The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

74 BY RIGHT OF SWORD. ‘““What can you want with me that can induce you to come here?’’ I asked coldly. ‘“T want an understanding, Petrovitch.’’ ““Tieutenant Petrovitch, if you please,’’ I interposed. ‘Oh, I beg your pardon, Lieutenant Petrovitch, I’m sure,’’ he answered lightly. ‘‘ But there’s really no need for this kind of reception. I want to be friends with you.’’ I bowed as he paused. “You and I have not understood each other quite in the past.’’ ‘“Not until within the last few days,’’ I returned significantly. ‘“Pm not referring to that,’’ he said, flushing. ‘‘’Though as you’ve started it I’ll pay you the compliment of saying: you’re devilish neat and clever in your workmanship. »I had no idea of it, either, nor any one else——’’ ““What do you want with me?’’ I interrupted, with a wave of the hand to stop his compliment. “I want to talk quietly over with you my suit for your sister’s hand. I want to know where we stand, you and I.”’ ‘“ My sister’s hand is not mine to give.’’ ‘This very curtly. ““T don’t ask you to give it, man; I only want to win it. I am as good a match for her as any man in Moscow;’’ and with that he launched out into a long account of his wealth, position, and prospects, and of the position his wife would occupy. I let him talk as long as he would, quite understanding that this was only the preface to something else—the real purpose of his visit. Gradually he drew nearer and nearer to the point, and I saw him eyeing me furtively to note the effect of his words, which he weighed very carefully. He spoke of his family influence; how he could advance my interests; what an advan- tage it was to have command of wealth when making an army career; and much more, until he showed me that what he really intended was to presume on my old evil reputation and bribe me with money down, if necessary, and with promises of future help if I would agree to let Olga marry him. ‘Your proposal, put in plain terms, means,’’ I said bluntly, when he had exhausted his circuitous suggestions, ‘‘that you want to buy my consent and assistance. I told you at the start that my sister’s hand was not mine to give ; neither is it mine to sell, Major Devinsky.”’ He bent a sharp, calculating look on me as if to judge whether I was in earnest, or merely raising my terms. ‘*T am not a man easily balked,’’ he said. ‘‘ Nor I one easily bribed,’’ I retorted. “You will have a fortune, and more than a fortune behind you. With skill like yours you can climb to any height you please.’’ ‘“Sink to any depth you please, you should say,’’ I answered sternly. ‘But my sister declines absolutely to be your wife. She dislikes you cor- dially—as cordially as I do; and no plea that you could offer would induce her to change her mind.”’ ‘““You weren’t always very solicitous about her wishes,’’ he muttered, Eomichbooks (S@)