he stored this in his memory also.
To make a sensation, which he dearly loved to do, Chris Walker announced that he would bring a distinguished visitor to the ball of the Glorious Golfers. "He's a Chinaman," said he pompously, "and was mixed up in the Boxer rebellion."
None of the ladies seemed impressed, as none of them knew anything about the Boxers, or their rebellion. But Burgh looked up. "Who is he anyhow?" he demanded, compressing his lips.
"A Chinese gentleman called Tung-yu."
"What a very extraordinary name," said Miss Pewsey, and suddenly began to take a deep interest in matters Chinese. While she chatted with Chris who was willing to afford her all information, Burgh folded his arms and leaned back apparently thinking deeply. His face was not pleasant to behold. Olivia saw the evil look and shivered. Then she rose and was about to steal from the room, when her aunt called to her sharply. "Don't go Olivia I want to speak with you."
"And I want to take my usual walk," said Lady Jabe rising and settling her collar, "Chris?"
A tap on the shoulder brought the slim young man to his feet, and giving his arm to his masculine aunt the two departed. Burgh rose also. "I guess I'll make tracks also?" he said smartly. "Walker, you and I can have a yarn together, later."
Miss Pewsey followed her nephew to the door. "Do you wish to ask young Mr. Walker more about Tung-yu?" she asked.
Clarence wheeled round quickly. "What do you know of him aunt?"
"It's such a strange name," simpered Miss Pewsey, looking very innocent, "and I am interested in China. You were out there a long time Clarence."
"Amongst other places, yes. I hung round a bit."
"Then you must tell me all about the natives," said Miss Pewsey, "I want to know of their robes and their fans and – "
"Fans," said Burgh starting: but Miss Pewsey with an artificial laugh flitted back into the room, leaving him uneasy and non-plussed. He walked away frowning darkly.
Olivia would have walked away also frowning, as she was indignant at the way in which her aunt had spoken of Rupert. But Miss Wharf gave her no chance of leaving the room or the house. Olivia had never seen her aunt so pale or upset. She looked as white as chalk, and controlled her emotion with difficulty. Lavinia Pewsey glanced at the two, guessed there was about to be a row, and glided away. She always kept out of trouble.
"Now," said Miss Wharf when they were alone, "I want an explanation."
CHAPTER IV
Rupert's Secret
Olivia was astonished to see the emotion of her aunt, for, as a rule Miss Wharf was cold and self-contained. The two had never got on well together, and the elder woman was undeniably jealous of the youth and superior good looks of the younger. But as Olivia owed bed and board to her aunt, she always behaved as well as possible to one who was very trying in many ways. It is only just to say, that Miss Pewsey made matters much worse by tale-bearing, and probably had she been out of the house, Miss Wharf and her niece might have got on better. But they could never have been congenial companions. The difference between their natures was too great.
"Yes" said Miss Wharf throwing herself back in her seat, and feeling irritated by the silence of Olivia. "I want an explanation."
"What about?" asked the girl seating herself opposite and folding her hands, which, Miss Wharf noticed with bitterness, were more slender and delicate than her own.
"You know well enough."
"If it's about Rupert – "
"There," snapped the aunt, "I knew you would guess. Yes it is about young Ainsleigh, and how dare you call him Rupert?"
"Because I love him," said Olivia firmly, and looked directly into the cold blue eyes of her aunt.
"Then you must put this love out of your head. You shall never marry him – never – never – never."
"If I choose, and I do choose," said Olivia calmly, but with a fine colour. "I shall certainly marry him. I am of age – "
"Yes, and a pauper."
"Rupert would not marry me for my money."
"He is wise; for you have none."
"It is kind of you to speak to me in this way," said Olivia, "to remind me of obligations. I am aware that my parents died poor and left me a penniless orphan. I am aware that you took me in and educated me and – "
"And acted like a mother to you," said Miss Wharf vehemently.
"No. You never acted like a mother. With you, I have had a most unhappy life."
"Olivia," the elder woman started furiously from her chair, "how dare you say that. Have I grudged you clothes or food. Did I not send you to a first-class school and – "
"So far as material things are concerned you have done everything Aunt Sophia, and I thank you for what you have done – "
"A fine way you have of showing it," scoffed Miss Wharf.
"But a mother you have never been," went on Olivia calmly, "you have never given me a kind word; you speak to me before visitors as you should not do: you make me slave for you and run messages and talk of me to others as though I were a servant. What love have you ever shown me?" demanded Olivia, starting up in her turn, and also becoming excited. "I long for love. My heart yearns for it. I would like to be a daughter to you, but always you have kept me at arm's length. Aunt Sophia let me go. I can earn my bread as a governess, or as a typist. It will be better for us both."
"No," said Aunt Sophia, looking as hard as stone.
"I shall not let you go. If you have any gratitude in you, you will remain and help me to manage the house."
"You have Miss Pewsey."
"She is not a relative, you are."
"And so you treat me worse than you do her. Well, Aunt Sophia, I am not ungrateful though you seem to think I am. I shall stop with you. I only ask for a little more consideration."
"I give you every consideration. As for love, I cannot give it to you or to anyone. I gave all the love my nature was capable of feeling to Markham Ainsleigh, and he rejected my love. Yes, you may look astonished, but it was this man's father who broke my heart."
"And that is why you don't want Rupert to marry me."
"That is the reason," said Miss Wharf sitting down and growing more her calm stony self. "I was almost engaged to Markham Ainsleigh: but he saw Violet Vane and fell in love with her. He left me and made her his wife. Can you wonder that I hate the son of the woman who stole my love away from me?"
"Rupert is the son of the man you loved – "
"And of the man who cheated me. Look at my lonely life, at my starved heart. I hate the Ainsleighs – there's only one left but I hate him. And when I heard Markham was murdered in China I was glad – yes, very glad."
"What an unforgiving nature you have."
"I have every right to be unforgiving. Markham ruined my life. And do you think I'll let you marry Rupert – the son of that woman. No! Marry him, and
