Ainslee's Magazine, February 1913 — page 40: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

30 AINSLEE’S “It has, indeed,” Stella agreed, her wrath rising, then went on respectfully: “But I must refuse to discuss anything about Count Roumovski at present. Please believe me that I do not wish to annoy you, dear Aunt Caroline. I only wish to do what is right, and | know it is right to break off my engage- ment with Eustace Medlicott.” Mrs. Ebley felt her anger augment- ing to boiling point; but nothing she could say had any effect upon her niece, who remained extremely respectful, and gently but perfectly firm. Mrs. Ebley could not get her to tell her any- thing about her acquaintance with this dreadful foreigner. She became silent after she had refused point-blank to discuss him. At last the baffled and exasperated older lady got up and fired her last shot. “Words cannot express my pain and disgust at your conduct, Stella,” she said. “Putting aside all the awful sus- picions I have about this Russian, you will lay up for yourself a lifelong re- gret in outraging all decency by refus- ing to marry that good and pure young clergyman, Eustace Medlicott.” “Tl have done nothing wrong, Aunt Caroline; please do not go away so angry with me,” Stella pleaded. “When Count Roumovski asks Uncle Erasmus’ and your consent to his marrying me, then I will tell you everything about him, but now I do not wish to. Please forgive me for causing you pain. We shall all be very happy soon, and surely I have a right to my life like any other person.” Mrs. Ebley would not bandy further words; their points of view were too different. “T regret that I am obliged to request you to keep your room and have no communication with any one whatever until I can consult with your uncle and Eustace as to what is the best thing to do With you. That we shall leave — immediately you may be prepared or.” Stella here burst into tears; she had an affection for her aunt, who had al- ways been kind to her in a hard, cold _ way, and she was deeply grieved at their estrangement; but there were forces.in life which she knew now mat- tered more than any aunts in the world. Mrs. Ebley did not relent at the sound of the sobbing, but left the room, closing the.door firmly after her. And a few minutes afterward Martha was let in by the chambermaid, without knocking, and sat down: grimly by the window, and began to knit. Then Stella’s tears turned to resent- ment. To be insulted so! To have a servant sent to watch her was more than she would bear! But as she turned in bed she felt her lover’s note touch her, and like a magic wand a thrill of comfort rushed through her. After all, he would settle things for her; and meanwhile she would close ‘her eyes and pretend to sleep. So, with her pre- cious love letter clasped tight in her hand under the clothes, she turned her face to the wall and shut her eyes. CHAPTER VII. Meanwhile, Canon Ebley and the Reverend Eustace Medlicott were spending a very disagreeable time in the reading room. Relieved of Mrs. Ebley’s presence, Eustace had recount- ed more fully the interview he had had with Sasha Roumovski the night be- fore. He was not a very accurate per- son, and apt to color everything with his own prejudice, so Canon Ebley did not obtain a very clear idea of the Rus- sian’s arguments. They seemed to him to be very unorthodox and carnal and reprehensible from all points. But it was evident they were dealing with a clever and dangerous character, and Stella must be rescued from such a per- son’s influence and married off to her lawful fiancé at once. “We could have the ceremony here, Eustace, in three weeks’ time, or we could go back to England immediately, for until our niece is your wife I am sure her aunt and myself will not feel easy about her.” “Nor I, either,’ Mr. Medlicott re- turned, and at that moment the Aunt Caroline entered the room, and grad- ually disclosed the awful truth she had CORNICLOOOLK (C@)