The Argosy — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

122 Princess Eleanor. say that I disdain the good things of life. Amy is luckier than I— her heart chose first, and her reason will approve the choice .of her heart. But confess frankly, Ernest, would you have liked Amy not to notice you had you appeared to her in less brilliant colours? What you would like in Amy: will you blame in me?” | s Eleanor, you torment me cruelly! I am only thinking of your welfare in this matter ; I do not take myself into consideration, and our family but very little. Were Amy in your position, and I the happy one ”—you would have given worlds to see the expression of his face just then, Amy—‘“ were I the happy one who, although destitute of mame, fame, or fortune, had won her heart, I would speak otherwise. As her brother, however, I could not honourably say anything but what I have told you, and once more earnestly repeat: ‘Desist from your mad purpose—desist ” He spoke in softer tones, and a very slight ray of hope dawned upon me. Had you but been here! “ Brother, do not speak thus,” I once more began. “TI love Walter 80 earnestly and deeply that your voice might become almost hateful to me, if it never ceased to speak against the choice of my heart. Hear me, Ernest, for by the memory of our poor mother I pray and implore you to make her orphan happy !” “You do wrong to remind me of our poor mother, Eleanor. I still see her, as she rallied her last forces to lay you, a baby, in my arms. ‘Protect my child,’ she said, ‘protect it from all the dangers of this world. Do not allow passion’s storms to blow over this fair little head. I would rather not have her oo happy, than think that she might some day be miserable!’ It was thus our mother spoke in her dying hour. It ig as though she had had some foreboding of what has to-day happened. Her own words tell you how she would have decided.” ; “Not if she had known Walter!” “One thing more, Eleanor. If I, your guardian, give my consent to this unheard-of marriage, what will the world say? And we must mind what it says, for we have made it the arbiter of our actions. Shall I not be likened to the faithless steward in the New Testament ?” “ Exnest, if I was wrong to remind you of our mother, surely you did worse when you recalled the guardian to me} Have you forgotten how. old I am? Have you forgotten that in six months’ time your responsibility as guardian ceases? Oh, it is cruel that I should be forced to use such arguments! Do younot know, Emest, that my love can make me forget my duty, my feelings towards you, everything ? What would Amy not do for you? But no brother steps in to separate. you two!” You see, Amy, that my words were becoming each moment more bitter. Still, although I repented of them as soon as they were, spoken, comicbooks.com