The Argosy — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

118 Princess Eleanor. peeliminaries. When I opened the door, Exnest ¥ was walking up and: down the room. He tured, and I saw that he could scarcely force the usual smile on his lips, He had a letter in his hand, and after having kissed my forehead, he said : “This letter, Eleanor, informs me of comething so shameful that can with difficulty believe my eyes.” “‘Ernest,-you alarm me! May I know what it is?” - “Of course; you ust know, if it be only to warn you against trust- ing people too easily. Could you believe, Eleanor, that Werdan, whom I trusted as myself, whom I often called my best friend in the world, has been guilty of an act of felony ?”. I tried to interrupt him, but he continued: “T have received a letter from old Baron Gerhardt, in which he uses the strongest terms to speak of his nephew's behaviour. Werdan’s cousin, and rival for the old man’s inheritance, had heard of the scene in ‘our house. He has been happier than I in getting at the truth, and has unmasked Werdan, who is guilty of the horrible -deed. Do you hear me, Eleanor? a nobleman, and a cheat, a swindler, a thief |” Emest looked up from the letter, and met my glistening eyes. “ But this is my good news!" I exclaimed. “The whole story tells us ndthing but this :—Herr Impach, whom you thought had cruelly wronged you, is innocent. Did this never strike you, dear brother?” “What an optimist’s talent you have for looking at the bright side of everything, and turning pain into pleasure. I must confess, to my shame, I had never thought of Impach at all itt this business. The young man has been cruelly wronged, and has bome his misfortune manfully. He shall be well rewarded for his behaviour in this sad affair. Nothing we can do for him is too much. ‘I wish I could find out what would be of great service to him 1” “ Ernest, I know something which would make him happy beyond all measure!” ‘Speak, then, you clever girl!” Ernest said, smiling. Amy, you know what a coward I am, and can imagine how my heart beat at that moment. I could distinctly hear it like a hammer. My knees would scarcely bear me; golden stars were madly dancing up and down before my eyes. But now or never, I thought, and called up the courage of my whole life. I walked up close to my brother, and without bowing my head, I said : “I have the honour, Ernest, Prince of Waldemberg, to ask of you the hand of your sister Eleanor, for the artist, Walter Impach !” As when the sun suddenly sinks below the horizon and leaves a landscape in grey twilight, so did every trace ot a smile fade from Ernest’s face as he listened to those words, Long after I had ceased speaking he stood — his body bent comicbooks.com