Chapter V
A HERO
Four years had passed, and Lillian was fast blooming into a lovelywoman: proud and willful as ever, but very charming, and already a bellein the little world where she still reigned a queen. Owing to hermother's ill health, she was allowed more freedom than is usuallypermitted to an English girl of her age; and, during the season, oftenwent into company with a friend of Lady Trevlyn's who was chaperoningtwo young daughters of her own. To the world Lillian seemed a gay,free-hearted girl; and no one, not even her mother, knew how well sheremembered and how much she missed the lost Paul. No tidings of him hadever come, and no trace of him was found after his flight. Nothing wasmissed, he went without his wages, and no reason could be divined forhis departure except the foreign letter. Bedford remembered it, butforgot what postmark it bore, for he had only been able to decipher"Italy." My lady made many inquiries and often spoke of him; but whenmonth after month passed and no news came, she gave him up, and onLillian's account feigned to forget him. Contrary to Hester's fear, shedid not seem the worse for the nocturnal fright, but evidently connectedthe strange visitor with Paul, or, after a day or two of nervousexhaustion, returned to her usual state of health. Hester had her ownmisgivings, but, being forbidden to allude to the subject, she held herpeace, after emphatically declaring that Paul would yet appear to sether mind at rest.
"Lillian, Lillian, I've such news for you! Come and hear a charminglittle romance, and prepare to see the hero of it!" cried MaudChurchill, rushing into her friend's pretty boudoir one day in theheight of the season.
Lillian lay on a couch, rather languid after a ball, and listlesslybegged Maud to tell her story, for she was dying to be amused.
"Well my, dear, just listen and you'll be as enthusiastic as I am,"cried Maud. And throwing her bonnet on one chair, her parasol onanother, and her gloves anywhere, she settled herself on the couch andbegan: "You remember reading in the papers, some time ago, that fineaccount of the young man who took part in the Italian revolution and didthat heroic thing with the bombshell?"
"Yes, what of him?" asked Lillian, sitting up.
"He is my hero, and we are to see him tonight."
"Go on, go on! Tell all, and tell it quickly," she cried.
"You know the officers were sitting somewhere, holding a council, whilethe city (I forget the name) was being bombarded, and how a shell cameinto the midst of them, how they sat paralyzed, expecting it to burst,and how this young man caught it up and ran out with it, risking his ownlife to save theirs?"
"Yes, yes, I remember!" And Lillian's listless face kindled at therecollection.
"Well, an Englishman who was there was so charmed by the act that,finding the young man was poor and an orphan, he adopted him. Mr. Talbotwas old, and lonely, and rich, and when he died, a year after, he lefthis name and fortune to this Paolo."
"I'm glad, I'm glad!" cried Lillian, clapping her hands with a joyfulface. "How romantic and charming it is!"
"Isn't it? But, my dear creature, the most romantic part is to come.Young Talbot served in the war, and then came to England to takepossession of his property. It's somewhere down in Kent, a fine placeand good income, all his; and he deserves it. Mamma heard a deal abouthim from Mrs. Langdon, who knew old Talbot and has seen the young man.Of course all the girls are wild to behold him, for he is very handsomeand accomplished, and a gentleman by birth. But the dreadful part isthat he is already betrothed to a lovely Greek girl, who came over atthe same time, and is living in London with a companion; quiteelegantly, Mrs. Langdon says, for she called and was charmed.This girl has been seen by some of our gentlemen friends, and theyalready rave about the 'fair Helene,' for that's her name."
Here Maud was forced to stop for breath, and Lillian had a chance toquestion her.
"How old is she?"
"About eighteen or nineteen, they say."
"Very pretty?"
"Ravishing, regularly Greek and divine, Fred Raleigh says."
"When is she to be married?"
"Don't know; when Talbot gets settled, I fancy."
"And he? Is he as charming as she?"
"Quite, I'm told. He's just of age, and is, in appearance as ineverything else, a hero of romance."
"How came your mother to secure him for tonight?"
"Mrs. Langdon is dying to make a lion of him, and begged to bring him.He is very indifferent on such things and seems intent on his ownaffairs. Is grave and old for his years, and doesn't seem to care muchfor pleasure and admiration, as most men would after a youth like his,for he has had a hard time, I believe. For a wonder, he consented tocome when Mrs. Langdon asked him, and I flew off at once to tell you andsecure you for tonight."
"A thousand thanks. I meant to rest, for Mamma frets about my being sogay; but she won't object to a quiet evening with you. What shall wewear?" And here the conversation branched off on the all-absorbing topicof dress.
When Lillian joined her friend that evening, the hero had alreadyarrived, and, stepping into a recess, she waited to catch a glimpse ofhim. Maud was called away, and she was alone when the crowd about theinner room thinned and permitted young Talbot to be seen. Well forLillian that no one observed her at that moment, for she grew pale andsank into a chair, exclaiming below her breath, "It is Paul--_my_ Paul!"
She recognized him instantly, in spite of increased height, a darkmoustache, and martial bearing. It was Paul, older, graver, handsomer,but still "her Paul," as she called him, with a flush of pride anddelight as she watched him, and felt that of all there she knew him bestand loved him most. For the childish affection still existed, and thisdiscovery added a tinge of romance that made it doubly dangerous as wellas doubly pleasant.
Will he know me? she thought, glancing at a mirror which reflected aslender figure with bright hair, white arms, and brilliant eyes; agraceful little head, proudly carried, and a sweet mouth, just then verycharming, as it smiled till pearly teeth shone between the ruddy lips.
I'm glad I'm not ugly, and I hope he'll like me, she thought, as shesmoothed the golden ripples on her forehead, settled her sash, and shookout the folds of her airy dress in a flutter of girlish excitement."I'll pretend not to know him, when we meet, and see what he will do,"she said, with a wicked sense of power; for being forewarned she wasforearmed, and, fearing no betrayal of surprise on her own part, waseager to enjoy any of which he might be guilty.
Leaving her nook, she joined a group of young friends and held herselfprepared for the meeting. Presently she saw Maud and Mrs. Langdonapproaching, evidently intent on presenting the hero to the heiress.
"Mr. Talbot, Miss Trevlyn," said the lady. And looking up with awell-assumed air of indifference, Lillian returned the gentleman's bowwith her eyes fixed full upon his face.
Not a feature of that face changed, and so severely unconscious of anyrecognition was it that the girl was bewildered. For a moment shefancied she had been mistaken in his identity, and a pang ofdisappointment troubled her; but as he moved a chair for Maud, she sawon the one ungloved hand a little scar which she remembered well, for hereceived it in saving her from a dangerous fall. At the sight all thehappy past rose before her, and if her telltale eyes had not beenaverted they would have betrayed her. A sudden flush of maidenly shamedyed her cheek as she remembered that last ride, and the childishconfidences then interchanged. This Helen was the little sweetheartwhose picture he wore, and now, in spite of all obstacles, he had wonboth fortune and ladylove. The sound of his voice recalled her thoughts,and glancing up she met the deep eyes fixed on her with the same steadylook they used to wear. He had addressed her, but what he said she knewnot, beyond a vague idea that it was some slight allusion to the musicgoing on in the next room. With a smile which would serve for an answerto almost any remark, she hastily plunged into conversation with acomposure that did her credit in the eyes of her friends, who stood inawe of the young hero, for all were but just out.
"Mr. Talbot hardly needs an introduction here, for his name iswell-known amo
ng us, though this is perhaps his first visit to England?"she said, flattering herself that this artful speech would entrap himinto the reply she wanted.
With a slight frown, as if the allusion to his adventure rather annoyedhim, and a smile that puzzled all but Lillian, he answered very simply,"It is not my first visit to this hospitable island. I was here a fewyears ago, for a short time, and left with regret."
"Then you have old friends here?" And Lillian watched him as she spoke.
"I had. They had doubtless forgotten me now," he said, with a suddenshadow marring the tranquillity of his face.
"Why doubt them? If they were true friends, they will not forget."
The words were uttered impulsively, almost warmly, but Talbot made noresponse, except a polite inclination and an abrupt change in theconversation.
"That remains to be proved. Do you sing, Miss Trevlyn?"
"A little." And Lillian's tone was both cold and proud.
"A great deal, and very charmingly," added Maud, who took pride in herfriend's gifts both of voice and beauty. "Come, dear, there are so fewof us you will sing, I know. Mamma desired me to ask you when Edith haddone."
To her surprise Lillian complied, and allowed Talbot to lead her to theinstrument. Still hoping to win some sign of recognition from him, thegirl chose an air he taught her and sang it with a spirit and skill thatsurprised the listeners who possessed no key to her mood. At the lastverse her voice suddenly faltered, but Talbot took up the song andcarried her safely through it with his well-tuned voice.
"You know the air then?" she said in a low tone, as a hum ofcommendation followed the music.
"All Italians sing it, though few do it like yourself," he answeredquietly, restoring the fan he had held while standing beside her.
Provoking boy! why won't he know me? thought Lillian. And her tone wasalmost petulant as she refused to sing again.
Talbot offered his arm and led her to a seat, behind which stood alittle statuette of a child holding a fawn by a daisy chain.
"Pretty, isn't it?" she said, as he paused to look at it instead oftaking the chair before her. "I used to enjoy modeling tiny deer andhinds in wax, as well as making daisy chains. Is sculpture among themany accomplishments which rumor tells us you possess?"
"No. Those who, like me, have their own fortunes to mold find time forlittle else," he answered gravely, still examining the marble group.
Lillian broke her fan with an angry flirt, for she was tired of hertrial, and wished she had openly greeted him at the beginning; feelingnow how pleasant it would have been to sit chatting of old times, whileher friends dared hardly address him at all. She was on the point ofcalling him by his former name, when the remembrance of what he had beenarrested the words on her lips. He was proud; would he not dread to haveit known that, in his days of adversity, he had been a servant? For ifshe betrayed her knowledge of his past, she would be forced to tellwhere and how that knowledge was gained. No, better wait till they metalone, she thought; he would thank her for her delicacy, and she couldeasily explain her motive. He evidently wished to seem a stranger, foronce she caught a gleam of the old, mirthful mischief in his eye, as sheglanced up unexpectedly. He did remember her, she was sure, yet wastrying her, perhaps, as she tried him. Well, she would stand the testand enjoy the joke by-and-by. With this fancy in her head she assumed agracious air and chatted away in her most charming style, feeling bothgay and excited, so anxious was she to please, and so glad to recoverher early friend. A naughty whim seized her as her eye fell on aportfolio of classical engravings which someone had left in disorder ona table near her. Tossing them over she asked his opinion of several,and then handed him one in which Helen of Troy was represented as givingher hand to the irresistible Paris.
"Do you think her worth so much bloodshed, and deserving so muchpraise?" she asked, vainly trying to conceal the significant smile thatwould break loose on her lips and sparkle in her eyes.
Talbot laughed the short, boyish laugh so familiar to her ears, as heglanced from the picture to the arch questioner, and answered in a tonethat made her heart beat with a nameless pain and pleasure, so full ofsuppressed ardor was it:
"Yes! 'All for love or the world well lost' is a saying I heartily agreeto. La belle Helene is my favorite heroine, and I regard Paris as themost enviable of men."
"I should like to see her."
The wish broke from Lillian involuntarily, and she was too much confusedto turn it off by any general expression of interest in the classicallady.
"You may sometime," answered Talbot, with an air of amusement; adding,as if to relieve her, "I have a poetical belief that all the lovelywomen of history or romance will meet, and know, and love each other insome charming hereafter."
"But I'm no heroine and no beauty, so I shall never enter your poeticalparadise," said Lillian, with a pretty affectation of regret.
"Some women are beauties without knowing it, and the heroines ofromances never given to the world. I think you and Helen will yet meet,Miss Trevlyn."
As he spoke, Mrs. Langdon beckoned, and he left her pondering over hislast words, and conscious of a secret satisfaction in his impliedpromise that she should see his betrothed.
"How do you like him?" whispered Maud, slipping into the empty chair.
"Very well," was the composed reply; for Lillian enjoyed her littlemystery too much to spoil it yet.
"What did you say to him? I longed to hear, for you seemed to enjoyyourselves very much, but I didn't like to be a marplot."
Lillian repeated a part of the conversation, and Maud professed to beconsumed with jealousy at the impression her friend had evidently made.
"It is folly to try to win the hero, for he is already won, you know,"answered Lillian, shutting the cover on the pictured Helen with a suddenmotion as if glad to extinguish her.
"Oh dear, no; Mrs. Langdon just told Mamma that she was mistaken abouttheir being engaged; for she asked him and he shook his head, sayingHelen was his ward."
"But that is absurd, for he's only a boy himself. It's very odd, isn'tit? Never mind, I shall soon know all about it."
"How?" cried Maud, amazed at Lillian's assured manner.
"Wait a day or two and, I'll tell you a romance in return for yours.Your mother beckons to me, so I know Hester has come. Good night. I'vehad a charming time."
And with this tantalizing adieu, Lillian slipped away. Hester waswaiting in the carriage, but as Lillian appeared, Talbot put aside thefootman and handed her in, saying very low, in the well-remembered tone:
"Good night, my little mistress."
The Mysterious Key and What It Opened Page 5