The Argosy — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

34 Princess Eleanor. I was greatly astonished to find Arsent here before me. He persecutes Eleanor in the most absurd manner, and what is worse, evidently with the approval of Ernest. Very little I care, however, for notwithstanding his enormous fortune, he is in every respect my inferior, and it amuses me greatly to let him appear as such on every possible occasion. His conversation about horses and stables makes Eleanor so nervous that she turns shudderingly from him to me. A part of this I owe to the dauber Impach, who with his romantic talk about art has quite upset her. Serves that stupid Arsent right ! Why does he sneak after Eleanor in this way, without giving me notice of his intentions by one single word ? But when I called Impach “ dauber,” I did him wrong, upon my word! He certainly is the cleverest fellow at copying ancient pictures that I ever saw in my life. Of course I have not your eye, dear uncle, in questions of art, but I must confess that J could not distinguish from the original a copy he made of a Titian. I will just tell you, dear uncle, what idea struck me when I saw that excellent picture! Supposing you were not quite so determined upon having the original, how delighted you might be with an Impach copy of your beloved Rem- brandt—a copy which would be by everyone mistaken for the original ! If you would so content yourself, then I should have succeeded in all —for Eleanor I look upon as entirely mine. She certainly flirts a little with Arsent, and even with the painter, but that is only to test my love. Besides, I am without a rival, for she cannot bear Arsent, and of the artist there can be no question. I should risk the decisive words any day if it were not for the Prince, with his resolve to make Eleanor marry a rich man. These difficulties can, however, be com- pletely put aside by my dear good uncle. That idea of a copy of the Rembrandt does not in the least affect the diplomacy with which I still hope to obtain the original. Should I fail, however, I cannot believe that you, dear uncle, would be cruel enough to stand in my way, when I am about to become the happiest of mortals. Be content for to-day with this short, unstudied letter. You know that I always managed my gun better than my pen. Your dutiful Nephew, Oscar. XV. FLORENCE. I took up my pen, Geoffrey, to fill your ear with lamentations over my misery ; but I remember in time that I have no right to do so, as it is all my own fault. But jyst in contrast with the happy day I reported in my last, I will describe our present evenings ; and before all, the one from which I date all my wretchedness. When theatres and parties are over, we pass the second half of the comicbooks.com