The Argosy — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

Monsieur Silvain's Secret. 23 “Hush,” she interrupted; “let us not blame either the living or the dead. We shall not be kept apart for ever. If we are true to ourselves and each other, all will come right in time.” After that there was silence for a few moments, then they fell into conversation again ; talking of the past and the future, calling up tender memories, and forming happy projects, oblivious of time and the world round them. At length the sound of a church clock striking the hour made Renée start guiltily. . Twelve o’clock ! You have beguiled me into forgetting all my pupils,” she exclaimed. ‘ Dear, we must say good-bye now. No, do not come to Madame Evrard’s ; let our parting words be spoken alone. And you must return home this evening; promise me that you will.” “Very well,” he acquiesced reluctantly : “ but we shall soon meet again, for with my father’s consent or without it, I intend to spend New Year's Day with you. Till then, good-bye, sweet love. I leave my heart in your keeping.” ‘* As mine is in yours,” she whispered. A long, lingering look ; a warm close pressure of the hands, and they parted, drifting away from each other into diverging currents of the city’s living tide. II. Six weeks had passed away. It was the last day of the old year. For the first time on record Monsieur Silvain so far departed from his usual habits as not to leave home till afternoon. Marthe, Madame Evrard’s comely hand-maiden, rushed into the salon, where her mis- tress was sitting alone, to announce this portentous event. ‘“‘ And he was dressed like a prince, Madame! a brand new over- coat with a fur collar and a hat you could see yourself in. I was to give his compliments and say that he would have the honour of wait- ing upon you at four o’clock, when he hoped to find Mademoiselle Renée also at home.” ‘“ Humph! I think I know what that means,” was the widow’s mental comment, as she took off her glasses and laid down the paper she was reading ; “he is coming to propose in due form. It has been evident for some time to everyone but Renée herself that he meant to do so, though she persists in treating him as if he were her grandfather, not perceiving that her friendly familiarity seems like encouragement to his hopes. I haven’t patience with the girl! And now, to complicate matters, that tiresome young man, who I hoped was forgetting her, is coming this very evening! What am I to say to Monsieur Silvain? Well,” she concluded with a shrug, “I have done my best for him, and now I wash my hands of the matter.” Meantime, her fellow-lodger, walking with his most juvenile step and throwing out his chest to show the new overcoat to advantage, comicbooks.com