Ainslee's Magazine, February 1913 — page 38: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

28 to speak. And even a foreigner could not persuade a woman into this course of action in a half hour’s talk at the embassy. The whole thing must be the ravings of a madman, nothing more, and Stella herself would be the first to explain that point on the morrow. But even this comforting thought could not quite calm him. ‘There re- mained disquieting recollections of cer- tain forcible arguments he had been obliged to listen to against his will, which had hit some part of his inner consciousness, usually impregnably pro- tected by his self-conceit. And it was an hour or two before he was able to drink his barley water and retire to rest, which he felt he badly needed after his long journey and uncomfort- ably exciting evening. CHAPTER VI. The sun was blazing gloriously next day; the whole air was full of fresh- ness and spring and youth. An ideal one for lovers, and not at all the at- mosphere for anger and strife. But these facts did not enter into the con- sideration of three of the people, at least, connected with our little comedy. Eustace Medlicott woke more full of wrath than he had been the night be- fore, and, the moment he was dressed, proceeded to make havoc with the peace of the Reverend Canon and Mrs. Ebley. He sent up an urgent summons that they would see him immediately. Hav- ing no sitting room, he suggested the reading room, which would be empty at this hour. The Aunt Caroline had experienced some misgivings herself, at the em- bassy, about her niece’s absence with the foreign count, who had risen to this distinctive appellation in her mind from “‘that dreadful man’; but she had felt it more prudent not to comment upon her apprehensions to her niece. Eustace evidently had discovered fur- ther cause of resentment, and feminine curiosity assisted her to dress with greater rapidity than usual. The pair entered the room with grave AINSLEE’S faces, and took two uncomfortable chairs. The Reverend Mr. Medlicott - re- mained standing, and soon, from his commanding position, let them hear his version of the hated foreigner’s com- munications. They were duly horrified and surprised, and then Mrs. Ebley bridled a little—after all, it was the be- havior of her own niece which asper- sion was being cast upon. “IT am certain, Eustace, the man must be mad; I assure you, Stella has not been for an instant absent from me, except yesterday morning she went to the Thermes’ Museum with Martha, whom you know has proved by twenty- five years of faithful service that she can be completely trusted. Therefore the girl cannot have had any opportu- nity of conversing with this stranger until last night. It would be only fair to question her first.” “My wife is quite right,” Canon Eb- ley agreed. ‘We should listen to no more until Stella is here to defend her- self. Let us send a message for her to descend at once.” He went and rang the bell as he spoke, and the summons to Miss Raw- son was dispatched; then the three, somewhat uncomfortably, tried to ex- change platitudes upon indifferent sub- jects until the waiter returned. Mademoiselle was very fatigued, and was not yet up. Such an unheard-of thing petrified them all with astonish- ment. Stella to be still in bed at half past nine in the morning! The child must be ill—or it was distinct rebel- lion. Mrs. Ebley prepared to go and investigate matters, when another waiter entered with a note for Canon Ebley, and stood aside to receive the answer. “Dear, dear!” said that gentleman to his wife. “I have not my glasses with me. I came down in such a hurry, Will you read it to me?” But Mrs. Ebley was in a like plight so they were obliged to enlist the serv. ices of Eustace Medlicott. He knew the writing directly he glanced at it, and every nerve of his body stiffened with renewed anger. (C@) ANIC OOK (C@