The Argosy — page 148: what you’re looking at

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

136 On the Wye. weird shadows may be noticed thrown by the walls, by the windows, by the delicate tracery. In and out of these shadows we picture to ourselves a ghostly procession of monks, who were living, animated men 700 years ago. With slow step they glide along, bearing the weight of years, noiseless in their tread, speechless. We watch them flitting slowly through the north doorway. A cloud obscures the moon for a moment ; the shadows and phantoms vanish. But not so vanishes our recollection of Tintern, as we saw it that day beneath the more healthy influence of a brilliant sun. We lingered as long as time permitted, and then continued our way towards Chepstow, the horses freshened by their short rest. On, and onwards; past the Wind Cliff, which unfortunately we did not then ascend ; until at last we entered the quaint, hilly, beautifully situated town of Chepstow. Here, too, the sitting-rooms were all occupied, and bedrooms only could be obtained at the hotel But the coffee-room was large and pleasant and almost deserted. We sat at tea, when the calm that is said to precede a storm was broken in upon. A rushing, rustling noise heralded the entrance of three tourists. A lady first, in a pink muslin crossbarred with yellow stripes, shot in upon us like a bombshell. Six feet in height, and breadth in proportion. Head-dress blue ribbons and feathers. Voice powerful. Following meekly in her wake came a very small, wizened old gentleman, perfectly bald: by his shrinking look one might have fancied his hair had at some time been frightened off. The daughter came behind him. The great lady had a monstrous fan, which served the double purpose of cooling her fevered brows and keeping her lord in order. ‘“Waitar,” she cried out at once in the highest of tones; “ waitar, which is our table? I ordered one to be prepared for us. Is dinner ready? Iam positively expiring of hunger.” ~ The ‘waiter had backed in awe. He went across the room and showed a table laid for three. ‘“‘The wine card, waitar,” said the lady as she seated herself. ‘I am positively expiring of thirst.” The waiter rushed to obey the order. A shriek arrested him half way, and brought him back again. ‘‘ Waitar ! waitar! this dreadful animal! How dare you seat me at a table with animals! I shall expire with fright.” The expiring lady theatrically rose in her chair. The waiter hastened to the rescue, and quietly removed an offending earwig. The lady shook down her ruffled feathers, and clutched the wine card. ‘‘ Always the same!” she exclaimed contemptuously, glancing at thelist. “ Clarets, burgundies, champagnes, port, sherry. Nothing ee nothing out of the way. Waitar, have you no Imperial Tokay?” ie comicbooks.com