Cursed by a Fortune Part 37

There were two candles burning on the dressing-table, but their light troubled her aching eyes, and she slowly extinguished both, the soft light which flooded the window being ample for her purpose.

Crossing the room to the side furthest from the door, she bent down and bathed her aching forehead for a few minutes before beginning to undress, and was then about to loosen her hair when she was startled by a faint tap outside the window which sounded as if something had struck the sill.

She stopped, listening for a few minutes, but all was still, and coming to the conclusion that the sound had been caused by a rat leaping down somewhere behind the wainscot of the old room, she raised her hands to her head once more, but only for them to become fixed as she stood there paralysed by terror, for a shadow suddenly appeared at the bottom of the blind--a dark shadow cast by the moon; and as she gazed at it in speechless fear, it rose higher and higher, and looked monstrous in size.

She made an effort to cast off the horrible nightmare-like sense of terror, but as she realised that to reach the door she must pa.s.s the window it grew stronger.

The bell!

That was by the bed's head, and for the time being she felt helpless, so completely paralysed that she could not even cry for help.

What could it mean? Someone had placed a ladder against the window sill and climbed up, and at the thought which now flashed through her brain the helpless feeling pa.s.sed away, and the hot indignation made her strong, and gave her a courage which drove away her childish fear.

How dare he! It was Claud, and she knew what he would say--that he had come there when all was still in the house and no one could know, to ask her forgiveness for the scene that day.

Drawing herself up, she was walking swiftly towards the door, with the intention of going at once to Liza's chamber, when there was a fresh movement of the shadow on the blind, and the dread returned, and her heart throbbed heavily.

Claud was a short-haired, smooth-faced boy--the shadow cast on the blind was the silhouette of a broad-shouldered, bearded man.

It was plain enough now--burglars must be trying to effect an entry, and in another moment she would have cried aloud for help, but just then there was a light tap on one of the panes, the shadow grew smaller and darker, as if the face had been pressed close to the window, and she heard her name softly uttered twice.

"Kate! Kate!"

She mastered her fear once more, telling herself it must be Claud; and she went slowly to the door; laid her hand upon the bolt to turn it, but paused again, for once more came the low distinct voice--

"Kate! Kate!"

She uttered a spasmodic cry, turned sharply round, and half ran to the window with every pulse throbbing with excitement, for she felt that the help she had prayed for last night had come.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

There was no hesitation on the part of Kate Wilton. The dread was gone, and she rapidly drew up the blind and opened the cas.e.m.e.nt window.

"You?" she said quickly, as she held out her hands, which were caught at once and held.

"Yes; who should it be, my child? Were you afraid that insolent young scoundrel would dare to do such a thing?"

"At first," she faltered, and then quickly, "I hardly knew what to think; I was afraid someone was going to break in. Oh, Mr Garstang, why have you come?"

He uttered a little laugh.

"For the same reason, I suppose, that would make a father who knew his child was in peril act in the same way."

"It is very, very kind of you; but you will be heard, and it will only cause fresh trouble."

"It can cause no greater than has come to us, my child. I was half-way to London, but I could not go on; so I got out at a station ten miles away, walked into the village close by, and found a fly and a man to drive me over. I wanted to know how you were getting on. Have you seen them again?"

"No. I came straight to my room, and have not left it since."

"Good girl! That was very brave of you. Then you took my advice."

"Of course."

"And Master Claud?"

He felt her start and shudder.

"Don't talk about him, please. But there, I am very grateful to you for being so kind and thoughtful, and for your brave defence."

"Brave nonsense, my child!" he said bluntly. "I did as any man of right feeling would have done if he found a ruffian insulting a weak, helpless girl. Kate, my dear, my blood has been boiling ever since. I could not go back and leave you in this state; I was compelled to come and see you and have a little consultation about your future. I felt that I must do it before seeing James Wilton again. Not a very reputable way, this, of coming to a man's house, even if he is a connection of mine; not respectful to you, either, my child, but I felt certain that if I came to the door and asked to see you I should have been refused entrance."

"Yes, yes," said Kate, sadly. "I should not have been told of your coming, or I would have insisted upon seeing you."

"You would! Brave girl! I like to hear you speak out so firmly. Well, there was nothing for it but for me, middle-aged man as I am, to play the daring gallant at the lady's window--lattice, I ought to say."

"Please don't talk like this, Mr Garstang," said Kate. "It does not sound like you to be playful in your manner."

"Thank you, my child, you are right; it does not I accept the reproof.

Now, then, to be businesslike. You have been thinking deeply, of course, since you have been alone?"

"Yes, very, very seriously about my position. Mr Garstang, it is impossible for me to stay here."

"Quite impossible. The conduct to you of your aunt and uncle makes them--no matter what promises they may give you--quite unworthy of your trust. Well?"

"I have pretty well decided that I shall go away to-morrow with Eliza, our old nurse and maid."

"A most worthy woman, my dear. You could not do better; but--"

"But what?" said Kate, nervously.

"I do not wish to alarm you, but do you fully realise your position here?"

"Yes, and that is why I have decided to go."

"Exactly; but you do not fully grasp my meaning. What about your uncle?"

"You mean that he will object?"

"Exactly."

"But if I am firm, and insist, he will not dare to detain me," said the girl warmly.

"You think so? Well, think again, my child. He is your guardian and trustee; he will absolutely refuse, and will take any steps which he considers right to prevent your leaving. I am afraid that by the power your poor father left in his hands he will consider himself justified in keeping you quite as a prisoner until you obey his wishes."

"Mr Garstang, surely he dare not proceed to such extremities!"

"I am afraid that he has the power, and I grieve to say he is in such a position that he is likely to be reckless in his desire to gain his ends."