The Argosy — page 268: what you’re looking at

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

250 The Master of Greylands. wife though she was ; and she had far rather some disagreeable animal had taken up its abode at Greylands’ Rest for good, than this grand, noble, beautiful girl Now and again, even in those first few days, she contrived to betray this: and, it may be, that this served to hasten Mary’s plans. Flora, too, was a perpetual source of annoyance to everybody but her mother ; and the young lady was as rude to Miss Castlemaine as to other people. Since her parting with Mr. Blake-Gordon, an idea had dawned and been growing in Mary Ursula’s mind. It was, that she should join the Sisterhood of the Grey Ladies. The more she dwelt upon it, the greater grew her conviction that it would be just the life now suited to her. Unlike Mr. Castlemaine, she had always held the Sisters in reverence and respect. They were self-denying ; they led a useful life before Heaven ; they were of no account in the world: what better career could she propose or wish for herself, now that near and dear social ties were denied her? And she took her resolution: though she almost dreaded to impart it to her uncle. Mr. Castlemaine stood one morning at the window of his business room, looking out on the whitened landscape, for snow covered the ground. The genial weather that came in so early had given place to winter again. The sad, worn look that might be seen lately on the Master of Greylands’ face, though rarely when in company, sat on it now. He pushed his dark hair from his brow with a hasty hand, as some thought, worse than the rest disturbed him, and a heavy groan escaped his lips. Drowning it with a cough, for at that very moment somebody knocked.at thé study door, he held his breath but did not answer. The knock came again. He strode to open the door with a frown. It was an understood thing in the house that this room was sacred to its master. There stood Mary Ursula in her deep mourning. ‘“‘T have ventured to come to you here, Uncle James,” she said, ‘‘as I wish to speak with you alone. Can you spare me some minutes ?” ‘Any number to you. And remember, my dear, that you are always welcome here.” He gave her a chair, shut down his bureau and locked it, and took a seat himself. For a moment she paused, and then began in some hesitation. ‘Uncle James, I have been forming my plans.” ‘¢ Plans?” he echoed. ‘¢ And I have come to tell them to you before I tell any one else.” ‘¢Well?” said Mr. Castlemaine, wondering what was coming. “TI should like——I must have some occupation in life, you know ?” “Well?” ‘And I have not been long in making up my mind what it shall be. I shall join the Sisterhood.” ECoOMmicloooks (C(O) in —_)