The Argosy — page 89: what you’re looking at

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The Missing Rubies. 79 CHAPTER XIII. FAIRBRIDGE. Two days after Mr. Redburn’s visit, Madame Valerot was going out walking on a sunny afternoon. She was half-way downstairs when there was a knock at the hall-door, instantly answered by William, who chanced to be close at hand. And at the first glimpse of the lady in a fresh spring costume, who came sweeping in, Pauline beat a hasty retreat. “What brings Alma Lindrick to this house?” she asked herself, when she had gained the shelter of her room again. ‘“ And why am I so nearly brought face to face with the people I want to avoid? Godwin Earle is a fool. He ought to have kept that Lindrick woman away from his new sweetheart. Pretty, fresh, graceful Beatrice, how Alma, the faded, will hate you!” Meanwhile “ Alma the faded” was sitting with Beatrice downstairs, and quietly criticising her while she made friendly overtures. On a close inspection, Beatrice proved to be even prettier than she had seemed at first sight, and Miss Lindrick was more envious than she cared to admit to herself. Why should so many good things fall to the lot of this girl, she wondered bitterly? Old Redburn had taken her into his heart at their first meeting, and made no secret of his intention to provide for her future in the handsomest way. And now, sorely against her in- clinations, here was Alma herself constrained to be civil to her, and compelled to admire her in spite of a strong desire to depreciate her charms! Colonel Lindrick had been very positive in his commands to his daughter, and Alma understood the necessity of playing into her father’s hands. The Colonel wanted money very badly; Mr. Redburn had enough and to spare. It was politic, therefore, to humour the old coffee-planter in all his whims, and show every atten- tion to his future heiress. : ‘I hope we shall know a great deal of each other,” said Alma, sweetly. ‘‘ My father’s health is not very good, and we have decided to go home next week. Mr. Redburn will return with us, and make a long visit : his doctor says he must go toa sheltered spot. Have you ever been to Fairbridge ?” “No,” Beatrice replied ; “ but I have heard that it is very pretty.” “It is pretty, and the air is so mild that it is sure to suit Mr. Redburn. We shall be so glad if you will promise to come and stay with us, Miss Ward.” “You are very kind,” said Beatrice, with a strange sinking of the heart. She knew that she should have to accept the invitation. She was convinced that Harriet, and Mr. Milton, and Godwin—yes, God- win—would all insist upon her going to Fairbridge. comicbooks.com