The Argosy — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

Lhe Master of Greylands. 7 porising was of no mean order; and as the banker sat listening to its sounds, its rise and fall, its swelling and dying away, he would forget his cares. She was engaged to William Blake-Gordon, the eldest son of Sir Richard Blake-Gordon, a poor baronet, unduly proud of his descent. But for the vast amount of money Miss Castlemaine was expected to inherit, Sir Richard had never condescended to give his consent to the match: but the young man loved her for her own sake. Just now Miss Castlemaine was alone; the lady, Mrs. Webb, who resided with her as chaperone and companion, having been called away by the illness of a near relative. One word as to her name—Mary Ursula. A somewhat long name to pronounce, but it was never shortened by her relatives. The name had been that of old Mrs. Castlemaine, her grandmother, and was revered in the Cas tlemaine family. ‘I knew it was you, Uncle James,” she said, meeting him with both hands extended. “I knew you would come in to see me.” He took her hands in one of his and touched fondly her beautiful hair, that so well set off the small shapely head, and kissed her. Mr. Castlemaine was proud and fond of his niece. ** Your face is cold, Uncle James.” “Fresh with the out-of-door cold, my dear. I walked in.” “ All the way from Greylands !” He laughed. It was but three miles ; scarcely that. “I felt inclined for the walk, Mary Ursula. The carriage will come to take me home.” ‘Is Ethel well, Uncle James? And—and Mrs. Castlemaine ?” “Quite so, my dear. What are you doing here ?” She had sat down to the table again and he bent his head to look at her drawing. There was a moment's silence. “Why, it is—it is the Friar’s Keep!” exclaimed Mr. Castlemaine. “Yes,” she answered. ‘I sketched its outlines when at your house last summer, and I have never filled it in until now.” The resemblance was exact, and Mr. Castlemaine said so, “It seems to me already completed,” he observed. “All but the shading of the sky in the back-ground.” “ Why have you made those two windows darker than the rest ? ” Miss Castlemaine smiled as she answered jestingly: “I thought there should be no opportunity given for the appearance of the Grey Fnar, Uncle James.” Mr. Castlemaine drew in his lips. The jest pleased him. ““Have you seen anything of the Grey Sisters lately, uncle?” this did not please him. And Mary Ursula, as she caught the in- voluntary frown that knitted his bold brow, felt vexed to have asked the question. Not for the first time, as she now recalled, had Mr. Castlemaine shown displeasure at the mention of the “‘ Grey Sisters.” “Why do you not like them, Uncle James?” mena iiclnenelicee ceca