"But, my dear Mrs. Parsley," Miriam would remonstrate, "he hasn't——"
"Oh, don't tell me he hasn't if he hasn't, you've only to hold up your little finger for him to have. Why any fool can see he just worships the ground you tread on—not that I ever believe altogether in that sort of thing myself; but my experience of them is they're all the same. It's either that or nothing. Take my word for it, my dear, unless a man's abject, he's not in love, and unless he's in love, he'll never make a good husband. Now the Major is in love—he is abject, horribly abject. And of all the men I've known he's the most promising as a husband. I do believe he is a thoroughly good fellow."
"I know, I know, my dear Mrs. Parsley; there is no better fellow in the world. But you seem to take it quite as—well, what shall I say?—quite as necessary to my existence that I should have a husband. Does it not occur to you that I might like a little freedom—that my first experience of matrimony has not been altogether encouraging?"
"Freedom! Encouraging?—rubbish! What does a woman want with freedom, except to get into captivity again? As for encouragement, no one ought to require much encouragement to grab a good thing when they see it. John Dundas, matrimonially speaking, is a good thing, and if it weren't for the Reverend Augustine, I tell you candidly I'd soon show you I mean what I say!"
"Oh, my dear friend, this love, this love!" sighed Miriam, "this keep the world a-whirling!—well, I suppose you're right. You know it is not that I underrate Major Dundas' good qualities. I do not. I know he is a good man, and I like him and respect him more than I can say; but—but——"
"But—but—there you go! you're thinking about that wretched past of yours again. Well, tell him, tell him everything; he'll think none the less of you for that!"
"Indeed I have; he knows everything of my wretched past. It is not that——"
"Well, what is it then?"
"Oh, I don't know—let us leave it. It will settle itself I expect if it's meant to be settled. Meanwhile, we're quite happy, you and I, aren't we?"
"Oh yes, we're very happy, Miriam, with our work. That reminds me that old Chinese Mandarin creature's dead at last."
"Really? Poor old thing! When did she die?"
"Yesterday morning. The place is becoming quite respectable now—a veritable land of promise. And that reminds me again I have to go down there in the morning to finish up one or two things, and in the afternoon, dear, you know I am going back to Thorpe. Augustine's got a cold, and you know what Augustine is with a cold!"
"Poor Mr. Parsley—he is very good. I sometimes think I should like to change places with you, and go down and look after him while you're looking after Lambeth," said Miriam, just to see how she would take it.
"Indeed, my dear, you'll do nothing of the kind. You'd spoil him altogether, that's what you'd do. I understand Augustine and he understands me. He'd break out in all sorts of fresh places with any other treatment than what I give him. Besides, he likes to be alone—he always says I'm the only woman he could stand. Not that he means it, you know—he doesn't. He thinks all women a nuisance, except when he's ill—then he's glad enough to have 'em, I can tell you. Now, dear, I must really go. I shall have tea at the Stores. Who's that at the door I wonder?—let me get out of sight. Good-bye, Miriam dear."
She kissed her and hurried off. They were in the dining-room. Miriam remained where she was, awaiting the announcement of her visitor whoever it might prove to be.
The name brought in to her was that of "Mrs. Latham."
"Mrs. Latham?" she repeated to herself. "I don't know any Mrs. Latham."
She went into the little drawing-room. Her visitor was closely veiled and in the deepest black. She looked at her.
"You don't know me, Miriam?"
"Hilda! Is it you? Mrs. Latham!—but—-"
"Yes, Miriam, I am Mrs. Latham. But my husband is dead. He died only a month ago!"
"It is only a year since Gerald died."
"Poor Gerald—did he forgive me for leaving him?"
"He never forgot—I cannot say whether he forgave. Your name was last on his lips—not mine!"
"My name? And you were so good to him? Miriam, will you forgive?"
"I—yes, I forgive. It was him you wronged more than me, for I could guide my life—he couldn't. He was weak, helpless—little more than a child. And you led him further astray, Hilda. And yet he loved you as he never loved me, even at the end."
"Oh, Miriam, you don't know what I've suffered. I am not so wholly to blame as you think. You don't know what my life was—from the merest child I was neglected. I was never taught to care save for myself. I was pampered, spoiled, allowed to run utterly wild. My only teaching was to put a value on myself—to see to it that I secured the biggest prize in marriage. You cannot afterwards undo the evil done by an up-bringing such as mine. And my instincts were never for good, Miriam. I secured through John Dundas all that I craved, riches, position, ease, gaiety. And when I lost them, remember, I lost what was to me all. Gerald loved me I know; yes, and I loved him as much as it was in me to love any man. I could not resist the temptation that assailed me. But I was prepared to do my duty by him, Miriam. I would have gone on loving him. I would have been with him at the end—"
"Why, then, did you leave him?"
"Because he forced me to. He drank so horribly. He was like a madman most of the time. He gambled recklessly—more than once he struck me. I stayed by him as long as I could, and then one night he treated me so cruelly I had to leave him. I was afraid for my life. I had already met Mr. Latham. He fell in love with me, and he urged me all the time to leave Gerald. But I would not have left him, I swear to you, if he had not treated me so violently. Mr. Latham was rich I know, and Gerald then had little money left. But it was not that that took me. I was in daily, hourly terror of him. Oh, Miriam, you cannot imagine how he was. That night I tell you of, I left him. I went with Mr. Latham to Italy, and there we were married. He was more than good to me, far better I know than I deserved. I was prepared to make amends for my past life, and at least to be a good wife to him. But fate determined, I suppose, that I should suffer, for he died—died when we had been married only a few months. And now I am alone, and oh, so wretched, Miriam, so terribly unhappy."
She burst into tears.
"Hilda, don't—I, too, am alone. Believe me, I forgive you if it is my forgiveness you would have. You have been wrong; but I was wrong, I think, in the beginning, too—towards Gerald. I ought to have left things to take their chance. But what I did, I did to save him. For that I was punished. God knows what I have suffered. But, come now, even though you are alone, you have your father and mother——"
"My father and mother! Don't name them to me. I hate them. To them I owe the whole failure of my life. They had no right to bring children into the world, and allow them to grow up weeds. I wish never to see either of them again. No, I am going back to Italy. I shall find some niche to fill there I suppose. But I could not stay here. All I wanted was to know that you forgave me. You have been so good, Miriam, and if you forgive me, I can bear the rest. And, Miriam——"
"Yes, Hilda."
"You will marry John Dundas? Don't be angry with me, but if you are happy, I should feel my life was easier. John is good, Miriam, he is one of the best of men—I never deserved him. You do. Let me feel that you won't—that the past won't stand in your way. He deserves to be happy."
"He has been very good to me, Hilda, very kind. I know what you must feel. Let us both try and forget."
"Say again that you forgive me, Miriam."
"Freely, Hilda. I forgive."
"Good bye. You will write and tell me—any news?"
"I will write, Hilda; good-bye."
As she left the room Miriam could bear up no longer. She threw herself on the sofa, and cried as if her heart would break.
* * *
Six months later, in the lovely summer weather, Dundas and Miriam were wandering through the gardens of the Manor House together�
�man and wife. In the little church over yonder, fraught to Miriam with so many memories, they had been married by the Reverend Augustine, now four months ago. And even Mrs. Darrow, open enemy though she declared herself, had not contrived to spoil their peace. Dicky, it is true, had been permitted to attend the wedding of his Miss Crane, but Mrs. Darrow herself had remained adamant, and stayed at home to nurse her rage and show her great displeasure.
And with the glorious peace and rest which had now come into her life, Miriam felt at last her night was over—the heavy shades had lifted, and the dawn was brightening to a golden noon. Her faith in God was justified to her even in this world.
Her husband turned, and asked her what he never tired of asking:
"Are you happy, Miriam?"
"Happy, dear? So happy!—happier than I have ever been or ever thought to be!"
* * *
Selections from Jarrold & Sons' List.
JOCELYN ERROLL.
BY CURTIS YORKE,
Author of "That Little Girl," "A Romance of Modern London," "The Wild Ruthvens," etc., etc.
Fourth Edition.
SOME PRESS OPINIONS.
Daily Chronicle—
"Will be read with interest. Pauline Etheredge is skilfully touched in. Fatal sirens are so universally presented to us in novels as totally devoid of humour as they are full of charm, that we welcome this deviation from the beaten track."
Literature—
"A powerful book, as are all Curtis Yorke's novels."
Newcastle Daily Chronicle—
"The best novel we have had from her pen. The talented author tells her story well, and with considerable power, and cleverly maintains the reader's interest to the end."
Glasgow Herald—
"Charmingly written."
Dundee Advertiser—
"Clever and fascinating, as is everything by this writer."
Literary World—
"Decidedly pleasant reading, and calculated to further the author's reputation as a bright and entertaining novelist."
* * *
A Famous Polish Novel.
ANIMA VILIS.
A TALE OF THE GREAT SIBERIAN STEPPE.
By MARYA RODZIEWICZ.
Translated from the Polish by Count S. C. de Soissons.
With a Fine Photogravure Portrait of the Author.
Second Edition.
A FOREWORD ON "ANIMA VILIS."
"Anima Vilis" is a novel dealing with life in Siberia as it really is, not as we have hitherto imagined it, a land of knouts, inhuman Russian officials, and sundry other horrors. In his preface, Count de Soissons says—
"Desiring to destroy the false ideas concerning the Russian Empire that have become so deeply rooted in the minds of most persons, we decided that the best way to accomplish our purpose would be by a novel based on life in Siberia, and this novel was written by Miss Marya Rodziewicz, a noted Polish writer. It is well known that there is not much sympathy between the Russians and Poles. But, at the same time, there is an honesty of purpose in those serious and earnest Polish writers, which, notwithstanding the wrongs their country has suffered at the hands of the Russians, would prevent their stooping to falsify facts. Thus Miss M. Rodziewicz's views of life in Siberia are more worthy of credence than the scribblings of those writers who, for the sake of creating a sensation, and its usual accompaniment, the desire of making money, relate blood-curdling stories of the barbarism of Russia."
SOME PRESS OPINIONS.
Leeds Mercury—
"An engrossing book. The story is a powerful one, and, breathing as it does the true life of the Siberian, is profoundly interesting."
Daily News—
"The book is well worth reading. Her descriptions are wonderfully suggestive."
Daily Telegraph—
"Deeply interesting."
New Age—
"Told with piercing vividness, 'Anima Vilis' is so good and so finely done, that we sincerely hope to read more stories by so talented an author."
Review of the Week—
"Has the simplicity and directness typical of Slavonic literature. Its freshness and originality should stimulate translators to further explorations in literary Poland."
Literature—
"It has both power and charm."
* * *
CYRANO DE BERGERAC.
A fascinating and powerful romance of this interesting personality.
CAPTAIN SATAN:
ADVENTURES OF CYRANO DE BERGERAC.
From the French of LOUIS GALLET.
With special Photogravure Portrait of CYRANO DE BERGERAC.
Second Edition.
"Captain Satan" forms a romance d'aventure of the Dumasesque school, having the famous Cyrano de Bergerac for hero, and giving a vivid picture of the redoubtable hero, swashbuckler, poet, and philosopher. The book has attained widespread popularity in France. There is a most enthralling and extremely powerful plot, while one exciting episode succeeds another in a fashion that holds the reader's attention fascinated to the last page. The character of Cyrano, forming as it does a central figure around which everything turns, adds additional attractiveness to this unquestionably notable romance, since general interest in his remarkable personality has been so largely re-awakened by M. Coquelin's and Mr. Charles Wyndham's superb presentations of the character of M. Rostand's famous play, the book will appeal to a still wider section of the reading public.
SOME PRESS OPINIONS.
Daily Chronicle—
"The author has the lightness of touch and sweep of imagination which impart a real thrilling vitality to the romantic novel."
Daily Telegraph—
"A delightful book. The romance that Gallet has woven around his hero is one of the masterpieces of French literature. So vividly delineated are the dramatis persona, so interesting and enthralling are the incidents in the development of the tale, that it is impossible to skip one page, or lay down the volume until the last words are read."
Daily News—
"The story is always in movement, and stirring incidents follow each other in inexhaustible succession."
The Star—
"A brisk, slashing, galloping, gallant affair. Both the time and the manner are wittily hit off."
Dublin Express—
"An excellent romance, well constructed and well told."
Pall Mall Gazette—
"The plot is original, and of most lively interest. The reader being agitated by most active doubts and fears to the very last chapter."
Morning Leader—
"A most exciting and stirring romance."
* * *
IN TIGHT PLACES.
BY MAJOR ARTHUR GRIFFITHS,
Author of "Forbidden by Law," etc., etc.
Fourth Edition.
SOME PRESS OPINIONS.
Daily Telegraph—
"Entertaining and readable, partaking more of the nature of stories of adventure than of the conventional detective kind, but in each case containing a genuine mystery and an ingenious elucidation of the same."
Pall Mall Gazette—
"A lively and varied series of cosmopolitan crime, with plenty of mixed adventure and sensation. Such stories always fascinate, and Major Arthur Griffiths knows well how to tell them."
Gentlewoman—
"Exciting and well sustained, by no means the ordinary class of detective story, but takes one all over the world and introduces an abundance of adventure."
Glasgow Herald—
"Carries the reader forward with unflagging zest."
Aberdeen Free Press—
"An engaging book of private detective stories by this well-known writer, he writes brightly and retains the reader's attention throughout."
Daily News—
"An exciting story."
St. James' Gazette—
"They are good reading."
* * *
Fergus Hume's Novels.
The Mystery of a Hansom Cab.
The Mystery of Landy Court.
The Expedition of Captain Flick.
The Tombstone Treasure.
A Woman's Burden.
* * *
THE "GREENBACK" SERIES OF POPULAR 3/6 NOVELS.
BY AUTHORS OF THE DAY.
1. LOUIS DRAYCOTT. By Mrs. Leith Adams. 2nd Edition.
2. GEOFFREY STIRLING. By Mrs. Leith Adams. 5th Edition.
3. BONNIE KATE. By Mrs. Leith Adams. 2nd Edition.
4. A NEW OTHELLO. By Hon. Iza Duffus Hardy. 2nd Ed.
5. THE MAID OF LONDON BRIDGE. By S. Gibney. 3rd Ed.
6. EVELINE WELLWOOD. By Major Norris Paul. 3rd Ed.
7. OLD LATTIMER'S LEGACY. By J. S. Fletcher. 2nd Ed.
8. THAT LITTLE GIRL. By Curtis Yorke. 10th Edition.
9. DUDLEY. By Curtis Yorke. 8th Edition.
10. THE WILD RUTHVENS. By Curtis Yorke. 11th Edition.
11. THE BROWN PORTMANTEAU, and other Stories. By Curtis Yorke. 2nd Edition.
12. HUSH! By Curtis Yorke. 4th Edition.
13. ONCE! By Curtis Yorke. 3rd Edition.
14. A ROMANCE OF MODERN LONDON. By Curtis Yorke. 4th Edition.
15. HIS HEART TO WIN. By Curtis Yorke. 4th Edition.
16. DARRELL CHEVASNEY. By Curtis Yorke. 3rd Edition.
17. BETWEEN THE SILENCES. By Curtis Yorke. 2nd Ed.
Fergus Hume Page 28
