The Argosy — page 216: what you’re looking at

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

202 A Marriage from the Stage. you known who Iam. _I loved you in Florence, I moved heaven and earth to gain admission to you, but it was too late. I followed you to England, for your protection, knowing well what your future would be here. I believe myself, of all men, most capable of understanding you and holding you at your own noble worth. I wish only to be your servant. Forgive me,” he went on, trembling, as his words seemed to fall on unheeding ears. ‘‘ Forgive me if I have been pre- mature in speaking to you. I might have endured longer.” She was surprised and bewildered. The sudden and unexpected revelation of this man’s mystery, and the full realisation of her present position, deprived her for a moment of self command and reflection ; even the look of contempt had faded from the face, leaving only traces of patient suffering. Di Vilna, indeed, wondered at her passive silence. ‘‘Claudia,” he whispered, attempting to take her hand, ‘may I help you? Let me devote my life to you; let me lead you back to ambition and happiness.” This last word shook Mrs. Raughan out of her momentary forget- fulness. Withdrawing her hand coldly she looked him full in the face. ‘“‘If your feelings are those of a true man you will leave me at once. At least give me the sad consolation of bearing my burden alone. I want—I need no help.” The Italian’s face darkened. ‘ You speak hastily ; you think of me still as one beneath you; you cannot shake off the association of five months. Believe me!” ‘Enough !” cried Claudia bitterly. ‘ You may be of noble birth, but I feel it a degradation even to speak to you. Begone; and let me never look upon your face again.” ‘‘ And shall I have no recompense for all Ihave endured? Will you not let me stay to watch over you? Havesome pity on me, Claudia.” “You shall have some recompense! My husband will give you your wages, they are more than enough recompense for the services of a spy and an intruder.” Mrs. Raughan smiled pitilessly and turned to go, though the lightning was flashing in their eyes and the rain still poured in torrents. Gabriel caught both her hands convulsively and she was attempting to wrest them from his grasp, when they caught sight of Arthur’s figure lounging up the grassy knoll. It was too late. His face as he came upon them became white, and his hand clenched the riding-whip he had dangled so carelessly a moment before. In an iffstant he had stepped up to di Vilna and held him by the collar. “Have you a word to say for this fellow?” he cried hoarsely. “No,” she answered scornfully. The look Gabriel turned and cast on her was never forgotten by Raughan. Claudia heard behind her, as she hurried away, the sound of a short struggle, and then rapid strokes of a whip; and comicbooks.com