The Argosy — page 108: what you’re looking at

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

96 The Master of Greylands. gay at heart. Heaven is too merciful to let Fate cast its ominous shade down before the time. The banker came in ere the first dance was over. Moving about from room to room among his guests, glancing with approving smile at the young dancers, seeing that the card-tables were filled, he at length reached the sofa of Mrs. Castlemaine. She happened to be alone on it just then, and he sat down beside her. ““¥ don’t see James anywhere,” he remarked. ‘ Where’s he hiding himself ?” ‘He has not come,” replied Mrs. Castlemaine. “No! How’s that? James enjoys a ball.” ‘Yes, I think he does still, nearly as much as his son Harry.” ‘‘'Then, what has kept him away ? ” “‘T really do not know. I had thought, nearly to the last, that he meant to come. When I was all but ready myself, finding James had not begun to dress, I sent Harriet to remind him of the lateness of the hour, and she brought word back that her master was not going.” ‘Did he say why ?” asked Mr. Peter Castlemaine. ‘No. I went to his study afterwards, and found him seated at his bureau. Heseemed busy. All he said to me was, that he should remain at home; neither more nor less. You know, Peter, James rarely troubles himself to give a reason for what he does.” ‘Well, Iam sorry. Sorry that he should miss a pleasant evening, and also because I wanted to speak to him. We may not have many more of these social meetings.” ‘‘T suppose not,” said Mrs. Castlemaine, assuming that her brother- in-law alluded in an indirect way to his daughter's approaching mar- riage. ‘‘ When once you have lost Mary Ursula, there will be nobody to hold festivities for.” “No,” said the banker, absently. ‘“‘T suppose it will be very soon now.” “¢ What will be soon ? ” ‘The wedding. James thinks it will be after Easter.” ‘‘Oh—ay—the wedding,” spoke Mr. Peter Castlemaine, with the air of a man who has just caught up some recollection that had slipped from him. “I don’t know yet: we shall see: no time has been decided on.” ‘‘Close as his brother,” thought Mrs. Castlemaine. “No danger that he will disclose anything unless he chooses.” “Will James be coming in to Stilborough to-morrow ?”. asked the banker. “I’m sure I cannot tell. He goes out and comes in, you know, without any reference to me. I should fancy he would zof be coming in, unless he has anything to call him. Hehasnot seemed wellto-day ; thinks he has caught a cold.” ECORNICLOOO SS (CO) in —_)