Like a flame of fire, the word “Australia” had set the passion of jealousy running through his veins, calling up the dormant longing for revenge that had found a resting-place in his heart. Could he not leave all that distressed and oppressed him, and rush away to that distant land, to face him who had stolen the most precious jewel of his life, to bring shame on her who had deceived and tricked him? The picture of Margery’s loveliness rose before him and made his heart beat wildly with the rush of wrath and love that came over him.
“Stuart,” Sir Douglas said, quietly, almost tenderly, “I would ask you to go with me gladly but for one thing—you are not free—your father needs you. He could not live without you; go from him, and he will sink before your return. He is not strong; this summer, he has told me many times, has tried him terribly, and your accident was a shock.”
“Yes, you are right,” responded Stuart, gloomily, after a moment’s pause. “I will stay here. And yet it is hard.”
Sir Douglas did not catch the last words.
“I have always loved Sholto,” he said, “and to rob him of you would be cruel. No, Stuart, your place is here.”
They moved on and approached the house; but before they entered, Sir Douglas stretched out his hand.
“Heaven bless you, lad!” he said, tenderly. “We may never meet again. May you have all the happiness and sunshine in your life that a man such as you ought to expect! Remember your promise.”
“I have sworn, and I will keep it.”
They returned to the castle; and, soon after that, Sir Douglas Gerant left for London.
His cousin’s visit broke the spell of Stuart’s morbid inactivity. The monotonous quiet of Hurstley seemed suddenly to appall him. He could no longer sit and nurse himself; he was restless, almost feverish in his movements. He went out early in the morning and did not return till the day was spent; and, though he tried to banish every memory of his brief dream from his mind, Vane detected the nervous restlessness in his face. In her heart she rejoiced at these signs of awakening; they were but the forerunners of that proud, contemptuous mood which she had longed to see reveal itself. Life was dull at the castle; but, though she yawned and was inexpressibly bored, she did not intend to give way; and at last she had the satisfaction of feeling that success was hers when her aunt announced that Stuart wished the whole party to leave Crosbie and go to London.