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ee!
you are not the Countess of Ferrers, my dear!”’
a «WILD MARGARET
It was Fate more than I, myself, which weaved the plot
whereby I stand to-night before you as a victor, not kneel-
ing, as I once knelt, your slave!”’ .
He paused and smiled down at her, with the air of aman
confident of his victim.
‘* You are tired, and it is time you got some rest. We
start from here by five o’clock this morning. I will have
a carriage waiting by the cathedral-~but I need not trouble
you with the arrangements. All that you have to do is to
e ready; and I have no fear that you will disobey me.”’ |
She rose and looked at him with a flushed face and scorn-
ful eyes.
‘* Austin, you have been drinking,’’ she said.
He started, but instantly recovered himself and shook
his head slowly..
‘‘It is the most charitable conjecture I can form,” she
said. ‘‘ You have either taken too much wine, or you
have lost your reason. I admit that I am indebted to you,
but I will find some means of discharging that debt. Iam
rich—don’t be offended—and an ambitious man like your-
self needs money. You shall have what you require;
more, Blair shall exert all his influence and send you to:
- Parliament—you will shine there, and may rise to any
height you like, But, mind, I will do nothing if you. do
not go at once, and promise me never to come near me
again. If you will not promise—why, thenI will place the
matter in my husband’s hands.’’ She paused. .
_ ** Have you finished?’ he asked calmly, almost gently.
*“'Yes,’”? she said, ‘‘only I may add that I think you
know my threat is no idle one. Blair will know how to
avenge an insult paid to his wife!”
His face grew hard, and his eyes dark with a flash of .
hate and anger. .
** An insult paid to his wife! Yes! Butone paid to Miss
Violet Graham is another matter!” :
*“What do you mean?’ she demanded, scornfully., ‘“‘I
am not Violet Graham, I am his wife.’’
‘You are Violet Graham, but you are not Blair’s wife;
She looked at him, the blood rushing to her face at the
contemptuous familiarity of the last two words.
‘* Leave the room, sir!’? she exclaimed, raising her hand
and pointing to the door. ‘* You have abused my patience;
go, or you will indeed compel me to forget your ‘ services,’
and make it necessary that my paid servants should use
force!”’ , .
tink’ laughed softly, and his eyes glowed with admira-
ion,