The Argosy, Vol. 14

"Within the Maze," attributed to the author of East Lynne, continues its serialization. The excerpt constitutes Chapter XXVI, "At Afternoon Service," and depicts a quiet autumn Sunday at Foxwood Court. The narrative centers on Lucy Andinnian's emotional turmoil as she and her husband Karl attend services at Trinity Church. Following a morning communion service, they attend afternoon service where they are shocked to witness the baptism of an infant, delicately dressed and named Charles, brought by Ann Hopley, a servant from The Maze estate. The child belongs to a Mrs. Grey. Lucy initially believes the name references her husband, causing distress. The episode explores their estrangement, Karl's unexplained melancholy, and the mystery surrounding this infant, while depicting the domestic and ecclesiastical tensions afflicting the household. The narrative emphasizes emotional restraint and religious contemplation amid unresolved domestic crises.