And at the end of that long list came the
fearful total--close upon three hundred pounds!
"I can never pay it!" murmured Lydia; "never! never!"
Her involuntary exclamation sounded almost like a cry of despair.
Gordon Graham looked up from the newspaper in which he had been
absorbed until this moment, and stared at his sister.
"What's the matter?" he exclaimed. "Oh, I see! it's a bill--Susanne's,
I suppose? Well, well, you women will make yourselves handsome at any
cost, and you must pay for it sooner or later. If you can secure
Douglas Dale, a cheque from him will soon settle Mademoiselle Susanne,
and make her your humble slave for the future. But what has gone wrong
with you, my Lydia? Your brow wears a gloomy shade this morning. Have
you received no tidings of your lover?"
"Gordon," said Lydia, passionately, "do not taunt me. I don't know what
to think. But I have played a desperate game--I have risked all upon
the hazard of this die--and if I have failed I must submit to my fate.
I can struggle no longer; I am utterly weary of a life that has brought
me nothing but disappointment and defeat."
* * * * *
CHAPTER XXXII.
A MEETING AND AN EXPLANATION.
For George Jernam's young wife, the days passed sadly enough in the
pleasant village of Allanbay.
Pages:
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606