A Heart-Song of To-day (Disturbed by Fire from the 'Unruly Member'). Annie G. Savigny
CHAPTER XIX. FOR A FAIR WOMAN FACE
CHAPTER XX. QUICKENED HEART-BEATS
CHAPTER XXI. LA BELLE VERNON
CHAPTER XXII. THE BLIND GOD TAKES SURE AIM
CHAPTER XXIII. THE WEB OF DIFFICULTY
CHAPTER XXIV. SLAIN BY A WOMAN
CHAPTER XXV. IN THE SUNBEAMS
CHAPTER XXVI. A MOUNTAIN IDYL, OR AN ALPINE ROMANCE
CHAPTER XXVII. GRUNDY'S LASH CAUSES HEART-ACHE
CHAPTER XXVIII. HEART-STIRS TO DIVINE MUSIC
CHAPTER XXIX. THE UNRULY MEMBER IS HEARD
CHAPTER XXX. WOMAN AGAINST WOMAN
CHAPTER XXXI. SOCIETY'S VOTARIES SMILE THOUGH THEY DIE
CHAPTER XXXII. TREVALYON GONE, VAURA KILLS TIME
CHAPTER XXXIII. WARM WORDS BRIDGE CRUEL DISTANCE
CHAPTER XXXIV. BRIC-A-BRAC
CHAPTER XXXV. HEART TO HEART
CHAPTER XXXVI. KNAVES ARE TRUMPS
CHAPTER XXXVII. WEE WHITE MOUSE WINS A POINT
CHAPTER XXXVIII. MADAME IN A FELINE MOOD
CHAPTER XXXIX. TREVALYON THROWS DOWN THE GLOVE
CHAPTER XL. BLACK DELROSE USES EMPHATIC LANGUAGE
CHAPTER XLI. AN EXPOSE, SOCIETY ON TIP-TOE
CHAPTER XLII. "ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE."
CHAPTER XLIII. WEE DETECTIVE PLAYS A WINNING CARD
CHAPTER XLIV. DUAL SOLITUDE
CHAPTER XLV. BLACK DELROSE AS A MARKSMAN
CHAPTER XLVI. DISCORD ENDS; HEART'S-EASE AT LAST
* * * * *
A HEART-SONG OF TO-DAY
(DISTURBED BY FIRE FROM THE UNRULY MEMBER.)
CHAPTER I.
A PRETTY WOMAN LAYS A PLOT, AND HIRES A GARDENER.
"By Jove! I have missed her; you are a very Circe, Mrs. Tompkins."
The speaker, one of the handsomest men I have ever seen, started to his feet as a beautiful Italian mantel clock rang in silver chimes the hour of midnight.
"Sit down again my dear Captain, I have not told you all, and am a wilful woman and must have my way. I know whom you have missed," she said truly, for Sir Tilton Everly has informed her, out-come her woman wit to prevent the meeting. "Is she anything to you?"
"No, and yes, as all women beautiful or fascinating are, I love you all."
"You have large capacities, Captain Trevalyon, but I must make you love one woman and only one, or I cannot sleep content," and the black amorous eyes rest on his face.
"Ye gods! a confession," thought Trevalyon. "Awkward for me as I want Haughton to have the innings; she is good fun and doesn't bore one, but I've missed Vaura again, fool I was to come."
"You don't seem curious" continued Mrs. Tompkins, rolling a small table on which was the debris of a petit champagne supper, from between them.
"Curious! a prerogative of your sex, fair madame, though any of your secrets would be chic enough to tempt a man to encroach," he answered gaily, drawing a chair near his own.
"Especially when 'tis of a woman who lives for him alone," and the handsome wealthy widow sank into the chair opposite him.
"Yes, for an hour, for a day, and 'tis pleasant so you see I know you gay butterflys," he said, lazily placing a foot-stool under the pretty feet of his companion.
"Not so," she said slowly, and with a new tenderness in her tones.
"Not so; but first I brought you here to tell you your friend Colonel
Haughton made me an offer of marriage this moaning. What say you;
would you regret my fetters and wish me free? It shall be as you say."
Only that Mrs. Tompkins' attention was wholly given to her companion, she would have noticed the heavy curtains opposite her and separating her boudoir from a small morning-room pushed aside, and a pair of wrathful blazing eyes watching her every movement; had either been near enough, they would have heard a muttered oath at her last words.
"As I wish! 'tis well I am his friend, chere madame, for there are not many men would bid you to the altar with another, but I say take him, there is not a better fellow in the kingdom, and here is my benediction," and he laughingly lifted her hand to his lips.
"And is that all you care for me? Heavens! what different stuff we are made of, you can bid me to another, while I could kill. Nay, don't start. Yes, could kill a woman you might love. And the speaker looked her words, while there was almost a sob in her voice as her bosom heaved convulsively.
"My dear Mrs. Tompkins, you honor me too much; believe me, 'tis but a passing fancy on your part."
"Passing fancy, never! Listen; you say you love no woman in especial, wed me; love begets love; I am the wooer I know, but you are as handsome as a god, and I have been always one to speak as I feel; yea, and get what I want most days," she added, leaning forward and smiling into his mesmeric eyes. "Come to me," and her heart was in her words. "Come, you are poor in wealth, men say I have millions in gold, try and love me and—"
"And—and what next—Kate—by gad, a pretty speech, allow me to congratulate you. How do, Trevalyon; at your old game of slaughtering hearts?" The speaker had come from behind the curtains and was the owner of the wrathful eyes; a heavily built man of medium weight, a bold man with a handsome black beard, though the top of his head was bald. "You were always a good shot, Trevalyon, when the target was a heart," he repeated savagely.
"'Twas you, who bagged the delicate game, if I remember you aright, Delrose," said Trevalyon, with the utmost sang-froid as he leaned backwards and with his right hand fondled his long tawny moustache.
"George Delrose, what makes you here? You are Lucifer himself, I believe," said Mrs. Tompkins wrathfully, pushing his hand from her shoulder and starting to her feet.
"I gave strict orders to Peter to admit no one to my presence. I shall discharge Him, and at once."
"Take it easy, Kate, I have promoted him to my service."
"From gold lo brass is no promotion; he knows not the value of metals."
"Jove! how like they are, the same bold handsome style, reckless to the last degree," thought Trevalyon.
"They are both a passport to society! all a man wants to-day! so, my pretty Kate don't look so severe, I have one, you have the other," said Delrose audaciously, and attempting to take her hand.
"No, I won't take your hand, go away this moment," and a decided foot went down, "leave Captain Trevalyon and myself to conclude our interview."
"You forget the proprieties, Kate, and though I like not the fruit, I'll play gooseberry," and seating himself he coolly poured out a glass of champagne.
"Shall I make my adieux, Mrs. Tompkins; it grows late?" said
Trevalyon, about