williamson a m - the castle of the shadows

8/12/2019 Williamson a M - The Castle of the Shadows

1/537


2/537

Project Gutenberg's The Castle Of The

Shadows, by Alice Muriel Williamson

This eBook is for the use of anyone

anywhere at no cost and with

almost no restrictions whatsoever. You ma

copy it, give it away or

re-use it under the terms of the Project

Gutenberg License includedwith this eBook or online at

www.gutenberg.org

Title: The Castle Of The Shadows

Author: Alice Muriel Williamson

Release Date: November 23, 2006 [EBook

#19901]

Language: English

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK

THE CASTLE OF THE SHADOWS ***


3/537

Produced by Chris Curnow, Suzanne Shell,

and the Online

Distributed Proofreading Team at

http://www.pgdp.net

Transcriber's Note:

Some changes have been made to correc

ypographical errors and inconsistencies

The author's use of a mixture of US anUK English spelling has been retained.


4/537


5/537

THE CASTLE OF

THE SHADOWS

Books by

C. N. and A. M. WILLIAMSON

The Lightning ConductorThe Princess Passes

My Friend the Chauffeur

Lady Betty Across the WaterRosemary in Search of a Father

My Lady Cinderella

The Car of Destiny


6/537

The Chaperon

The Princess Virginia

Set in Silver

Etc., Etc.

The Castle of the

Shadows

By


7/537

MRS. C. N.

WILLIAMSON


8/537

New York

Doubleday, Page & Company

1909

AUTHORIZED EDITIONDOUBLEDAY, PAGE & CO.

TO

A GOOD MARCHESE

THIS STORY OF

A WICKED MARCHESE


9/537


10/537

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. Where Dreamland Began 3

II. The Story Told by Two 31III. A Mystery and a Bargain 61

IV. The Closed Door 84

V. The Lady on the Verandah 108VI. The End of the World 134

VII. The Gates Open 158

VIII.Number 1280 178IX. A Cry Across the Water 201

X. "Once on Board the Lugger" 224

XI. Virginia's Great Moment 248


11/537

XII. Stand and Deliver! 270

XIII. The Game of Bluff 294


12/537

THE CASTLE OF

THE SHADOWS


13/537

The Castle of the

Shadows


14/537

CHAPTER I

WHERE DREAMLAND

BEGAN

According to the calendar it was winter

but between Mentone and the frontie

own of Ventimiglia, on the white road

nlaid like a strip of ivory on dark rock

above the sapphire of the Mediterranean

t was fierce summer in the sunshine. A

girl riding between two men, reined in hechestnut mare at a cross-road which le

nto the jade-green twilight of an oliv

grove. The men pulled up their horse

also, and all three came to a sudden halt a


15/537

a bridge flung across a swift but shallow

river, whose stony bed cleft the valley.

The afternoon sunshine poured down upohem, burnishing the coils of the girl's hai

o gold, and giving a dazzling brilliancy t

a complexion which for twenty years t

come need not fear the light of day. Shwas gazing up the valley shut in on eithe

side with thickly wooded hills, thei

rugged heads still gilded, their shoulder

already half in shadow; but the eyes of thmen rested only upon her. One wa

English, the other Italian; and it was th

talian whose look devoured her beauty

moving hungrily from the shining tendrilof gold that curled at the back of her whit

neck, up to the small pink ear almos

hidden with a thick, rippling wave of hair


16/537

so to the piquant profile which to thos

who loved Virginia Beverly, was deare

han cold perfection.

"Oh, the olive woods!" she exclaimed

"How sweet they are! See the way th

sunshine touches the old, gnarled trunks

and what a lovely light filters through theaves. One never sees it anywhere excep

n an olive grove. I should like to live i

one."

"Well, why not?" laughed the Englishman

"What prevents you from buying two o

hree? But you would soon tire of them

my child, as you do of everything as sooas it belongs to you."

"That's not fair," replied the girl

"Besides, if it were, who has helped t


17/537

spoil me? I will buy an olive grove, an

you shall see if I tire of it. Come, let's rid

up the valley, and find out if there are an

for sale. It looks heavenly cool after thiheat."

"You'll soon discover that it's too cool,

said the Italian, in perfect English. "Thsun is only in these valleys for a few

hours, and it's gone for the day now

Besides, there's nothing interesting here

One sees the best from where we stand."

Virginia Beverly turned her eyes upo

him, and let them dwell on his fac

questioningly. "Of course, you must knowevery inch of this country," she said, "a

you used to live just across the Italia

border."


18/537

For once he did not answer her look. "

haven't spent much time here for severa

years. Paris has absorbed me," he sai

evasively. "One forgets a good deal; but iyou want to see a really charming valley

we had better go farther on. Then I think

can show you one."

Virginia's pretty brows, which were man

shades darker than her hair, drew together

"But I don't want to go farther," she said

"And I like this valley."

"Spoilt child!" ejaculated the Englishman

who claimed rights of cousinship, thoug

by birth Virginia was American.

At that moment two members of the ridin

party, who had contrived to be left behind

came leisurely up. One was a ver


19/537

handsome, dark woman, who succeeded i

ooking not more than thirty, the other

young man of twenty-five, enough lik

Virginia to suggest that they were brotheand sister.

"What are you stopping for?" inquire

Lady Gardiner, who would not have beesorry to keep her friends in advance.

"Waiting for you," said Virginia promptly

"I want to explore this valley."

As she spoke she gave her mare a little pa

on the velvety neck. The animal, whic

was Virginia's own, brought from he

namesake state, had never known the touc

of the whip, but understood the languag

of hand and voice. She went off at a tro

up the shadowed road; and the Marches


20/537

Loria was the first to follow. But he bi

his lip under the black moustache, pointe

n military fashion at the ends, an

appeared more annoyed than he neebecause a pretty girl had insisted upo

having her own way.

t was not yet cold, as he had prophesiedbut it was many degrees cooler than in th

sunshine; and as they rode on the valle

narrowed, the soft darkness of the oliv

grove closing in the white road thaoverhung the rock-bed of the river.

The hills rose higher, shutting out the day

and there was a brooding silence, onlntensified by the hushed whisper of th

water among its pebbles.

The shoulders of the heights were losin


21/537

heir gold glitter now; and Virginia had

curious sensation of leaving reality behin

and entering a mysterious dreamland.

For a long time they rode withou

speaking. Then Virginia broke the spell o

constraint which had fallen upon them.

"Where are the persons who gather th

olives?" she asked of the Italian, who rod

almost sullenly beside her.

"This isn't the time of year for that," h

replied, more abruptly than was hi

custom in speaking to her.

"I never saw such a deserted place!exclaimed the girl. "We have ridden eve

so far into the valley nowtwo miles a

eastand there hasn't been a sign o


22/537

human habitation; not a person, not

house, except the little ruined tower w

passed a few minutes ago, and that ol

chteau almost at the top of the hill. Lookhe last rays of the sun are touching it

windows before saying good-bye to th

valley. Aren't they like the fiery eyes o

some fierce animal glaring watchfulldown at us out of the dusk?"

Pointing upward, she turned to him fo

approval of her fancy, and to her surprissaw him pale, as if he had been attacke

with sudden illness.

"What is the matter?" she asked quickly.

"Nothing at all," he replied. "A sligh

chill, perhaps."


23/537

"No, there is more than that," Virginia sai

slowly. "I'm sure of it. I've been sure eve

since we stood on the bridge looking up

his valley. You wanted to go on. Youcould hardly bear to stop, and when

proposed riding in you made excuses."

"Only for your sake, fearing you mighcatch cold."

"Yet you suggested going on to anothe

valley. Would it have been warmer thanhis? Oh, Marchese, I don't like you whe

you are subtle and secretive. It remind

me that we are of different countriesa

different as the north can be from thsouth. Do tell me what is really in you

mind. Why do you hate this valley? Wh

has coming into it tied your tongue, an

made you look as if you had seen


24/537

ghost?"

"You exaggerate, Miss Beverly," said

Loria. "But if you care to know the precisruth you shall, on one condition."

"What is it?"

"That you turn your horse's head anconsent to go out into the sunshine again

When we are there I will tell you."

"No. If I hear your story, and think it worturning back for, I will. I mean to have

nearer glimpse of that chteau. It mus

have a lovely view over the tops of th

olive trees."

She touched the mare, who changed from

rot into a gallop. In five minutes mor

hey would be under the castle; but almos


25/537

nstantly Loria, obliged to follow, had

caught up with her again.

"One of the greatest sorrows of my life iconnected with this valley," he answered

desperately. "Now will you take pity upo

me and turn round?"

Virginia hesitated. The man's voice shook

She did not know whether to yield or t

feel contempt because he showed emotio

so much more readily than her English anAmerican friends. But while she hesitate

hey were joined by her cousin, Sir Roge

Broom, who had been riding behind wit

her half-brother, George Trent, and LadyGardiner.

"Look here, Loria," he exclaimed, with

certain excitement underlying his tone; "i


26/537

has just occurred to me that this iser

he place that's been nicknamed for the las

few years the 'Valley of the Shadow.'"

"You are right," answered Loria. "That i

why I didn't wish to come in."

Sir Roger nodded toward the chteau

which now loomed over them, gray

desolate, one half in ruins, ye

picturesquely beautiful both in positio

and architecture. "Then that is" hbegan, but the Italian cut him short.

"Yes. And won't you help me persuade

Miss Beverly that we've seen enough o

his valley now?"

"Why, the castle's forsale!" cried Virgini

suddenly, before Roger Broom had had


27/537

ime to speak.

She pointed to one of the tall gate-posts a

he foot of the hill, close to the roadwhich showed a notice-board announcin

n both French and Italian that the Chtea

de la Roche was to be sold, permission t

view being obtainable within.

"Poor people; they must have bee

reduced to sad straits indeed!" murmure

Sir Roger, looking at the board with itfaded lettering, half defaced by time an

weather.

"Yes, it was all very unfortunate, very

miserable," Loria said hastily. "Shall w

go back?"

The Englishman seemed hardly to hear


28/537

"I'd seen photographs of the valley, but I'd

quite forgotten, until suddenly it began t

ook familiar. Then, all in a flash,

remembered."

"What do you remember; and why do yo

call this the Valley of the Shadow?

demanded Virginia. "You are both verymysterious. But perhaps it's the influenc

of the place. Everything seems mysteriou

here."

Roger Broom sighed, and roused himsel

with an effort from his reverie. "Quee

hat we should have drifted here b

accident," he said"especially withyouLoria."

"Why especially with me?" the othe

asked with a certain sharpness.


29/537

"You were the poor fellow's friend. Oh

Virginia, forgive me for not answerin

you. This place is reminiscent of tragedy

A man whom I used to know slightly, andLoria intimately, lived here. That grim old

house perched up on the hillside has bee

he home of his ancestors for hundreds o

years. Now, you see, it is for sale. But it'ikely to remain so. Who would buy it?"

"Why not?" asked Virginia. "Is i

haunted?"

"Only by melancholy thoughts of a famil

ruined, a man cut off from life at its bes

and brightest, to be sent into exile worshan death. By the way, Loria, do yo

know what became of the sister?"

"I have heard that she still lives here wit


30/537

an aunt and one old servant," answered th

talian, his face gray-white in the greenis

dusk of the olive woods.

"Is it possible? What a life for a girl!

suppose that there is absolutely not mone

enough to keep up another establishmen

no matter how small. Why, were there norelativesno one to help?"

"The relatives all believed in her brother'

guilt, and she would have nothing to dwith them. As for help, her family is

difficult one to help. Of course it woul

be a good thing for her to sell th

chteau."

Virginia sat her horse between the two

others, impatient and curious. It was eas

o see how distasteful the conversatio


31/537

was to the Marchese Loria. He answere

Sir Roger's questions only by an effort

and as for her cousin, even he was move

out of the imperturbablesang-froidwhicsometimes pleased, sometimes irritate

Virginia, according to her mood.

"Was it because of this young man's guilhat the place was called the Valley of the

Shadow?" she asked again.

"Yes. A mere nickname, of course, thoughan ominous one," said Roger. "You see

he Dalahaides used to keep open house

and spend a great deal of money at on

ime, so that their ruin threw a gloom ovehe country even colder than the evenin

shadows. The father took his own life i

shame and despair, the mother died o

grief, and only a girl is left of the four wh


32/537

used to be so happy together."

"But what of the fourththe brother?" I

spite of herself, Virginia's voice sank, andhe penetrating chill of the valley crep

nto her spirit.

"He is worse than dead," answered Roge

evasively. "By Jove! Loria is right. It i

cold here. Let us turn back."

"I should like to buy that chteau,"

announced the American girl, as calmly a

f she had spoken of acquiring a new

brooch.

"Good gracious! What next?" exclaime

Sir Roger. "But you're not in earnest, o

course."


33/537

"I am in earnest," said she. "I should lov

o have it. It's an ideal house, set on tha

great rocky hill, and ringed round wit

olive groves. Though the sun is gone ssoon from the bottom of the valley, wher

we are, the chteau windows are stil

bright. The place fascinates me. I a

going to ride in and ask to see the houseWho will come with me?"

Virginia looked at the Marchese with

half-smiling challenge; but he did nospeak, and Lady Gardiner's black ey

gave out a flash. She was as poor as sh

was handsome and well-born, and her lif

as the American girl's chaperon was aeasy one. The thought that Virgini

Beverly might make up her mind t

become the Marchesa Loria wa


34/537

disagreeable to Kate Gardiner, and sh

was glad that the Italian should displeas

he spoilt beauty.

"I'll go with you, dear, if you are reall

bent on the adventure," said the elde

woman.

"Forgive me, Miss Beverly. But Ionc

knew these people. I could not go int

heir house on such an errand. They woul

hink I had come to spy on theimisfortune," protested Loria miserably.

"I knew them too," said Roger Broom

"and I'll stay down here and keep Lori

company."

Lady Gardiner looked at George Trent

with whom she was having an amusin


35/537

flirtation, which would certainly hav

been more than amusing if he had bee

only a quarter as rich as his half-sister.

"I'll take you and Virgie up to the door

anyhow," he responded to the look, and

springing from his horse, he pushed ope

he tall gate of rusty iron.

Then, mounting again, the three passe

between the gray stone gate-posts with a

ancient carved escutcheon obliteratewith moss and lichen. They rode along th

grass-grown avenue which wound up th

hill among the cypresses and olive trees

coming out at last, as they neared thchteau, from shadow into a pale

chastened sunshine which among the gray

green trees had somewhat the effect o

moonlight.


36/537

"Have you ever heard of the Dalahaides?

Virginia demanded of her chaperon.

"If I have, I've forgotten," said LadGardiner. "And yet there does seem to b

a dim memory of something strang

hovering at the back of my brain."

They were above the grove now, on

errace with a perspective of ruine

garden, whence the battered faces o

ancient statues peeped out, yellow-whitfrom behind overgrown rose bushes an

heliotrope. The chteau was before them

he windows still reflecting the sunligh

but this borrowed glitter was all thbrightness it had. Once beautiful, the ol

battlemented house had an air of prou

desolation, as if scorning pity, since i

could no longer win admiration.


37/537

"You would have to spend thousands o

pounds in restoring this old ruin if yo

should really buy it, Virginia," said Lad

Gardiner.

"Well, wouldn't it be worth while to

spend them?" asked the girl. "I certainl

" She stopped in the midst of hesentence, a bright flush springing to he

face; for turning a corner of the avenu

which brought them close to the chteau

hey came suddenly upon a young womandressed in black, who must have hear

heir last words.

nstantly George Trent had his hat in hihand, and before Virginia could speak h

had dismounted and plunged int

explanations. He begged pardon for th

ntrusion, and said that, as they had see


38/537

he announcement that the chteau was fo

sale, they had ventured to ride up in th

hope of being allowed to see the house

As he spoke, in fairly good though ratheaboured French, he smiled on the girl i

black with a charming smile, very lik

Virginia's. And Lady Gardiner looked

from one to the other gravely. She was noas pleased as she had been that Georg

Trent had come here with them, for th

girl in the shabby black dress had

curiously arresting, if not beautiful face

and her surroundings, the background o

he desolate castle, and the circumstance

of the meeting, framed her in romance.Lady Gardiner did not like the alacrit

with which Trent had snatched off his ha

and sprung from his horse, nor did sh


39/537

approve of the expression in his eyes

hough Virginia's were just as eager.

To the surprise of all three, the giranswered in English; not the English of

French jeune fille, instructed by a

mported "Miss," but the English of a

Englishwoman, pure and sweet, though thvoice was sad and lifeless. He

melancholy dark eyes, deep and sombre a

mountain tarns, wandered from th

brother's handsome face to the beautifuone of the sister.

"Pray don't speak of an intrusion," sh

said. "Our servant will be glad to showyou through the house, and afterward, i

you really think of buying the place, h

will give you the address of an agent i

Mentone who can tell you everything."


40/537

"Then shan't we find you again when w

have seen the chteau?" asked Virgini

wistfully.

The girl smiled for the first time, but ther

was no brightness in the smile. "I shall b

very pleased to speak with you before yo

go if there is anything you care to say tme," she replied, mechanically raising th

great bunch of heliotrope she had bee

gathering to her lips.

"Now I will call our servant. He will pu

up your horses while you go in; though I'

afraid that we have no very goo

accommodation for them, as our stablehave been empty for a long time."

"Oh, thank you, we needn't give him tha

rouble," said Trent. "I can fasten th


41/537

horses' bridles to some tree or other, and

hey will be all right."

The girl disappeared, a slender, youthfufigure in the plain black gown, yet he

step, though it was not slow, had none o

he lithsomeness of youth. She seemed t

have lost all joy of life, though she coulscarcely have been more than twenty-tw

or three.

"Another mystery!" Virginia said in a lowvoice. "How comes she to be English? I

she the girl they were talking about dow

below, or is she a companion?"

"She looks like a banished princess," sai

Trent. "I never saw such wonderful eyes

Deep as a well, reflecting a night o

stars."


42/537

Lady Gardiner's lips tightened a little. Sh

was rather vain of her eyes. "I think th

girl would appear a very ordinary youn

person," she remarked, "if one saw heanywhere but here."

George lifted her down from the hors

without answering, but Virginia did nowait to be helped. She sprang to th

ground, and by the time that George ha

ethered the horses an old man in a fade

ivery came limping out from the siddoor through which the girl in black ha

ately disappeared.

Almost crippled with rheumatism, he hastill all the dignity of a trusted servant o

an ancient house, and his old eyes seeme

gravely to defy these prosperous youn

people to criticize his threadbare clothing


43/537

"Mademoiselle" had desired him to tak

monsieur and mesdames over the chteau

he politely announced in French, and wen

on to beg that they would give themselvehe trouble of being conducted to the doo

at the front, that they might go in by th

great hall. He also regretted that th

visitors had not arrived earlier in the dayas the rooms could not be seen at thei

best advantage so near to sunset.

Virginia's heart began to beat oddly as shentered the house. She had still the feelin

of having left realities behind and straye

nto dreamland; but with the opening of th

heavy door it seemed to her that the dreawas about to change into a vision whic

would mean something for her future.

Of course it was all nonsense, she tol


44/537

herself, as the old man led them across th

shadowy, tapestry-hung hall, and from on

huge, dim, wainscotted or frescoed roo

o another; yet always, as they approachea doorway, she caught herself thinkin

"Now a strange thing is going t

happen."

"This is the state drawing-room; this is th

ibrary; this is the chapel; this is th

bride's suite," the servant announce

aconically. But though the castle waevidently very ancient and must have

private history of its own, centuries old

he offered no garrulous details of pas

grandeur, as most servants would. As theywalked through a dining-room o

magnificent proportions, but meagrel

furnished, they passed a half-open door


45/537

and Virginia had a glimpse of a charmin

ittle room with a huge projectin

window. Mechanically she paused, the

drew away quickly as she saw thamademoiselle was seated at a tabl

arranging the flowers she had gathered i

he melancholy garden. The old ma

hobbled on, as if the door had not existedand Virginia would have followed, had

not the girl in black stepped forward an

nvited them in, with a certain prou

humility.

"This is our sitting-roommy aunt's an

mine," she said. "My aunt is not here now

so come in, if you will. It is a small roomstill, it is one of the brightest and mos

home-like we have left."

She held open the door, and the thre


46/537

visitors obeyed her gesture of invitation

but suddenly the girl's face changed. Th

blood streamed up to her forehead, the

ebbed again, leaving her marble-pale. Shgave a slight start, as if she would hav

changed her mind and kept the stranger

from entering; yet she made no motion t

arrest them.

"She has just remembered something i

his room that she doesn't wish us to see,

hought Virginia; but it was too late toretreat, without drawing attention to an ac

which she could not explain. They al

went in, the others apparently suspectin

nothing; but in a second Virgininstinctively guessed the reason of he

hostess's sudden constraint, and th

sympathetic thrill that ran through her ow


47/537

veins surprised her. In a panel of th

darkly wainscotted and curiously gilde

wall was placed a life-size portrait of

man. It was an oil-painting, defective iechnique, perhaps, but so spirited, s

extraordinarily lifelike as to give a

effect, at first glance in the twilight, as if

handsome young man were just stepping ihrough an open door. Virginia seemed to

meet the brilliant, audacious eyes; th

frank, almost boyish smile was for her

andwhether because of the half-tol

story of this strange house, or because o

he brave young splendour of the figure i

he portraither heart gave a bound sucas it had never yet given for a man.

She did not need to be told that this wa

he counterfeit presentment of him who, i


48/537


49/537

oo. Whatever crime they say h

committed, I'm sure he was innocent. Wha

a criminal, with that face? It's no

possible, and I wish I could tell her so."

She could scarcely tear her eyes from th

portrait, though she feared to let he

nterest be observed, lest it shoulunjustly be put down to vulgar curiosity

And when the old man who conducte

hem, having met and answered a quic

glance from his mistress, invited thvisitors to continue their tour o

nspection, Virginia left her thought

behind in the room of the portrait, walkin

as in a dream through the series of loftyhalf-dismantled apartments which stil

remained to be visited.

She hoped that, when they should see thei


50/537

hostess again for the promised leave

aking, it would be in the same room a

before. But she was doomed t

disappointment. Mademoiselle met thparty in the great hall, and, hearing fro

George Trent that his sister though

seriously of buying the chteau, gave the

he address of an estate agent in Mentone.

Virginia was not a self-centred girl, and a

any other time she would have bee

surprised at the encouragement given this new whim of hers by her half-brother

she would have sought some underlyin

cause, for George Trentwho was he

mother's son by a first marriagewanearly five years older than she, and rathe

piqued himself upon influencing her t

ways of wisdom. But now, though h


51/537

extolled the charms of the Chteau de l

Roche, and made light of the expenses o

restoration, as they rode down the avenu

under the olive trees, Virginia was toomuch occupied with the mystery of th

house and the portrait's original t

observe the young man's manner. It did no

escape Lady Gardiner's observationhowever, and her thoughts were troubled.

She was thirty-six and George Trent wa

en years younger; but she confessed twenty-nine, and really did not look more

except when certain worries, which sh

usually kept in the background, presse

heavily upon her. For a year, ever sinceVirginia had left America for England and

he Continent, she had lived with the siste

and brother, and had been reaping


52/537

harvest almost literally of gold an

diamonds. She did not want Virginia to

marry and free herself from chaperonage

and if she could not marry George Trenherself, since he was neither old enoug

nor rich enough, she could not bear th

hought that he might forget his passin

admiration for her, and fall seriously iove with some one else.

She, too, was curious concernin

mademoiselle and her past, but with very different curiosity from Virginia's

and she determined to learn the story o

he Dalahaides and their chteau above th

Valley of the Shadow. She did nothowever, wish to appear curious befor

Virginia or her brother, and hoped that the

American girl, with her wonted audacity


53/537

would at once approach the topic whe

hey had rejoined Sir Roger Broom an

he Marchese Loria. But Virginia asked no

questions, contenting herself witanswering those of her cousin, which fo

some reason confined themselves entirel

o the chteau. Lady Gardiner was sure

since he admitted having known thDalahaides, that, being human, Roge

would have liked to hear something of th

girl who lived there like Mariana in th

Moated Grange; and it would have bee

nteresting to know why he refrained fro

mentioning her.

As they rode through the valley, dark andsad now, in the chill of its early dusk, sh

brought her horse to Virginia's side in so

narrow a defile of the road that Roger


54/537

who was with the girl, dropped behind.

"Have you noticed that the Marches

hasn't asked us a single question abouyour chteau?" she remarked. "He is

changed man since we came into thi

valley. I wonder if there was eve

anything between him and that tragicooking girl up there? Perhaps Sir Roge

knows, and that's the reason he didn

speak of her."

"Perhaps," echoed Virginia listlessly, and

Kate Gardiner said no more.

An odd restraint seemed to have settled o

he whole party, which had started out so

gaily in the sunshine. Each one was sun

deep in his or her own thoughts, as if th

wilight had touched them with its delicat


55/537

melancholy.

They were stopping at the Cap Marti

hotel, high on the hill in its beautifugarden, and among its pines; and ther

was a dance that night, for which Virgini

had promised Loria several waltzes; bu

she complained that the ride had tired her

nstead of dancing she went after dinner t

he private sitting-room which she an

Lady Gardiner shared, having quietlasked Roger Broom if he would come t

her there for a few minutes. He found her

not in the room, but on the balcony, i

floods of moonlight, which gave hebeauty an unearthly charm as she lay on

chaise longue, wrapped in an evenin

cloak of white and silver brocade.


56/537

"You don't mind leaving the dance a little

whilefor me?" she asked.

Roger smiled his quiet, pleasant smile"There's nothing in the world I woul

mind leaving for you, Virginia," he said

"and I think you know that very well."

"Sometimes I believe it's true. I shoul

ike to believe it to-night," she answered

"because I need your help. There's

secret, and I must find it out."

As the girl spoke there was a slight soun

n the room beyond the big, open window

"What's that?" exclaimed Roger. "Who ihere?"

"Nobody," said Virginia. "It must be a log

of olive-wood falling in the fireplace."


57/537


58/537

CHAPTER II

THE STORY TOLD BY

TWO

Roger waited. He knew that Virginia wa

gathering her forces together, and that h

might expect the unexpected.

"I want you to tell me all about that girl i

mourning who lives at the Chteau de l

Roche," she said after a moment; "an

what her brother did."

Roger was slow in answering. "It's not

pleasant story for your ears. I was sorr

his afternoon that I had spoken even a


59/537

freely as I did about it before you. Lori

ook me to task rather, after you'd gone up

o the chteau, and he was right. By Jove

Virginia, I believe that if I'd said nothinghe idea of buying the place would neve

have occurred to you."

"Perhaps not," she admitted. "But it haoccurred to me, and once I have an idea i

my head I keep it tenaciouslyas all m

ong-suffering friends know to thei

sorrow. Will you go to-morrow to theagent whose address I have and mak

nquiries?"

"Certainly, if you wish."

"Oh, you think if no one thwarts me, I'l

get over the fancy. But I won't! I'm goin

o have that chteau among the olive tree


60/537

for mine if it costs me fifty thousan

pounds (which it won't, I know), even if

only live in it for one month out of fiv

years. The thing is, to feel it's my own. Snow, you see, as the place is practically

my property, naturally I'd like to know

something of the people who have been it

owners."

"I don't see why. When one buys a hous

one doesn't usually agitate oneself muc

about the family history of one'predecessors."

"Roger, you know this is different. I wan

you and no one to else tell me. Still, if yowon't"

"Oh, if you insist you must be gratified,

suppose, up to certain limits. What do yo


61/537

want to know?"

"Everything."

"H'm! Rather too large an order, my childHowever, to begin with, the Dalahaides o

he Chteau de la Roche were English i

he last generation, but the family is o

French origin. When the last member o

he French branch died, a banker i

London was the next heir. He gave th

chteau and the Dalahaide house in Parias a wedding present to his son, who wa

about to be married. The bride an

bridegroom came over on thei

honeymoon, and took such a fancy to thchteau that they made their home there, o

rather between it and the old house i

Paris. This young couple had in time

son, and then a daughter. Perhaps you saw


62/537

he daughter to-day?"

"Yes, it was she. You didn't ask me abou

her before.""No; the fact is, I thought that furthe

conversation on the subject would be to

painful for poor Loria. You must have

seen that he was upset."

"I couldn't help seeing. But go on."

"Well, the father and mother and their twochildren were a most devoted family

They were all handsome and clever an

popular, and if they were not millionaires

hey were extravagant, for they gavdelightful entertainments here and in Paris

and their purses were open for any on

who wished to dip in his fingers.


63/537

"The son Maxime, always called Max

nherited his father's generous, reckless

extravagant ways. He was drawn into th

fastest set in Paris, and lost a lot of moneat baccarat. That wouldn't have mattere

much, perhaps, if at the same time som

arge investments of the father's hadn

gone wrong and crippled the familresources. Then, as misfortunes generall

come in crowds, there was a sligh

earthquake along this part of the coast, an

he chteau was partly ruined, as you saw

o-day, for they were not able then to hav

t restored. 'Next year,' they said; but ther

was no next year for the Dalahaides. Onla few months after the first two blow

came the third, which was to crush th

family for ever. Max Dalahaide wa

accused of murder, tried, and


64/537

condemned."

"Whathe is dead, then? I thought yo

saidI" Virginia's heart gave sosudden and violent a bound that sh

stammered, and grew red and white unde

he revealing moonlight. She was thinkin

of the portraitseeing it again, lookinnto the eyes which had seemed to speak

Dead! Executed as a murderer! Th

hought was horrible; it stifled her.

"No, he is not dead," answered Roge

gravely; "at least, if he is I haven't hear

of it. Butif he still existsone can't cal

t livinghe must have wished a hundreimes a day to die and be out of hi

misery. Perhaps death has come to him. I

might, and I not have known; for from ou

of the pit which has engulfed him, seldo


65/537

an echo reaches the world above."

"Roger, you frighten me! What do you

mean?" the girl exclaimed."Forgive me, child. I forgot for a momen

and was thinking aloud. I don't often forge

you, do I? I said to-day that Ma

Dalahaide was dead in life. That is true

Family influence, the tremendou

eloquence of a man engaged to plead hi

cause, the fact that Max insisted upon hinnocence, while the evidence wa

entirely circumstantial, saved him from th

guillotine, which I believe he would hav

preferred, in his desperation. He was seno that Hades upon earth, New Caledonia

a prisoner for life."

"Buthe wasEnglish!"


66/537

"No. His parents had been English, but he

having been born in France, was a Frenc

subject. He had even served his time i

he army. Naturally he was amenable toFrench law; and he is buried alive i

oumea, the most terrible prison in th

world."

"And he was innocent!"

Roger, who had been gazing out over th

sea, turned a surprised look upon Virginia

"No! He was not innocent," he sai

quickly. "Everything proved his guilt. It i

mpossible that he should have bee

nnocent."

"His sister believed in him."

"Yes, his sister. What does that prove?


67/537

The father thought him guilty, and killed

himself. As for the motherwho knows

At all events, she diedbroken-hearted

Every penny the family possessed, afteheir great losses, went for Maxime'

defense; but, except that his life wa

saved, it was in vain."

"You knew himhe was your friendye

you believed in his guilt?"

"I hardly knew him well enough to calmyself a friend. I admired him, certainl

Max Dalahaide was the handsomest

wittiest, most fascinating fellow I eve

met. Neither man nor woman could resishim, if he set out to conquer. Loria and h

were like brothers; yet Loria thought wit

he rest of the world. He can't be blame

for disloyalty, either, for really there wa


68/537

nothing else to think, if one used one'

reason."

"If he had been my friend, I would nohave used my reason!" exclaime

Virginia. "What is the use of reason, whe

one has instinct?and that is neve

wrong. But it is good of you to defend thMarchese, for I know you don't like him."

"Don't I?" echoed Roger. "If I don't, I'

afraid it is because you do. You won'have me, dear; you've told me that, and

don't mean to bother you again; but I'

weak enough to be jealous when I thin

here's danger of your saying 'Yes' toanybody else."

"I don't know that there is any such dange

n this case," said Virginia. "But th


69/537

Marchese is very handsome, and rathe

romantic, and he sings like an angel. Oh

yes, I am almost in love with him when h

singsor I was till yesterday. And howhe dances! It's poetry. When I am waltzin

with the Marchese Loria I invariably mak

up my mind that I will accept him nex

ime he asks. Then, afterward, somethinholds me back. To-day, in that valley o

shadows, he affected me quite differently

t was as ifas if the shadows had shu

down between us. I saw him in th

shadow, his features changedrepellent

As the French say, he 'made me horror

Yet I didn't know why. Now I begin tounderstand. It was my precious instinc

warning me, saying: 'This man is disloya

Don't trust him.'"


70/537

"You are unjust," said Roger. "I should

ike to let you misjudge him, but I can't b

a bounder, you know. He really behaved

extremely well in the Dalahaide affairThe man couldn't believe, against

mountain of evidence; nevertheless, he di

what he could for his friend, guilty as h

hought him. All this happened four yearago, when you were a demure littl

schoolgirlif you ever could have bee

demure!in your own Virginia, no

allowed even to hear of, much less read

he great newspaper scandals of th

moment. I can't remember every detail o

he affair, but it was said to be largelhrough Loria's efforts that Max was save

from capital punishment for his crime."

"You haven't told me yet what that crime


71/537

was."

"Yes. I have said it was murder."

"Ah! but that is only a crude statement. ask for the story."

"You won't have it from me, my child,

answered Roger coolly. "I'm not sensation-monger. It was a horrid affair

and one doesn't talk of such things to littl

girls. You know all from me that you wil

know. Buy your chteau, if you choose

You've money enough to squander on

wenty such toys and not miss it. No doub

poor Madeleine Dalahaide will b

benefited by the exchangeher castle fo

your money. Fortunate for her, perhaps

hat she is the last of the Frenc

Dalahaides, and has the right to sell th


72/537

chteau."

"You will tell me nothing more?"

"Nothing."

"Then I will tellyou one thing. I believ

hat the man was innocent. I have seen hi

portrait. I have seen his sister. That ienough for me. But what you will not tel

me I shall learn for myself, and thenan

henyou shall see what you shall see."

Virginia slept restlessly that night. In hedreams she was always in the Valley o

he Shadow, striving to find her way ou

nto the sunlight; and sometimes the valle


73/537

seemed but the entrance to that bottomles

pit of shame where Maxime Dalahaid

was entombed. She awoke from a drea

forgotten, in a spasm of cold fear, befort was dawn, and switching on the electri

ight near the bed, she drew her watc

from under the pillow. It was just si

o'clock; and for a few moments Virginiay still, thinking over the events o

yesterday. After all, what did they mean

for her? Nothing, said Reason; everything

said a Voice to which she could give no

name.

Suddenly her heart began to beat quickl

with the excitement of a strange thoughhat seemed to spring out of herself, an

hen turn to face her. It pushed the gir

from her bed, and she rose, shivering; fo


74/537

even here at Cap Martin it was cold in th

early morning before the vivid sun ha

warmed the air.

She was used to lying in bed until a fire o

fragrant pine cones and olive woo

crackled on the hearth, and her own mai

had filled the bath in the bathrooadjoining. But now she bathed in the cold

dressing herself in her riding-habit, an

even arranging her hair without help. B

seven her toilet was made, and, turning ofhe electric light, she found that the sk

was pink and golden with the winte

sunrise.

The girl rang for coffee, and ordered he

horse to be ready. She and Kate Gardine

never met before ten o'clock, at earliest

hus three hours would pass before an


75/537

one save her maid would begin to wonde

where she was; and for the maid sh

would leave a line of explanation

mentioning that she had gone out obusiness, and that nothing was to be sai

unless Lady Gardiner inquired.

Virginia had a ride of nearly two hourbefore she could reach the destination sh

had planned; but neither the fresh air, th

beauty of the scene, nor the exercis

which she loved, could calm the fever iher blood. It was as if some powe

stronger than herself pushed her on; an

hough she had always been too healthy i

mind and body to suffer from superstitionshe now believed, half fearfully, that suc

an influence had possession of her.

"What is the matter with me?" she asked


76/537

"I am no longer myself. It is as if I wer

only an instrument in hands that use me a

hey will. Why do I go this morning to th

Chteau de la Roche? I don't know. I donknow what I shall say to excuse mysel

when I am there. Yet, somehow, the word

will come to meI feel it."

For it was to the chteau above the Valley

of the Shadow that she was going.

When she reached the gates, half-way uphe slope of the wooded hill which th

whole party had climbed togethe

yesterday, suddenly the nervous exaltatio

hat had carried her courageously so farbroke like a violin string too tightl

drawn. She was horrified at her ow

boldness. She half turned back; then

setting her lips together, she slipped dow


77/537

from her saddle and opened the gate.

This morning no slim, black-clad figur

moved among the wilderness of neglecteflowers. Virginia tethered her mare

ascended the two or three stone steps, an

struck the mailed glove of iron whic

formed the knocker on the oak of the doorts echoes went reverberating throug

wide, empty spaces, and for som

moments she stood trembling at he

audacity. She said to herself that she couldnot knock again. If no one answered th

ast summons she would take it as a sig

hat she ought not to have come, and sh

would steal away. But just as the limit oime she mentally set had passed, and sh

was in the act of turning from the door, i

opened.


78/537

The servant who had guided Virginia and

her friends through the house the da

before appeared, his pale, dignified ol

face showing such evident signs osurprise that the American girl, who had

never flinched before any one or anything

stammered and blushed as she asked fo

Mademoiselle Dalahaide.

The old man politely ushered her in, bu

he was unable to hide his embarrassment

Mademoiselle should be informed at oncef she were at home, but, in fact, it wa

possible He hesitated, and Virgini

saw well that he prepared a way o

escape for his young mistress in case shwished to avoid the unexpected caller.

"Pray tell mademoiselle thatthat

Virginia began. She had meant to finish by


79/537

saying that her business was urgent. But

supposing when she found herself face t

face with the girl in black, the fugitiv

desires which had dragged her herrefused to be clothed in coherent words?

As the servant waited respectfully for th

end of the message, a door which Virginiremembered as leading into the famil

chapel suddenly opened. Mademoisell

Dalahaide came slowly out, her head bent

her long black dress sweeping the stonfloor of the hall in sombre folds. She di

not see the stranger at first; but a fain

ejaculation from the lips of the ol

Frenchman caused the dark head to bquickly raised.

The eyes of the two girls met

Mademoiselle Dalahaide drew back


80/537

ittle, her tragically arresting fac

unlighted by a smile. She looked th

question that she did not speak; but sh

gave the American no greeting, and therwas something of displeasure or distrus

n her level, searching look.

The moment which Virginia had dreadedyet sought for, had come. All self

consciousness left her. She went to mee

he other in an eager, almost childlik

way.

"Do forgive me," she said in English. "

had to come. I could not sleep last night.

got up before any one else was awakebecause Ibecause I wanted so much t

see you, that I couldn't wait: and I wante

o come to you alone."


81/537

Madeleine Dalahaide's faint frow

relaxed. Virginia in that mood wa

rresistible, even to a woman. Still the gir

n black did not smile. She had almosforgotten that it was necessary and polit

o force a smile for strangers. She ha

been so much alone, she and sorrow ha

grown so intimate, that she had becomalmost primitively sincere. The ordinary

pleasant little hypocrisies of the society i

which she had once lived during wha

now seemed another state of existence, n

onger existed for her.

evertheless, she was not discourteous

"You are kind to have taken this trouble,she said. "It is something about th

chteau, no doubtsome questions whic

perhaps you forgot to ask yesterday?"


82/537

The old man, who understood not a wor

of English, had discreetly and noiselessl

retired, now that fate had taken th

management of the situation from hihands. The two girls were alone in th

great hall, the chapel door still ope

behind Madeleine Dalahaide, giving her

background of red and purple light from stained-glass window.

"No," Virginia answered. "If I said tha

business about the chteau brought me, iwould be merely an excuse. It would mak

hings easier for me in beginning, but

wish to say to you only things that ar

really true. I came becausebecause want to help you."

The white oval of the other's face wa

suddenly suffused with scarlet. The dar


83/537

head was lifted on the slender throat.

"Thank you," she said coldly. "But I a

not in need of help. If that is your reasofor thinking of buying this house, I be

"

"But it is not my reason. What can I sa

hat you won't misunderstand? There i

one whom you love. Just now you wer

praying for him in that chapel. I know i

You were praying to God to help himweren't you? What if I should be a

nstrument sent you to be used for tha

purpose?"

The tragic eyes stared at the eager

beautiful face, dazed and astonished.

Virginia went on, not seeming to choos


84/537

her words, but letting them flow as the

would.

"I know how you have suffered. It is onla little while that I have known, but i

seems long, very long. I have seen hi

portrait, and partly I came up to tell yo

his morning that I believe in hinnocence; partly that, but most of all

came to say that he must be saved."

"Saved?" echoed Madeleine Dalahaide"But that is not possible. Only death ca

save him now."

either had uttered a name; neither wa

aware that it had not been spoken by th

other. For Madeleine always, for Virginia

n this hour, one name rang through th

world. There was no need to give it form


85/537

And, strangely, Madeleine was no longe

surprised at Virginia's mission. Perhaps

ndeed, she believed her an incarnat

answer to prayer; and in a moment alconventionalities had crumbled to piece

at their feet.

"Why do you say that?" cried thAmerican girl. "Prisoners are release

sometimes."

"Not life-prisoners at Noumea," repliehe other; and the answer fell desolatel

on Virginia's ear. Yet the thought, lit into

ife by her own words, as a flame i

ighted by striking a match, had given hecourage which would not die.

"Then he will be the first," she said. "

have been thinking. Oh! it has all bee


86/537

very vaguea kind of dream. But now

see everything clearly. Time unravel

mysteries not easily solved at first. Hi

nnocence must be proved. Powerfufriends shall give all their thoughts, al

heir ingenuity"

"We have no friends," Madeleineanswered bitterly.

"You have one friend. You have me."

Then at last a sense of the strangeness o

his scene rushed in a wave over th

consciousness of the lonely dweller in th

castle.

"I don't understand," she said slowly

"Yesterday we had never met. I only knew

your name because you spoke of buyin


87/537


88/537

course, that it was his; nobody could. But

knew at once. And I wondered how an

one who had ever known him could hav

believed thatthat"

"Don't be afraid to say it. Believed that h

was a murderer. Oh, friendsfriends

Friendship is a flower that withers withe first frost."

"You shan't have cause to think that of me

if you are going to take me for a friend.

"I shall thank heaven for you. Even if yo

can do nothing, to think that there is on

human being in the world besides my poo

aunt and me who believe in him, is lik

balm on an open wound. Come with m

nto the room where you saw the portrait.

painted it the year beforethe end. I tal


89/537

o it sometimes, and for a moment I almos

forget the horrible truthwhen the eye

smile back at me just as they used to d

when we had some joke together."

"As they will again," finished Virginia.

They went into the room of the portrai

and stood before it in silence. Each on

felt that its look was for her.

"And yet," Madeleine said, as i

answering a question, "there must be som

one who thinks of us, and remembers u

with kindness, giving him at least th

benefit of a doubt; some one who talked t

you of Max and told you the story ofo

his so-called crime in such a way as not t

fill your mind with horror."


90/537

"No one has told me the story yet,

hesitated Virginia. "I have only heard

hints. They saidthe wordmurder! Bu

hat is not the face of a murderer. Howcould any one believe it?"

"You don't knowthe story?"

Virginia shook her head.

"When you know it, you will turn awa

from us, as every one else has."

"Nono! Be sure I will not."

"How can I be sure? Ah, almost all th

solace of hope has gone now! You wilhear the horrible details, andthat wil

be the end."

Virginia caught the slender, cold finger


91/537

hat twisted together nervously. "Tell me

yourself," she cried. "Tell me allyou

his sister. Then you will see how I shal

bear it, and whether I shall fail you."

"I will!"

Madeleine Dalahaide's breath cam

unevenly. For a moment she could no

speak. Then she began, her eyes not o

Virginia, but on the portrait.

"There was a woman," she said in a low

choked voice. "She was an actress. Ma

was in love with her, or thought he was

She was handsome. I have seen her on th

stage. Other men besides Max were ma

about her. But she seemed to care for him

He wanted to marry her, and when fathe

and mother didn't approve, he quarrelle


92/537

with them, for the first time in his life. We

had always been so happy before thats

united. Everything began to go wrong wit

my poor Max then. He played cards at hiclub, and lost a great deal of money. And

as if that were not enough, father's losse

came. He could do nothing for Max

Besides, the woman Max loved made hiealous. He suspected that she cared fo

somebody else. He told me that the las

ime I saw him beforethe terrible thin

happened. But he didn't tell the man'

name. Perhaps he didn't know him. We

had a long talk, for I had been his frien

and confidante through all. I didn't wanhim to marry the woman; but even tha

would be better than to have hi

miserable, as he said he must be withou

her. And it was the next night that the


93/537

murder was committed. But it was no

known until the day after."

"Was itthe man of whom he was jealouwho was murdered?"

"No, the woman, Liane Devereux. She ha

been shotin the face. Oh, it wa

horrible! It is horrible now to talk to yo

of it. Her features were so destroyed tha

she could be recognized only by her hair

which was golden-red, and her figureher beautiful figure which all the worl

admired so much. Even her handssh

must have held them up before her face

he poor creature, instinctively trying tsave herself, to preserve her beauty, fo

hey, too, were shattered. Her jewels wer

all gone, and she had had many jewels

Soon the police discovered that they ha


94/537


95/537

had disappeared. He would have taken i

o her himself, but on returning to his ow

flat from the pawnbroker's he received

strange letter saying that she hated himand never wished to see him again. It wa

all quite sudden, and Max was angry

Still, he might have gone, insisting that sh

should tell him what she meant by such etter, but he had arranged a hurried

ourney to England. They arrested him o

he way. He was going there in the hope o

borrowing some money from hi

godfather, a cousin of ours, who had told

Max that if at any time he should be i

difficulties he must apply to him. But whaproof had Max of his own intentions

Every one thought that he was escaping t

England to hide himself, after havin

committed a cowardly murder.


96/537

"There were other bits of evidence agains

him, too; for instance, the revolver wit

which the woman was shot was his, with

silver monogram on it. Everybodyevehe best of his friendsbelieved hi

guilty. And fatherpoor father!but

can't talk about that part. It is too crue

Oh, you are pale, and changed! I knew iwould be so. You are like the rest. Bu

how could I expect anything else whe

you have heard such a story? Everythin

against himnothing in his favour. Eve

Max himself was dazed. Over and ove

again he said that he had no explanation t

give of the mystery.""There is only one explanation, since h

was innocentand I'm as sure of that a

before," said Virginia firmly. "It was a


97/537

diabolically clever plot, planned wit

fiendish ingenuity, to ruin your brother

all your family, perhaps."

"Hundreds of times I have thought of that,

sighed Madeleine Dalahaide. "Many

many times I spoke of it to the man wh

defended Max at his trial. But there wano one it would be reasonable to suspect

We had absolutely no enemy. Max had

none. Everybody adored himin hi

happy days."

"The man whom Liane Devereux love

better than your brother?"

"Ah, but you must see, as the advocat

saw, that if she loved the other better h

had no motive either to kill the woman o

ruin Max. Where there had been no injury


98/537

here need be no revenge. And if Ma

knew who the man was he never told hi

name."

"There was nobodynobody who had

right to think himself injured by you

brother, even long before?"

"Not by my brother, so far as we could

find out. The theory of a plot wa

advanced, of course, andand I clung t

t; but it fell to the ground. There seemenothing to support it."

"And yet, from the way you speak, I can

help thinking that you suspect some one."

"Oh,I! But I am only a woman. I was

very young girl then. Every one I spoke t

even Maxthought my idea a mad one


99/537

and said it would do our case far mor

harm than good to have it mentioned."

"Tell me, won't you, what it was?"Madeleine hesitated. "I dare not," sh

answered. "My reason says that the thin

s impossible. If I wrong the man, it woul

be shameful to create a prejudice in you

mind against one, no doubt a stranger t

you, but whom you might one day mee

and, meeting, remember my wordsBesides, it can do no good to speak. I

would be hopeless to prove anythin

against him, even if his hand had been in

plot."

"Yet you said that your brother had no

enemy?"


100/537

"This man was my enemy. It had no

always been so. Once we were friends

Butsomething happened, and afterwar

think he hated me."

"Is it possible that you are speaking of th

Marchese Loria?"

The question sprang from Virginia's lip

before she had stopped to reflect whethe

t were wise to ask it, and she wa

errified at the effect of her impulsivwords.

Madeleine Dalahaide's pale, sad fac

became ashen, her great eyes dilated, an

here was something of fear, perhaps eve

of distrust, in the look she turned upo

Virginia.


101/537


102/537

"And yesterday"

"What of yesterday?"

"He was with us when we rode into thvalley. He turned pale, and begged not to

come, because the place, he said, wa

connected with a great sorrow in his life."

"He would not meet me face to face! Di

he suggest that you should try to save m

brother?"

"No, he did not speak his name before me

He does not know what is in my mind. N

one knows yet but you. It was my cousin

Roger Broom, who met you long ago, anold me that the Marchese Loria had don

much to save your brother's life."

"It may be that he did. I don't deny it. Bu


103/537

f you are to be my friend I ask you this

say nothing of Maxime Dalahaide t

Loria."


104/537

CHAPTER III

A MYSTERY AND A

BARGAIN

Lady Gardiner stood at Virginia's door

remained for a moment undecided, the

apped gently. The girl's voice answered

"Come in!" and Kate obeyed.

Virginia sat at a small writing-table in

window reading a book; but at sight o

Lady Gardiner she snatched up a pape

and hastily laid it over the volume. "Oh,

hought it was George," she exclaimed

blushing brilliantly. "He has asked me to


105/537

ake a walk."

"Now," thought Kate, "what has that boo

she's hiding from me to do with thmystery that's been going on for the pas

hree days?" but aloud, she said, withou

appearing to notice the hurried movemen

or the tell-tale blush: "I came to ask if yowould go down to town with me for

ittle shopping."

"I'm afraid I can't," Virginia answered"You seeerI promised George."

"Perhaps he wouldn't mind if we arrange

for him to meet us in about an hour; an

we might all three have tea together a

Rumpelmayer's."

Virginia looked embarrassed, which wa


106/537


107/537

we went to the chteau, Virginia. I've been

wanting to speak to you about i

However, you are going out to walk, and

must wait."

Virginia met her eyes firmly; yet the viole

gaze was not quite as frankly open an

childlike as it used to be. "You neednwait, if your shopping can," she said. "D

sit down. I dare say it may be twent

minutes before George comes for me. He'

with Rogersomewhere."

"Yes, I saw them. Virginia, do you know

've been rather unhappy for severa

days?"

"I didn't know. I'm very sorry. Is i

anything I've done?"


108/537

"Yes and no." Kate did not sit down, bu

perched on the arm of a big cushione

chair between the writing-desk and th

dressing-table. "You see, dear," she wenon in her softest voice, to which she coul

give a pretty, tearful tremoloat will, "I'

n rather a peculiar position. You have

been so sweet all this year and more thawe've been together, that I suppose you'v

spoilt me. I've forgotten often that I'm onl

a paid chaperon, and have felt like

friend and confidante."

"Why, so you are," returned Virginia.

"Wait, dear; let me finish. I've told you myvarious troubles, and you've told m

hings, too. Now, suddenly, everything i

changed. Why, you even sit in you

bedroom, instead of in our sitting-room, o


109/537

on the balcony with me, as you used. You

don't seem to want my society; you mak

excuses if I suggest going anywhere. You

and your brother and cousin arcontinually getting away by yourselve

and talking in whispers. Oh, I'm not hurt. I

sn't that. I'm not so thin-skinned an

stupid. But I've been thinking that perhap'd offended you, or you were simply tire

of me, and, being kind-hearted, didn't lik

o send me about my business. You know

dear, if you would rather have any on

else"

"Oh, Kate, you arestupid!" cried Virginia

"Of course I'm not tired of you. We reallyhave had businessnot about the chteau

didn't mean to tell you until things wer

more settled, but since you've been talkin


110/537

ike this, I will. I've discovered lately tha

'm tired of the Riviera, heavenly as it i

here. We've been a month now"

"I always told you that Monte Carlo wa

more amusing, while as for Cannes"

"But I've seen enough of the Riviera for

while."

"What about your chteau, thenyou

chteau in the olive woods that you s

adore?"

"That won't be ready until next winter

There's lots to be done. AndI've set m

heart on a yachting trip."

Kate Gardiner's face fell. She was

wretched sailor, and Virginia knew it

Even the crossing from Dover to Calai


111/537

was torture to her on a calm day.

" A long yachting trip?" she asked

controlling her voice."I don't quite know yet. Some weeks

perhaps. The only difficulty is about you."

Kate did not answer for a moment. Wahis an excuse to get rid of her, and if so

why? Could it be that Roger Broom ha

been warning Virginia that her half

brother was in danger of making a fool o

himself about a woman many years hi

senior? A short time ago she might have

believed that this was the explanation, fo

Roger Broom knew a good deal abou

Lady Gardiner. He was aware that he

dead husband was but a city man, knighte

when he was sheriff; that she had bee


112/537

governess to the gruff old widower's on

daughter; that she had married him for hi

money, and spent it freely until wha

remained was lost in a great financiapanic; that since then she had lived as sh

could, trading upon her own aristocrati

connections to chaperon girls, chiefl

Americans, who wished to see "Englissociety from the inside." Roger knew he

real age, or something near it; he knew

hat she had been in debt when she had go

his chance with Virginia, to whom sh

had been recommended by an America

duchess; and as there was nothing agains

her character, he had been too goodnaturedas she would have expressed i

to "put a spoke in her wheel.

However, if he suspected designs upo

George, he might not have continued to b


113/537

as discreet; but during these last thre

days of mysterious confabs, George Tren

had appeared as much changed toward he

as his half-sister had, so that Roger neehave had no new fears for him. Georg

had never ceased to be courteous, bu

here was a subtle difference in hi

manner, in his way of looking at her. Heappeared preoccupied; he no longe

sought her out. And this alteration had

only come about since the day when the

had visited the Chteau de la Roche.

Perhaps, then, it was George who wa

ired of her. He had never been the sam

since he had seen that girl in black, withe tragic eyes and the dead-white face

with no more life in it than a marbl

statue. Maybe he was planning to attac


114/537


115/537

As she spoke she watched Virginia's fac

hrough half-lowered lashes, and wa

certain that it changed. There could n

onger be any doubt on that subject. Fosome reason Virginia did not want her on

he yacht.

"I should hate you to be a martyr," said thgirl uncomfortably. "Roger and I hav

been thinking it over, and I wa

wondering, in case we went (nothing i

actually decided yet), whether you woulike to wait here. I would keep on you

room and the sitting-room, and th

victoria, and you should have my mai

and your own horse. Your income wouldbe the same as always, of course; and yo

have a lot of friends here, so you wouldn

be lonely."


116/537

"How sweet and thoughtful you are

dearest child!" exclaimed Kate gratefully

while within she was saying, "Oh, so thi

s the game, is it? Come now; at leasyou're showing your hand. Roger and yo

have been 'talking things over?' You seem

o have thought out the details pretty wel

and I'm to be bribed. But it won't workmy love, it won't work." She rose, an

going to Virginia, took her hand, lookin

affectionately down at the beautiful face

"You are always ready to sacrifice

yourself for me. But what would you d

for a chaperon if I stopped behind?"

"Oh, you see, George and Roger and would be all the party on board. Surel

George is chaperon enough?"

"Poor Marchese!" murmured Kate. "I'


117/537

afraid he also is suffering from a

eclipse."

"I don't know what you mean," saiVirginia, her colour deepening. "Wh

should he expect an invitation to go wit

us?"

"Ah! why? Unless, indeed, he had hope

hat he was soon to be given some right

over you. Only the other day I used t

fancy that you and he were half engaged."

"We never were. II found him rathe

nteresting. But I don't think I hav

behaved very badly. I really meantoh,

don't know whatI meant then; but I know

don't mean it now. The Marchese Loria i

he last person I should wish to have g

on this yachting trip, and as it's only u


118/537

hree, we'll chaperon each other."

"Can it be that she means to marry Roge

Broom after all?" Kate Gardiner askeherself. "To my certain knowledge, she'

refused him. I heard him reminding her o

t the other night. But one never know

how many times a girl may change hemind. The more I think of it the mor

determined I am to be of the party on tha

yacht."

"Unless I should be one too many, I'd

really love to go," said she aloud. "I mus

get over my horror of the sea. Mayn't I b

with you, dear, if you have really made upyour mind? I've grown so fond of you.

should feel deserted here."

"Even for a few weeks?"


119/537

"Even for a few weeks. When you marry

or go home to the States, I must lose you

but do let me be with you as long as

can."

"You shall go if you really wish to so

much," said Virginia, trying in vain not to

appear constrained. "Only I warn you, yomay find that you've made a mistake."

"Why, how seriously you speak. On

would think you meditated a voyage to thorth Pole. Probably, though, you'l

simply linger about in the Mediterranean

go to Naples, Greece, perhaps, an

Egypt?"

"Something of the sort, I suppose,

Virginia answered, dropping her eyes and

playing with the paper she had used t


120/537

conceal her book. "It's rather vague a

present. Roger and George are looking fo

a yacht. We'll talk of it again later. I only

mentioned it now to show you that we'vreally had business. And by the way, Kate

'd rather you didn't say anything about i

yet to people outside. It seems like makin

t of so much importance and I'd hatbeing asked three times a day: 'Well

when do you start on that yachting trip?'"

"I shall be discreet, never fear," repliedKate, more sure than ever that som

mystery which she could not fathom hi

tself under this new plan of Virginia's

"And now for something else I wanted task you. Do, like a dear, good girl, lend

me ten pounds. You know how stupidly

hard up I always am. I'll pay it back in


121/537

few days."

Virginia was on her feet in an instant and

at the dressing-table, rummaging amonscented laces and pretty odds and ends fo

he gold-netted purse with "V. B." on it in

brilliants. For a moment her back wa

urned, and during that moment KatGardiner, standing close to the desk whic

he girl had left noiselessly, raised

corner of the paper and peepe

underneath. The book which Virginia hadbeen reading lay open. It was French, an

at the top of the page Kate saw the wor

"Noumea." She dared look no longer, bu

et the paper drop, and had wheeled rounwith her back to the desk just as Virgini

found the purse.

"Thank youso much," purred Lad


122/537


123/537

He stopped short, a look passing betwee

him and Virginia, quick as a flash of light

yet not too quick to be seen by Kate.

"Good!" said the girl. "Well, we'll talk

about it as we walk. Kate's goin

shopping." Evidently she intended t

change the subject, but Lady Gardiner wanot ready for another.

"Mercy! Are you fitting out as pirates?

she demanded, laughing.

George Trent flushed with annoyanc

under her unsparing eyes, but he smile

carelessly and shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, you mean the cannon? They happe

o be there. It wouldn't be worth while t

have the yacht dismantled. I think mysel


124/537

hey'd give distinction. It isn't everybod

who goes yachting in such conditions."

"Indeed, no. I only wish we may have chance to use them. Perhaps we may, i

we can get far enough up the Nile. You

see, Virginia has told me of the trip and

promised that I may go. I hope you donmind."

Of course George said that it would b

charming to have her on board, and hopened the sitting-room door when sh

went out, making the necessary agreeabl

remarks about her shopping expedition

But when the door had closed after LadGardiner, and Virginia had joined him in

he sitting-room, he was no longer smiling

"So we're to have another passenger, ar


125/537

we?" he said in a low voice.

"Shesays she wants to go, but she ma

change her mind. You know what awretched sailor she is. Perhaps even afte

starting she'll think better of it and beg t

be put off at the nearest port. I had to tel

her about the yacht, for she was snquisitive concerning the business tha

has occupied you and Roger and me fo

he past three days. But she has promise

not to say anything outside till she hapermission."

"How much does she know?"

"Nothing at all, except that I'm tired of th

Riviera and want to go yachtin

somewherealmost anywhere."


126/537


127/537

"How did you get him to, by the by? H

poured whole cataracts of ice-water o

he scheme at first."

"IIsuppose I wheedled."

"Virgie! I'll bet you said you'd marry hi

f he'd go in with us!"

"I didn'texactly say I wouldn't."

"Poor old Roger! Shall you be cad enoug

o chuck him afterward?"

"Oh, I couldn't do that. I shall be s

grateful to him for this, that I shall feel n

reward could be too great for himthas, if wesucceed. He is a dear, kind

fellow, and I have often made hi

unhappy. I've always thought, somehow

hat I should end by marrying him."


128/537

"Yet you've refused him three times."

"That was to put off the evil day."

"And you came jolly near acceptinLoria."

"Did I really, do you think? It seems so

ong ago, I can hardly remember. Anywayeverything is different now."

"I'm with you there. By Jove, what a funn

world it is! What will Roger say when hhears that Kate Gardiner is bent on going

f he consents to her being on board,

don't see why he should go on refusing t

ake Miss Dalahaide."

"That's not the same thing at all. One ca

never do things quite secretly. The

always leak out. Already it has got into th


129/537

papers somehowI suppose through tha

stupid agentthat I have bought th

Chteau de la Roche, and interest has bee

revived in the Dalahaide story. It's sounfortunate that people should begin t

alk again just now! And then if, on top o

all this, should come the news that we'

aken Madeleine Dalahaide off with us oa mysterious yachting expedition, wha

would be said? Roger is quite right."

"It seems cruel that she should be left ouof it."

"It would be more cruel to have her in

and perhaps ruin everything. She feels thaherself though, of course, it's hard. Stil

hink how awful for her ifwefailed! Bu

will not think of that. There's no suc

word as fail!"


130/537

"According to Roger, there's no such wor

as success. He's absolutely hopeless, an

s only going into the adventure to pleas

youto win you, perhaps. And, by Jovet willbe an adventure!"

"Tell me about the yacht you've heard of."

They went out together, walking among th

pine trees surrounding the hotel; an

meanwhile Kate Gardiner had driven int

he bright little town of Mentone, with itbackground of mountains, its foregroun

of blue-green sea. In the neighbourhood o

he shops, she sent away her victoria

which was to pick her up aRumpelmayer's at five o'clock. She wa

charmingly dressed, and had secured te

pounds with which to buy an exquisit

antique Italian watch which had taken he


131/537

fancy a day or two before; never had ther

been so little need to worry about th

future from a pecuniary point of view

still, Kate was not happy. She had losnterest in the watch, lost interest in he

shopping expedition altogether, and wa

ingering outside the jeweler's wonderin

whether she should spend the ten poundas she had planned or not, when a man'

voice at her shoulder made her turn. It wa

he Marchese Loria; and Lady Gardine

noticed, as the sun streamed full into hi

face when he took his off hat, that h

ooked sallow and haggard.

He was staying at the Cap Martin also, buhey had not seen each other that day, and

now it struck Kate that he was surprisingl

changed since the afternoon when they ha


132/537

so gaily ridden off to find the Valley of the

Shadow. She was certain that, for som

reason which puzzled her sorely, Lori

had completely lost his chance witVirginia

williamson a m - the castle of the shadows

Documents