The Argosy — page 386: what you’re looking at

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

368 In a Dangerous Siratt. loved one I would do and dare all. I would sacrifice fortune, honour, life itself, in her service.” His voice barely rose above a whisper, but there was a thrill of passionate earnestness in it which startled Jeanie. She drew back and answered coldly : ‘‘That sounds well, monsieur; but it seldom happens in real life that a man is called upon to make any such sacrifices. The affection best worth having is that which will stand the test of daily companionship ; which shows itself in little unobtrusive acts of kindness, in patience and tenderness and self-abnegation.” Involuntarily she glanced towards Gilbert. Her listener frowned, and played a jarring discord. ‘* Such ideal perfection is beyond me,” he returned. “And yet, if a woman cared for me enough to bear with my faults, she might find some good in me still. Her influence might raise me to a higher level, and I might learn to live worthily for her sweet sake.” There was a moment’s silence. Janet dared not look at him, but she felt that his dark eyes were riveted on her face with 2 gaze which seemed to magnetise her. Suddenly he changed his position, and played the introductory symphony of a song, the “ Chanson de Tortunio :”— Si je vous le disais, pourtant, que je vous aime, Qui sait, brune aux yeux bleus, ce que vous en diriez. As his mellow baritone voice lingered on the last words, she involuntarily glanced at him; but the look she encountered made her eyes quickly droop again, and brought a hot flush of colour to her cheeks, “Jeanne, I love you!” he breathed, in a quick, passionate undertone ; and, affecting to pick up a loose sheet of music, he stooped and laid his lips to her hand. The girl started and snatched it away. “Do not shrink from me, my sweetest,” he pleaded, in the same suppressed but vehement tone. ‘Tell me that I may hope; tell me that you will “Oh, no—it is impossible !” she interrupted hurriedly. ‘ Please say no more; you only distress me.” His face changed, an expression crossing it which made it almost menacing. **So be it; I am silenced,” he said in an altered voice. “Yet it might have been better had you listened to me; better for you— and for someone else also. It is safer to have me for a friend than a rival.” The girl threw up her head and looked at him defiantly. “Ts that a threat, monsieur?” ‘No, merely a warning,” he replied, as he rose aad left ttre piano. comicbooks.com