The Black Moth

How was it she had never before realised how much she enjoyed her life?wondered Lavinia. She settled down to listen to the second act, andGarrick's skill caught her interest and held it. For a moment she forgother woes and clapped as heartily as anyone, laughing as gaily.

The next instant she remembered again, and sank back into unutterablegloom.

But Richard had heard her merry laugh, and his heart was even gloomierthan hers. There was no help for it: Lavinia was delighted at thethought of leaving him.

As the curtain fell, Mrs. Fleming suddenly demanded if it was not Tracyseated in the box over on the other side. Lavinia turned to look. In thebox, alone, sat his Grace, seemingly unaware of her presence.

"Is it not Tracy?" persisted Mrs. Fleming. "I remember his face sowell."

"Yes," nodded Lavinia, and waved to him.

Andover rose, bowed, and left his box. In a few moments he was in theirown, kissing his cousin's hand.

Lavinia now caught sight of Lovelace standing on the floor of thetheatre looking up at her. He, too, disappeared from view, and sheguessed that he was coming to speak with her. He had evidently failed toperceive the Duke, who was just a little behind her in the shadow.

Richard and Mr. Fleming had left the box, and only Charles Holtremained, engaging Mrs. Fleming's whole attention. If only Tracy wouldgo! How was she ever to give Lovelace her answer with him sitting thereso provokingly.

Captain Lovelace knocked at the door. Carelessly she bade him enter, andaffected surprise on seeing him. His Grace looked at her throughnarrowed lids, and shot a swift glance at Lovelace, whose discomfitureat finding him there was palpable. Not a trace of emotion was visible onthat impassive countenance, but Lavinia felt her brother's attitude tobe sinister, as if he divined her wishes and was determined to frustratethem. She watched him smile on Lovelace and beg him to be seated.Whether by accident or design, she was not sure which, he had so placedthe chairs that he himself was between her and the captain. Skilfullyhe drew Mrs. Fleming into the conversation, and rearranged his stage.

Lavinia found herself listening to the amiable Mr. Holt, and out of thetail of her eye observed that Lovelace had fallen a victim to hercousin. She could find no way of speaking to him, and dared not evensignal, so adroitly was his Grace stage-managing the scene. Lavinia wasnow quite certain that he was managing it. Somehow he had guessed thatshe had arranged to speak to Lovelace to-night, and was determined toprevent her. How he had found out, she could not imagine, but she wastoo well acquainted with him to be surprised. He would never let herdisgrace herself if he could help it--she knew that. In whatever mannerhe himself might behave, his sister's conduct must be above reproach; hewould find some means of separating them until he could cause Lovelaceto be removed. She did not in the least know how he would contrive to dothis, but she never doubted that he could and would. And then she wouldhave to stay with Richard--Richard, who did not want her. If only Tracywould go! Ah! he was rising!

His Grace of Andover begged Captain Lovelace to bear him company in hisbox. He would brook no refusal. He bore his captive off in triumph.

A minute later Mr. Fleming re-entered the box. The third act had justbegun when Richard re-appeared, and softly took his seat. On went theplay. Neither Tracy nor Lovelace came to the box during the nextinterval, and from her point of vantage Lavinia could see that Andrewhad been introduced to the latter. She could guess how cleverly hisGrace was keeping the Captain by him....

Lord Avon, who had only a week ago returned from Bath, came to pay hisrespects. He had much to tell dear Lady Lavinia. How Cholmondely andFalmouth had dared to fight a duel in Crescent Fields, and had beenarrested. How furious the Beau was, but how his age was beginning totell on him, and how it was whispered that his power was waning. All ofwhich at any ordinary time would have interested my lady

quiteprodigiously, but now bored and even annoyed her.

On went the play. Scrub and Boniface kept the house in a roar; all butRichard and his wife were enthralled. The incomparable Kitty failed tohold Lavinia's attention. Would Lovelace manage to speak to her in thelast interval? A solicitous enquiry from Mrs. Fleming roused her, andshe had perforce to smile--to own to a slight headache, and to evincesome interest in the play. One more interval: would he come? She becameaware of a hand laid on her shoulder. Richard's voice, gravelycourteous, sounded in her ears.

"You are heated, my dear. Will you walk outside a little?"

She felt a mad desire to cling to his hand, and suppressed it forcibly.She rose, hesitating. Mrs. Fleming decided the point.

"The very thing. How considerate of you, Mr. Carstares! I shall like towalk amongst all the people, to be sure! Here is Charles offering toescort us, too! What say you, Lavvy?"

"I--oh, I shall be pleased to do what suits you best, cousin," sheanswered.

"Then let us go, my love. Charles has an arm for each, so we may leaveour husbands to chat."

They went out into the broad passage and walked towards the foyer. ThereLord March espied Lavinia, who was always a favourite with him, and cameforward, offering his arm. Lavinia took it, thankful to escape from Mr.Holt's vapid conversation. She let March conduct her to where his motherwas sitting, with Mr. Selwyn at her elbow. Someone fetched her a glassof ratafie, and Montagu came to talk to her.

Stepping out of his box, Richard fell into the arms of his Grace ofAndover.

"Ah! Dick!"

Richard eyed him coldly.

"You wanted me?"

Tracy saw Mr. Fleming approaching

"Only to ask if I may return with you to Grosvenor Square. I havesomething important to say."

"Certainly," bowed Richard, and turned aside.

Lovelace, who had succeeded in escaping from the Belmanoir claws,hurried in search of Lavinia. Not finding her in her box, he gatheredshe must be in the foyer and made his way towards it. As soon as she sawhim coming she set down her glass and rose to her feet.