Part 70 (1/2)
After waiting a long time, his cousin came; brought me a letter, showed me the marriage notice. Only two days ago they--Belmont and that woman--were married, and they sailed for Europe at noon to-day, in the steamer upon which I had expected to go as a bride. He wrote that with failing health, penury staring him in the face, and, despairing at last of being able to win me, he had grown reckless, and sold himself to that wealthy widow who had long loved him, and who would provide generously for his helpless mother. He said he dared not trust himself to see me again. And so, all is over for ever.”
She dropped her head on her clenched hands, and shuddered. ”Dear Olga, he was not worthy of you, or he would never have deserted you.
If he truly loved you, he never could have married another, for----”
She paused, for the s.h.i.+mmer of the diamonds on her hand accused her.
Was she not contemplating similar treachery? Loving one man, how dare she entertain the thought of listening to another's suit. She was deeply and sincerely attached to Dougla.s.s, she reverenced him more than any living being; but she knew that it was not the same feeling her heart had declared for her guardian, and she felt condemned by her own words.
Olga made an impatient motion, and answered:
”Hush--not a word against him; none shall dishonour him. He was maddened, desperate. My poor darling! Erle Palma and mamma were too much for us, but we shall conquer at last. Belmont will not live many months; he had a hemorrhage from his lungs last week, and in a little while we shall be united. He will not long wait to join me.”
She leaned back and smiled triumphantly, and Regina became uneasy as she noted the unnatural expression of her eyes.
”What do you mean, Olga? You make me unhappy, and I am afraid you are ill.”
”No, dear; but I am tired. So tired of everything in this hollow, heartless, shameful world, that I want to lie down and rest. For eight years nearly I have leaned on one hope for comfort; now it has crumbled under me, and I have no strength. Will you let me sleep here with you to-night? I will not keep you awake.”
”Let me help you to undress. You know I shall be glad to have you here.”
Regina unb.u.t.toned her shoes, and began to draw them off, while Olga mechanically took down and twisted her weighty hair. Once she put her hand on her pocket, and her eyes glittered.
”I want a gla.s.s of wine, or anything that will quiet me. Please go down to the dining-room, and get me something to put me to sleep. My head feels as if it were on fire.”
The tone was so unusually coaxing, that Regina's suspicions were aroused.
”I don't know where to find the key of the wine closet.”
”Then wake Octave, and tell him to give you some wine He keeps port and madeira for soups and sauces. You must I would do as much for you. I will go to Octave.”
She attempted to rise, but Regina feigned acquiescence, and left the room, closing the door, but leaving a crevice. Outside, she knelt down and peeped through the key-hole.
Alarmed by the unnatural expression of the fiery hazel eyes, a horrible dread overshadowed her, and she trembled from head to foot.
While she watched, Olga rose, turned her head and listened intently; then drew something from her pocket, and Regina saw that it was a gla.s.s vial.
”I win at last. To-morrow, mamma and her stepson will not exult over this victory. If I have an immortal soul may G.o.d--my Maker and Judge--have mercy upon me!”
She drew out the cork with her teeth, turned, and as she lifted the vial to her lips, Regina ran in and seized her arm.
”Olga, you are mad! Would you murder yourself?”
They grappled; Olga was much taller and now desperately strong, but luckily Regina had her fingers also on the gla.s.s, and, dragging down the hand that clenched it, the vial was inverted, and a portion of the contents fell upon the carpet.
Feeling the liquid run through her fingers, Olga uttered la cry of baffled rage of despair, and struck the girl a heavy blow in the face that made her stagger; but almost frantic with terror Regina improved the opportunity afforded by the withdrawal of one of the large hands, to tighten her own grasp, and in the renewed struggle succeeded in wrenching away the vial. The next instant, she hurled it against the marble mantlepiece, and saw it splintered into numberless fragments.
As the wretched woman watched the fluid oozing over the hearth, she cried out and covered her face with her hands.
”Dear Olga, you are delirious, and don't know what you are doing. Go to bed, and when you lie down, I will get the wine for you. Please, dear Olga! You wring my heart.”