The Argosy — page 361: what you’re looking at

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

“April 3, 1838. | Anne Hereford. 339 J) ‘‘ But he would have attacked you had you not gone back ?” “‘T think he would. He seemed very savage.” “‘ Harry, this is just what I have feared,” Lady Chandos observed to her son, in a peculiarly significant tone. “A fierce, powerful dog, like that, zs liable to break his chain and get loose; and I have said so to you over and over again. He would attack a stranger—any one he did not know, and might cause a fearful disturbance. You know why I have feared this.” ‘“The stables are safely closed at night, mother,” was the somewhat curious reply of Mr. Chandos. } “ Robin says the dog sprang through the window; dashed through the glass. There can be no security against that, day or night.” ‘« My opinion is, that some of the men must have been teasing him, and so worked him into a fury. I shall inquire into it, and if I find it to be the fact, whoever did it shall go. Better precaution shall be ob- served for the future.” “Yes,” said Lady Chandos, in a decisive tone, ‘‘and that precaution must be the sending away of the dog.” ‘“‘ But really, mother, there is no necessity.” ‘‘ Harry, I am surpnsed at you. You know why I urge it; why I ought to urge it.” The conversation did not make me feel very comfortable, and I in- terposed. “I do beg that no change may be made on my account, Lady Chandos. No harm is done. I am not hurt.” “It is not on your account I am speaking, Miss Hereford. And—as you are not hurt—I am pleased that the thing has happened, because it must prove to Mr. Chandos the necessity of sending away the dog. He could not see it previously.” ‘‘T should see it equally with you, mother, were the dog to be in- securely fastened. But if we make him secure—” ‘You deemed him secure now,” she interrupted. ‘I will not nisk it. Good heavens, Harry! have you forgotten the stake ?” “What stake? I thought, as I went up to my room. Certainly the words savoured of something that I could not comprehend. Standing at the window at the head of the stairs was the young lady whom they called Mrs. Chandos. She wore a bonnet and shawl, and spoke as I approached. ‘I do believe it is raining !” ‘‘ Ves,” I replied ; ‘‘some drops were falling when I came in.” But it appeared that Mrs. Chandos, when she spoke, had not thought she was addressing me, for she turned round in astonishment at the sound of my voice. ‘¢ Oh—I beg your pardon,” she coldly said. And then I saw that she had a white kitten in her arms. I went into my room, but did not close the door, and in a minute I heard the approach of Mrs. Freeman. comicloooks (CO) m _