The Argosy — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

Princess Eleanor. 117 carelessly-given word, she sees him accused and justified, and yet is as cold as marble! Do you really think, sir, that a princess must needs be without a heart? Could you have loved the wax doll you. imagine me to be? Don't you think, Walter, that I too can love, perhaps yet more devotedly than you?” I laughed and cried’ at the same time ; and when he turned to me, with eyes starting from their sockets, and a face ten times paler than it ever was before, I threw my arms round his neck and cried, Amy, as I have never cried in my life, for the tears I had shed before were inspired by suffering, but those drops fell from unmixed joy and rapture. What he told me afterwards I cannot repeat. All I know is, that it is well worth one’s while to be a princess, if utter despair of success alone inspires men with such love. That I am the happiest of mortals, you may well imagine. But what is to be done now? I shall go to Ernest to-morrow, and confess all. How delighted he will be to hear of Walter's innocence! How astonished to hear of his Eleanor’s love! Ernest once said: “You know that neither your mother nor your ancestors waited until their hearts spoke.” Were those words meant to imply a warning, or a prohibition ? A whole world might step between Walter and me—it would not separate me from him. I have often heard them praise the indomit- able persistence of our race: it shall be put to the proof. Death or victory shall be my watchword. Ernest will ask for time to consider. . Will you, Amy dear, use all your influence with him to persuade him in my favour? By that action you will become a mother to me. My poor mother would have been favourable to Walter. A lock of her hair, which I always wear, once mixed with Walter's fair curls: the colour was so like hers, I scarcely found my lock again. And now, farewell, Amy! I require time to muster courage for to-morrow. I wonder whether a soldier advancing to battle feels what I feel at present ? Good-night, Amy! All good angels protect me to-morrow ! Your ELEANOR, XXII. Dear Amy,—I am in such a state of excitement that I tremble all over—know not whether my hand will obey my will and write down all I have to say. I had been afraid to meet Ernest at breakfast, but without reason, as he remained in his study and never appeared at all. As soon as I could get rid of cousin Dorothy, I directed my faltering steps towards the library. I thought that the best thing would be.to begin without | | comicbooks. cap