Ethelyn's Mistake

"False in every respect," he muttered, "and I trusted her so much."

It never occurred to him that the note was a strange one for what he

imagined it to portend, Frank merely charging Ethelyn to be present at

the party, without even announcing his arrival or giving any explanation

for his sudden appearance in Camden. Richard was too much excited to

reason upon anything, and stood leaning upon the piano, with his livid

face turned toward the door, when Ethie made her appearance, looking

very pretty and piquant in her Mary Stuart guise. She held her mask in

her hand, but when she caught a glimpse of him she hastily adjusted it,

and springing forward, "Where were you so long? I began to think you

were never coming. We shall be among the very last. How do I look as

Mary? Am I pretty enough to make an old maid like Elizabeth jealous

of me?"

Had anything been wanting to perfect Richard's wrath, that allusion to

an "old maid" would have done it. It was the drop in the brimming

bucket, and Richard exploded at once, hurling such language at Ethelyn's

head that, white and scared, and panting for breath, she put up both her

hands to ward off the storm, and asked what it all meant. Richard had

locked the door, the only entrance to their room, and stooping over

Ethelyn he hissed into her ear his meaning, telling her all he had heard

from Harry Clifford, and asking if it were true. Ere Ethelyn could reply

there was a knock at the door, and a servant's voice called out,

"Carriage waiting for Mrs. Markham."

It was the carriage sent by Mrs. Miller for Ethelyn, and quick as

thought Richard stepped to the door, and unlocking it, said hastily,

"Give Mrs. Miller Mrs. Markham's compliments, and say she cannot be

present to-night. Tell her she regrets it exceedingly"; and Richard's

voice was very bitter and sarcastic in its tone as he closed the door

upon the astonished waiter; and relocking it, he returned again to

Ethelyn, who had risen to her feet, and with a different expression upon

her face from the white, scared look it had worn at first, stood

confronting him fearlessly now, and even defiantly, for this bold step

had roused her from her apathy; and in a fierce whisper, which,

nevertheless, was as clear and distinct as the loudest tones could have

been; she asked, "Am I to understand that I am a prisoner here in my own

room? It is your intention to keep me from the party?"