In White Raiment Part 14

She hesitated, and I thought I detected a faint blush upon her cheek.

"I--well, I wished to number you among my friends."

"Then I presume that the story regarding your husband is also a fiction?" I said, surprised that I had previously formed such an entirely wrong impression of her.

"No, not exactly," she responded. "I hope to have the pleasure of introducing you to him some day ere long."

"I shall of course be delighted," I answered in a tone which I fear did not convey any desire on my part to be honoured by the baronet's acquaintance. "But, having deceived me as you have to-day, I confess that my confidence is somewhat shaken."

She laughed and raised her hand to her hair.

"Ah! it is always best to commence by being enemies and to end by being friends."

"You intend, then, that we shall be friends?"

"Of course. That is the reason why I asked you to call on me."

"But where have you seen me?"

"Oh, in lots of places," she answered vaguely. Her att.i.tude was very strange. Could it be possible that she had seen me, and, becoming attracted by my personal appearance, had found out who and what I was?

Was it possible that she intended that I should be her lover?

The thought flashed across my mind as she sat there smiling upon me, displaying an even row of pearly teeth, while her face was radiant with triumph and happiness. I had promised friends.h.i.+p to this woman, who had so cleverly formed my acquaintance.

"Tell me one place where we have met," I asked, for, to my knowledge, I had never set eyes upon her before that morning.

"You were having supper at the _Savoy_ with your friend, Doctor Raymond, one night three weeks ago," she answered. "On the following evening you both dined together at the exhibition at Earl's Court."

"And you saw us at both places?" I exclaimed, surprised.

"Yes," she laughed. "You see how well acquainted I have been with your recent movements."

"I had no idea that any lady had been taking an interest in my unimportant self," I laughed.

Yes, it was true, this woman was seeking to fascinate me by those wiles so purely feminine. But I laughed within myself, for I was fortunately proof against it all. The incident was decidedly amusing. Of a verity the doctor is bound to steel his heart against many feminine blandishments.

Ere the words had left my lips, however, our conversation was interrupted by a woman's voice outside the room, crying merrily--

"Nora! Nora! Where are you? We shall be so awfully late!"

And an instant later a young girl, dressed to go out, burst gaily into the room. She drew back with a quick word of apology when she recognised that her ladys.h.i.+p was not alone, but at sight of her I sat there dumb-stricken and rigid as a statue.

Was I dreaming? Could it be, after all, only a mere chimera of an excited imagination? No; I knew myself to be in full possession of all my faculties. The mystery was inscrutable. There before me, somewhat abashed by her own unceremonious intrusion, her soft cheeks slightly flushed, radiant and in perfect health, stood my dead wife in the fles.h.!.+

CHAPTER NINE.

A MAZE OF MYSTERY.

I sat erect in my chair, open-mouthed, unable to move. My eyes were riveted upon the slim graceful form before me. I held my breath in wonder. She wore a smart tailor-made gown of pale fawn, with a large black hat which suited her admirably, while across the face--every feature of which had been so indelibly photographed upon my memory--was a thin gauzy veil which only served to heighten, rather than to conceal, her striking beauty.

"I'm so sorry to have disturbed you," she exclaimed, turning to her ladys.h.i.+p. "But I hadn't any idea that you had a visitor."

"Oh," laughed the other, "our conversation is not at all of a private character. Let me introduce you." Then, turning to me, she said--

"This is my cousin, Feo Ashwicke--Doctor Colkirk."

My wife turned to me and bowed, a sweet smile upon her lips.

"I hope, Doctor, you will forgive me for bounding into the room like this," she said.

"Certainly," I answered, still gazing at her like a man in a dream.

She had been introduced to me as Feo Ashwicke, the cousin of this rather curious woman, Lady Pierrepoint-Lane. Yet there could be no doubt that she was actually Beryl Wynd, the sweet-faced girl whom I had seen lying dead in that house of mystery eight days before.

Neither our introduction nor the mention of my name had in the least disconcerted her. She remained perfectly frank and natural, betraying not the slightest surprise. Could it be possible that she was not aware of her marriage with me?

I looked straight into her clear blue eyes. Neither appeared affected.

Nevertheless, had I not, on that fatal night, seen the strange contraction of the pupil, which had rendered one--the left eye-- sightless and so strange-looking?

She was talking to her cousin, and thus I had opportunity of regarding her critically. Her hands were gloved, therefore I could not see whether she still wore the ring I had placed upon her finger. Still, if she were really Feo Ashwicke, what motive had she in masquerading as the daughter of that crafty scoundrel Wyndham Wynd?

I longed to speak plainly to her and seek some explanation, yet at that moment it was impossible. Her frank and open manner rendered it quite evident that to her I was an utter stranger.

It was this failure on her part to recognise my name that aroused within my mind a doubt whether, after all, her personal appearance only bore a very striking resemblance to that of my mysterious wife.

"Nora always forgets her engagements," she laughed, turning to me.

"This morning we've got quite a host of places to go to and things to buy, for we leave town again to-night. After breakfast we arranged to go out together at eleven, and she's actually forgotten all about it!"

"Short memories are sometimes useful," I remarked with a smile.

"I hope that is not meant for sarcasm, Doctor," protested the baronet's wife.

"I am never sarcastic at the expense of my patients," I responded.

"But I presume I am a friend. Do your friends fare any better?"

"With my friends it is quite different. I myself am generally the object of their sarcasm."

They both laughed.

"How hot it is this morning," observed the mysterious Feo. "I've only been in town three days, and shall be very glad to get back again into the country."

"To what part are you going?" I inquired.

"Only to Whitton, near Hounslow, to visit the Chetwodes. Do you know them?"

"No," I replied. "Are you staying there long?"

"Oh, a fortnight or so," she replied. "The Chetwode girls were at school with me near Paris, and we are very good friends. They always have a big house-party at this time of the year, and there is usually lots of fun."