CHAPTER IX.

MOYNEHAN CASTLE: GAINING GROUND.

Beatrice advances.

Beat.-What fire is in my ears? Can this be true ?

Much Ado about Nothing.

"WHERE did you drop from?" Lady Moynehan had asked while Alured stood like a culprit before her. But not as one hardened in crime, who faces his judge with brazen unabashed front; he hung his head sheepishly, and had not a word to say. But he pointed to the recess

in the window.

"How long have you been there? No-tell me first," she went on, rather rudely, "who are you ?"

Perhaps this wounded him more than detection. Was he so insignificant and unworthy that within a few weeks she had forgotten him altogether?

My name is Frere, Alured Frere. You asked me to come to the ball. I'm sure I wish I had not; and I'm very, very sorry."

Of course this was the most cunning method to disarm her anger. In her own heart Lady Moynehan was grateful for his prompt assistance, but she could not forgive him all at once the crime of listening.

"How long were you there, I ask? I mean behind that curtain ?"

"Half an hour at least."

6.

Who, or what took you there?"

"A young lady, I mean a child.'

"Yes; your niece, I think."

"And did you hear what passed between us-between me and that man?

Mr. Frere."

Be honest,

Alured looked up into her face, and said as bravely as he could,

"I'm afraid I heard every word."

"And what do you call yourself—a gentleman? Faugh, I'm surprised at you. What gentleman would listen to other people's conversation ?"

"It was hardly my fault, Lady Moynehan. I had no way of escape-except just past you."

"And why did you not take it?" asked her ladyship coldly, and with an incredulous shrug of her white shoulders. The excuse seemed so pitiably inadequate.

"From the first moment I felt that I had heard too much; and I waited hopinghoping-"

"Yes, hoping-?" she repeated.

"To escape detection altogether." Alured's cheeks grew hotter, and more scarlet. "Pray forgive me, Lady Moynehan, will you-can you? I quite hate myself when I think how meanly I have behaved."

The lad spoke eagerly and fast. He was clearly alive to his fault. Besides there was something so frank and honest in his bright face, that Lady Moynehan read there as in a book that confidence would not be misplaced in Alured Frere.

"Mr. Frere," she spoke very slowly and gravely, "I will believe you. I will take you at your word, and will believe that you were an unwilling witness to this humiliating, degrading scene. Oh, if you only knew all_"

It seemed as if a flood of distressing thoughts rushed in upon her. For a time she covered her face in her hands, and turned away.

When she looked up, Alured's eyes met hers. Anguish on one side, tender pity and sympathy on the other.

"Can I trust you, I wonder? You are such a boy."

Indeed, indeed you may."

Will you give me your promise,-your word of honour as a gentleman ?"

"Only forgive me, Lady Moynehan, and I promise never to breathe a syllable of what has passed to-night."

"I think I may rely upon you. now. There is hand upon

my

it."

I feel it

What could Alured do but take the hand in both his, and dropping to his knees, kiss it glove and all?

Lady Moynehan was not angry with him. Perhaps with a woman's quick perception she understood how much he sought to convey by this outré act of worship. But she drew away her hand, and said, almost laughing,

"Get up, get up, Mr. Frere. It is I, I think,

who should kneel to you, for I am in your power now."

A pause followed, which neither broke till Lady Moynehan said, "I have been away an unconscionable time. Will you give me your arm back to the ballroom, Mr. Frere?"

As they passed out of the little room to the gallery beyond she stopped.

"For the last time, Mr. Frere, repeat your promise. You will not mention this to a single soul?"

"I will not, Lady Moynehan, so help me Heaven."

"I am satisfied."

Very soon this accomplished woman of the world began to talk away with her customary ease. One so well-bred and fashionable had all the arts of pleasing at her finger-ends. And these great dames have the knack of throwing such eager interest in each simple question, the charm of their manner is so fascinating, they show so clearly that all this friendliness is assumed for you and you alone, that most men, I take it, are ready to fall headlong at their feet, and accept as gospel truths every syllable ut