The Argosy — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

The Master of Greylands. 243 not a suspicion, not a hint of separation had appeared in look or tone ; but in his manner there had been something never seen before : a re- ticence ; a keeping back, as it were, of words that ought to come out: and instinct told her that all was not as it used to be. Days went on; her position, as to lack of. fortune, was known abroad ; and the sus- pense she was in was making her 1ll. “J will end the suspense,” she said one morning in desperation. “It is Sir Richard, I know; not William : but at least they shall not find me willing to enter the family on bear sufferance. I will give them the opportunity of retiring from the engagement—if that be what they wish for.” And she wrote a note to Mr. Blake-Gordon, and despatched it by a trusty messenger to Sir Richard’s house just beyond thetown. The news of the failure of the bank and death of its master, had reached Sir Richard Blake-Gordon when he was at a dinner.party. It fell upon him with startling effect. -For a moment he felt half paralyzed ; and then the blood once more took its free course through his veins as he remembered that his son’s marriage was yet a thing of the future. ‘* Never,” he said to himself, with energy. ‘“‘ Never as long as I live. I may have a battle with William ; but I could always twist him round my fingers. In that respect he is his poor mother all over. No such weakness about me. Failed for millions! Good Heavens, what an escape! We shall be quite justified in breaking with the daughter : and she and William have both sense enough to see it.” He was not of those who put off disagreeable things. That very night, meeting his son when he got home, he began, after a few words of regret for the sudden death. “A sad affair about the bank! Who would have expected it?” “Who indeed!” returned William Blake-Gordon. ‘Every one thought the bank as safe as the Bank of England. Safer, if anything.” ‘It only shows how more or less liable all private concerns are to fluctuations—changes—failures—and what not,” continued Sir Richard. “Whatever this may be—failure or not —it will at least be open and straightforward,” said Wilham. ‘‘ Mr. Peter Castlemaine was the soul of honour. The embarrassments must have arisen from other quarters, and Thomas Hill says the trouble and anxiety have killed him.” ‘Poorman ! People are expecting it to be an awful failure. Not five shillings in the pound for the creditors, and all the Castlemaine family ruined. This must terminate your engagement.” The sudden mandate fell on the young man’s ears with a shock. He thought at the first moment his father must be jesting. “Tt must terminate my engagement?” he retorted; catching sight of the dark stern countenance. ‘‘ What, give up Mary Castlemaine ? Never, father! Never will I do it, so long as I shall live.” ‘Yes, you will,” said Sir Richard quietly. “I cannot allow you to sacrifice your prospects in life.” COMIC OOOKS. EO