The Argosy — page 351: what you’re looking at

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

The Master of Greylands. — 331 house on her left—for it was in this spot that the doctor’s residence was situated—she presently came to the turning to Greylands’ Rest, and passed on up the avenue. It was a wide avenue, not far short of half a mile in length, with trees on either side ; oak, elm, birch, larch, poplar, lime, and others. At its end, was the lodge gate admitting to the domain of Greylands’ Rest. The house lay still and quiet in the sunshine. Madame Guise looked at it with yearning eyes, for 1t was the place that had probably cost her poor husband his life. But for putting in his claim to it, he might be living yet: and whether that claim was a right or a wrong one, she hoped with her whole heart would be proved before she herself should die. Passing round the fine green lawn, among the seats, the trees, the shrubs, and the flower-beds, she gained the porch entrance. Mules answered her ring. ‘Can I see Mrs. Castlemaine ?” ‘‘ Mrs. Castlemaine is out in the carriage, ma’am. mr. Castlemaine is at home.” Hesitating a moment, for the very name of the Master of Greylands carried to her heart a shrinking dread, and yet fearful lest delay might cause her application to be too late, shé said she would be glad to speak with Mr. Castlemaine. Miles admitted her into the hall—a good, old-fashioned room with a wood fire blazing in it. Along a passage to the night lay the drawing-room, and into this room Miles ushered the lady. Mrs. Castlemaine generally went out for a drive once a day. This afternoon she had taken Flora; whose face was adorned with sundry patches of sticking plaister, the result of the fall off the ladder. In the red parlour sat Ethel Reene, painting flowers on cardboard for a hand- screen: and the Master of Greylands stood with his back to the fire, talking with her. They were speaking of Miss Castlemaine. ‘* Papa, I do not think we must hope it,” Ethel was saying. ‘“ Rely upon it, Mary will not come out again.” Mr. Castlemaine's face darkened at the words. Though holding the same conviction himself, the step his niece had taken in entering the Nunnery was so unpalatable to him that he could not bear to hear the opinion confirmed. He hated the Grey Sisters. He would have rid Greylands of their presence, had it been in his power. ‘It is a sin, so to waste her life!” he said, his deep tones betraying his mortification. ‘“ Ethel, I think we cannot have made her happy here.” “Tt was nothing of that, papa. She told me she had been cherishing the idea before she came to Greylands.” ‘A meddling, tattling, tabby-cat set of women! Mary Ursula ought to——Well, what now, Miles?” For the man had entered the room and was waiting to speak. ECOMicoOoOkKS. Com ye —_)