A Fair Mystery: The Story of a CoquetteBrame, Charlotte M.
General
A Fair Mystery: The Story of a Coquette
Brame, Charlotte M.
Fiction
"I am glad to hear it," he replied. "I certainly do not think any one
else could say quite as much. I could not."
It was not of herself alone that Doris had thought that day. She had
been with the earl to give orders respecting the steam-plow; she had
chosen such a dress, such a shawl and cap for Mrs. Brace, that she knew
would bring tears of delight into that lady's eyes; she had chosen a box
full of millinery, with pretty ornaments, for Mattie; she had chosen for
Earle a box full of books such as she had often heard him long for. And
Lord Linleigh, while he admired her goodness of heart, her affectionate
memory, never for one moment thought that her quick study of him had led
her to do these different things. She longed for the hour in which she
should return to Linleigh; she wanted to see all the magnificent
purchases she had made placed at her own disposal. The Parisian
waiting-maid was found and one bright, clear, frosty morning they
returned to the Court.
"It looks like home," said Lady Doris. Her heart warmed to it, and beat
faster with a thrill of pride. It was her own home, from which nothing
could dislodge her!
She had had one fright in London; and though her nerves were strong, her
courage high, it had been a fright.
She was driving with the earl through New Bond Street, when on the
pavement she saw Gregory Leslie. There was no avoiding him--their eyes
met. His were filled with recognition and surprise--hers rested on him
with calm nonchalance, although her heart beat high. Then he smiled,
bowed, and half stood still; but the calm expression of her face never
wavered.
"Is it some one who knows you?" asked the earl.
"It is some one who has made a great mistake," she replied.
And then they passed out of sight--not, however, before Gregory Leslie
had seen the coronet on the panel.
"What a mistake I have made," he said to himself. "I certainly thought
that was my beautiful 'Innocence.' How like her! It cannot be such an
uncommon type of face, after all, when there are three now that
different people have seen--all so much alike. What would my 'Innocent'
do in an earl's carriage?--that is, if all be well with her; and Earle
said all was well."
She would not recognize him, for the simple reason that she feared to do
so. He was a man of the world, always in London, familiar with all the
little rumors at the clubs, and she dreaded what he might say afterward.
If by chance she should meet him when she was with the earl and
countess, she would recognize him, but not just then.
"It was an unfortunate thing for me," she said to herself, "having that
picture painted. If I had known then what I know now, it never would
have happened. Mark Brace and his wife were foolish to allow it."
But she had forgotten the whole matter when they reached Linleigh Court.
All the packages were there, and she was as happy as a queen
superintending the arrangements, the unpacking, the stowing away in
beautiful old wardrobes made of cedar.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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