“But, Violet,” interrupted Hilda, hastily, “Selim has cast a shoe, so I heard old Andrew say, and he is a little lame; you can not use him.”
Violet looked disappointed; but before she could venture a reply, Will Venners arose to take his departure.
“I shall not return to New Orleans for a day or two,” he observed; “shall I not have the pleasure of meeting you ladies again?”
“We shall be pleased to see you at Yorke Towers,” said Leonard, a little coldly.
Venners bowed.
“Thanks, very much,” he replied. “I may possibly be able to avail myself of your invitation.” But, as he took Violet’s hand at parting, he managed to whisper: “I shall not see you again. Will you write to me—you know my address—and let me know all about her?”
Violet smiled uneasily; but she answered yes. Leonard knew that some engagement had been made between the two, but he was too proud to ask any questions when Captain Venners was gone.
The remainder of Leonard’s call was exceedingly unsatisfactory to Violet; but Hilda monopolized him exclusively, and was the only one who enjoyed the situation.
In the depths of her heart, Violet would have been glad of an excuse to give up the visit to Yorke Towers; but she could not well withdraw now. So she listened in silence to the arrangements made by the others, and Leonard agreed to call at The Oaks in the morning with the Yorke carriage.
Morning came fair and bright. The carriage drove up to the entrance of the house, and Mrs. Rutledge was assisted within, followed by Violet, and Hilda was left to share the remaining seat with Leonard, much to her secret satisfaction; and it was just what she had intended from the first. They reached Yorke Towers in the bright morning sunshine, and were ushered to their respective rooms. A strange oppression settled down upon Violet’s spirits; she felt gloomy and sad, though she knew not why. She closed the door of her own room behind her, and went over to a window which opened upon an iron balcony, from which a narrow staircase wound down to the grounds below. It was a very odd, old-fashioned house, and there were many strange stories told of it. For instance, there was a room called the east chamber. Violet had never entered it, but she had heard the legend connected with it—a wild tale of love and jealousy.