The Argosy — page 374: what you’re looking at

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

356 The Missing Rubies. those whom he liked. And he had really felt a sincere liking for Lindrick, and had lent him money with no grudging spirit. But he was already beginning to regret his behaviour to Beatrice’s lover; and if Godwin really came out of all his troubles with flying colours, old Redburn would be the first to acknowledge his mistake. Captain Ward’s daughter was sure to be taken back to her place in his affections, and Alma’s chance would be lost. When Alma came home, tired and dispirited, from her walk, she found the old man sitting on the lawn in the sunshine. It was one of his good days, when his cough troubled him but little, and his aches and pains gave him a brief rest. “You are looking fagged,” he said, as Alma came to his side. ‘‘What a mistake your father has made about young Earle! Filled my mind with stories about him, so that I went up to town and asked him how he dared to propose to poor Ward’s child. Wish I hadn’t listened to a word of all those nonsensical tales.” ‘Tt was not papa’s fault that you went up to town, Mr. Redbum,” replied Alma, with a dignity that did her credit. ‘If he had known that you were going, he would have tried to keep you back. As to the suspicion that had clung to Godwin Earle, it was made known to us by his own relations. They were bitter enough against him once ; but now that he is a rich man they will believe anything in his favour.” ‘* Who says he is a rich man? That’s another new tale.” “Miss Jane Earle says so. I met her this moring. She told me that Godwin had been taken into partnership by a wealthy merchant in London.” Mr. Redburn’s face lengthened. ‘Then the little puss will marry him without more ado!” he said, stroking his chin with a crestfallen air. ‘My Lady Beatrice will not want anything from me.” “Nothing,” said Alma, briefly. ‘She would not care to receive anything if I offered it?” “T don’t think she would. In fact I am sure she will never for- give you for coming between her and Godwin. I never saw any girl as much in loveas she is. She is perfectly infatuated about that man.” “A poor melancholy-looking beggar!” Mr. Redburn said, with some spite. ‘In her eyes he is a sort of demi-god. Nothing on earth will ever change her opinion of him.” “ And nothing on earth will ever make me like him!” burst out the old man in a sudden fury of jealousy. ‘I owe them both some reparation, perhaps. I ought not to have said such things as I did say. Of course he will turn out to be not as black as he has been painted, and I shall have, in common decency, to make a sort of apology.” ** It won’t be difficult to do that,” said Alma, soothingly. ‘“ all comicbooks.com