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Well, Sam, said Mrs. Thorpe, overlooking him from the piazza, we thought you had forgotten us.
No, indeed, replied Sam, and as he discovered Virginia, he added under his breath: At least not while that fair party is around.
Of course, you have acted as Mrs. Harris escort?
My aunt is on the lawn, he answered, and then as he ascended the steps, greeted Virginia. Miss Thorpe will permit me to congratulate her upon her safe return.
I have had quite a journey, replied Virginia coldly.
Well, you have enjoyed it? ventured Sam, and then he noted a swift questioning glance of anger.
In his dilemma, he felt an awkwardness creeping over him and grinned broadly, and then stupidly faltered: That is, I guess so!
You guess wide of the mark.
Aha, replied Sam, with a roguish twinkle of the eye, my eyes do not deceive me, eh?
Flattery is embarrassing to me. I beg of you to avoid it. And she thereupon, with a look of weariness, turned and disappeared through the vestibule.
I guess so! I guess so! exclaimed Sam, abashed, and a flush of mortification overspread his face.
Do you like auntie, Sam? abruptly questioned the child.
She had softly stolen to his side, unperceived, and her voice sounded so close as to startle him.
Ea, ah! well, I should think so, he unconsciously muttered.
Mercy! exclaimed Mrs. Thorpe, who could ill repress a smile Dorothy, dear! I think the robins are calling for you out in the sunshine.
Come, little one, said Sam, glad of an opportunity to escape from an awkward position. And while you are listening to the feathered songsters, Ill keep a sharp lookout for the fair party you call auntie. Come, and he took the childs hand and the two ran down the steps. Darting around the corner, they almost collided with John Thorpe and Mrs. Harris, who were approaching to join the company on the piazza.
Ha democratic Hazel in the role of noblesse oblige, is something new congratulations, my lord, on the conquest! said Mrs. Harris.
I am proud of the acquaintance of so fair a a democrat, and confronting Mrs. Harris, he continued: Englands nobility lays homage at the feet of your fair democrats, for they are the golden links in the chain of conquest.
And it is my hope that soon one of the golden links will bear the distinguished title, Lady Beauchamp, replied Mrs. Harris, while her eyes flashed a merry twinkle in the direction of Hazel.
Of course, remarked Mr. Corway, who, flushed with jealousy resented the allusion. His lordship doubtless since his arrival in the country has been overwhelmed with offerings of the youth and beauty of America.
It seems to me that you are talking in mysteries, remarked Hazel.
Mr. Corway moved toward her. I appeal to the shrine of beauteous Hebe for vindication.
Ha! ha! ha! ha! laughed the girl. Wouldnt it be a surprise if the appeal should be negative?
But the shrine of Hebe is not often invincible, rejoined Constance. You must remember there is hope and there is perseverence but this is irrelevant, and, turning to Mrs. Harris, continued: Have you left Mr. Harris at Rosemont?
Oh, no! James is out in the flower garden, discussing rose culture with Virginia.
Then I propose that we join them, said Mrs. Thorpe.
And I suggest a stroll through the lovely lawn, under the glory of Autumn foliage, added Rutley, who immediately turned and offered Constance his arm, and the two passed down the steps.
Hazel and Corway were following Rutley, when John Thorpe attracted the girls attention by quietly exclaiming: Hazel!
She at once turned to Corway: I shall be with you directly uncle has something to say to me.
As Mr. Corway and Mrs. Harris passed down the steps, John Thorpe and Hazel entered the house.
You have something to say to me, Uncle?
Yes, Hazel, and as they passed into the drawing room he bit his lip in an endeavor to appear unperturbed.
With a girls intuition, she scented something unpleasant, and with a timid and startled look, she faltered: What is it Uncle?
Hazel, he began, and his eyes rested on his beautiful niece very beautiful just then, her eyes bright and clear and peach-bloom of health, the famed Oregon coloring so becoming to the sex, and as he looked at her he became suddenly conscious of a struggle raging in his breast. A struggle between doubt and confidence but he stumbled on slowly I think you show more concern for a the company of Mr. Corway than prudence I mean Hazel!
At that moment Virginia pushed aside the portiere and silently stepped into the room.
John Thorpe paused, for he saw the girls face whiten, and her eyes look into his with an expression of wonderment, and then his heart seemed to leap to his throat, and choke him with a sense of shame at his implication.
He put his arm gently about her, looked into the depths of her blue eyes, and said, kindly: As you love the memory of your father and your mother, Hazel, beware that you do not make too free in the society of Corway. Let your conduct be hedged about with propriety
Uncle! she interrupted, drawing away from him like a startled fawn hit from ambush.
Virginia saw her opportunity to sever the friendship between her brother and Corway.
Before her transformation she would have been shocked beyond measure at so wicked a falsehood, as she then decided to launch. Impelled by a consuming desire for revenge, no blush of shame checked her mad course, and no still small voice warned her of her sin.
She said: John, if our family honor is to be protected from scandal, you will prevent your niece from having further to do with Mr. Corway.
Both John and Hazel turned toward her. A deep silence ensued.
Implicit trust and confidence, the confidence begotten in perfect domestic peace and contentment, had followed John Thorpe but now, for the first time, he found a tinge of shame and indignation had crept into his heart and he could not banish it.
At last he gravely broke the silence Have you no answer to this, Hazel?
The girls eyes flashed resentment, but she refrained from angry expression, for to her uncle she always showed the greatest deference, yet her voice trembled a little as she said, with girlish dignity: I decline to reply to such an absurdity.
Hazel! warned Virginia, you are dangerously near ruin when in the company of that man, for his reputation is anything but clean.
Again a painful silence followed, Hazel, appearing incapable of clearly understanding just what it was all about, stood dumb with astonishment, while Johns varied emotions were seen plainly through the thin veneer of tranquility he tried to maintain.
John Thorpe was jealous of the honor of his house. The mere thought of its possible violation bruised and lacerated him.
Proud of his high position in society; proud of his high rectitude; proud of his fathers untarnished life; proud of the fact that not the faintest shadow of scandal could ever attach to his house or name the hinted criminations of his his orphan niece, maintained in his home as one of the family, beat upon him with much the same effect as the horrifying wings of a bat upon the face of a frightened child.
Virginia saw and felt that the crisis of her ruse was near. Again a flush of daring sprang into her eyes, ominous of deeper sin, but John unconsciously spared her from further commitment. Doubt was master at last, for he chose to lean toward Virginia.