The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

BY RIGHT OF SWORD. | 77 ‘“ Alexis, did you bring that proposal to me deliberately ?’’ ‘“Yes. It was scarcely a question I could answer for you.’’ ‘“Couldn’t you?’’ Her eyes rested on mine with an expression that at another time I should have read as reproach. ‘‘ Did you think there could be any but one answer ?”’ ‘“No, I didn’t. But one never knows,’’ I said, remembering what she had said just before the gallop. | ‘Don’t you? Well, you must think we Russian women are poor stuff ! One day, ready to sneak off in disgraceful cowardice ; and the next, willing to marry an utterly despicable wretch because he has money and influence and position. Do you mean to tell me that you, acting as my brother, actually let this man make this proposition in cold blood, and did not hurl him out of your rooms? You !’’ I stared at her in sheer amazement at the change, and could find not a word to say. Nor was there any need. Now that her real feelings had forced themselves to words she had plenty, and for some minutes she did nothing but utter protestation after protestation of her hatred and contempt of Devinsky ; while her hits at me for having been the mouthpiece of the man were many and hard. What angered her was, she said, to feel that the smallest doubt of her intention had been left in Devinsky’s mind; and it was not till I told her much more particularly and exactly all that had passed on this point that she was satisfied. We had ridden some way homewards when her mood changed again, and laughter once more prevailed. ‘“So you told him I must choose between him and—my brother; or rather my present relationship to you?’’ ‘*T told him I would never speak to you again if you married him.’’ ‘ Well, I have chosen,’’ she replied at once. ‘‘I shall not give up— my brother.’? And with that she pricked up her nag and we rattled along fast, her cheeks growing ruddier and ruddier than ever with the exercise. I couldn’t follow her change of mood; but I was heartily glad she had decided to have nothing to do with Devinsky. She was far too good a girl to be wasted on him. CHAPTER X.—‘‘ THAT BuTrcHER, DurREScQ.”’ . WE were not by any means done with Devinsky yet, and I was to have striking proof of this a couple of days later. I met him in the interval as men in the same regiment are bound to meet ; and I deemed it best to avoid all open rupture, seeing that he was my superior officer, and unpleasant con- sequences to others beside myself might result. I told him shortly that Olga declined his offer and that it must never be renewed. He took it coolly enough, replying only that his feelings for her would never change, nor should he abandon the resolve to make her his wife. Then as he made overtures of peace and apologized for what he had said, I thought it discreet to patch up a sort of treaty of mutual tolerance. I was speaking of this to Essaieff, to whom in common with all the mess Gomichook (@)