The sound of his voice brought back the absent recollection of Lester Vane. He put his hand over his eyes, as though to collect his thoughts, and then he exclaimed hastily--
“I remember all now--all, distinctly, clearly.” He looked up, and addressing Mr. Grahame, he said--“My dear sir, if you will allow me to retire for a few minutes to collect myself, I will join you with the ladies in the drawing-room, where I will relate to you the strange incident in which I have, I believe, borne the worst part.”
“But, Mr. Vane,” responded Mr. Grahame quickly, “the attack you have suffered”----
“Was made by no common individual, Mr. Grahame! one who is by this time, I have no doubt, far beyond pursuit.”
“But the object, Mr. Vane?” observed Mr. Grahame, with an air of mystified wonder.
“Neither plunder nor violence,” returned Lester Vane, adding hastily--“Pray interrogate me no further now. A few minutes hence, and I will relate all that occurred. I beg now to be allowed to retire to my room.”
Mr. Grahame bowed, and directed Whelks to show Mr. Vane to his chamber, while he, with the Duke and Malcolm, his son, took their way to the drawing-room, talking over the mysterious event.
The ladies had entered the room a moment before them, and they now heard from the gentlemen, with astonishment, that the Honorable Lester Vane, walking in the garden, had been suddenly attacked and felled to the earth by some unknown assailant.
Not the least astounded of the party present was Helen Grahame.
The blood rushed from her heart to her brain; she felt as though a thousand bells were ringing in her ears. Then the life-stream swept back to her heart, leaving her as cold as death--and as colourless.
Hugh Riversdale and Lester Vane had encountered each other.
Her first impulse was to dart out of the room--the house, and flee anywhere--anywhere!
The next, to remain where she was, face all that might be brought forward to crush her for ever, and to deny every charge firmly, steadfastly; even to deny Hugh Riversdale, if in custody he were brought forward to confront her.
Oh! that she could only know what had actually occurred, so that she might be prepared to enact the part it would be best for her to play.
Why did Lester Vane refuse to explain what had happened, when he first recovered, in Mr. Grahame’s presence? Why did he defer it until all were assembled in the drawing-room? Did he know that she had had an interview with Hugh Riversdale?