The Argosy — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

Featherston’s Story. 33 ‘A fact that goes without saying,” confirmed the pleasant little man. “If we did not put by, where would my wife be when I am no longer able to work ?” ** Provisions being so cheap What did you say, Nancy ?” asked Madame Cardiac, interrupting herself. ‘*T was going to say that / could live upon oysters, and should like to,” replied Nancy, shaking back her flaxen curls with a laugh. ‘*‘ Half-a-dozen of those great big oysters would make me a lovely dinner any day—and the cost would be only three halfpence.” ‘“‘ And only fivepence the cost of that beautiful fish,” put in her sister. ‘In Sainteville our income would amply suffice.” ‘Tt seems to me that it would, mesdemoiselles,” observed M. Cardiac. ‘“ Three thousand five hundred francs yearly! We French should think it a sufficient sum. Doubtless much would depend upon the way in which you laid it out.” ‘*What should we have to pay for lodgings, Mary?” inquired Lavinia. ‘ Just a nice sitting-room and two small bed-rooms; or a large room with two beds in it; and to be waited on.” ““Oh, you won't find that at Sainteville,” was the unexpected answer. ‘' Nobody lets lodgings, English fashion : it’s not the custom over here. You can get a furnished apartment, but the people will not wait upon you. There is always a little kitchen let with the rooms, and you must have your own servant.” It was the first check the ladies had received. They sat thinking. ‘© Dear me!” exclaimed Nancy. ‘“ No lodgings!” “Would the apartments you speak of be very dear?” asked Lavinia. ‘That depends upon the number of rooms and on the situation,” replied Madame Cardiac. ‘I cannot call to mind just now any small apartment that is vacant. If you like we will go to-morrow and look about.’ It was so arranged. And little M. Cardiac attended the ladies back to the Hétel des Princes at the sober hour of nine o'clock, and bowed them into the porte cochtre with two sweeps of his hat, wishing them the good evening and the very good night. IT. THURSDAY moming. Nancy Preen awoke with a sick headache and could not get up. But in the afternoon, when she was better, they went to Mary Cardiac’s, and all three set off to look for an apart- ment—not meeting with great success. All they saw were too large, and priced accordingly. There was one, indeed, in the Rue Lamartine, which suited as to size, but the rooms were inconvenient and stuffy ; and there was another small one on the Grande Place, dainty and desirable, but the rent was very high. Madame Cardiac at once offered the landlord half-price, French custom : she dealt at his shop for her groceries. No, no, he answered ; VOL. XLVII. D GOnnGaoOo SS CO