CHAPTER XXI.
The annual resurrection had begun; the pulse of Nature quickened, rose,throbbed under the vernal summons; pale, tender grass-blades peepedabove the mould, houstonias lifted their blue disks to the March sun,and while the world of birds commenced their preludes where silky youngleaves shyly fluttered, earth and sky were wrapped in that silvery hazewith which coy Springtime half veils her radiant face. The vividverdure of wheat and oat fields, the cooler aqua marina of longstretches of rye, served as mere groundwork for displaying in boldrelief the snowy tufts of plum, the creamy clusters of pear, and theglowing pink of peach orchards that clothed the hillsides, and brimmedthe valleys with fragrant prophecies of fruitful plenty.
Dimmed by distance to fine lines of steel, wavered the flocks of wildgeese flying from steaming bayous to icy lakes in the far North, andnow and then as the ranks dipped, a white flash lit the vignettestraced against the misty, pearl-gray sky.
Spring sunshine had kissed the lips of death, and universal life sprangpalpitating to begin anew the appointed yearly cycle; yet amid theflush and stir of mother earth, there lay hopelessly still and coldsome human hopes, which no divine "Come forth" would ever revivify.
Into the face of Leo Gordon had crept that strange and indescribablechange, which is analogous to the peculiar aspect of the clear heavenswhen dark clouds just faintly rim the horizon, below which they heaptheir sombre, sullen masses, projecting upward weird shadows.
Apparently the sun of prosperity burned in the zenith and gilded herpath with happiness, but analyzed by the prism of her consciousnessthe brightness faded, the colors paled, and grim menace crossed all,like the dark lines of Fraunhofer. To be chosen, loved, wooed and wonexclusively for herself, irrespective of all extraneous appurtenancesand advantages, is the supreme hope innate in every woman, and thedread that her wealth might invest her with charms not intrinsic, hadmade Leo unusually distrustful of the motives of her numerous suitors.That Leighton Douglass loved the woman, not the heiress, she knewbeyond the possibility of cavil or doubt, and when, after maturedeliberation, she promised her hand to Mr. Dunbar, she had felt equallysure that no mercenary consideration biased his choice or inspired hisprofessions of attachment.
For a nature so proudly poised, so averse to all impulsivemanifestations of emotion, her affections were surprisingly warm andclinging, and she loved him with all the depth and fervor of hertender, generous heart; hence the slow torture of her humiliation inthe hour of disenchantment. To women who love is given a sixth sense, asubtile instinct whereby, as in an occult alembic, they discern thepoison that steals into their wine of joy; so Leo was not long inignorance that her coveted kingdom belonged by right of conquest toanother, and that she reigned only nominally and by courtesy.
The evil we most abhor generally espies us afar off, chases tirelessly,crouches at our feet, grimacing triumphantly at our impotence to escapeits loathsome clutches; and Leo's pride bled sorely in the realizationthat she had sold her hand and heart for base counterfeit equivalents.In a crisis of keen disappointment, only very noble natures can remainstrictly just, yet in arraigning her lover for disloyalty, thissorrowing woman abstained from casting all the blame upon him. He hadnot intentionally deceived her, had not deliberately betrayed hertrust; he was the unwilling victim of an inexplicable fascinationagainst which she felt assured he had struggled sullenly andpersistently; and which, in destroying the beautiful edifice of theirmutual hopes, offered him nothing but humiliation in exchange.
Standing to-day beside the pyramid of scarlet geraniums, and velvety,gold-powdered begonias in the centre of the octagonal room, where thewarm Spring sun shone down through the dome, falling aslant on thegreat snowy owl and the rose-colored cockatoo smoothing their plumes onthe top of the glittering brass cages--Leo contrasted the luxurious andelegant details of her lovely home with the grim and bleak cell where,in shame and ignominy, dwelt the young stranger who had stolen herthrone. A beggar by the road-side had filched from the queen in herpalace, her crown and sceptre, and the pomp and splendor of royalsurroundings only mocked and emphasized an empty sham. Merely a triflepaler than usual, and somewhat heavy-eyed from acquaintance withmidnight vigils, she proudly bore her new burden of grief with herwonted easy grace; but the pretty mouth was compressed into harder,narrower lines, and the delicate nose dilated in a haughtier curve.Sooner or later we all learn the wisdom of the unwelcome admonition:"Fortune sells what we believe she gives."
For two months Leo's relations with Mr. Dunbar had been distinctlystrained, and while both carefully avoided any verbal attempt atexplanation, her manner had grown more distant, his more scrupulouslycourteous, but pre-occupied, guarded and cold. Knowing that abdicationwas inevitable, she slowly revolved the best method of release, whichpromised the least sacrifice of womanly dignity, and the greatesteconomy of unpleasantness on the part of her betrothed.
During the week of the trial, she had seen him but twice, andimmediately after he had been summoned to attend some suit in NewOrleans, and had hurriedly bidden her adieu in the presence of others.With punctilious regularity he wrote studiedly polished, graceful yetmerely friendly letters, and like ice morsels they slowly widened theglacier creeping between the two.
To her council she admitted only her bruised pride, her bleeding heart,her relentless incorruptible conscience; and over the conclusion, sheshed no tears, made no moan, allowed no margin for pity. Early on thatSpring morning, she had received a glowing sheaf of La France andDuchess de Brabant roses, accompanied by a brief note announcing Mr.Dunbar's return, and requesting an interview at noon. The tone of herreply was markedly cordial, and after offering congratulations uponhis birthday, she begged his acceptance of a souvenir made for theoccasion by her own hands, a dainty "bit of embroidery which sheflattered herself, he would value for the sake of the donor."
Who doubts that Vashti made a most elaborate toilette, on that day ofhumiliation, when discarded and discrowned she trailed her royal robesfor the last time across the marble courts of Shushan, going forth tomake room for Queen Esther? Amid the loops of lace at her throat, andinto the jewelled clasp of her belt, Leo had fastened the exquisiteroses, noting the perfect harmony of her costume, as she smoothed thefolds of the sapphire velvet robe which she knew that Mr. Dunbarparticularly admired. The lofty, beautiful room was aglow with richcolor from oriental rugs strewn about the marble floor, from masses ofhyacinths and crimson camellias in stands, baskets, vases; frombrilliant tropical birds flitting to and fro; and through the giltwire vista of the aviary, the fountain in the peristyle beyond threw upits silvery hands to arrest attention, and softly beat time to themusic of the gold and green canaries. The large white owl with wide,prescient, berylline eyes, rose suddenly, and on slow wings circledround and round, flying gradually to the ceiling of the dome, thenswooped back to its perch; and the Siberian hound, a huge, dun-huedcreature, lifted his head from the velvet rug and rubbed it against hismistress' dress.
As the sound of a step she knew so well, rang in the vestibule, theblood leaped to Leo's cheeks, but she walked quickly forward, and mether visitor just beneath the "Salve" in the scroll of olives, puttingout her hands across the onyx table with its red and black bowl ofviolets. Thus at arm's length, she held him a moment.
"I am very glad to see you; and I wish you a happy birthday, hopingyour new year may be as bright as the sun that ushers it in; and asfull of fragrance as these lovely roses, which I wear in honor of theday."
Hand in hand, she smiled up into his handsome face, and certainly hehad never looked more kingly, more worthy of her homage.
"Thank you, dear Leo. The light and sweetness of my future can beblotted out, only by losing you. You must be the fulfilment of your ownkind wishes."
He raised her left hand, kissed it lightly, and as she withdrew herfingers and resumed her seat, in front of an ottoman ablaze with atangled mass of brilliant Berlin wool, he sat down at her side.
Ere she was aware of his intention,
he pushed the ottoman beyond herreach, and dexterously catching her hand, took the gold thimble fromher finger and dropped it into his vest pocket.
"Perish the fetich of needle-work, crochet and knitting! To-day atleast it shall not come between us;--and I claim your eyes, yourundivided attention. Now tell me how many of my rivals, how manyaudacious suitors you have held at bay, by these gay Penelope webswoven in my absence?"
"Has Ulysses the right to be curious? Should not memories of Calypsoincline him to unlock the fetters of Penelope?"
"Did she ever for one instant deem the silken cords she hugged to herloyal, tender heart--fetters? Sweet, patient incarnation ofunquestioning fidelity, she stands the eternal antithesis of Mrs.Caudle. From Kittie's letter, I inferred you were not well; butcertainly, my dear Leo, I never saw you look more lovely than to-day."
"Just now Kittie's perceptions are awry, dazzled by the rose light thatwrap? her world. Has Prince arrived?"
"Yes, he came yesterday, and my little sister is entirely andoverwhelmingly happy, for he is literally her Prince. Physically he ismuch improved; has developed surprisingly, but has the shy, taciturnmanner of a student, and is, I fear, a hopeless bookworm."
"Why should his literary taste disquiet you? He went to Germany tofoster his scholarly inclination."
"Why? Why should a man apprentice himself to a carpenter, and become anexpert joiner, when he can never obtain the tools requisite to enablehim to work successfully? His aspirations run along the grooves ofscience; and after dear little Kittie, his favorite Goddess is Biology.Trained in the laboratory of a German scientist, where every imaginablefacility for researches in vivisection, and for the investigation ofcertain biological problems was afforded him, he lands in Americaempty-handed, and behold my carpenter minus tools."
"Having fitted himself for the profession, you surely will not attemptnow to discourage or dissuade him."
"The logic of impecuniosity will doubtless accomplish more than thedissuasion of friends. Microscopic inspection of red and whitecorpuscles, of virus, tissues, protoplasm and chlorophyl is probablyvery interesting to lovers of microbes, and students of segmentation,but such abstract pursuits appertain to purple and fine linen. Aprofession means much; but ability to practise, infinitely more. Justnow the paramount problem is, how Prince can best make his bread. Sixmonths ago, he was prospectively so rich that he could indulge the whimof blowing scientific soap-bubbles labelled with abstruse symbols; atpresent, necessity directs his attention to paying his board bills."
"I thought a liberal allowance had been settled upon him, and ampleprovision made for his future?"
"So there certainly was, on paper; but the destruction of the recordinvalidated the gift."
"All the world knows that he has the rights of an adopted son."
"All the world knows equally well, that failing to produce the will,Prince has lost his legacy, and must enlist in the army of'bread-winners'."
"Then what becomes of 'Elm Bluff' and its fine estate?"
"They descend in the line decreed alike by law and nature, to thenearest blood relation."
Leo felt the blood reddening her throat and cheeks, but under the quickglance of her hazel eyes, his handsome face always en garde showed noembarrassing consciousness. Fearful of silence, she said in aperplexed, inconsequent tone:
"How manifestly unjust. Poor Kittie!"
"Why poor Kittie? Her beaming face is eloquent repudiation of yourpity, and she verily believes her blond-headed, scholarly Prince abountiful equivalent for all Croesus' belongings. Rich little Kittie!After all, where genuine love reigns, worldly environment matterscomparatively little; love makes happiness, and happiness is thereconciler."
A throb of pain shook the woman's heart as she realized the bittertruth that he spoke from an experience born out of season: that he wasathirst for that which her fortune, her love, her own fair, gracefulself could never give him.
She looked at him, with an arch smile lighting her face, but he saw thetrembling of her lips, noted the metallic ring in her voice.
"'Et in Arcadia Ego?' Recent associations have rendered you idyllic. Ican recall a period when 'love in a cottage' was the target thatchallenged the keenest arrows of your satire. Rich little Kittie has mywarmest congratulations. Will Prince remain in X--?"
"How can he? The demand here for amateur scientists is not sufficientlyencouraging; and I rather think he gravitates toward a collegeprofessorship, which might at least supply him abundantly with rabbits,turtles, frogs and guinea-pigs for biological manipulation andexperiment. One of the gay balloons floating through his mind, is aseries of lectures to be delivered in the large cities. Heredity is hispet hobby, and he proposes to canter it under the saddle of Weismann'stheory (whatever that may be), expounding it to scientific Americans.As yet no plans have crystallized. His allowance was paidsemi-annually, but of course it failed him last January, and noalternative presents itself but some attempt to utilize his technicallore. There is a vacancy in the faculty of C---University, and I shallwrite at once to the board of trustees."
Like a moth, Leo flitted closer to the flame.
"Will he make no attempt to secure his rights?"
"He is too wise to waste his time in so fruitless an endeavor."
"Have you advised him to submit tamely to the deprivation of hisfortune?"
"He has not consulted me, but Wolverton, who is his cousin, convincedhim of the futility of any legal proceedings."
"Does General Darrington's granddaughter understand that Prince'scareer will be ruined for want of the money to which he is entitled?"
"I am not acquainted with the views Gen'l Darrington's granddaughterentertains concerning Prince, as I have not seen her since the trialended. Have you?"
Each looked steadily at the other, and under the gleam of his eyes,hers fell, and her color flickered.
"I went once, but was denied admission. Even Sister Serena sees her nolonger. You doubtless know that she is recovering slowly from a severeattack of illness."
"I have heard nothing since the night she was convicted and sentenced.To-day I found a message at my office from Singleton, asking me to callat my earliest convenience at the penitentiary, on a matter of legalbusiness. To what it refers, I know not, as I came immediately here."
There was a brief silence, in which his gaze mercilessly searched herfair, proud face; then with a supreme effort she laid her hand suddenlyon his, and looked up smiling:
"I believe I was growing very impatient over your prolonged absence inNew Orleans. Time dragged dismally, and I was never more rejoiced thanwhen I received your last letter, and knew that I should see youto-day. Lennox, I have set my heart on something, which only yourconsent and acquiescence will secure to me. I am about to ask for amammoth sugar-plum that has dangled temptingly before my eyes fornearly a year, and I shall enjoy it the more if you bestow itgraciously. Can you be generous and indulge my selfish whim?"
He felt a quiver in the cold fingers over which his warm hand closed,saw the throbbing of the artery in her white throat, the ebbing of thescarlet in lips that bravely held their coaxing, smiling curves, and heknew that the crisis he had long foreseen was drawing near.
Leaning closer, he looked down into her brown eyes. The end must come;but he would not precipitate it. Like Francis at Pavia, he acknowledgedto himself that all was lost, save honor.
"Whenever my Leo convinces me she can be selfish, I promise all thatshe can possibly ask; but the selfishness must first beincontrovertibly established."
He had never been dearer to her than at that moment, when his brillianteyes seemed to search her soul and magnetize her; yet she did notfalter and the aching of her heart was a goad to her will.
"You merely shower lesser sugar-plums, intending they shall surfeit.Lennox, you know how often I have longed to make the journey to Greece,Asia Minor and Egypt; you remember I have repeatedly expressed thewish? You--"
"Pardon me, sweetheart, but this is the first time I ever
heard it.""You forget. At last the consummation unfolds itself as smoothly as thefourth act of a melodrama. My friend and schoolmate, Alma Cutting, ofNew York, invites a small party of ladies and gentlemen to accompanyher in a cruise through the Levant, on her father's new and elegantsteam yacht 'Cleopatra'. I have pressing letters from Alma and Mr.Cutting, kindly urging me to join them in New York by the first of May,at which time they expect to start on a preliminary cruise through theNorth and Baltic seas; drifting southward so as to reach Sicily andMalta as soon as cool weather permits. Do you wonder that so charmingand picturesque a tour tempts me sorely?"
Unconsciously she had hurried her enunciation, but imperturbable as thebronze he resembled, Mr. Dunbar listened; merely passing his left armaround her, drawing her resisting form closer to him, holding herfirmly.
"I am waiting for the selfish aspect of this scheme, else I shouldanswer at once, the coveted sugar-plum is yours, and we will make thetour whenever you like, with the minor difference of mere details; wewill go in our own yacht."
She caught her breath, and for an instant the world swam in a burst ofdazzling light. Beyond the reach of the usurper's witchery, was it notpossible that she might regain the alienated heart? Love chanted, itis worth the trial; take him away, win him back. Pride sternly set footupon this spark of hope, with cruel insistence answering: his love hasnever been yours; defrauded of the diamond, will you accept andpatiently wear paste? The quick revulsion was tantalizing as wouldhave been the vanishing of the ram from Abraham's gladdened sight; theswift withdrawal of Diana's stag into the miraculous cloud at Aulis.
"That would be too severe a tax upon your good nature and indulgence,and involves a sacrifice of your professional plans, which I certainlyam not so intensely and monstrously selfish as to permit you to make. Iam so well aware of the reasons that necessitate your remaining inAmerica, in order to secure the appointment you are laboring to obtain,that I refuse the sugar plum if bought with your disappointment."
"Selfishness not established; you must plead on some better ground.Suppose that the happiness of the woman who has done me the honor topromise me her hand, is just now my supreme aim, paramount to everyother ambitious scheme; and that to insure it, I hazard all else?Remember the privilege of choice is mine."
It was the instinct not of affection, but of honor straining hard tohold him to his allegiance, and her proud spirit thrilled under theconsciousness of his motive in striving to spare her. A crimson spotburned on each cheek, a spark kindled in the soft, tender eyes. Shestruggled to free herself, but his clasp tightened.
"Conceding the generosity that would impel you to immolate yourfeelings, in order to gratify my willies, I decline the sacrifice. Youmust indulge my desire to receive my sugar plum in the bonbonniere ofthe 'Cleopatra'."
He pressed her sunny head against his shoulder, and rested his cheek onhers.
"Is it my Leo's wish to leave me, to go alone?"
"Yes, to accompany Alma."
"For an absence of indefinite duration?"
"Certainly for a year; possibly longer; but you must be gracious inyielding. If you really desire to promote my happiness, let me gofeeling that you consent freely."
He comprehended fully all that he was surrendering, the noble, pure,devoted heart; the refining, elevating companionship, the control of aliberal fortune, the proud distinction of calling her his wife; and yetabove the refrain of many mingled regrets, he felt an infinite reliefthat he had been spared the responsibility of the estrangement.
"Whatever your happiness demands, I cannot refuse to concede, but youcan scarcely require me to receive 'graciously' the only construction Ican possibly place upon your request; that I am no longer an essentialelement in your happiness."
Knowing that he owed her every possible reparation, he was resolved toshield her womanly pride from any additional wounds. He withdrew hisencircling arm, released her hand, walked to the end of the aviary, andstood watching the shimmer of the fountain, where two of the ring-dovesheld their wings aslant to catch the spray. After some moments shejoined him, and laid her slender fingers on his arm.
"Dear Lennox, I propose at least a temporary change in our relations,and even at the risk of incurring your displeasure, I prefer to beperfectly frank. When you asked me to become your wife, neither of uscontemplated the long separation involved in this cruise abroad, whichI ardently desire for many reasons to make; and I am unwilling tofetter either you or myself by an engagement during my absence. I wantto be entirely free, bound by no promise; and could I ask release,unless you accepted yours?"
He put his palm under her chin, and lifted the sweet, pure face,forcing her to return his gaze.
"Have I forfeited your confidence?"
"No. Lennox. I have an indestructible faith in your honor."
Her clear, truthful eyes assured him she acquitted him of all intentionto violate in any jot or tittle the forms of his allegiance.
"You deem me incapable of intentionally betraying your noble trust?"
"I do--indeed I do."
"My peerless Leo, have you ceased to love me?"
She shut her eyes an instant, and the delicate, flower face blanched;the treacherous lips quivered:
"No."
"Who has supplanted me in your heart, for once I know it was all myown?"
"Lennox, you are still more to me than all the world beside; but I asktime, I must be free at present. Let me go away untrammelled; consideryourself as unfettered, as before our engagement, and when the yearexpires, if you deem me absolutely necessary to your happiness, you canreadily ask a renewal of your bonds, and I can be sure by that timewhether my happiness depends upon becoming your wife. After to-day Ishall not wear your ring; and if, while away, I send it back to you,interpret it as a final decision that in the future we can only be veryfaithful and attached friends. I have sadly mistaken your character ifyou refuse me release from a compact which I now certainly desire tocancel."
A shadow fell over his face, and he sighed heavily; but whether theutterance of regret or relief she never knew.
"Your heart shall no longer be burdened by bonds which I can loosen.Because your peace and happiness are more to me than my own, I grantyou complete release. When my ring affronts you with disagreeablememories of a past, which will always be hallowed and precious to me,as the one beautiful dream that brightened my youth, that crowned mefor a season at least with the trust and love of the noblest woman Ihave ever known, do not return it; let it slip from the hand it made myown, and find in the blue sea a grave as deep as the chasm--that youwill--shall divide our lives. I honor you too profoundly to questionyour course; yet there is an explanation which I owe to myself as wellas to you. Leo, no man can ever be worthy to call you wife, but perhapsI am less unworthy than you probably deem me? While in New Orleans, Iwrote a long letter, which I afterward decided not to send by mail. Ibrought it to-day, intending to put it into your hand."
He took from the inside pocket of his coat, an envelope addressed toher, broke the seal and pointed at the head of the sheet to the date,some three weeks earlier. She surmised by that wonderful instinct whichGod grants women as armor against the slow, ponderous aggressiveness ofman's tyranny, the nature of its contents. Had she merely anticipatedby an hour his petition for release? Even the bitterness of thisconjecture was neutralized by the testimony it bore to his integrity ofpurpose, his unwillingness to conceal his disloyalty. When temples areshattered and altars crumble, we save our idol and flee into thewilderness, exulting in the assurance that no clay feet defile it.
Leo shook her head and gently put aside the proffered letter.
"You wrote it for the eyes of one who had pledged herself to bear yourname; the revocation of that promise annuls my right to read it."
Mr. Dunbar understood the apprehension that made her shiver slightly.She was marching away proudly with flying colors, having dictated theterms of his capitulation. Should he suffer the imputation of treacheryand intentional deception, rather tha
n turn the tide of battle, trailher banner in the dust, and add to her pain by mortally stabbing thatintense womanly pride which now swallowed up every emotion of her soul?
The more thoroughly chivalrous a man's nature, the keener his cravingfor the honors of war.
"Because henceforth our paths diverge, I prefer to offer you myexculpation, desiring amid the general wreck, to retain at least yourundiminished esteem. Will you read my confession?"
"No; that would entail the necessity of absolution, and I might not beable to command the requisite amiability, should occasion demand it. Wehave shaken hands with the past, and you owe me nothing now but pardonfor any pain I may have given you, and occasional kind thoughts whenthe ocean divides us. I promise you my unwavering esteem; in exchangegrant me your cordial friendship."
She was growing strangely white, and her breath fluttered, but eyes andlips came to the rescue with a steadfast smile.
"You allow me no alternative but submission to your will; yet remember,dear Leo, that in surrendering your pledged faith, I hold myself asfree from any intentional forfeiture, as on the day you gave me yourpromise."
"In token that I believe it, I salute and wear your roses."
She bent her head, touched with her lips the flowers at her throat, andsmiling bravely, held out both hands. He took them, joined the palms,and kissed her softly, reverently on the forehead.
"God bless you, dear Leo. To have known so intimately a nature as nobleand exalted as yours, has left an indelible impression for good upon mylife, which must henceforth be very kinely. Good-bye."
With beat of drum, and blare of bugles, pride claimed the victory; butas Leo watched the tall, fine form pass out from the beautiful home shehad fondly hoped to share with him, she clasped her hands across herlips to stifle the cry that told how dearly she had bought thesemblance of triumph.
When the quick echo of his horse's hoofs died away, she went swiftly toher writing desk.
"Dear Uncle: Please send the enclosed telegram to Mr. Cutting. I had asad but decisive interview with Mr. Dunbar, and after obtaining hisconsent to my tour, we thought it best to annul our engagement. TellAunt Patty, and spare me all questions. I have not been hasty, and Iasked to be released, because I have deemed it best to leave himentirely free."
Sealing the note she rang for Justine.
"Take this to my uncle's study, and tell Andrew to bring my phaeton tothe door at four o'clock. Until then, see that no one disturbs me."
With averted face she held out the envelope, then the curtain fell; andin solitude the aching heart went over the fatal field, silentlyburying its slain hopes, realizing the bitterness of its Cadmeanvictory.