The Argosy — page 195: what you’re looking at

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

The Village Blacksmith. -18r convent ; it had need look picturesque outside, for the interior is ugly enough, as you will see to-morrow.” ‘J am afraid I shan’t be able to do that,” said Captain Raleigh, eyeing Vera sharply. “Why not?” said Vera. ‘* Because I am a Catholic; didn’t you know it ?” ** A Catholic ? Oh, dear, I am sorry,” said Vera, naively; but the mext moment she could have bitten her tongue out for saying it. ‘“Why are you sorry? Surely as your dear mother was a good Catholic, you can’t have any prejudice against us? ” ‘Oh, no, it isn’t that ; besides, I was baptised a Catholic. Father Ambrose baptised me when I was a week old, so perhaps I shall be one myself some day, when I know more about it.” ‘Then tell me why you are so sorry that I am one.” Vera blushed crimson, and poked vigorously with her umbrella among the fir-needles with which the path was strewn. At last she said in a hesitating tone : ‘Well, you see my father is very bigoted, and I am afraid when he hears it he won't let us have any more walks or rides together.” ** And shall you mind that ?” eagerly demanded Captain Raleigh. ‘‘ Yes,” said Vera frankly. ‘I was very dull till you came, and I have enjoyed this week very much.” ‘SSo have I ; so much that I wish it could last for ever. I wish we could walk and ride through life together ; I have wished it ever since I sat opposite you at dinner at Avranches. Shall we do it, Vera P” Vera trembled, for this was the first time he. had called her by her christian name; but there was an element of coquetry in her nature, and she could not resist teasing him just a little. ‘“‘ Well,” she said demurely, ‘I like walking very much, and I like ciding very much, but I don’t think I should care to spend my whole hfe riding and walking. It might pall after awhile. Besides, it would be so very tiring you know.” Captain Raleigh, however, was not a man to stand teasing; he knew Vera cared for him, he knew too those lines of Heine: Der zum ersten male liebt Sei's auch gliicklos ist en Gott Aber wer zum zweiten male Gliicklos liebt der ist ein Narr.” He had loved once unhappily ; he had no intention of loving un- luckily a second time, and so incurring the poet’s reproach of being a fool. ‘You know what I mean, Vera; this is no time for trifling,” he szid sternly ; and Vera liked him better than ever. ‘‘T am in earnest,” he went on. “I meantto have spoken to your GOGO SS (CO)