The Argosy — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

42 Princess Eleanor. for his uncle, whom he had persuaded to give up all hope of ever obtaining the original. “ That you will use all the talent in your power,” he concluded, “I know, when I tell you that my whole life’s happiness depends upon the old gentleman's being pleased with it.” I should have liked to refuse, but to my misfortune I suddenly recollected Eleanor’s words : ‘If the old Baron would be content with a copy, we should be only too glad to let him have one.” Eleanor’s slightest wish is to me a command. I assented. Werdan gratefully pressed my hand, promising me a reward equal to the service rendered. Before we returned home, and after we had spoken of a hundred other subjects, he said, en passant : “Pray do not mention the matter to the Waldembergs or to any person living. You must give me your word upon that. I will trust your word of honour as implicitly as if it were the word of a noble- man !” Geoffrey, my friend! never in all your life allow such speeches to beguile your good sense. I have paid dearly for the impatient nod of the head with which I gave the word he half doubted. It was not difficult to keep the copy secret, for the Prince was absent, and Eleanor was not allowed to come into the gallery. A month ago I gave my work to the Count ; that is to say, he carried it away in my absence, pretending that that was much the safer plan. What must the Prince think of me, when he remembers how, to agreeably surprise him, I placed the copy of the Titian in the gallery, and the original in his own study ? Too painful is this thought, and I cannot dwell upon it, even if the sufferings awakened by the thought of Eleanor did not consume me. What can I be in her eyes ? But let me tell you the catastrophe, for such the scene was, which closed the happy dream your friend dreamed in the palace of the Waldembergs. Eleanor and I were sitting in the small conservatory, drawing—that is to say, we were resting at the moment, and eating preserved fruit from a vase she held on her knee. The servant entered and summoned her to the drawing-room. She made the slightest pout, and hurried out of the conservatory. Five minutes later, I too was called, and on entering, found Eleanor talking toa gentleman with an imposing figure, and eyes from which shone the highest gifts of the mind. No wonder that I had instantly admired him; on being presented, I heard the name of the nobleman who is at the same time the Horace and Maecenas of poetry and painting. He is Eleanor’s godfather, and has just returned home from a long Oriental expedition. All the intimate friends were invited to do him honour, and I of course was’bumber comicbooks.com