The Argosy — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

124 Princess Eleanor. Oh, Geoffrey ! What is all the bliss of other mortals to my happi- ness !° Two days more, and I stand with Eleanor at the altar! The torments of doubt, nay, of despair, have been succeeded by the inebriating feeling of safety,—the knowledge that I may spend a whole life of immeasurable happiness side by side with her, whom no devo- tion can ever repay what she has done for me ! The first weeks of our new life we will spend in that quiet valley of the Alps where Eleanor first dreamed of love. Then we come to Italy—this time you may believe me, Geoffrey. I have great plans for the fature ; we will spend several years in Italy, and it is there I will call into life the works of art my fancy already paints in vivid colours. Although no ;Raphael, I must become worthy of my “ Fornarina.” Twice already has she been the cause of my progress ! But happy people have few words ! Good-bye till we meet in Rome! Yours, WALTER. XXIV. Friend of my Walter !—Before he could seal it I have taken this letter from him. I was not to read it, and yet I wish to add a few words. He thinks he has monopolised happiness, and I waste all my eloquence on him in vain to persuade him that I am far happier than he can be. What I have had time to tell him over and over again shall not be unknown to you. My brother’s happiness at the side of the noble, modest girl," who for years knew no greater delight than the thought of him! When he had once left me, he did not return until he had brought back with him Amy, Princess of Waldemberg. Perhaps moved by the lively part E had taken in the happy event of his life, one evening, as he had one arm round Amy’s waist, he asked, with an arch smile: “ How do matters stand, Eleanor?” I could not see the expression of my own eyes when I looked up. All I know is that Ernest, perhaps entreated by Amy, wrote that night to Walter, and called him back. We were to spend the last months of our year of trial together. I knew exactly how long the letter, and how long Walter, would take, and yet I thought I should die before the moment came in which I was to see him before me. How patiently had I waited all those months, without a word of longing, without a word of regret! And during those few days I scarcely recognised myself. Eleanor seems to bear misfortune better than happiness ! I am not sure that I might not have run off to meet him some day, had not Ernest brought me something to quiet my throbbing hes a. comicbooks.com