JULIA WEBBER LAYS PLANS FOR REVENGE.
How poor the love that blindly seeks
To avenge the scorn its presence wakes,--
'Tis only smarting pride that speaks
A requiem, for its own mistakes.
Stella remained unconscious throughout the night, but she was carefully
watched by Julia Webber, who would allow no one to enter the room where
she lay.
She was bewildered and frightened when she awoke the next morning in
such strange surroundings. During the night her dress had been removed
and she was amazed to find herself robed in a long, comfortable garment
of soft red silk, and by her side a slender table with a tempting
breakfast on a dainty silver tray awaiting her pleasure.
When Julia Webber entered the room she went immediately to Stella's
side and bending gracefully over her, touched her lips to Stella's brow,
saying with the sweetest of smiles, "my dear child, I am so glad you are
feeling better. I beg of you not to talk or distress yourself by fears
regarding your safety, for I have already notified your friends of your
whereabouts and you may be sure I will take the best of care of you
until they arrive."
This falsehood fell so smoothly from the woman's lips that Stella,
innocent and unsuspicious, actually smiled up into the lying face and
whispered gratefully, "I know you will, my dear Madam, and I shall trust
you implicitly. I cannot understand what has happened but I throw myself
wholly upon your mercy and protection, and I know that I shall be safe
in your hands."
Julia Webber's face was turned from the couch as she answered in a
strange unnatural voice, "Try and sleep now and I will come in again
soon," and as Stella obediently closed her eyes she went hurriedly from
the room.
Although far better acquainted with her own remarkable nature than are
mortals ordinarily, still Julia Webber could hardly understand her own
emotions at this instant. Was it possible that she was considering for a
moment a withdrawal of her schemes for revenge? She had promised this
girl protection just as she had promised scores before, but the word
protection had suddenly assumed a new definition in her mind. Hitherto
it had simply signified safety from personal violence, from starvation
or physical discomfort. Now it was suddenly assuming a new
condition,--safety for chastity and virtue. Had she promised this? No!
That was purely a personal matter, and what was more, she only allowed
the temptation, she insisted upon nothing. But then, again, her methods
admitted of no alternative. Her guests, as she had told the Captain,
came "to stay," and time, temptation and constant warfare will win the
bravest battle and conquer the most stubborn resistance.
Communing thus, she again returned to Stella's room and, standing
silently by the couch, looked earnestly upon the girlish face.
Shouts of coarse laughter and snatches of careless song, together with
the chink of glasses, reached her ear at intervals as she stood
immovable in the quiet room, and involuntarily, with minute
distinctness, the details of other admissions to her household were
paraded slowly before her mental vision. She recalled the innocence of
those rioting voices when they first fell upon her ear,--in nearly every
instance uttering a prayer for their speedy return to home and loved
ones, or casting themselves in supplicating despair upon her mercy. Her
brain was filled to bursting with questions before unanswered, with
possibilities before unconsidered, and moments sped rapidly by while she
remained, mute and motionless, by the sleeping girl. Not a quiver of the
eyelids betrayed the storm that was raging in her breast, but after a
time she turned and walked noiselessly from the room.
She had decided,--and with Julia Webber to decide meant to act.