 Sybil, throwing herself on a bench, and 
 leaning back against one of the pillars. ^^ Is 
 it not beautiful in here ? I do so love this 
 dear old building. I was born in St. 
 Hilda's. My father lived here before he 
 was made bishop."
 
 AT ST. HILDA'S. 193 
 
 ^' Then you are Miss Ingram?" said 
 Mavis interrogatively, seating herself beside 
 her young companion. ^^ I was surprised at 
 your knowing my name ; so I suppose we 
 shall need no introduction. I hope that we 
 shall be good friends soon." 
 
 Sybil smiled, feeling in an ecstasy of 
 happiness. '' Oh, Lady Durant, do let me 
 be your friend ! " she cried, imj^ulsively. ^' I 
 do so like you already, and I have so few 
 real friends. You won't mind mo beina' 
 ugly and unladylike?" she added, raising her 
 grey eyes to Mavis's face. 
 
 Mavis's only answer was a smile and a 
 tight clasp of the hand. She was amused and 
 flattered by the girl's outspoken admiration. 
 Just then the music commenced, and Sybil's 
 whole expression clianged, lier eyes seemed 
 to dilate with pleasure, and her face assumed 
 an earnest look, as if her whole soul was 
 wrapped up in the sweet sounds. The 
 evident attention and love of music whicli 
 she showed struck a cliord of sympatli}- in 
 Mavis's heart. It was one point of resem- 
 blance between them, and already tlu* love]\^ 
 
 VOL. I. o
 
 194: EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 youn«' Avife felt a kind of pity for the other, 
 so near her own age, who seemed conscious 
 of her own personal defects, and longing so 
 much for sympathy and friendship. 
 
 '' I have not yet seen the Cathedral," said 
 Mavis, when there came a pause in the 
 music. '' Suppose we walk about a little. It 
 is such a grand building, and I conclude that 
 you are pretty well acquainted Avith it." 
 
 '^Indeed I am!" re^Dlied Sybil, springing 
 to her feet. ^'I know every nook and 
 corner, and I can give you long histories 
 about everything. My father often tells me 
 that I am quite an antiquarian. Come this 
 way; there are some nice moimments. You 
 will like to see those of Lord Durant's ances- 
 tors first, I suppose." And without waiting 
 for an answer, she led Mavis towards one of 
 the side chapels, a quiet nook isolated from 
 the rest of the Cathedral. 
 
 ^^This is the oldest/' continued Sybil, 
 pointing to a recumljcnt figure, mutilated 
 and defaced by time and rougli usage, Avith 
 scarcely a vestige remaining of the Latin 
 inscription that had formerly recorded the
 
 AT ST. HILDA'S. li)o 
 
 virtues of this member of tlie Durant family. 
 '' You can read the date, 1543/' she went on 
 to say. ^' Tliis Avas the man who first owned 
 the Abbey. There are plent}' of tales about 
 him : we have some old books containing 
 extracts from liis and his ancestors' lives ; 
 they are most entertaining. He made him- 
 self very busy dm^ng the Reformation, and 
 received the gift of the Abbe}^ estates for his 
 reward. Poor man ! they say he Avent mad 
 before he died." 
 
 '' Yes, I have heard something about liim ; 
 but you seem to have studied the family 
 history," ansAvered MaAds," recalling the 
 legend that. Major Durant had told her, and 
 feeling rather astonished at finding it thus 
 verified. 
 
 ^'I have ahvays taken an interest in them," 
 said the girl, aa^Iio had spent long hours in 
 dreaming of and Aveaving histoiies about the 
 Durants, partly gathered from facts and 
 legends, and parti}' from the exercise of a 
 vivid imagination. She had thouglit so 
 much about the subject, and puzzled out so 
 many of the quaint inscriptions, that she had
 
 196 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 invested tlie Durants with a halo of romance, 
 
 that had caused her to rejoice when she had 
 
 first heard that they were once more coming 
 
 to take up their abode at St. Hilda's; and 
 
 durino- the re-fornishino^ of the Abbev she 
 
 had often gone there to watch the progress 
 
 of the workmen, and conjecture about the 
 
 future inmates in whom she took so much 
 
 interest. She went on from one tomb to 
 
 another ; at each she had something to relate 
 
 about those who lay beneath the handsomely 
 
 sculptured monument. Mavis listened with 
 
 a quiet smile. It made rather a sad history, 
 
 the records of a family who had suffered 
 
 much ; they had never prospered, and every 
 
 now and then there was an evidence of the 
 
 fearful scom-ge of madness that had wrecked 
 
 the happiness of so many who othermse 
 
 would have led a calm, virtuous existence. 
 
 They were silently regarding the fau^est 
 
 monument of all — the Avliite marble figure of 
 
 Lady Gwendoline Durant, the daughter of 
 
 Earl Vychan— when Mavis's attention was 
 
 arrested by the approach of a young man of 
 
 al)out thirtv vears of age, dressed in a loose
 
 AT ST. HILDA'S, 197 
 
 suit of grey cloth. He was not exactly 
 handsome, but clever looking, with a high 
 intellectual forehead and large blue eyes ; his 
 light hair was worn rather long, and on his 
 U2)2)er lip was a heavy, droojnng moustache ; 
 there was a squareness of his jaw that 
 betokened a stern, determined character, and 
 gave a look of perseverance and vigour to a 
 face that would otherwise have been rather 
 effeminate looking. 
 
 '' Good evening. Miss Ingram ! " he 
 exclaimed, holding out his hand as he 
 advanced. " I did not expect to find you 
 here so late. I was detained ; I did not 
 arrive until the music was over." 
 
 There was a rosy blush on Sybil's face, 
 and a shy look in her eyes, as she allowed her 
 hand to rest in that of the new-comer. 
 
 '' I stayed to show Lady Durant over the 
 Cathedral. I had given up liojoes of seeing 
 vou," she answered. 
 
 The young man glanced towards Mavis, 
 on liearing her name. She had moved away 
 to a little distance, and was engaged in read- 
 ing an epitaph on a tablet.
 
 1V8 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 '' She is indeed beautiful," he whispered. 
 ^' I wisli vou would introduce me to her." 
 
 Sybil complied with his request, intro- 
 ducinfr him as Mr. Claude Montieth. 
 
 Mavis had heard of him, even though she 
 had been so short a time at St. Hilda's. She 
 recoo-nized him as an artist, who was well 
 known in his native town. 
 
 ^^ Major Durant is in the Cathedral; he has 
 been inquiring for you, my lady," he said, 
 bowing politely to Mavis. 
 
 The words had scarcely left his lips when 
 the major appeared. 
 
 '' I have been looking for you, Mavis," he 
 began, as soon as he caught sight of his 
 brother's wife. ^' I have come to escort you 
 home. Gerald Avas reading, and as he has a 
 headache I persuaded him to remain at home, 
 promising to come and fetch you instead. I 
 walked up liere with Mr. Montieth. Your 
 husband wishes to have a portrait of you, 
 and I liave l)een arranging with him about 
 painting it." 
 
 '^ AVI 1 at nonsense, Lionel ! " exclaimed 
 Mavis, ''as if T should care to have my
 
 AT ST. HILDA'S. 109 
 
 portrait painted ! 1 think my Imsband might 
 have consulted me first about it. However, 
 I suppose I must do as he wishes/' she added 
 with a sigh, and a sliglitly melancholy look 
 crossed her face. 
 
 ^^Wliy, Mavis, you are not vexed?" 
 asked her brother-in-law, anxiously. '' You 
 know how clever Mr. Montieth is : he will do 
 justice to your beauty." 
 
 '^ I am afraid tliat is impossible," said the 
 artist. '' Lady Durant's face is not one to 
 which full justice can be done on canvas: it 
 is beyond my skill ; however, I will do my 
 best, if she will only deign to j^ermit me to 
 make the attempt." 
 
 '^ After sucli a flattering speech, I cannot 
 do less than ccmsent," replied Mavis. ' ' Come, 
 Lionel, it is time we were on the way home, 
 or we sliall be late for dinner." 
 
 ^' Wliat do you think of her? is she not 
 lovely ? " exclaimed Sybil, as soon as Mavis 
 had bidden lier good-bye and had gone away 
 witli her brother-in-law. 
 
 ^^ Yes ; her face is beautiful. I have seen 
 her several times driving witli lier husband
 
 200 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 or Major Duraiit," answered the artist. 
 ' ' Poor young lady ! I wonder if she is happy 
 with a man old enough to be her father. Did 
 you not notice the troubled look that occa- 
 sionally comes into her eyes ? " 
 
 ^' I thought she looked happy enough 
 when Major Durant came up. What a fine, 
 handsome man he is!'' said Sybil. '^He 
 looks a thorough soldier, does he not ? I quite 
 long to know them all. I shall make Isabel 
 take me to call at the Abbey, one of these 
 days." 
 
 The habitually grave face of Claude 
 Montieth brightened. 
 
 '^ I hope you will, Sybih I shall constantly 
 l3eat the Abbey when I am busy with Lady 
 Durant' s portrait, and then we shall be able 
 to see each other a little oftener."
 
 LOUD DURANT^S DESIRE. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 LOKD DURANt's DESIRE. 
 
 Ke verse thy doom; 
 And in thy best consideration check 
 This hideous rashness, 
 
 Shakspeare. 
 
 '^ I THINK that is a little clandestine love- 
 making-," said Major Durant, as soon as he 
 and Mavis had left the Cathedral, and were 
 passing down the streets. '' I have seen the 
 young lad}' on Sunda}' : she is Bishop 
 Ingram's daughter." 
 
 '^Yes, she is. We have had a long con- 
 versation together. But I think }'ou are 
 mistaken, Lionel : the}' only appear to 
 be acquaintances. There is nothing 
 extraordinary that she should know a clever 
 artist like Mr. Montieth."
 
 202 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 Tliey passed through the narrow^ crowded 
 streets on their way to the entrance-gates 
 of the Abbey. There were rows of old- 
 fashioned houses all more or less ruinous, the 
 U2323er stories of which hung considerably 
 over the pathway, and little miserable shops 
 displaying second-hand goods in their small- 
 paned windows. Mavi^ held up her skirts, 
 to avoid coming in contact with the not over 
 clean side-walks. The people stared at her 
 as she passed ; women standing in their door- 
 ways loudly criticized her dress and appear- 
 ance. They were not accustomed to the 
 sight of a well-dressed lady in that poor 
 locality. Slie had not been that way before, 
 during the short time that had elapsed since 
 they had settled at St. Hilda's. There were 
 other and wider streets that formed a better 
 Avay for driving ; but the direction in which 
 Major Durant was conducting her liad 
 originally been used as the only a^^proach to 
 his ancestors' liome. 
 
 At last they reached a massive archway 
 in a high stone Avail, over which could be 
 seen the tops of tall forest trees, grooving
 
 LORD DURANT\S DESIRE. 20?. 
 
 wild and luxuriant — an untrimmed wilder- 
 ness of underwood. Tlierc was a strong- 
 iron gate and the remains of an old 
 portcullis, and close by, apparcntl}' built 
 in and forming one of tlie buttresses of the 
 wall, was the lodge-keeper's dwelling. 
 
 Tlie major knocked at the low oak dr)or ; 
 an old man hobbled out, and proceeded to 
 unlock the great gates, then threw them 
 open, and, uncovering his grey locks, stood 
 back to let his }^oung mistress pass in. 
 
 '^ That old fellow was in my great-grand- 
 father's employ. He has held the post he 
 now occupies for above seventy years. His 
 father had it before him," said the major. 
 
 '^ Oh, stop I I must liave a talk with him. 
 I should tliink he fancies liimself part of the 
 estate," cried Mavis, stopping suddenly and 
 turning back. 
 
 The old man proved uncommunicative. 
 After informing '' her lad}'ship " that his 
 name was Roger Smith, and that he was 
 over ninety years of age, he went on to 
 grumble, and, shaking his head solemnly, 
 to declare that " the place was very
 
 204: EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 different from wliat it had been in hi& 
 father's time ; then they had had grand 
 doings at the Abbey. But mayhap, now the 
 (jkl family had come back, times might 
 amend ; but vouno^ folks weren't like old 
 ones." 
 
 '' What a stupid old man I " said Mavis, as 
 she continued her way along the moss-grown 
 carriage-drive under the trees, after leaving 
 a substantial gift of money in old Roger's 
 hand. "I thought he'd know more about 
 this old place and your ancestors." 
 
 ^^I can tell you as much as he knows," 
 said Lionel. ^' Until my grandfather came 
 they were a set of spendthrifts ; he managed 
 to economize, and by cutting up portions of 
 the park and estates into building land, 
 increased his income sufhciently to pay off 
 the mort2:ao^es. Most of the better class of 
 house property here belongs to Gerald, and 
 all the lower 2:)art of the town through 
 which we have passed. You will find he i» 
 more respected here as a wealthy man than 
 either at Pen Vyclian Or on the Yorkshire 
 estate. Gerald is enormously rich. I don't
 
 LOBD DURANT\S DESIRE. 205 
 
 suppose he liimself knows the amount of his 
 income. Of course, he has scarcely spent 
 anything. Ever since my father's death the 
 money has been accumulating. It is 
 pleasant to be so wealtliy, I should think," 
 he added, musingly; ^^ not to have to con- 
 sider before one spends a five-pound note, 
 and never to liave a fear of running into 
 debt." 
 
 '^ I do not know," replied Mavis, looking 
 up, with a sad smile. '' Of course it is nice 
 enough to have plenty of money without 
 workino: for it. I used to think that rich 
 people ought to be perfectly happy ; but now 
 I know there is no sucli thing as real, un- 
 alloyed liappiness." 
 
 '^ What has made you come to tliat conclu- 
 sion, you little moralizer ? T liave noticed a 
 cloud on your face : }^ou surely don't wish 
 to be a poor man's wife ? " asked the major, 
 merrily, as they ascended the steps that led 
 to the entrance-door of the Abbey. 
 
 A sliglitly saddened look passed over 
 ^lavis's face, as she entered and crossed tlic 
 large, gloomy hall, witli its oak floor, panelled
 
 206 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 Avails and ceiling, and armour-clad figures 
 placed in niches. Slie slowly ascended the 
 wide old staircase on the way to her dress- 
 ing-room : her bright look had suddenly 
 become clouded. The carelessly uttered words 
 of tlie major liad sunk deep into her heart. 
 Eiclies had not altogether produced the 
 happiness for whicli she had hoped ; there 
 was an undefined wish, a longing for some- 
 thing more than the money that she had been 
 so eager to obtain. She had married Lord 
 Durant without allowing herself time for con- 
 sideration, A\dthout finding out how unfitted 
 she was to be his chief companion, the sharer 
 of all the pursuits and habits which were so 
 foreign to her tastes. 
 
 On their retiu^n from Ireland the}' had 
 gone to London. The agent, Mr. Holt, 
 wrote to inform his patron that the Abbey 
 Avas not ready for liis reception, the re- 
 furnishing not being completed ; and, mucli 
 to Ma^ds's satisfaction, lier husband accepted 
 his stepmother's invitation to remain in the 
 metropolis. 
 
 After a succession of balls, concerts,
 
 LOItD DUnANT\S DESIRE. 2(»7 
 
 operas, and all the gaiet}' of a L(jiid()ii 
 season/ so enjoyable to !Mavis, were gone 
 through as a disagreeable penance by Lord 
 Durant, it was with secret thankfulness tliat 
 he received a notice signifying that his liouse 
 was ready. The constant round of excite- 
 ment had robbed his wife's face of some of 
 its bloom, and made her pale and languid, 
 and so, jDerhaps, it was not all regret that 
 she felt when they were established at St. 
 Hilda's ; but the experience she had under- 
 gone had convinced her of* the difficulty of 
 acting up to her marriage vow, and being 
 more than the pet and plaything of her 
 husband. 
 
 '' Oh, dear ! how hollow and frivolous life 
 is ! " she said to herself, with a heavy sigh, as 
 she threw her bonnet on to the bed, and then 
 sat down, leaning her arms on tlie table, 
 gazing out vacantl}" over the trees of the 
 j^ark towards the bright sunset beyond. 
 ^' What a farce it all is to keep up — to pre- 
 tend what one does not feel ! I wonder if 
 anything can be perfect happiness I Wlien T 
 nuirried, the future seemed all briglitness; I
 
 208 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 thought that Gerald's goodness and kind- 
 ness would he all that could be desired. 
 Goodness and kindness I I hate the words. 
 How could I be so blind as not to know how 
 soon I should be tired of being nothing 
 better than a di^essed-up doll, to be admired 
 and petted by a man whom I can only call 
 good-natured, whom I feel I must resjiect 
 but cannot love ! I almost hate his caresses, 
 and dislike him for his love for me. Oh ! if 
 I could unbiu^den my heart, if I could tell 
 him what a worthless creature it is on whom 
 he wastes his affection ! Gerald, Gerald ! " 
 she cried aloud, raising her clenched hands to 
 her forehead, and bursting into a passionate 
 flood of weeping, '^Avhy don't you hate me? 
 why cannot you see how little I care for you, 
 when you are so unalterably good ? " 
 
 A quarter of an hour after, her old servant, 
 coming up in answer to her smimions, found 
 Mavis sitting calm and composed, with very 
 little trace of the violent emotion that had 
 been tearing her heart a few minutes before ; 
 she only noticed the extreme deathly pallor 
 on her mistress's face.
 
 LOJID nURANT'S DESIRE. 209 
 
 '' You are tired and ill, my lu-dy," slio 
 said, kiudl}' ; for lier quick gkxnco of affec- 
 tion tokl kor tkat Mavis was suffering ; '^ you 
 kave been kjoking unkapp}' for sonic days. 
 Wkat ails }'ou ? It isn't all bodily illness tkat 
 Tou feel." 
 
 Mavis looked up into tlie kind old woman's 
 face; ske saw tkere real interest for ker 
 Avelfare. 
 
 '^ I am all rig-lit, Susan," she answered, 
 witk an effort. '^ Tlie keat makes me feel a 
 little languid, I suppose : it is very warm, 
 oven for July." 
 
 Susan Barker did not reply, but began 
 brusking out ker mistress's kair, wkilst Mavis 
 took up a book to try and occupy ker 
 tkougkts witli it ; soon, kowever, ske laid it 
 aside witk a sigli, and tlie tears tkat ske liad 
 for so long been struggling to keep back 
 now br(jke fortk again : ske kad once beo^un 
 weeping, and could not leave off. 
 
 ^^ Won't you confide in me, dear Miss Mavis 
 — my lady, I mean ? " cried tlie old woman. 
 ^' You, wko lay in my arms wlien you were a 
 b.ibv, ml<;kL tell me wkat distresses a'ou." 
 
 VOL. I. P
 
 210 EYES SO JiLVE. 
 
 '' Xo, Susan ; liow can I V I liaye nothings 
 to tell ; only I wish I was Lack in London, 
 working for my living : I was happier then!'' 
 
 ^^ You shonlcln't say that, when you Ve got 
 such a kind husband as his lordship is," 
 Avas the reply. '^If there ever was any 
 one thoroughly good, it's him. Think 
 how he dotes on vou ! I 've seen a deal 
 of life in my time, but I never saw a 
 better Christian than he is. It 's a pity that 
 stepbrother of his is not made of the same 
 stuff. I can alwaA's tell by a man's eve 
 whether I can trust him, and I wouldn't 
 trust the major further than I could see him, 
 in spite of his fme looks ; but handsome is as 
 handsome does, is what I alwa^'s say." 
 
 ^' What do vou mean, Susan ? " indio-nanth^ 
 exclaimed Mavis, flusliing crimson witli 
 anger. '^ Eemember you are speaking of 
 my husband's brother ; how dare you say 
 anything against liim ! I \n sure }'ou know 
 nothing to his discredit." 
 
 '' I didn't mean to speak against liim, my 
 lady," answered the old Avoman, Immbly. 
 '' I ou2:ht not to liave said it. I was onlv
 
 LOnB nUEANT\S DESIRE. 211 
 
 tlilnking' of what I heard in the servants' hall 
 when we were in London." 
 
 ^* I do not wish to hear servants' gossij:)," 
 Mavis answered, haughtily, taking up her 
 book. ^^ You ai-e too presuming, Susan; re- 
 collect my position is altered from what it 
 was." 
 
 ]\Iajor Durant was alone in the drawing- 
 room when Mavis went in. One quick glance 
 showed him that she had been weeping. She 
 did not address him, but passed silently by 
 and sat near the window, which was ojDen 
 to admit the cool evening breeze. 
 
 ''Is Gferald still in his study?" asked 
 i^ionel, after a few moments' silence, lookino- 
 up from his occuj^ation of turning over the 
 leaves of a book of engravings. 
 
 ^'Yes, I suppose so," Mavis replied, care- 
 lessly. ''I have not seen him since I came 
 in. He seems to find a wonderfid charm in 
 those old manuscrijDts that he has discovered," 
 she added, with a forced attempt at a lauoh. 
 '' I wanted him to drive out with me to jDay 
 some visits this afternoon ; but I could not 
 induce him to leave them."
 
 212 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 ^^When one gets to liis age, I supjDose 
 there is a disinclination to go calling," said 
 the major, philo^^ophicallj, gazing up at the 
 ceiling. ''Why it should be, I cannot say; 
 but so it is. iind my brother seems to have 
 gone into an old man already ; he always 
 Avas fond of solitude, and it is sure to 
 grow upon liim. However, I think ^^our 
 society ought to cause him to be more 
 sociable." 
 
 ''I suppose Gerald can please himself,"' 
 replied Mavis, in an indifferent tone, bend- 
 ing down her head over some fancy work, in 
 Avhicli she seemed to be 2>^i'ticularly inter- 
 ested. She was just then in a mood to be dis- 
 pleased at everything. 
 
 ''No, he ought not to please himself," re- 
 torted Major Durant. " He is not half 
 attentive enough to you, and I 've a good 
 mind to tell him so." 
 
 " Oh, no ! Indeed, Lionel, please do not," 
 she cried, looking at him imj^loringly : "it 
 is better as it is. I am very happy and con- 
 tented." 
 
 "You don't look happy!" replied the
 
 LOBD nURANT'S DESIRE. 213 
 
 iiiajorj pointedly, in a tone that brought all 
 the colour to Mavis's face. 
 
 Just then came the summons to dinner, 
 and thev went into the dinino'-room. Lord 
 Durant was already there. A smile lit uj) his 
 face when his wife came in, and he in- 
 q^uired how she had enjoyed her visit to the 
 Cathedral. Afterwards he did not talk much ; 
 all through the meal Lionel sustained the 
 greater part of the conversation, and suc- 
 ceeded by degrees in winning Mavis back to 
 her usual sprightliness, and driving awa}" 
 the cloud of sadness that had settled on her 
 face. When they returned to the drawing- 
 room, Lord Durant seated himself by the 
 window, and commenced reading. Some 
 ancient-looking parchments and papers were 
 on a table close by — the same that he had 
 been studying all the afternoon. The major 
 drew up his chair close to Mavis's, talking 
 in a low voice, so as not to interrupt his 
 brother's reading ; but she seemed cold and 
 preoccupied, and kept returning moncj- 
 sy liable answers to her brother-in-law's 
 observations ; at last she rose up abru})tl}',
 
 2U EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 and crossed over to where her husband 
 sat. 
 
 '^ Gerald, cannot you put those old papers 
 away for a minute ? You seem so interested 
 in them," she remarked, ^^ and you have 
 never taken your eyes from them all day." 
 
 '^ They do interest me," answered Lord 
 Durant; ''they all relate to this estate. I 
 found them in a chest, put away with some 
 old furniture. They tell me a great deal 
 more than I knew about my own belongings : 
 one fact is, that only a very small portion of 
 this property is entailed." 
 
 ''What does it matter?" asked Mavis. 
 " Why need you trouble A^ourself about the 
 entails, mortgages, and title-deeds, that I 
 heard you talking over with Mr. Holt ? You 
 are not going to be ruined ; and I shall not 
 spend so much over dress as tliey say some 
 ladies do, so that mv liusl)and will not be 
 reduced to penury." 
 
 Lord Durant smiled at his wife's childish 
 speech. " Xo, I don't think it will quite 
 come to that. I could afford to dress vou in 
 
 ft/ 
 
 cloth of gold and diamonds, if 3^ou wished,
 
 LORD JDUIUNT'S BESIIIE. 215 
 
 without luis.sing' the inoney/^ ho said, affec- 
 tionately. '^ But I have had serious tlioughts 
 lately about all niy wealth. It was iK^t fairly 
 Grained : a^ou need not be alarmed, it was no 
 fault of mine ; and }'ou Icnow the say in o-, 
 '• Ill-gotten gains seldom prosper.' " 
 
 '^ But it has prospered," interrupted Mavis. 
 ^' Lionel told me a ridiculous old legend, and 
 said that it belonged originally to the Church. 
 I suppose that is what you mean by being 
 unfairl}' gained. But as for not prospering, I 
 thiidv your increasing Avealth is evidence 
 against that supposition." 
 
 ^^ But wealth does not always bring true 
 2)rosperity," said Lord Duraiit, musingly ; 
 while Lionel stepped out of the window to 
 take a walk on the terraced lawn, and every 
 now and then, as he passed the Avindow in 
 Avhicli his brother sat with his wife, a fragrant 
 scent of a cigar found its way into the room. 
 
 ^'I suppose Gerald is harping on the old 
 question," he nmttered, angrily. ^^He will 
 l)ring that dear little wife of his to his absurd 
 high-flown idea of impoverishing the family 
 for the sake of the su])erstition of a maniac.
 
 216 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 Pretty little creature ! — ^lie will find it easy 
 to convince lier. I 've a o-ood mind to g:i\e 
 her a hint not to agree to any nonsense. If 
 she stands out against it, he cannot persist. 
 I will just keep my ears oj)en to listen to 
 Avhat he savs." 
 
 '^ Of course I know tliat one cannot pur- 
 chase hajopiness/' Mavis went on to say, 
 rather impatientl}^ ; 'Hjut that is no reason 
 why jDeoj^le should wish to be j^oor, for there 
 are more troubles with povert}'. You a2)pear 
 to regret that this land belongs to you." 
 
 ^' And so I do; I regret it bitterlv, for it 
 has brought a terrible curse with it. I have 
 long felt convinced tliat to me belongs the 
 j^rivilege of making restitution, and thus 
 annihilating that terrible curse. Mavis, my 
 darling, will you help me to do right ? I 
 have been tormented with doubts and fears, 
 with awful forebodings for the future." 
 
 ^^ What can you mean, Gerald?" asked 
 Mavis, looking at him with licr eyes open- 
 ing wide Avith astonishment. '^Are you 
 afraid for me that I shall die ? " and her lips 
 began to tremble with emotion. '' I don't
 
 LOBB T)UnANT\^ DESIBE. 217 
 
 want to die just yet, I am so young and 
 fond of life, and I sliould like to live and be 
 a mother to my baby when it is born," she 
 continued ; and her husband could see the 
 tears swimmino- in her eves. 
 
 ^' No, you poor, frightened child," Lord 
 Durant said, passing his arm rcjund her and 
 (IraAving her closer to him, ^^I couldn't part 
 witli you yet. We ho})e you will live to 
 enjoy your young life," he continued, speak- 
 ing more like a fatlier Avould to a favourite 
 child. '^I did not mean to frighten you ; I 
 did not know you were nervous." 
 
 ^'I am not nervous," replied Mavis, in a 
 more reassured tone. ^'But what do you 
 mean? — what are your fears?" she added, 
 with an undefined terror, lest he should be 
 trying to prepare her for what she had been 
 dreading ever since her marriage — the fear- 
 that scarcely ever left her, that her hus- 
 band's mind should again become affected. 
 "Please to tell me: I can l)ear anvthinii' 
 better than suspense." 
 
 " I^erhaps I am foolish; it may l^e that I 
 have no right to think it, but it almost seems
 
 218 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 like a reyelation," lie answered. ^^ Mavis, I 
 am certain that the only means to turn aside 
 the curse of madness from the family will be 
 to give back the property that has brought 
 tlie curse, to the Church to vrhicli it rightfully 
 l)eloni>'s. Tliere are hundreds of our fellow- 
 creatures in this town living neglected, 
 dying in poverty, in the midst of sin and 
 wretchedness, ground down by the licli, not 
 even knowing there is a God, witli no one 
 to teach them better, to raise them from their 
 dreadful existence ; and I am living so near 
 them, keeping back the money that could 
 save them ! For how can they, in the midst 
 of disease and ^^Tctchedness, be taught to 
 look to higher and holier things ? I feel 
 I am committing a sin every day in not pro- 
 viding teachers, building churches and hos- 
 pitals for the care of their perishing souls 
 and bodies. I did not know what it Avas. I 
 have been shut out of the world so long, I- 
 have grown too selfisli to think of others. 
 Our child must not suffer for the sins of its 
 ancestors. Why sliould it be like I am ? As 
 long' as one farthing's worth of those terribl}'
 
 LOUD DURAyT'S DESIHE. 219 
 
 ixcquired gains remains, he will not be safe. 
 My darling', you must help me. We must 
 give it up ; and then, and not until tlien, can 
 there be rest." 
 
 " Gerald, this is mere superstition," Ksaid 
 ^favis, coldly, when her husband paused for 
 want of breath. She had not interrupted 
 him bef(jre, ]jut, astonished at his vehemence, 
 liad allowed him to continue. ^' You cannot 
 have considered. Of course it is right to 
 help the poor and give handsomely to charit- 
 able institutions and churches ; but giving up all 
 your principal property seems absurd ! Why 
 should you impoverish future generations to 
 gratify that which^ even you must confess, 
 seems rather a far-fetched idea ? " 
 
 '^ Perhaps it is a superstition," replied 
 Lord Durant, thoughtfully ; '' but when stern, 
 dreadful reality takes the place of suj)ersti- 
 tion it is time to feel frightened. You do 
 not know how ardently I long, how I pray, 
 that our child may not inherit its father's 
 sufferings. I feel as if that praA'er will be 
 answered if I fulfil my vow and give up a 
 similar amount, eitlun^ in money or land,
 
 220 - EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 to that which my ancestor possessed. It cost 
 those unfortunate monks their lives — they 
 were all starved to death ; and can a little 
 self-denial on my part atone for tliat ? I 
 sliould have to sell all mv Cornwall minimi' 
 property, and mortgage jyavt of the Yorkshire^ 
 estate ; but then we sliould have plenty to 
 live with every comfort here at St. Hilda's. 
 I cannot part with this house and grounds, — 
 they are entailed on ni}' heirs ; but I can 
 give their value in money. You do not 
 know how long these thouglits have op- 
 pressed me, and the more I reason about it 
 the more clearly I see that it is right to follow 
 the impulse ; but I do not like to act without 
 3"our consent.'' 
 
 Mavis was silent. She could not auTcc 
 with her husband's proposal. She had been 
 induced to marrv him from the attraction 
 of liis wealth ; she knew tliat it elevated her 
 above others of the same rank, and she , 
 could not bring herself to part with an}' of 
 the boundless wealth that she valued so 
 highly. 
 
 '' I wish vou would let me wait a dav or
 
 LOBD DURANrS DESIRE, 221 
 
 two before you finally settle," at last she 
 said: '^ I suppose I ought to give ^yay directly, 
 but you have left it to me. Will you object 
 if I consider ? — it is so much to give up at 
 once.'' 
 
 ^^Poor cliild I it will be an act of self- 
 denial to her," thought Lord Durant, as his 
 •wife moved away to the other side of the 
 room, and, opening the piano, began to play 
 a soft dreamy melody. '^I cannot be wrong, 
 it seems so clearly revealed to me ; but oh I 
 that I were not so tormented with doubts, 
 — that I could trust myself without the per- 
 petual fear ever haunting me ! " He covered 
 his face witli his hands, remaining for some 
 time m silent thought. ^' It must be right," 
 he said to himself, after some moments^^^ it 
 arises from a good motive; and yet it is 
 only received with scorn and ridicule. If I 
 mention it, they think me mad still, imagin- 
 ing the wish to make restitution is only a 
 Avild brain-created notion, and I am powerless 
 to argue otherwise." 
 
 The entrance of Lionel put an end to his 
 brother's silent musings. The major looked
 
 222 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 sullen and angry ; there was a frown on liis 
 liandsome face as he darted an impatient, 
 iierce look towards his brother. 
 
 ^^ Gerald, I have heard what you have 
 said," he beoran, calmlvand firmlv. ^SSurely 
 you do not mean seriously to entertain those 
 hare-brained notions, because, if you do, I '11 
 see who has the stronger power — you or I. 
 Mavis," added he, in a gentler tone, address- 
 ing his sister-in-law, who had risen from her 
 seat, alarmed at his authoritative gesture, ^^go 
 and sit down ; I must reason this out with 
 your husband." 
 
 ^' What do you mean, Lionel ? Surely 3^ou 
 will not insult mo in my own house ! " cried 
 out Lord Durant, with his anger fully roused. 
 ^^ I have said nothing mireasonable ; and I 
 will not bear unwarrantable interference 
 from my younger brother I " 
 
 His face turned pale with rage, whilst the 
 major^s temper remained /'aim and undis- 
 turbed. 
 
 ^^ Geraldj you shall not ruin your wife 
 and your future lieir," the latter said coolly. 
 ^'I know the amount you wish to squander
 
 LOUD I)UB ANT'S DESIRE. 223 
 
 tiwii}' : it is more than your estates can bear, 
 and will only leave an inipoverislicd inherit- 
 ance for those who come after you. Have 
 you no family pride ? Come, be reasonable ! 
 or I shall exercise the power over you that I 
 should be unAvIllino- to use, save in an 
 extremity. .One word from me, and your 
 2)roperty would be no longer beneath your 
 control." 
 
 ^' You dare not! You shall not threaten 
 me I " exclaimed Lord Durant, gazing round 
 helplessly, feeling himself beneath the powxr 
 of the superior will of his brother. ^^ Mavis, 
 Mavis, do not be influenced by him I I am 
 your husband ! Don't you turn against me ; 
 I know wdiat is for the best. I do think of 
 your interests. I care not for myself — only 
 for you !" 
 
 jVIavIs made no reply : she gave one 
 frightened glance at her husband's angry 
 face, and noticed Lionel's determined expres- 
 sion. With a shriek i^ho sprang forward, and 
 threw^ herself between them. ^'Lionel, for 
 my sake, if you care for my happiness," she 
 cried imploringly, ^^ please to say no morel
 
 22J: F.YES SO BLUE. 
 
 He cannot help it: be gentle witli him!'' 
 And then her momentarily assumed fortitude 
 utterly gave Avay, and she bm^st into an hys- 
 terical fit of "weeping. 
 
 In a second Lord Durant's ano-er was 
 ixone ; he flmi"' himself on his knees beside^ 
 ]ier, trying to draw away her hands from her 
 face. 
 
 ^^My dearest I my only love I my wife I 
 Have I made you afraid of me?" he ex- 
 claimed, in tones of the deepest contrition. 
 ''You do not imagine me mad, do youV'' 
 he asked, whilst his blood ran cold at the 
 mere supposition of his wife's thoughts. 
 '' Oh I my Mavis, can anything convince you 
 that I am as calm and reasonable as vou are ; 
 that my projects, which may seem wild and 
 fanciful to vou, are the result of manv A'ears 
 of thought and evenly balanced reflection ? 
 Lionel means well : he thinks he is actini!' 
 rightly, but he cannot tliink as I do. Say, 
 oh I say, that you will not be guided by 
 him !" 
 
 If ever a heart felt pity it was Mavis's for 
 her husband, as he gazed up so imploringly.
 
 LOBD DUEANT\S DESIBE. 225 
 
 longing so ardently that she Avould agree to 
 his views. How was she to know that they 
 had been calmly reflected upon, that they 
 were not mere superstitious vagaries of an 
 overwrought imagination ? ' ^ I will try and 
 do right, Gerald," she said quietly. ^^ Per- 
 haps Lionel may not be ^vi^ong after all ; 
 you have not thought of his view of the 
 case." 
 
 ^^ You are turning against me, Mavis ! Can 
 nothing I can say, nothing I can do, convince 
 you ?" asked Lord Durant, rising to his feet ; 
 and she could see how his face was twitching 
 with convulsive efforts to keep down his far 
 too easily roused temper. 
 
 If Mavis had really loved her husband 
 she could not have withstood liis pleading ; 
 she would have given uj) wealth, position, 
 everything, to drive that agonized expression 
 from his face. But as it was, with nothing 
 but a little newly aroused joity for him to 
 combat against the fearful terror that liad 
 taken possesshm of lier mind that his mental 
 affliction was returning, how could she do 
 otherwise than turn a deaf ear to his wish ? 
 
 VOL. I. Q 
 
 /
 
 22G EYES SG BLUE. 
 
 How could she be expected to impoverish 
 herself, and perhaps her children, for what she 
 regarded as only a wild, foolish extravagance ?' 
 
 She made no reply, but looked towards her 
 brother-in-law. The one glance from those 
 beautiful, sad eyes was enough ; it enlisted 
 him on her side, to protect her against her 
 husband. A moment before he had been 
 undecided. '^ Why should he run the risk 
 of quarrelling with his brother?" had been 
 his thought; ^^ why should he not allow 
 him to squander his property?" But the 
 imploring expression turned him ; he felt then 
 as if he could risk anything to serve the 
 lovely young creature who looked up to him 
 for help and protection. 
 
 ' ' I am sorry I spoke harshly to you, 
 Gerald," he said frankly, feeling that an 
 apology on his part would best tend to 
 smooth over differences. '' I was alarmed 
 for your wife ; it seems as if you have en- 
 tirely lost all consideration for her. It is not 
 kind of you to take advantage of lier youth 
 and inexperience." 
 
 Lord Durant turned away, feeling morti-
 
 LOIIB BURANT'S DESIRE. 227 
 
 fied and Immbledj and not a little shocked 
 to think tliat his brother showed more kind- 
 ness of heart and thoughtf ulness than he did. 
 It seemed for the time as if his cherished 
 dream of restitution had come to nought ; he 
 found it was ridiculed, and was treated as 
 the idea of a madman ; it had caused even 
 Mavis to shrink from him, and tliat was the 
 bitterest blow of all. 
 
 '^ I did wrong ! " he exclaimed. '' It seems 
 as if I cannot act rightly — as if I cannot 
 conquer my terrible temper. Surely I have 
 had enough sorrowf id experience to teach me 
 wisdom.'' He broke down all at once, and, 
 unable to utter another word, he hurried 
 from the room. 
 
 '' Mavis, stay here, do not go after him!" 
 cried Lionel, putting himself in the way, to 
 prevent his sister-in-law following her hus- 
 band. '' Gerald is nmch better alone ; he 
 will soon come round to reason." He took her 
 unresisting hand, and led her to a sofa ; and 
 arranging the cushions under her head, he 
 ran<j: the bell for a o^lass of wine. 
 
 '^Have I done wrong?" she asked, with
 
 22S EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 an effort stifling her tears. ^^ It all appears 
 so unreasonable ; but Gerald mshes it. You 
 are clever and sensible ; I wish you would 
 advise and direct me." 
 
 Lionel stamped his foot with rage. ''What 
 an unfeeling fool Gerald is/' he muttered 
 to himself, '' to try and work on the feelings 
 of such an affectionate little creature ! it is 
 both shameful and cruel. I do not think 
 you ought to vex yourself so much, Mavis," 
 he added in a gentler tone. '' I wish you 
 would stop crying — I cannot bear to see a 
 woman in tears : rely on me, and I will see 
 that Gerald does nothing rash." 
 
 ''But would it be so very foolish? You 
 yourself have told me how rich Gerald is," 
 asked Mavis. 
 
 " Yes, but not rich enough for that," was 
 the answer. ' ' You know it is no interest of 
 mine to thwart him ; but you — how could I see 
 you wanting ? If you were not so rich, you 
 could no longer keep up your proper position 
 in society. Do you imagine I do not know 
 how essential wealth is to promote your 
 happiness? Who knows what might have
 
 LOBD BURANrS DESIllE. 229 
 
 happened, if I had not found that out lon^ 
 ago?" 
 
 "What do you mean, Lionel?" asked 
 Mavis, turning her head, startled by the 
 change in his voice. 
 
 " I mean that long before my brother ever 
 saw you," answered the major, '' whilst you 
 were in London, I knew and loved you. 
 Each time you sang, I was amongst the 
 audience listening to every note that fell 
 from your lips. I could not tell you then 
 of my love ; I could not have afforded to ask 
 you to be my wife, and — " 
 
 "Be quiet, Lionel, you must not say it!" 
 interrupted Mavis, springing to her feet, 
 with a face as pale as death, and her lips 
 twitching convulsively. "How dare you 
 utter such words to me — your brother's 
 wife ! " She faced him steadily for a 
 moment or two, then, averting her face, she 
 wept as if her heart would break. 
 
 Major Durant did not attempt to stop her 
 tears; he turned on his heel, and walked 
 away to the other side of the room, grinding 
 his teeth with rage and vexation.
 
 230 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 ''What was the iise of telling her?" he 
 muttered ; ''why couldn't I keep it to myself? 
 I believe she has bewitched me by her 
 beauty, and I needs must go and make an 
 idiot of myself. I suppose she '11 never speak 
 to me again ; and serve me right too, for my 
 folly ! " 
 
 Mavis had thrown herself again on the 
 sofa ; it shook with the sobs that convulsed 
 her. Lionel's words had aroused the feelings 
 that she had so desired to repress. She had 
 at first begun to feel admiration for the brave 
 way with which he had borne suffering and 
 pain ; then she had sought liim for advice and 
 counsel, seeming to look up to him, and, 
 before she was aware, this had taken the 
 place of some of the respect she ought to 
 have felt for her husband ; and now it burst 
 all at once on her, with an overwhelming 
 force, the truth that she, a married woman, 
 loved this man, avIio declared that he had 
 long worshipped her in silence! There was 
 one sensation in her soul that annihilated all 
 other tlioughts, and that ^^as deep, agonizing 
 regret and a vain longing to recall the past.
 
 LOUD BUBANTS DESIIiE. 231 
 
 Lionel's words were ringing in her ears, 
 ^' AYlio knows what might have happened?" 
 and now the veil which she had tried to place 
 before her feelings had been rudely torn 
 away, she awoke to the fact that she had 
 never loved her husband — that she had sold 
 herself for money, and was now reaping the 
 bitter fruits of the sin of avarice and ambi- 
 tion. She heard Lionel quit the room ; the 
 door shut heavily after him, and his footsteps 
 sounded through the quiet hall, and then 
 came a strange, almost weird stillness. She 
 raised her head, and put back her dishevelled 
 hair from her heated brow and tear-stained 
 face. '' Was ever anybody as miserable as 
 I am ! " she moaned, walking away to the 
 window, and laying her burning forehead 
 against the cool glass. '' I wish I ccidd 
 'die, and end all this dreadful life ; but it 
 cannot be, I feel as if I shall live on the 
 same torturing, regretful existence until the 
 end." 
 
 She raised her drooping head, when some 
 time afterwards a knock came at the door ; 
 it had grown too dark to distinguish faces.
 
 232 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 but her heart beat quickly when a tall figure 
 advanced, and she recognized the su^^erior 
 height that alone belonged to the major. 
 
 ^' Mavisj I have come to ask your forgive- 
 ness/' he said, holding out his hand to her. 
 ^* I am going away ! " 
 
 ^' Going away?" she echoed, half be- 
 wildered with misery. 
 
 ^ ^ Yes ; I shall be on my way to London in 
 a quarter of an hour : I cannot stay here any 
 longer," rejDlied Major Durant, in a husky 
 voice. ^^ It is better — far better for both of 
 us^that we should part." 
 
 ^^ Yes— yes ! " she exclaimed, hurriedly,, 
 not considering what she was saying, '^yoa 
 must go ! — and I must be left alone ! " 
 
 '^ You have your husband," was the reply, 
 that went to Mavis's heart like the sting of a 
 reproach. ^^ It is I who am to be ^ntied, 
 when I love you with all the deep affection 
 that has been buried in my heart for so long.. 
 My love, believe me it pains me to part 
 like this ! " and taking her in his arms, the 
 major pressed several passionate kisses on. 
 her cheeks and lips, and then, turning round
 
 LOBD DVEANT'S DESIRE. 233 
 
 in silence, he strode from the room without 
 another look at the almost broken-hearted 
 little creature he left behind him. 
 
 The Dowager Lady Durant had just come 
 down in the morning, and w^as seated at her 
 solitary breakfast-table, when a visitor was 
 announced; and her son walked in, looking 
 tired, haggard, and ill after his night's 
 journey to London, unrefreshed by the few 
 hours he had spent tossing about in vain 
 endeavours to sleep at the hotel to which he 
 had gone on his first arrival. 
 
 ^' Lionel ! what has happened ? I thought 
 you were at St. Hilda's," exclaimed her 
 ladyship, alarmed at the sudden apparition. 
 
 ^^No; I am in London now," replied the 
 major, with a ghastly attempt at a laugh. 
 ^^I have made a fool of myself, and had to 
 come away." 
 
 '^ What do you mean ? You look ill : your 
 face is pale. Uh, what is the matter ? " cried 
 his mother, hurrying towards him. 
 
 He threw himself into an arm-chair, and 
 rested his forehead on his hands.
 
 234 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 ' ' I have fallen madly in love with Mavis 
 Durant/' he said: ^Hhat is all I I cannot 
 help it ; so I 've done the best thing I could, 
 and have run away from danger." 
 
 ^^With that girl your brother married, 
 Lionel ? Are you mad, also ? " his mother in- 
 quired. 
 
 '^No; I am sane enouo^h. I was onlv a 
 fool to trust too much to my own strength 
 of will. You remember how I used to rave 
 about her when she was a singer, and, upon 
 my honour, she's doubly fascinating now; 
 it 's imjiossible to withstand her charms and 
 her pretty confiding ways." 
 
 He began to pace excitedly up and down 
 the room while he spoke, Lady Durant watch- 
 ing him all the time with surprise and con- 
 sternation. 
 
 ^^ Lionel, do not get so excited ! " she said 
 :at last. ^^Come and have some breakfast; 
 and the sooner you get over this folly the 
 better. I am afraid 3^ou have acted very 
 weakly." 
 
 ^^ I have been an egregrious ass — a self- 
 opinionated fool I " cried the major, as if by
 
 LORD DUBANT'S DESIEE. 235 
 
 blaming himself lie could atone for liis wrong- 
 doing. ^^ However, it is no use worrying: 
 what's clone cannot be undone. I am half 
 famished, and starving myself is not a cure 
 for misplaced affection ; so I mil take some 
 breakfast." 
 
 He drew forward a chair, and, seating him- 
 self, did ample justice to the fare spread 
 before him.
 
 236 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Ivor's ambition. 
 
 Oh ! had we never, never met, 
 
 Or could this heart e'en now forget 
 
 How link'd, how bless'd, we might have been, 
 
 Had fate not frown'd so dark between ! 
 
 Moore. 
 
 Once more the Orient lay at anchor in the 
 Bay of Pen Vychan; the waves were gently 
 moving her as they rolled slowly towards 
 the shore, and all on board was in repose, as 
 if resting after the hot August day. The sun 
 had set, and a thick fog was coming up from 
 the sea, and rolling down like heavy clouds 
 from the summits of the mountains. 
 
 Several people were assembled that even- 
 ing on the beach : the day had been so hot 
 that the villagers were glad to crowd down
 
 IVOlt'S AMBITION. 237 
 
 to the shore to try and obtain a breath of 
 fresh air. The women had brought out their 
 knitting, and were seated on the shingles, 
 gossiping with each other, whilst their 
 husbands were smoking and talking to- 
 gether. 
 
 '^ I say, Morgan, there won't l)e much fish 
 caught to-night," said a fisherman, raising 
 his head as he spoke. 
 
 " So much the better for me I " retorted 
 Ivor Morgan, who had come strolling along 
 by the water's edge. ^^ I 've no wish to be 
 out all night." 
 
 '^ You wouldn't say that if you had a wife 
 and children to work for, like I have," said 
 one of the other men; ^'but you, with your 
 grand notions, look down on the likes of us. 
 Why are you ashamed of your trade ? " 
 
 ^^I'm not ashamed of it," retorted Ivor; 
 ^'I am sure I have worked hard enougli at 
 it. But now my poor grandfather is dead, 
 and I only have myself to think of, surely I 
 can consider about bettering myself." 
 
 ^^ Bettering yourself! That means marry- 
 ing a wife with some money, don't it ? "
 
 238 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 asked a woman, looking up with a smile 
 from the sewing with which she was em- 
 jDloyecl. ' ' You have only to pick and choose : 
 there are plenty of girls, whose fathers are 
 well to do, who would jump at the offer of a 
 handsome, strong young man like you are.'' 
 
 A loud roar of laughter followed this 
 announcement, for the speaker was the wife 
 of one of the richest hshermen in Pen 
 Vychan. It was currently reported that she 
 was anxious to secure Ivor as her daughter's 
 husband ; for the young man was now toler- 
 ably well off for one of his class. Old 
 Morgan was dead ; his health had long been 
 failing, and a cold, caught in the early 
 sj^ring, had hastened his death, and before 
 the summer had set in he was laicl in his 
 grave. 
 
 He had left all his accumulated savings to 
 his grandson, Ivor: they amounted to a toler- 
 able sum, for the old man had been frugal 
 and economical. He had known of Ivor's 
 talent for painting, but had not been able to 
 bring himself to part with him during his 
 old age ; and it was not until he lay on his
 
 IVOR\S AMBITION. 239 
 
 death-bed that he had Avithdrawn his wish 
 that Ivor sliould take to a seafaring life. 
 
 ^^ Only stay with me until I am gone," 
 the old man had said, ^^ and then you can 
 go to London, or wherever you like, and 
 learn to be a painter ; but don't leave me 
 just yet." 
 
 Ivor had promised, although he had mis- 
 givings that he would not be able to afford 
 to quit the fisherman's trade, with which he 
 had supported himself for some time. 
 
 He had grown into a strongs, jDcculiarly 
 fine-looking young man, with a stamp of 
 refinement on his handsome features, which 
 marked him out from amongst his friends 
 and associates, almost seeming as if he 
 belonged to a higher grade than they did. 
 For this, and a sujieriority of manner and 
 habits, he was shunned as proud and set-up 
 by the men ; but amongst the women, j^ar- 
 ticularly the younger ones, his good looks 
 and politeness gained him many admirers, 
 especially now tliat he jDossessed, what was 
 considered by them to be quite a fortune, 
 sufficient to purchase a share in a fishing-
 
 240 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 boat, if lie intended to continue in the 
 trade. 
 
 ^^ Take care, Mrs. Davies, or you '11 make 
 me too conceited I " laughed Ivor, in answer 
 to the woman's broad hint. '' I 'm not used 
 to so much flattery ; however, I '11 let you 
 know before I think of taking a wife. I 'm 
 young yet : there 's plenty of time to look 
 out." 
 
 He passed by as he spoke, and went on 
 to where several men were launching a boat. 
 *' Groing out in this fog, are you, Roberts ?" 
 he asked, addressing one of them. ^' You'll 
 never catch anything." 
 
 '^ I intend catching other sort of fish; 
 such as a young fellow like you, if he 'd 
 any pluck, would go in for," was the 
 answer. '^ Come on ! you know the shore 
 better than any of us ; lend us a hand to- 
 night, won't you ? We are only going out 
 for a pleasure^trip." 
 
 ^' Yes, come along, there 's a good fellow ! " 
 exclaimed Edward Ashton, who was another 
 of the party. '^ Oh ! I see why you hang 
 back," he added, perceiving that Ivor rcso-
 
 IVOR'S AMBITION. 241 
 
 lutely sliook his head ; '^ here's the parsons 
 daugliter coming, you '11 prefer a walk with 
 her. What a fool you are ! if you 'd join us 
 you 'd make your fortune to a dead cer- 
 tainty ; but, as it is, what 's the good of 
 going on like this? Mr. Williams won't 
 let his dauo;-hter marry a mere fisher- 
 man, even although he imagines himself 
 a genius." 
 
 'MVhat do you mean, xlshton?" indig- 
 nantly asked Ivor, turning crimson with 
 anger. '^ Miss Jessie 's scarcely more than 
 a child ; besides, she 's a lady, while I am, 
 as you say, a mere fisherman." ' 
 
 ''' She '11 be grown up in a few years — by 
 the time vou are old enouorh to think of 
 
 •J c^ 
 
 marrying," replied Edward, coming nearer 
 to him, and speaking confidentially. '' Why 
 don't you listen to reason ? With your know- 
 ledge of the coast, you could make your 
 fortune by helping us; and then, perhajis, 
 a poor curate like Mr. Williams — " 
 
 *^ Be quiet, can't you I " exclaimed Ivor, 
 savagely, interrupting him. '^If I ever do 
 make a fortune it will not be by }our 
 
 VOL. I. K .
 
 242 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 beggaiiy trade, that is little better than 
 thieving, as I take it.'' 
 
 He turned away, and walked quickly in 
 the direction in which Jessie Williams was 
 
 coming, j)^^'^*^^'^^^^' ^^^ P^y^^^& ^^^ atten- 
 tion to the glances of scorn or amusement 
 directed towards him ; for Mr. Williams's 
 partiality excited much comment, and not a 
 little jealousy. 
 
 ^' Good eyening, Miss Jessie," he said, 
 raising his hat politely to her, as she stopped 
 to speak to him just opposite to where Mrs. 
 Davies was sitting, with her daughter by 
 her side — a' handsome, dark-eyed girl, who 
 was regarding Ivor with looks of admiration, 
 mingled with sharp glances of hatred at 
 the clergyman's young daughter. Jessie 
 Williams had improved in looks ; she was 
 still short and plump, with a round, good- 
 humoured face and neatly arranged dark 
 hair ; but her plain print dress was made in 
 a womanly style, and the grave, thoughtful 
 look on her face made her appear more 
 than fifteen years of age. 
 
 ^' I came down to see if I could get any
 
 IVOR'S AMBITION. 243 
 
 fisli for to-morrow's dinner," she began, ^'but 
 I suppose nothing has been caught to-day ? " 
 
 '' Nothing of any consequence," replied 
 the young fisherman ; ^' but never mind, I 'm 
 engaged to go out at daybreak to-morrow, 
 so I '11 be bound to supj^ly you with whatever 
 you may want." 
 
 ^' It 's warm weather, miss, isn't it ? " asked 
 Mrs. Davies. '^ I should think vou feel it, 
 shut in amongst the hills like you arc ; wo 
 shall not get it cool until we have some 
 thunder." 
 
 Jessie Williams took a seat by the woman's 
 side ; she was acquainted with most of the 
 fishermen's mves, and often talked with 
 them. 
 
 ^^ It is hot," she said, ^' but it is seasonable, 
 so we should not grumble. I must sa}' I felt 
 it very hard to be shut up in a warm school- 
 room all da}', when I was longing to l)e out 
 in the open air." 
 
 '''- But, surely. Miss Jessie, you don't find it 
 hard when you are learning all the while," 
 exclaimed Ivor. '^ It must be very pleasant 
 to be a1)le to ii"et a irood education."
 
 •M4: EYES SO r>LUE. 
 
 '' Yes, of course you tliiiik so, because you 
 are so clever/' replied Jessie, looking towards 
 the 3^oung fisherman. " But I am very stupid 
 at learning ; and, after all, I shall have to go 
 out as a governess, and teach all my life. I 
 "wish v»'e had heen rich, or else quite poor; 
 I 'm sure I should not mind how^ hard I 
 worked if it w^as only out of doors." 
 . She rose up as she said this, preparing to 
 turn homevrards. Ivor stood irresolute, as if 
 anxious to follow her, and vet scarcelv darino^ 
 to do so ; for althouci'h thev had been allowed 
 to plav togetlier when they w^ere children, 
 and still kept up the old friendship, he felt 
 that now each vear added to the social dis- 
 tinction between them : ])ut a glance from 
 Jessie decided him ; he tmnied and walked 
 slowlv alono; with lier. 
 
 ^'Miss Jessie,'' he- began, ^'I have some 
 £>-ood news to tell vou. That nicture of mine 
 has been sold for five and twenty pounds." 
 
 '' Indeed! Oh, Ivor, tliis is sj^lendid 
 news ! — }'0u will feel quite rich," exclaimed 
 Jessie, in astonishment at what seemed to 
 her such a larii^e sum. '' I alwavs knew that
 
 IV OB'S AMBITION, 245 
 
 you would bccoino a gTcat artist. But you do 
 not look glad ciiougli : }'ou ought to feel so 
 very proud of your success." 
 
 ''So I do feel pleased," was the answer; 
 ''however, it has decided me at last. I am 
 determined to leave Pen Vychan and go to 
 London, or some large towii, and study paint- 
 ing. I am sure it is my vocation ; and now 
 my poor old grandfather is dead I have no 
 ties to keep me here. I could manage to live 
 on very little, and work hard, so that in time 
 I might make my name famous as an artist ; 
 it has always been my ambition." 
 
 " Oh,* Ivor, what shall I do without you? 
 I shall miss you so very much I " said Jessie, 
 sorroAvf ully ; "but of course it is the right 
 thing for you to do." 
 
 " Then you will think of me a little when 
 I am away?" asked Ivor, eagerly. "Your 
 father says I ought to be contented, and 
 remain quietly at home ; but I cannot do it. 
 I feel such a longing to see more of the world, 
 and I cannot tie myself doA\'n to the di'udgery 
 of a fisherman's life ; I am intended for some- 
 thing better than that,"" he added, proudly.
 
 246 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 Jessie tiuTiecI away her head ; her lips 
 were quivering, and her eyes were filled with 
 tears. Ivor had alwavs seemed like a hero 
 to her, so handsome and clever, and so far 
 above the other villagers, she had looked np 
 to him almost like an elder brother ; and now 
 that he had declared his intention of leaving* 
 Pen Vychan her heart was filled with reuTet 
 at the thought of parting, and yet all the 
 while there was a feeling of eager hope, for 
 she felt sure that his talents would hrino- him 
 the success they merited. 
 
 '' I shall come back home ao:ain some dav, 
 — 2)crliaps before very long," continued Ivor, 
 ^' when I am a celebrated artist, with an R.A. 
 after mv name ; and then I can take a house 
 at Pen V}'chan and live here, only just 
 j)ainting as much as I choose, for my own 
 amusement. I wonder if the people will 
 forget my humble origin." 
 
 " Yes, they will ; and, oh, there will be a 
 glorious life before you ! I always felt sure of 
 it. But 3'ou will never come back here ; 
 when you are once in I^ondon you will for- 
 £i:et all \o\\Y old friends."
 
 IVOn'S AMBITION, 247 
 
 ^' No; Miss Jessie, I sliall never forget you. 
 Don't you remember, when we were children, 
 how we used to talk of the future, and I 
 declared that Avhen I had made my fortune 
 I should come hack here and marry you ? Is 
 that childish idea so very improbable V 
 Perhaps before many years are over there 
 may not be such a difference of rank between 
 us.'' 
 
 ^^ I don't see that there is anv difference 
 now," replied Jessie. ''^Ye shall both hare 
 to work for our living; and you are a genius, 
 and I am not a bit clever. I don't like the 
 idea of losing you. Oh, Ivor, couldn't you 
 stay? You could paint pictures here just as 
 well as am' where else ; such talents as you 
 have must triumph wherever you are." 
 
 '' I cannot remain here," said Ivor, firmly. 
 ''It is for your sake that I go. You may 
 choose to ignore the inequality of position, 
 l)ut your parents will not think the same as 
 you do ; Ijut I sliould like to know that you 
 would remain true to me. If ever I can 
 raise m}'self so that your father will not 
 despise me, can you give me a promise that
 
 248 . EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 you will wait until I feel m^-^^elf in a 2:)osition 
 to ask for tlieir consent ? It will be such a 
 help to cheer me on along the steep path to 
 fame." 
 
 '^ YeSj Ivor J I will be true to you ! '' 
 answered Jessie, joyfully, keeping her eyes 
 fixed on the ground, as she walked by his 
 side along the cool shady road, wandering 
 quite in the opposite direction from Mr. 
 Williams's house. '^ I shall never forget you, 
 however long you stay away ; but I am 
 certain it won't be for many years, and we 
 are both so young yet, we can wait, cannot 
 we ? And I shall go out as a governess soon, 
 because I 'm determined not to stay at home 
 to be a burden on my father and mother, 
 and then you see I can be saving money as 
 well as you." 
 
 '^But, Miss Jessie, you must remember 
 that we are a long way apart yet, and 
 2)erhaps when you get older there will be 
 others richer and in a higher position than I 
 am who will wish to marry you. I should 
 not like to bind you to any promise before 
 you had caref ullv considered if you love me
 
 IVOll'S AMBITION. 2¥.) 
 
 well cnoiigli to Lear nniny long- years of 
 separation," said Ivor, gravely, rather amazed 
 at Jessie's calm, matter-of-fact way of dis- 
 cussing tliat wliicli lay nearest to liis heart; 
 for his friendship for her had turned into 
 real, earnest love. He had intended waiting 
 until lie could feel himself more on an 
 equality, but now, in s})itc of his resolutions, 
 he found himself uttering the hopes that he 
 had tried for so long to conceal. 
 
 To his utter astonishment, instead of 
 replying she looked up into his face and then 
 burst into tears. 
 
 ^^ Oh, Ivor, don't you know" that I can 
 ]iever care for an}-bod}' but you I " she 
 exclaimed, between her sobs. ''It is not 
 kind of you to douljt me. I thought you 
 knew all along how I liked you; haven 't wc 
 been like brother and sister ? and as for any 
 silly difference of station, there is not such 
 a thing ! " 
 
 His arm was round her waist, and his 
 kisses were pressed on her lips. 
 
 '' Don't cry, Jessie my darling : you have 
 nuxde me so happy now ! " he said, affection-
 
 230 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 iitely . ' ' I don't like to sec you miserablcj it 
 is what we liave both wished for — to belong 
 altogether to each other." 
 
 '' I am crying because I am so happy! " 
 answered Jessie, raising her blushing face 
 and smiling through her tears. '' And yet I 
 feel miserable, too, Avhen I think that you 
 are going away so soon ; but you will write 
 to me often, to tell me hoAV you are getting 
 on ? " 
 
 ^^ Yes, as often as you care to answer my 
 letters ; but I am afraid they will only be a 
 record of an up-hill struggle. Without 
 money or friends I should think it is difficult 
 for an artist to succeed. Ihit perseverance 
 never fails, they say," he added, hopefully. 
 
 How long these two foolish young people 
 would have remained in the same state of 
 happiness, oidy looking forward to an 
 idealistic future, it is impossible to say, had 
 not Mr. Williams been returnino- from a late 
 visit to a sick parishioner, and on turning 
 the corner he suddenly came in siglit of his 
 vounacest dau^'hter, with Ivor's arm still 
 encircling lier Avaist, and liis eyes looking
 
 IVOlfS AMBITION. ' 251 
 
 into licrs, as they passed along', walking- very 
 slowly in the twilight. 
 
 '^ What is this I see I Ivor, is that vou? 
 How dare you be walking like that with my 
 daughter ? " exclaimed the clergyman. 
 
 In terrible fright the two lovers turned 
 round simultaneous!}', Ijoth with very red 
 faces, and confronted the new comer. Ivor 
 began to stammer out an apology. 
 
 ''Go home, Jessie, this instant; and leave 
 me to speak to this young man. Are you 
 not both ashamed of yourselves?" continued 
 Mr. Williams, passionately, while Jessie shrank 
 back, trembling at the unaccustomed sight 
 of her father's ano:er. '^ You oui2:ht to know 
 better than to be making- love to my 
 daughter ; but I su})pose this is all the return 
 I get in having procured for you a better 
 <Hlucation than you deserve. You surel}' do 
 \\i)i regard yourself as her equal ? " he added, 
 glancing' up into Ivor's face, which had 
 turned pale with the struggle to keep do^\ni 
 his rising temper. 
 
 ^'No, sir," answered the young man, 
 calmly and respectfulh', '^ I am perfectly
 
 252 EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 aware of the difference of rank ; but I have 
 hopes of attaining to a higher station — one 
 that will perhaps render me worthy of her. 
 I am going to quit my present mode of life, 
 and take to the profession of a j^ainter, and, 
 as you well know, manv of oui^ most eminent 
 artists have risen from as Ioav a station as 
 mine is." 
 
 ^ ' I think the sooner 3^011 leave Pen Yyclian 
 the better!" muttered the clergyman, a little 
 less angrily, for Ivor's words had served to 
 dispel some of his T\rrath. ^'Do not you 
 think it is exceedingly dishonourable of you 
 to fill a young girl's head with such non- 
 sense ? I thought I could trust you ! " he 
 added, reproachfully. 
 
 Jessie sprang eagerly forward. ^^ Oh ! 
 father, you must not blame Ivor ! " she be- 
 gan, but her father silenced her with a look. 
 
 ^' Did I not desire you to go home ? why 
 have you not obeyed me ?" he exclaimed. 
 '^ I v/ill follow you presently." 
 
 ^^It is all my fault; I know I have done 
 wrong, sir," answered Ivor, humbly. ^'I 
 suppose I am vain and conceited to fancy
 
 lVOn\S AMBITION. 253 
 
 myself clever^ Ijut I .'cannot help thinking 
 that I shall meet with success ; it was this 
 belief that induced me to declare to Miss 
 Jessie the affection I feel for her. Plow can 
 I help it ? But I suppose I ought to have said 
 nothing about it." 
 
 ^ ' I think you can answer that question your- 
 self," re2)lied Mr. Williams, sternly. ^^ What 
 right have you, in your position, to presume 
 to think of my daughter ? I never heard of 
 such unparalleled impertinence. I blame you 
 the most, for I thought that at least you 
 would knoAv how to keep your own place ; 
 but I see now I have been mistaken in you. 
 You say you are going away. Of course 
 you will not attempt to see her l)cfore you 
 leave here." 
 
 '^ Certainly I shall not attempt it, sir," 
 said Ivor, a little angrily, for Mr. Williams's 
 reproaches stung him keenly. '' I will not 
 stay to annoy you any more. I shall leave 
 for London to-morrow. I am sure I must 
 ask you to pardon me ; but is there any 
 liope?" he continued, in a pleading voice. 
 '^ Should I ever be enabled to offer a good
 
 251 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 home to your daughter, shall you still with- 
 hold your consent, provided she is in the 
 same mind ?" 
 
 ^'It is foolisli and ridiculous to j)i'olong' 
 this discussion," was the reply. '^ Of course 
 I can never consent, your rank and parent- 
 age are so different from hers ! Come, let 
 us say no more on this subject; you must 
 try and forget it ; you will he older and wiser 
 some time." 
 
 ^'No, sir, I can never forget," returned 
 Ivor, sadly. '^ I am sorry I have offended 
 vou, after 3^our kindness to me. Good-bye, 
 sir : you will not see me again ! " 
 
 In a moment he was gone, walking with 
 rapid strides up the steep hill-side, continuing- 
 on at a reckless pace, as if bodily exertion 
 would dispel the emotion of his mind. On- 
 ward he pressed, leaping from crag to crag, 
 and climbing up, clinging with his hands to 
 the overhano^ino" rocks, until he reached the 
 summit of the mist-wreathed mountain.
 
 THE DEATH OF THE SMUG GLEE. 255 
 
 CHAPTEPt XIII. 
 
 THE DEATH OF THE SMUGGLER. 
 
 Linked with one virtue and a thousand crimes. 
 
 Byron. 
 
 Ivor sank doAvn breathless and exhausted^ 
 and covering his face with his liands gave 
 liimsclf over to the utter wretchedness into 
 which Mr. WilHanis's words had thrown him. 
 ^^ They will try to set her against me," he 
 cried, with a groan of misery. " And per- 
 haps she will not be able to remain true to her 
 promise. I wish he had not so strictly for- 
 bidden me to see her again. She may think 
 I shall forget her — as if such a thing could 
 be 2^ossible ! And, oh, she will get blamed, 
 when it was all my fault ! " This last thought 
 was the bitterest of all to the }'oung num,
 
 2oG EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 Avlio had felt keenly the rebuke of Mr. 
 Williams's Avords, and was now fully sensil )le 
 that he had done wrong in daring to speak 
 of love to Jessie. *' But it is all over now I'' 
 he said aloud, in a kind of dogged despair, 
 as, when his first grief had cooled down, ho 
 be<^^an slowlv to descend the side of tlie 
 mountain, this time taking the way towards 
 the sea — a path infinitely more dangerous 
 than the one by which he had come up. He 
 knew every step of the way and went on 
 fearlesslv, althouirh even in the davlidit it 
 was a perilous descent, much more so novr 
 in the dense fog and blank darkness; but 
 Ivor felt rather recldess just then. He could 
 hear the sullen splash of the waves over the 
 rocks below : one false step and he would be 
 dashed to pieces, or else find a watery grave 
 beneath the heavilv rolling' billows. '^ AMiat 
 would it matter?" he said to himself. ^' So 
 few people would regret me I I think there is 
 onlv one who woidd feel real sorrow, and she 
 is parted fi'om me for ever! Xot an hoiu* 
 ao-o I was looking; forward with hoije to the 
 future, ever}'tliing seemed so bright and
 
 TEE DEATH OF TEE SMUGGLER. 257 
 
 pleasant, and now all is changed.'^ Then he 
 began speculating on the caiLse of that change, 
 and wondered whv his ambition had received 
 such a sudden check, and why the prospect 
 of an artistic life, which had appeared so 
 desirable, should now present so few charms. 
 
 He drew himself up resolutely as these 
 thoufrhts flashed throucrh liis brain, and his 
 step became slower. 
 
 ^^ I will persevere,'- he exclaimed aloud. 
 *^I shall not be discom-aged ; perhaps some 
 day Mr. Williams will not refuse to welcome 
 me as his dausrhter's suitor.'' 
 
 He stood still, with his head proudly 
 thrown back, and an almost defiant look on 
 his handsome face. 
 
 Just at that moment the mist seemed all at 
 once to roll awav, and the briofht moon shone 
 out from between the clouds, rendering it 
 almost as light as day, clearly revealing 
 even the smallest ripple on the calm sea. 
 
 The somid of voices above him caused 
 Ivor to tm'n and look up : but he could 
 distino^sh nothino^ throuofh the. mist that 
 still overshadowed the mountain. Then 
 
 VOL. I. s
 
 258 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 caine the noise of a pistol shot, and a moment 
 after the figure of a man appeared, as it 
 were, out of the mist, and half rushed, half 
 fell, over the rough rocks and tlu'ough the 
 bushes, passing close by where Ivor stood. 
 He came to the edge of the preci23ice that 
 rose up from the sea, and mth a desperate 
 effort, perceiving the danger for the first 
 time, he attempted to check his headlong 
 speed ; it was only for a second, but suffi- 
 cient time for Ivor to recognize the features 
 of Captain Ashton, wild and distorted with 
 mingled terror, rage, and agony. 
 
 In another moment, with a cry of anguish, 
 the very sound of which caused Ivor's blood 
 to freeze in his veins, the smuggler had 
 thrown himself forward over the cliffs. 
 
 Ivor's first impulse was to go to his assist- 
 ance ; all his own troubles were forgotten, as 
 he scrambled down the only practicable 
 path. He could hear footsteps descending 
 from above, but he paid no heed, and in an 
 incredibly short space of time he had reached 
 the place where Captain Ashton lay motion- 
 less, perhaps dead.
 
 THE DEATH OF THE SMUGGLER. 259 
 
 As Ivor bent over him a deep groan 
 proclaimed that lie still breatlied ; his face 
 was turned to a death-like whiteness, and 
 his eyes assmned a fierce glare of liatred 
 and fear. 
 
 '^ Leave me alone I You have killed me ; 
 cannot you let me die in peace ? " he cried, 
 with a fierce oath. 
 
 *' Don't you know me, Captain Ashton ? I 
 am Ivor Morgan," said the young man. 
 ^' Can you move, arc you much hurt?" 
 
 The blood was trickling from a wound 
 near his shoulder. Ivor hastily tore away 
 the sleeve and attempted to bind it up. 
 
 *^ Do not touch me ! " shrieked the sufferer. 
 " The fall has broken my back, I believe! 
 I cannot move : leave me, and save my child ; 
 she is down there, in tlie boat. Bring her to 
 me, quick ! I cannot die without her." 
 
 Ivor raised his head, and perceived a 
 small boat moored to tlie rocks close by. 
 The bright moonliglit shijne on the fair face 
 of little Maud, who liad been roused l)y her 
 father's cry of agony, and was endeavouring, 
 with all her frail strength, to reach him.
 
 2()0 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 She allowed Ivor to take her up, and carry 
 her to her father's side ; she looked at him in 
 wondering silence, clasping her arms tightly 
 round his neck. It appeared almost as if 
 she understood what had happened ; she 
 ke2)t calling him by some endearing 
 name. 
 
 It ^\'as an anxious time for Ivor : he stood 
 hy irresolute, not knowing how to act for 
 the best. Captain j^shton had moved his 
 uninjured arm, and held his little daughter 
 with it, although the movement caused a 
 shudder of pain to run through his whole 
 body. 
 
 ^' I (^an trust you, Morgan, ' you will take 
 care of her?" he said at last, sj)eaking slowly, 
 in the agony that each word cost him. 
 ' ^ When I am dead, you nmst take her to 
 my other daughter — Mavis Durant." 
 
 ^^ Lady Durant your other daughter!" 
 echoed Ivor, aghast with astonishment. 
 ^^ What do A ou mean ? " But there was no 
 answer ; the dying man was insensible, and 
 all Ivor could do was to use the means in his 
 power to restore animation. ^^ I cannot leave
 
 TEE DEATH OF THE SMUGGLER. 261 
 
 him to call assistance," he said to himself. 
 '^ The tide will be over here in less time than 
 it would take me to reach the village ; it is 
 impossible to make them hear from the 
 Orient. Maud, what shall I do ? " he asked, 
 appealing in his heljDlessness to the child, on 
 whose face a frightened look had settled, and 
 slie had broken into a low wail of despair, , 
 even at her age knowing that something 
 terrible had occurred. 
 
 The little girl looked up, and pushed back 
 the clustering curls that had fallen "over her 
 face, and then, all at once, the strong resem- 
 blance to Mavis Durant struck Ivor ; he had 
 never before perceived it, althougli he had 
 often seen the child. 
 
 '^ Can't you take us home to the vessel ? " 
 asked the little one, with a piteous look of 
 entreaty in her lovely blue eyes. 
 
 He made no reply, for assistance was at 
 hand ; a man in the uniform of a coast- 
 guardsman was approaching, beneath the 
 shadow of the cliffs. Ivor's lieart l)cat 
 quickly with hope ; he raised liis voice and 
 called loudly for help.
 
 2\1 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 The man heard the call, and came hurry- 
 ing up. 
 
 '^ This man has fallen over the cliffs, and 
 is, I fear, fatally injured I " was all the ex- 
 planation Ivor gave. 
 
 '' AVhat, Morgan, is that you ? " asked the 
 officer, recognizing Ijjotli Ivor and the 
 c aptain . ' ' Do you know that he is one of 
 those rascally smuggling fellows who give us 
 so much trouble ? " 
 
 ^' Yes, Mr. Hopkins, I know it ! " was the 
 hiuTied reply. '^ I am so thankful you have 
 come ; he is unable to move. What shall we 
 do ? " 
 
 Lieutenant Hopkins was a man of few 
 words, but prompt in his actions. With 
 Ivor's assistance he lifted up the injured 
 man and conveyed him to the boat. 
 
 " This is a serious case, I am afraid," lie 
 said, as they laid Captain Ashton down as 
 gently as possible; but still, with all the 
 care, each movement brought fearful pain. 
 ''We must take him to the nearest house 
 and get a surgeon, although nothing (;an 
 possiljly do any good. But what child is
 
 THE DEATH OF THE SMUG GLEE. 263 
 
 that ? " he added, apparently for the first 
 time perceiving Maud, who, alarmed at the 
 sight of a stranger, turned to Ivor for pro- 
 tection. 
 
 ^' She is Captain Ashton's daughter," 
 replied the young man, taking the oars, 
 and preparing to push off. ^^Had I not 
 better row towards the farm over there ? " 
 he added, pointing towards a cluster of white 
 buildings in a valley at some little distance. 
 ^' It is nearer than the village ; my mother 
 lives there." 
 
 The officer readily assented, and the boat, 
 propelled by Ivor's powerful arms, seemed 
 almost to fly through the water. As they 
 were going along Lieutenant Hopkins related 
 how he had suddenly surprised Captain 
 Ashton and several other men engaged in 
 'Conveying contraband goods over the moun- 
 tains. On perceiving him the men, heedless 
 of their master's commands, had fled ; but 
 the captain stood his ground, and, producing 
 •a revolver, fired one barrel. Fortunately it 
 missed its aim, and the coastguardsman 
 <;losed in with his adversary in a struggle
 
 264 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 for life. By some means the other barrel 
 went off. 
 
 ^^I did not know at the time that he was 
 wounded," he went on to say ; '^ he staggered 
 back, and then I suppose, as a last resource, 
 took to flight. I am afraid it is the last 
 adventure of that sort he 11 be engaged in. 
 I ve had an eye on him for some time, but 
 was never able to find him out before." 
 
 '' Poor man ! it 's a sad ending. I wonder- 
 what sort of a life he has led," said Ivor, 
 pityingly, regarding the agonized face of the 
 dying man, and listening to the low groans 
 of pain that every now and then issued from 
 the jDallid lips. 
 
 As soon as the boat touched the shore Ivor 
 sprang out. 
 
 '^ We won't attempt to move him alone," 
 said the lieutenant ; ^^ you had better runup 
 to the house and get help." 
 
 '^ Yes, sir," rej^lied Ivor, promptly hurry- 
 ing away towards his stepfather's farm, 
 which lay in the valley, and was only ap- 
 proached from the village by a narrow moun- 
 tain road.
 
 THE DEATH OF THE SMUGGLER, '2Qo 
 
 ^^See if you can send any one for a 
 surgeon ! " shouted the officer after him ; but 
 Ivor was ah^eady out of hearing, and it was 
 with some anxiety that he watched the re- 
 treating figure growing less and less distinct 
 in the darkness. 
 
 ^^ I hope they won't be long," muttered 
 the man, ligliting his pipe, and seating 
 himself where he could watch the face of 
 tlie sufferer. 
 
 He was not naturally a hard-hearted man, 
 but had been familiarized with scenes of 
 horror from long service in the navy, and 
 the death of a smuggler like Captain Ashtoa 
 did not altogether strike him with great 
 horror. ' ^ Such men as he are better out 
 of the world than in it," he thouglit ; '^ how- 
 ever, I wish this had never happened, for I 
 may get blamed for it ; but young Morgan 
 can testify it was not my fault. Be quiet, 
 child, can't you ! " he added, roughly, for 
 Maud, who had long been silent, began to 
 cry again. 
 
 The sound of his child's voice roused the 
 captain to semi-consciousness ; he opened his
 
 260 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 eyes. ^^ Maud, is that you ? " he said, trying 
 to raise his head and look for her. 
 
 The lieutenant took up the little lame girl 
 to move her, but she repulsed him with all 
 her strength. '^Go away, you bad man, 
 you 've hurt my father ! " she cried, 2)assion- 
 ately ; but lie only answered with a laugh, 
 and moved her nearer to the captain. A 
 more peaceful look passed over his face as he 
 drew her close to his side: 
 
 ^' You Ve caught me at last! " he said, with 
 a ghastly smile, turning his eyes towards the 
 officer. '^ I hope you are satisfied now, after 
 the hunt you 've had after me. A pretty kind 
 of revenge this is ! " 
 
 ^^ I really cannot help it, Ashton ! " was the 
 reply ; ' ^ I have only done my duty. If you 
 choose to break the laws of your country, 
 what am I to do but try and make you re- 
 spect tliem ? You know this accident was 
 your own doing. If you had not fired, but 
 had allowed yourself to be taken, it would 
 not have happened. You see you should 
 have been contented with your honest earn- 
 ings, for you were in command of a good
 
 THE DEATH OF THE SMUGGLER. 2r,7 
 
 trading-vessel, and shouldn't have ventured 
 in dishonest dealings." 
 
 * ' It 's all very well to lecture and ])reach 
 at me now ; but vou see it 's too late. I shall 
 be out of your power soon enough ! " 
 
 '^ Are you in much pain ? " asked Hoijkins, 
 in a o-entler tone. ^^ You will not have to 
 wait Ion"'. I have sent that lad Moro^an to 
 fetch help, and get you into a place of shelter. 
 I wish they 'd make haste ! " he added, speak- 
 ing his thoughts aloud, and gazing anxiously 
 into the darkness, in the hopes of Ivor's 
 return. 
 
 ^' No ; the pain is easier now," groaned the 
 injured man, and a death -like faintness again 
 came over him, and he remembered no more, 
 excejDt a sensation of acute agony as he was 
 raised up; and tlien followed a long period of 
 delirious ra\'ings, with only short intervals 
 of consciousness of the terrible suffering he 
 had to bear. 
 
 When at last his senses i-oused to what 
 was ii'oino; on he became aware that he was 
 lying in a comfortable bed. It Avas then 
 broad daylight, and several pe()])le were in
 
 268 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 the room. He could liear the sound of their 
 voices in conversation, but could not distin- 
 guish what they said. 
 
 One of them advanced to the bedside. 
 The captain recognized him instantly as Mr. 
 Roberts, the surgeon from Pen Vychan. 
 
 "Well, doctor, I sup230se it's all over 
 with me," he said, with a mid attempt at a 
 laugh that seemed horrible to be heard from 
 d3ring lips. ''I shall slip through their 
 hands after all, you see. I always declared 
 I should not be taken alive." 
 
 A horrified look came into the surgeon's 
 face. 
 
 ''Mrs. Hughes, bring the child," he 
 whisj)ered, softly. '*Tlie sight of her will 
 perhaps do him good. He is dying now." 
 
 In a few minutes little Maud, pale and 
 frightened-looking, from being suddenly 
 awakened from a sound sleep, was brought 
 in, in the arms of Ivor's mother, a short, 
 stout, rather vulgar-looking woman, who 
 bore not the slightest resemblance to her fine 
 handsome son, who followed her quietly into 
 the room, and took his stand near to the
 
 THE DEATH OF THE SJ^TUGGLER. 269 
 
 liead of the bed, gazing doAvn sorrowfully 
 at the pallid face of the man who, with all 
 his crimes, had tried to show him kindness 
 and friendship. 
 
 '' Captain Ashton, shouldn't you like to 
 see your nephew ? " he asked, in a low voice. 
 ^^ He is downstairs. He came here directly 
 he heard of your accident. He seems terribly 
 shocked." 
 
 A savage frown darkened the captains 
 brow. 
 
 ^^No!" he exclaimed, hoarsely. ^'If he 
 had not deserted me, I should not be lying 
 here. I thought I could trust him, but he 
 was false to me. Morgan, I must rely on 
 you, and entrust this little one to your care. 
 You know where to take her ? " He looked 
 up inquiringly, with an eager, anxious 
 expression. 
 
 '^ You mentioned Lady Durant," began 
 Ivor, incredulouslv. '^Can it be true that 
 she is your daughter ? '' 
 
 ^^ I told you she was!" was the irritable 
 reply. ^^ Is it so very astonishing? Is it so 
 impossible that I sliould change my name ?
 
 270 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 You don't imagine that I would proclaim our 
 relationship to the world ? '' 
 
 Ivor involuntarily shrank back. 
 
 '' Lady Durant the daughter of such a 
 man as this ! " he said to himself, with an 
 indescribable tlnill of horror, but it passed 
 away in a moment. The wishes of tlie 
 dying must be respected. 
 
 ^' You need not fear/' he answered, 
 steadily ; ^' I mil not give her up until she is 
 under Lad}^ Durant's care. She shall never 
 want for a friend while I live." 
 
 He was about to add more, when the door 
 Avas opened, and Edward Asliton appeared, 
 terrified, haggard, and wild-looking. 
 
 As his uncle's eyes fell on him, lie sprang 
 forward. '' Oh, forgive me for leaving 
 you ! " he exclaimed, in a voice of real 
 contrition. 
 
 A savage oath broke from Captain Ashton's 
 lips. ^'Edward, you have murdered me I " 
 he shrieked, half raising himself up, in a 
 frenzy of rage, and then falling heavily 
 Ijack. 
 
 The surgeon stepped forward and raised
 
 THE DEATH OF THE S3IUGGLEB. 271 
 
 his head ; but it was of no avail. That 
 nionieut of fearful rage, roused by the 
 sudden appearance of his nephew, had been 
 his last ; and it was tlie lifeless form of the 
 bold, wicked man that Mr. Eoberts laid 
 back on the bed. 
 
 For a moment Edward Ashton stood 
 speechless and motionless with horror, too 
 much overcome to think or act, or to con- 
 sider the danger he was incurring in coming 
 thus openly to the farm after the events of 
 the past night. 
 
 On hearing of the accident, he had set out 
 at once to see his uncle, for he was shocked 
 beyond measure at the consequences of his 
 own cowardice in deserting him in tlie hour 
 of peril. 
 
 '' I was not prepared for this ! " he said, 
 at length, speaking in a voice choked with 
 emotion ; and then, with only one glance at 
 the face of his uncle, he turned and slowly 
 left the room, with a bewildered, scared look 
 in his eyes, like one just awakened from a 
 terrible dream. 
 
 '^ You 'd better go after himi, Ivor,"
 
 272 EYES SO BLUE, 
 
 whispered Mrs. Hughes, '^ Poor young 
 fellow, he 's half distracted by the sudden- 
 ness of it all." 
 
 Her son obeyed, and they went down 
 together into the large kitchen. Farmer 
 Hughes and Lieutenant Hopkins were 
 seated by the open window, engaged in 
 conversation. 
 
 Ivor pushed open the door, and entered 
 first. *' Come in here," he said to his com- 
 panion ; but Edward shrank back, alarmed 
 at the sight of the coastguardsman, and gave 
 a rapid glance around, as if seeking a chance 
 of escape. 
 
 Hopkins advanced towards him. 
 
 '^It's no use," he said, quietly. ^'You 
 may as well give in at once, and make no 
 fuss about it. I knew I should have you all 
 in time." 
 
 Resistance, of course, was useless, and 
 Edward knew that his best policy was to 
 submit. 
 
 " I will go wherever you msh ! " he cried, 
 in desperation, looking up appealingly to 
 Ivor, as if for help. '^ Only don't handcuif
 
 THE DEATH OF THE SMUGGLEB, 273 
 
 me," he added, as tlie officer approached for 
 that purpose. ^^I'll give you my word I 
 will not attempt escape." 
 
 He sank down on to a chair and covered 
 his face with his hands, completely cowed 
 and crushed by the shock he had under- 
 gone. 
 
 ^'The captain is dead," said Ivor, in a 
 husky voice. '^ He died not five minutes 
 ago ; but does not this seem something like 
 treachery to take sucli unfair advantage of 
 young Ashton ? " 
 
 ^^ I must do my duty, young man," replied 
 the officer, rather stiffly. '^ I '11 beg you not 
 to interfere. Come along ! " he added, 
 turning to Edward. ^^ I Ve wasted time 
 enough already over this job." 
 
 '' Stay a moment, please," cried Edward. 
 ' ' What is to become of my uncle's child ? — 
 and my friends ought to know of this." 
 
 ^'Your friends Avill know soon enough ! " 
 retorted Hopkins; '^ and as for the child, it 
 can go to the workhouse." 
 
 ^' I have promised to see after her, 
 Ashton," said Ivor, stepping forward. '^ It 
 
 VOL. I. T
 
 274: EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 was ypiir uncle's wisli that I should take her 
 to her elder sister, who, I presume, Avill be 
 prepared to receive her." ' 
 
 ^' I 'm not so sure," Avas the reply. ^^ She 
 is a nobleman's wife now, and Avill not be so 
 ready to have the child after this. However, 
 there 's money in the bank at Cardiff — " 
 
 ^' Do you think I'll permit an innocent 
 child to profit from your ill-gotten gains ? " 
 interrupted Ivor, savagely. '^ However, you 
 need not fear : in anv case she will be 
 provided for. She was entrusted to my 
 care, and as long as I can work Maud Asliton 
 shall, at least, not come to want." 
 
 '' There is no need for concealing her true 
 name any longer," said Edward, turning 
 back, as they left the farm. ''It will all 
 have to come out at the inquest, for there 's 
 sure to be one. I shall be tried too. I 
 suppose we may as well own to the name of 
 Austin. I wonder what Lad}' Durant mil 
 
 say 
 
 '' Be silent! what is the good of dragging 
 in her name ? " angrily responded Ivor, turn- 
 ing away with disgust at the fact of the
 
 THE DEATH OF THE SMUGGLER. 275 
 
 relationsliip to Mavis, whicli liad been so 
 lately revealed to liim. 
 
 He went back to the kitchen, and sat in 
 mood}^ silence, only returning monosyllabic 
 replies to his stepfather's observations. 
 Before long Mrs. Hughes came down, flushed 
 and panting. 
 
 ^^ Well, I 'm glad it 's all over, I never had 
 such a turn in my life," she said, thromng 
 herself back in an arm-chair, and fanning 
 herself violently with a corner of her apron. 
 '^ I don't think I shall sleep easy o' nights 
 for a month, I shall always fancy as we shall 
 be robbed and murdered in our beds. I've 
 left that poor little orphan with the children. 
 I couldn't pacify her a bit, but they '11 soon 
 bring her round, better than I can. But, Ivor, 
 what 's that about his lordship's wife? Surely 
 she's nothing to those smugglers! Depend 
 upon it, it 's a lie of his about her being the 
 daughter of the likes of him." 
 
 '' I am afraid it is only too true," rej)lied 
 Ivor, sadly. '^ Captain Ashton stated it as a 
 fact, and I have seen Lady Durant with him. 
 I remember it now, my suspicions were roused
 
 27G EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 at the time; if it is true, he is even a 
 greater villain than I took him for. Do 
 yon not notice the extraordinary like- 
 ness between the little girl and , Lady 
 Durant ? " 
 
 ^'Yes, I perceived it, but likenesses can't 
 always be relied on," answered his mother, 
 with an uneasy glance towards lier son's 
 face. '^ However, you ought to see about 
 letting Lord Durant know, because we ' ve 
 got enough of our oAvn, and don't want to 
 keep other people's children longer tlian we 
 
 can help." 
 
 'M shall take her myself to 8t. Hilda's," 
 said Ivor. '' I have made up my mind to 
 leave Pen Yychan, so I may as well go there 
 as anywhere ; besides, if I can see Lord 
 Durant, he may give me some advice, for I 
 intend to turn artist." 
 
 ^^ You 'd a deal better stay where you 
 are! " said Mrs. Hughes. '' You are getting 
 a good living at present. I 've seen some- 
 thing of artists, and such like folks, in my 
 younger days, when I was in service, and a 
 more idle, tln-iftless lot you never set e3^es on.
 
 THE DEATH OF THE SMUGGLER. 'Ill 
 
 What are you Avaiitini>- a cliano-efor, T sli<nild 
 like to know ! " 
 
 Ivor was silent; lie did ]iot Avisli to speak 
 to his mother about the reasons that com- 
 pelled him to quit his native 2)lace ; lie Avas 
 even noAv impatient to get awa}", but, l)efore 
 he left the house, Mr. Roberts had recom- 
 mended him to remain where he Avas until 
 the inquest AA^as OA'er, as his CAadence Avould 
 be required. 
 
 ^^ You will take care of that \)Oi)v little 
 g'iii until I can get off,'' he said that evening* 
 to Mrs. Hughes, Avhen he was preparing to 
 return to his home at Pen Yyclian, for he 
 still occupied the same cottage where his 
 iiTandfather had lived. 
 
 O 
 
 Amongst the outside passengers on the 
 lilios Celyn coach a fcAA' mornings after 
 Avas a tall, dark, handsome young man, A\itli 
 an expression of Aagour on his sun-])urnt 
 face. He held in his arms a fair, delicate- 
 looking child, Avliom he guarded Avith par- 
 ticular care. ,A11 his Avorldl}' goods Avere 
 contained in the one small box and in the 
 23urse that he carried Avitli him, and thus on
 
 278 EYES SO BLUE. 
 
 the briglitj liot xliigiist morning Ia^oi- 
 Morgan Avent forth into tlie busy world to 
 seek liis fortiinCj away from the liome that 
 had been liis for .seventeen vears, to wliich 
 he Avas destined to return Avitli verv different 
 feelings from those that oppressed him as he 
 turned round to gaze once more at the 
 mountains beneath Avhose shadoAv Jessie 
 Williams dAvelt. 
 
 END OF AOL. I. 
 
 E. J, FRANCIS & CO. TOOK'S COURT AND WINE OFFICE COURT, EC.
 
 ^Pii 
 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILUN0I8-URBANA 
 
 3 0112 049086728 
 
 
 i^-