Lady Deane, and Other Stories (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882. Excerpt: ... 164 PART IV. Vere Urquhart dined alone at his club that night. There was a sense of oppression upon him that he could not shake off. He knew that Rosalie was going to a concert with some friends; that she would be watching for him all the evening, and yet He made his way to Lady Clara Lumley's, a house where he was a privileged and welcome visitor at any hours. "Well, here you are--eh? What's the matter now?" said her eccentric ladyship, looking up from her cup of coffee, and nodding her plumed head. "Has the rosebud said 'No '?" Then she chuckled to herself, and muttered under her breath: "No fear, no fear." Vere scarcely looked like a man whose love any woman would scorn, as he stood there tall and manly in his plain black evening-dress; his fair locks and deep-set blue-grey eyes shown to every advantage by contrast. If he was a shade or two paler than his wont, if a little fold between his clearly-marked brows told of some troubled thought, these things did but add to the beauty of a face whose power of expression was its greatest charm. "I have come to you," he said, taking his stand upon the rug near which Lady Clara sat, and leaning his arm upon the mantel-shelf; "I have come to you about--Ashton Meadows." Lady Clara dropped her fan, remaining silent while Vere stooped for it. Then she said in her sharpest, most abrupt manner: "Oh, you have, have you? Well, and what about Ash ton Meadows?" Lady Clara rouged extensively. Everyone knew that, and found it excusable in a woman of her age who had once been a beauty. Now, the fact was painfully apparent, for the rest of her wrinkled face had grown white, while a bright red spot burnt on either cheek. "I went to see her this afternoon," continued Vere, not perceiving his companion's agitation; "I was terri...