I would give a
great deal for the power to strip the veil from her beautiful face, and
show my lady in her true colours!"
Such bitter thoughts as these continually harassed the ambitious and
disappointed man. And yet he was able to bear himself with studied
courtesy towards Lady Eversleigh. The best people in the county had
come to Raynham to pay their homage to Sir Oswald's bride. Nothing
could exceed her husband's pride as he beheld her courted and admired.
No shadow of jealousy obscured his pleasure when he saw younger men
flock round her to worship and admire. He felt secure of her love, for
she had again and again assured him that her heart had been entirely
his even before he declared himself to her. He felt an implicit faith
in her purity and innocence.
Such a man as Oswald Eversleigh is not easily moved to jealousy; but
with such a man, one breath of suspicion, one word of slander, against
the creature he loves, is horrible as the agony of death.
Reginald Eversleigh had shared in all the pleasures and amusements of
Sir Oswald and his wife. They had gone nowhere without him since his
arrival at the castle; for at present he was the only visitor staying
in the house, and the baronet was too courteous to leave him alone.
"After the twelfth we shall have plenty of bachelor visitors," said Sir
Oswald; "and you will find the old place more to your taste, I dare
say, Reginald.
Pages:
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136