His senses reeled before it, and he sunk in a heavy swoon to the floor, where an attendant discovered him presently and summoned a physician, who found him suffering from the first symptoms of brain fever.
Days and weeks of severe illness followed; but before he fell into a delirium he gave strict orders that no news of his condition should be sent to America.
CHAPTER XX.
ALVA’S DISAPPOINTMENT.
The day after the theater party Miss Beresford stood alone in her beautiful studio in a sunny wing thrown out at the side of the mansion, and gazed meditatively at her latest work.
She was no mean artist, this queenly heiress, for having much talent in the beginning, she had improved upon it by spending several years in Paris under the best masters. She threw all her soul into her work, and delighted in every successful effort she made.
Her most ambitious work, and one that had occupied much time and study, was one that she called “Cupid.”
It represented the beautiful little god of love strolling through a green wood, and coming suddenly on a party of lovely youths and maidens dancing on the banks of a crystal stream.
Cupid, charmed by the pretty sight, instantly determined to make himself two victims in the merry party. The picture represented Cupid, the mischievous little god, drawing his bow to transfix a heart with a piercing arrow.
One can fancy how sweet and arch and happy Cupid must have appeared at that moment when exercising his fateful power.