Beulah - Page 226/348

"Surely you are not surprised?"

"Oh, no! I am not blind!"

"It was an unlucky chance that threw your cousin in his path," said

the doctor composedly.

"Oh, it is merely another link in the chain of fatality which binds

my family to misfortune. She has all the family traits of the

Labords, and you know what they are," cried Cornelia.

He compressed his lips, and a lightning glance shot out from his

eyes; but he stilled the rising tempest, and replied coldly: "Why, then, did you not warn him?"

"Warn him! So I did. But I might as well grasp at the stars yonder

as hope to influence him in this infatuation."

Once more they approached the happy pair, and, leaning forward,

Cornelia said hoarsely: "Eugene, my father is engaged; come home with me."

He looked up, and answered carelessly: "Oh, you are leaving too

early. Can't you entertain yourself a little longer?"

"No, sir."

Her freezing tone startled him, and for the first time he noticed

the haggard face, with its expression of angry scorn. Her eyes were

fixed on Antoinette, who only smiled and looked triumphantly

defiant.

"Are you ill, Cornelia? Of course I will take you home if you really

desire it. Doctor, I must consign Miss Dupres to your care till I

return."

Eugene by no means relished the expression of his sister's

countenance. She bade Dr. Harwell adieu, passed her arm through her

brother's, and they proceeded to their carriage. The ride was short

and silent. On reaching home, Eugene conducted Cornelia into the

house, and was about to return when she said imperiously: "A word with you before you go."

She entered the sitting room, threw her wrappings on a chair, and

began to divest herself of bracelets and necklace. Eugene lighted a

cigar and stood waiting to hear what she might choose to

communicate. Fastening her brilliant black eyes on his face, she

said sneeringly: "Eugene Graham, did you learn dissimulation in the halls of

Heidelberg?"

"What do you mean, Cornelia?"

"Where did you learn to deceive one who believed you pure and

truthful as an archangel? Answer me that." Her whole face was a

glare of burning scorn.

"Insulting insinuations are unworthy of you and beneath my notice,"

he proudly replied.

"Well, then, take the more insulting truth! What crawling serpent of

temptation induced you to tell me you expected to marry Beulah? No

evasion! I will not be put off! Why did you deceive me with a

falsehood I was too stupidly trusting to discover until recently?"