He bowed his head in silence. In his heart he was a raging demon. He told himself that he would never give her up.
They passed through the ballroom together, and my Lord of Seabright watched them with glances of approval.
Lady Elaine escaped to her apartments and retired for the night, while Viscount Rivington and Margaret Nugent conversed in the open air.
Two days later the following announcement appeared in a society paper:
We have pleasure in being able to inform our readers that the famous beauty, Lady Elaine Seabright, and Viscount Henry Rivington have become engaged. The match is suitable in every way, and gives unbounded satisfaction to both families. It will be remembered that the Earl of Seabright’s beautiful daughter was to have been married to Sir Harold Annesley, of Annesley Park, who recently disappeared in so mysterious a manner. Poor fellow! He is gone! N’importe! Off with the old love and on with the new. Such is life! We offer the happy couple our sincere congratulations.
CHAPTER XI.
MY PLACE IS HERE TO PROTECT THERESA.
John Hamilton’s cottage was one of the prettiest of its kind. It was built of brown stone, and seemed to be a combination of nooks and gables. To the doors, both at the back and the front, there was a trellised porch, wreathed with trailing vines, roses and sweet-smelling clematis. On every window-sill there was a box of bright-hued flowers and fragrant mignonette, while the garden that surrounded the house was a veritable maze of bewildering beauty.
At the farther end was a summer arbor, and there Sir Harold spent many happy hours, a cigar between his teeth and a book in his hands.
Sometimes he would dream lazily, and try to think of the mystery of his life, but always gave up these efforts with a sigh.