The Argosy — page 282: what you’re looking at

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

266 Edina. “T intend to have one,” said Daisy. She bedecked herself in some of her smartest things, for the spirit of bravado was upon her: if her husband did not choose to dress, she should: and set off in acab for Westbourne Terrace. Once there, she put away her troubles; in manner at any rate: and her sister never suspected that anything was amiss. ~ ‘I shall give you a surprise, Daisy,” said Mrs. Townley to her in the course of the afternoon. ‘An old beau of yours is coming to dinner.” “An old beau of mine! Who is that?” Sir Paul Trellasis.” “What an idea!” cried Daisy. ‘ He a beau of mine! Mamma must have put that into your head, Charlotte. Sir Paul came to the Mount once or twice; and as he was a bachelor, mamma at once jumped to the notion that he must come for Lydia or forme. He married Miss Beauchamp that same year, you know.” * He and his wife are in London, and I asked them to come in to dinner to-day without ceremony,” resumed Mrs. Townley. |“ Had you taken Sir Paul, Daisy, you would not have had to be buried alive amid savages in some unknown region of London.” “No, I should not,” replied the miserable wife with stern emphasis. But another surprise was in store for Daisy. For Mrs. Townley as well. At the dusk hour, a caller was ushered into the drawing-room, and he proved to be the Reverend Mr. Backup. The curate had never quite severed his relations with Trennach. He had taken three months’ duty there again this past autumn, when the Rector was once more laid aside by illness. He had then made the acquaintance of Mrs. Townley ; and being now in London, had called to see her. Mrs. Frank Raynor flushed red as a rose when he came in. The sight of him brought back ‘to her memory the old time at Trennach, and its doings, with vivid intensity. She seemed to see herself once more standing with Frank Raynor before him at the altar, when he was making them One together, until death should them part. Mr. Backup had lost somewhat of his former sense of nervousness, but he was shy still, and held out his hand to Mrs. Frank Raynor with timidity. “‘ Ah, I remember—it was you who married Daisy,” observed Mrs Townley. ““My mother at first would not forgive you, I believe, Mr. Backup, until she found you did not know it was a stolen match. And how long are you in town for?” ‘¢T am not sure,” replied the parson. “Yam come up to see about a curacy.” ‘Well, you must stay and dine with us,” returned | a Townley. ‘Nonsense! You must. I shall not let you go away. se a rchesseonn