The Temptress
Page 46
thisparticular night she had eclipsed the _menu_ of pleasures previouslyprovided.
An entertainment so novel could scarcely fail to be a success. Possiblyit might have stirred feelings of pain and indignation within thebreasts of the pharasaical, but as none of that order were included inthe company, a satisfactory issue of the terpsichorean novelty wasassured.
It was nothing less than a reproduction of that strange spectacle whichwas originated at Ootacamund by the Governor and his select circle, andwhich caused so much excitement and comment in Madras, the Demon'sDance.
The ball had opened with two extras and two valses, after which came thefeature of the evening.
As the first discordant crash of music was heard, eight men rushed intothe room. The attire of these imitators of his Satanic majesty was initself remarkable. Long black-forked tails, tufts of hair on eitherside of the head, gave the idea of pointed ears; black coats, with akind of bat's wing under the arm and joined at the side; black bands ofsilk across the shirt front covering all gleams of white, knee-breeches,silk stockings, and pumps. Each in his rush along the room seized areluctant angel, and dragged her to a place in the set. Their fairpartners were most becomingly attired in soft flowing robes of white,with silver girdles, stars in their hair, flowing wing sleeves, and abig spray of lilies in their hands.
No one but the eight from above and the subterranean eight took part inthis dance, the rest being content to watch the curious sight. Theydanced with wonderful fiendish grace and agility, dragging theirpartners, whirling them round and pirouetting around them. Some angelsappeared to dance easily while others, feigning reluctance, unwillinglywent through the set. Valerie, in the arms of a tall demoniacalpartner, almost flew about, her feet scarcely touching the ground, andher face bearing an expression of intense satisfaction and enjoyment.
The bright spirits, with their sable lords, having finished the Lancers,concluded with a wild rapid waltz.
The radiant hostess, flushed by excitement, had been led to her seat,and was receiving the congratulations of her guests on the success ofthe entertainment, when Jacob crossed the room and deferentiallyaccosted her.
"Well, what's the matter?" she inquired, scanning the servitor sharply.
"A gentleman in the library wishes to speak to you, madame. He will notgive his card," said the old man.
"I can't be troubled now to see anyone," she replied petulantly.
"Excuse me, madame," he exclaimed, bowing. "But I think he desires tosee you on very urgent business."
"Do you know what it is? Haven't I told you often to always askstrangers what they want to see me about?"
"I have asked him, madame, but he refused to tell me," said Jacob,undisturbed by her impatience. "He said he wished to see you at onceand alone."
"Alone," she repeated, in surprise. "I wonder who it can be?"
Then reflecting that any business at that hour must be of importance,she directed the servant to take her to where the stranger was inwaiting.
The library, a small, quaint old room, was situated in a wing of thebuilding, at some distance from where the ball was in progress, and wasvirtually shut off from the rest of the house by baize doors placedhalfway down the corridor.
Jacob led the way, and, ceremoniously throwing open the door of theapartment, announced the advent of his mistress. The two shaded candleswhich stood upon the writing-table threw such a dim light over thesombre room that when she entered she did not for the moment recogniseher visitor.
The door had closed.
He rose slowly from a chair near the fire, and walked towards her.
"_Dieu_! Jack! Why, what means this?" she cried in amazement, when sherecognised him.
"You have company to-night," observed the artist, without offering toshake hands. "I thought it probable that, under the circumstances, youwould not grant an interview to an old friend."
"How absurd! Why, you must know you are always a welcome guest here,"and she beamed upon him one of her sweetest smiles.
As she stood before him in the subdued light he gazed upon her inhesitation. Her costume was perfect, enhanced as it was by a sparklingdiamond star in her hair and a necklet of exquisite brilliants. Herdress was of white silk, with very high sleeves, mounted in a sort ofball at the shoulder, hanging draperies from the arms representingwings, which expanded as she moved, and silver bands around a very highwaist and under and across each arm.
"The welcome you accord me is somewhat premature," he observedmeaningly. "No doubt you have a morbid satisfaction in seeing the manwho is under your thrall--the miserable, deluded fool who stained hishands with a terrible crime for your sake, yet you--"
"Why refer to that horrid affair?", she asked, shuddering slightly."Let's forget it."
"No doubt you wish that dark page in your history to be closed," he saidominously; "but, strangely enough, it is upon that very subject I havesought this interview."
"What do you want, pray?" she asked quickly.
"Merely to introduce two persons to you--old friends."
"Old friends!" she echoed. "Who are they?"
For answer, Egerton crossed the apartment and opened the doorcommunicating with an ante-chamber. As he did so two persons advancedinto the library.
"Gabrielle! Hugh!" she gasped, a look of sudden terror overspreadingher countenance.
The tableau was well arranged and striking.
Valerie's glance shifted in alarm from one to the other, while her threevisitors looked upon her in silence, with expressions of calm, confidentdetermination.
Hugh Trethowen's countenance was careworn and pale; his whole appearancewas that of a man weighed down by profound grief. The sufferings andprivations had aged him considerably, yet there were in his face tracesof some new feeling. His mouth, as a rule so serious, actually smiled;his look had more animation than it was wont to have, and altogether hehad somewhat about him which was at once sad, malevolent, andself-satisfied.
"I--I did not expect this pleasure," the adventuress stammered, withbitter sarcasm, without asking them to be seated.
The icy reception did not astonish them. They were fully prepared tomeet the passionate wrath which they knew would be stirred within her.
"We are unwelcome, no doubt," said Gabrielle Debriege, with a cynicalsmile. "Nevertheless, it is a long time, madame, since you and I met."
"And what have I to do with you, pray?" cried Hugh's wife, drawingherself up to her full height, and standing erect before them. "It isgross impudence for a woman of such reputation as yourself to claim myacquaintance. I do not forget what you were in Paris."
"Oh, indeed!" replied mademoiselle. "Before you asperse my character,think of your own."
"Who dares to defame me?" she asked indignantly.
"I do," declared mademoiselle.
This bold reply caused the colour to flee from her cheeks, for theobject of their visit began to dawn upon her.
"I have come here, madame," continued Gabrielle, "to bring your losthusband before you, so that he may hear the true story of your perfidy;I have--"
"By Heaven! I'll strangle you!" Valerie hissed, stepping forwardthreateningly, with clenched hands and flashing eyes.
The two women were, however, separated by the writing-table.
"First, listen to what I have to say," the other replied coolly. "Ialone know the truth, and it is useless to protest your innocence ordeny your guilt--"
"The truth of what?"
"Victor has confessed," said Gabrielle, without answering the question.
"Confessed!" she repeated, betraying increased alarm.
"By your treachery he was sent to penal servitude, but your plan provedrather too ingenious, for, strangely enough, he denounced you to afellow-convict, who chanced to be your husband!"
Valerie glanced sharply at Hugh, with unwavering gaze.
"Yes," he said, in a tone of disgust, speaking for the first time."Your lover told me the horrible story, how--like myself--he had beentric
ked and wronged by you. I can scarcely believe that I ever loved awoman so vile and despicable, so depraved by sin as yourself."
"Vile and despicable!" she echoed, in anger. "What have I done thatyou, too, should turn against me?"
"If you forget," interposed Gabrielle, "I'll refresh your memory."
"I desire to hear none of the vilifying denunciations. Let me get backto my guests."
"No," said Egerton, turning the key in the door, and placing it in hispocket. "You don't leave here yet. We have not finished."
She turned upon him like an infuriated animal brought to bay.
"You," she cried, scanning him from head to toe in exasperation.