The Black Moth

"But what if she'll none of you?"

Suddenly the heavy lids were raised.

"She will have no choice."

Lady Lavinia shivered and sat up.

"La, Tracy! Will you have no sense of decency?" she cried. "I suppose,"she sneered, "you think to kidnap the girl?"

"Exactly," he nodded.

She gasped at the effrontery of it.

"Heavens, are you mad? Kidnap a lady! This is no peasant girl, remember.Tracy, Tracy, pray do not be foolish! How _can_ you kidnap her?"

"That, my dear, is a point which I have not yet decided. But I do notanticipate much trouble."

"But goodness gracious me! has the child no protectors? No brothers? Nofather?"

"There is a father," said Tracy slowly. "He was here at the beginning oftheir stay. He does not signify, and, which is important, he is of thosethat truckle. Were _I_ to make myself known to him, I believe I mightmarry the girl within an hour. But I do not want that. At least--notyet."

"Good God, Tracy! do you think you are living in the Dark Ages? Onecannot do these things now, I tell you! Will you not at least rememberthat you represent our house? 'Twill be a pretty thing an there is ascandal!" She broke off hopelessly and watched him flick a remnant ofsnuff from his cravat.

"Oh, Tracy! 'Tis indeed a dangerous game you play. Pray consider!"

"Really, Lavinia, you are most entertaining. I trust I am capable ofcaring for myself and mine own honour."

"Oh, don't sneer--don't sneer!" she cried. "Sometimes I think I quitehate you!"

"You would be the more amusing, my dear."

She swept the back of her hand across her eyes in a characteristicmovement.

"How cross I am!" she said, and laughed waveringly. "You must bear withme, Tracy. Indeed, I am not well."

"You should take the waters," he repeated.

"Oh, I do!--I do! And that reminds me that I must look for your beauty."

"She is not like to be there," he answered. "'Tis only very seldom thatshe appears."

"What! Is she then _religieuse_?"

"_Religieuse_! Why, in heaven's name?"

"But not to walk in the Rooms--!"

"She is staying here with her aunt, who has been ill. They do not mixmuch in society."

"How very dreadful! Yet she used to walk in the Rooms, for you met herthere?"

"Yes," he admitted coolly. "'Tis for that reason that she now avoidsthem."

"Oh, Tracy, the poor child!" exclaimed his sister in a sudden fit ofpity. "How can you persecute her, if she dislikes you?"

"She does not."

"Not! Then--"