L. T. Meade and Clifford Halifax

“ He was still tall, still slender, his features were straight and his carriage good; his grave and very beautiful dark-grey eyes still retained their old trick of lighting up with the least word. His teeth gleamed white and wholesome in his mouth. It was impossible to connect murder with a man like him.
“For some reason or other you look dazed, Gilchrist,” he said. “You seem more astonished than pleased at seeing me.”
“I am amazed at seeing you,” I replied. “I thought—the fact is, you will forgive me, Lidderdale, but I must speak plainly—I thought you were hiding from the police.” ”

“ Before I had even time to say “Come in,” the door opened and the lovely, ethereal young form of Constance Perowne stood on the threshold. She was in her ball-dress, which she had not put on at dinner; a circlet of pearls formed a coronet round her head; she carried a large white feather fan in one hand, and her gloves in the other. I noticed as she stood on the threshold that she slowly unfurled the fan.
She looked at me vaguely—there was a peculiar expression in her eyes. It needed but a glance to show me what had occurred—the girl was in a state of trance or mesmeric sleep. ”

“ It was just at that supreme moment of agony, amid the roaring of the gale, that Mrs. Kruse, coming softly behind me, whispered something in my ear.
“I give you one chance,” she said; “the loop which binds your hands to the plank is single.” She said nothing more, but stepped back.
The next instant, amid a frightful roar of thunder, the balloon was lifted from its moorings and shot up into the night. As it cleared the buildings the full force of the gale caught it, and I felt myself being swept up with terrible velocity into the very heart of the storm. ”

“ She was standing then, as she had done the night before on the hearth—she wore her black velvet dress and the diamond star glittered in her hair. When she saw me a ghost of a smile flitted across her face, then it vanished. I noticed that her features were drawn, as if in mental agony—her queer, greenish eyes burned with a curious light.
“Well,” I cried, “this is most extraordinary. Will you please explain how you have got into the house?”
“That does not concern you, Mr. Gilchrist,” she replied. “I said I should visit you again—I have kept my word. We hypnotists never break our engagements. ”

“ I approached the bed, but a power which I could not withstand kept me from getting into it, and now a queer sensation visited me. I no longer felt the least desire to oppose the influence which was undoubtedly exercising its sway over all my actions. I walked hurriedly across the room, pressed the button of the centre door, opened it as I had done on the previous night, stood again on the threshold of the little sitting-room, and once more encountered the fixed and intent gaze of Louisa Enderby. ”

“ The next moment we found ourselves in a long, low, cool conservatory, protected from the sun by heavy blinds, which shut out the greater part of the heat of the June day. A very slender young girl was standing under an open window. She was twirling a rose in her fingers. When she saw Maxwell the rose tumbled to the floor, and she advanced slowly to meet him.
“Here I am, Laura,” he cried, “and whom do you think I have brought with me? No less a person than my best man, and,” he added, giving me an affectionate glance, “my greatest friend, Paul Gilchrist.” ”

“ One or two doctors said that it was caused by shock, and one man was sufficiently hopeful to hint that another and greater shock might possibly restore me—but that kind of thing cannot be done to order, and my case is without doubt incurable. Now, Gilchrist, the tragedy of the thing is this—that smile and laugh have nothing whatever to do with me: within I am like all other men. I am not the monster my smile would show and my laugh prove. I can love deeply, and I can be stirred to noble thoughts. ”

“ Like a flash a memory rose before my mental vision. If there was a subject on which Maxwell, in my opinion, was a little over-particular, it was on the dreaded topic of heredity. Over and over again had he been fond of assuring me that far rather would he allow his ancient house to die out of existence than bring serious disease into his family. When I last saw Mrs. Joliffe she had been confined in a lunatic asylum. She had met me now in order to wring a promise from me that I would not acquaint Lucian Maxwell with this fact. I had given her the promise without knowing what it involved. ”

“ If I have an enemy in the world, it is the man who was to have succeeded me at the Manor. His name is Dayrell Tregenna. How that wretch has hankered and longed for my death; but, ha! ha! the little fellow will put matters right now. Dayrell won't dare show his nose within twenty miles of the Manor from this day out. He, and his cursed brood with him, can go to the Antipodes for all I care. The child makes all right. So Lady Tregenna is a mother at last. ”

“ My uncle, my mother's step-brother, the heir to this vast property, had just been married. I hated him for living at all; but for him I should have been the heiress of Queen's Marvel. I longed for the place with all avarice, with a passion, which you who are born to wealth can scarcely comprehend. I smothered my sensations, however, and tried to make myself agreeable to the family. I was never beautiful, but I had the power of fascination. In particular, I fascinated my uncle; he was young, only a few years my senior; he was handsome, fully endowed with all that can render life delightful. ”

“ I have heard madmen laugh before now, and have listened to the jackal in the jungle, but I never, from man or beast, was greeted by such a sound of horror as proceeded from Farquharson's lips.
“Now you know my secret,” he said, resuming his usual automatic manner and immovable cast of face. “Let us walk up and down.”
“But why do you do it?” I said.
“Because I cannot help myself. As a child, I am told that I was all right, but when very young I had a bad fall off a pony and had concussion of the brain. ”

“ Gilchrist, pray,” he said. “Has my—has Miss Rivington commissioned you to bring me a message?”
“Not exactly,” I said. I favoured him with a long glance, and then all of a sudden I resolved to throw prudence to the winds.
“Good heavens! Rivington,” I cried, “if you and I are to save that girl from a fate about the most appalling in the world, we must each throw aside our masks, and talk together as man to man.” ”

“ Laura feels badly to-night, but to-morrow in all probability she will be her own happy self again. The attacks at first are always slight. Laura will be quite well to-morrow, that is, unless she gets a shock. If she gets a shock now she will be a maniac for life. Mr. Gilchrist, I hold you to your promise.”
I was silent.
“You are bound in honour, I hold you to your promise,” repeated the unhappy woman.
“What can be the matter?” said Maxwell's voice at that moment. “Why, Gilchrist, you look quite pale; Mrs. Joliffe, I have come to claim you, this is our dance, is it not?” ”

“ The fact is, there is no accounting for women. I thought she would have been wild about the lad; but, as a matter of fact, never did a woman take a child more calmly. Not that she neglects him—far from that. She sees that he is well looked after, and has him brought to her once or twice daily; but she never pets him—it is a fact, Gilchrist, that I have never seen her once kiss him of her own accord. Bless me, Gilchrist, I don't understand women. It is not even as if Lady Tregenna were a cold, phlegmatic sort of woman; she is all passion, fire, enthusiasm ”

“ It is my lot to see humour with startling quickness, and my whole life is spent in a state of terror, fearing that I may indulge in the smile or laugh which would drive those mad who observed them. I am never quite at my ease except when the light is dim; and, although I may allow myself to change my expression then, and even smile fearlessly, I have still to guard against laughter. I perceive that in an unexpected moment I betrayed myself to Lil. She is horrified, and little wonder. The stoutest nerves could not stand the infliction of such sounds and such looks as I can give. ”

“ Until last evening you did not even know Miss Rivington by name. By what right do you interfere in her private affairs?”
“By the right she herself gave me, and by the common right of humanity,” I replied, standing up in my turn. “Colonel Normanton, I hesitated to come to you, but you yourself have now forced the situation. I will speak frankly. Have you any right to marry that innocent girl?”
He raised his brows in well-acted surprise.
“As much right as any other man,” he said, with fierceness; “the girl loves me—she wishes to be my wife.” ”

“ I think I told my story well, for Rivington, who had been staring fixedly at me, suddenly sprang to his feet and walked to the window, doubtless to conceal feelings which were too strong for him. He came back after a moment and stood facing me.
“If you see her again you can repeat to her what I have already said,” he began. “She has chosen between us; she knows my mind. I can, when occasion offers, be as obstinate as herself. If she insists on marrying that scoundrel, I will never look at her face again. Beautiful and clever as she is, she cannot have everything. She wants us both. ”

“ Once a year the beautiful place is really thrown open—the dangerous patients disappear, no one cares to inquire where or how; but all those patients who are sufficiently well can once more sun themselves in the public gaze. Not only the splendid house itself, but the stately grounds, are got ready for the reception of guests.
On this particular night, having dressed, I ran downstairs. I lifted a curtain, and found myself in the great ball-room. Just within the entrance my eyes lighted on my friend Everzard and a particularly graceful, fair-haired woman of about thirty-five years of age. ”

“ A man in all respects worthy of her has come forward, and if you have only half the courage you ought to have, you will leave her alone to marry him happily the day after to-morrow.”
“I am quite impervious to any hard things you may like to say of me,” answered Carroll. “My mind is absolutely made up. Either the marriage between Lady Pamela and Captain Mainwaring is broken off, or I commit suicide.” ”

“ Kruse,” I cried out, “I know you are there. As you are a woman, have mercy; tell me what this unaccountable thing means. Why am I tied hand and foot? If you really mean to kill me, for God's sake put me out of my misery at once.”
“Hold your tongue, or I'll dash your brains out,” said the ruffian Lewin. “Anna, step back. Now, Carl, bring the ropes along.”
As the brute spoke he flung me with violence upon a plank, which ran across the iron hoop to which the meshes of the great balloon were attached. I struggled to free myself, but in my bound condition was practically powerless. ”

“ I spoke abruptly, for at that moment I had no pity for her; she changed colour, but still looked at me steadily.
“You have failed?” she said, and I detected, with pleasure, a tremor in her voice. “Then you and I, George,” she cried, looking back at her lover, “must be all in all to each other, for Arthur will not relent. He will not have us both, and I will not give you up for him. ”

“ Farquharson's letter was lying face downwards on the table. I took it up, and the following words greeted my eyes:—
Dearest Dick,—It is not that I don't love you, but I am not strong enough to endure what you so constantly are obliged to inflict upon me. Neither, dear, can you bear it—you cannot stand the strain which must never be relaxed, and I cannot endure the constant suspense and the life,of watching. I watch and watch to see the devil come out in your face, Dick, and Dick, dear, it is driving me mad. Please do agree that we shall live apart. ”

“ I was just turning to say something about Lidderdale, when she uttered a little cry of distress.
“Mr. Gilchrist,” she said, “we are thirteen at table—you know of old how horribly superstitious I am. I wish I had not come to dinner.”
I soothed her, and even laughed a little at her fears.
“The age of superstition is quite over,” I said; “you ought not to think of such mediæval follies. Besides, I have something to tell you which will quite turn your attention—our sitting down thirteen to dinner is a mere accident; it is caused by the non-arrival of one of the principal guests.” ”

“ I am a rich man; I heard suddenly that Alma was a widow—I have hurried back to England, and—why, what is the matter, Gilchrist? You look graver and graver. Do you believe that I am inventing this story? ”

“ By-and-by it was time for us all to retire to our respective rooms. I went to mine, poked up the fire, flung myself into an easy chair, and gave myself up to thinking of Louisa Enderby. She was a very plain woman—she was not even specially young, and yet no attractive girl had ever a stronger power of arresting the imagination, of touching—was it the heart, or some other more bewildering, more intangible force? Once again I recalled her visit of the previous night—it was strange, incomprehensible. ”

“ If you patent your discovery before ours, we are done men. Will you be content to work with us, or”—he stopped, his face was crimson, his eyes seemed to start from his head.
“My friend is right,” said Kruse, “but he is far too excitable: I have told him so over and over. We know of your discovery, Mr. Gilchrist; we believe that you can help us, and we know that we can help you. We are working on the same lines. The discovery of this new explosive means money, a very large fortune, and fame. ”

“ I said. “Your brother, Miss Rivington, is still at St. George's Hospital, and even yet lies under the shadow of death. He is better, but not out of danger.”
“Then the marriage is indeed broken off,” said Miss Rivington. “I can bear much, and I can forgive much, but deceit, deceit, never. Come, Mr. Gilchrist, let us go.”
She left the church, leaning on my arm.
The rest of this story is briefly told. Miss Rivington proved to be as inexorable in her anger as she had been firm in her love. Normanton had grossly deceived her—her eyes were at last opened—she refused even to see him again. ”

“ Now, at the present moment, I am in a serious one—I love Colonel Normanton; I respect him more than any other living man—in less than two months' time I hope to be his wife; and yet”—she paused—“he is coming,” she said, “and I must be quick. Arthur will not write to me nor see me. He is angry because—because I give myself to the man whom I love. Once Arthur and I had all our thoughts, all our hopes, our loves in common. ”