The Argosy — page 382: what you’re looking at

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

362 Beatrix. Now, Miss Falkland junior, having seen nothing further in his lord- ship’s conduct to confirm the suspicions he had aroused two months before, had gradually dropped back into her old manner to him, and restored him to favour. She met him now with all her usual pretty frankness. ‘Qh, is it you? ” she said; “well, you are welcome. What brought you down to-day ?” “What a question !” Curzon exclaimed. ‘What do you suppose I came down for, but to see—you.” ° ‘Thank you. Then you are doubly welcome. I always make it 4 point to patronize any one who comes to see me with an emphasis. But, now, tell me what especially brought you here to see me this after- noon.” : “Well, the fact is,” Curzon said, drawing a letter slowly from his pocket, “‘ Theard from a friend of mine to-day who is in some trouble, and I want you to give me your advice about him. Will you?” ‘‘ Of course I will,” answered Miss Falkland, who was the pleasantest creature in the world to confide in; full of heartfelt sympathy for everybody’s misfortunes, in spite of all her thoughtlessness. “‘ This 1s it, then,” Curzon said calmly, but somehow not looking at his companion, while he crushed up the harmless letter in his hand. “‘ My friend is engaged to be married; but the girl to whom he is engaged doesn’t particularly care for him, and he himself has fallen deeply in love with another, for whom he cares as he never has, and never can again care for any one else. Under these circumstances, what ought my friend todo? Should he keep to his engagement ? ” “Yes. JI think he should keep to his engagement,” Miss Falkland said slowly. ‘Even though he has no heart in the matter?” “"Yes—even then. If your friend is an honourable man, he will certainly not break his word once given. He must hold to that: there is no Other course left open to a gentleman.” “Is that your verdict ?” Curzon said, sadly, coming over from the other side of the bed to where she was standing. ‘Do you allow him no hope? Must he wreck all his chances of happiness for the sake of - an hour’s folly? Would it not be more honourable to break such a love- less engagement than to keep it?” “Jf I were the other woman and your fnend came to me with such a story on his lips, I would not so much as give him my hand,” Miss Falkland said very bravely ; and then she turned very pale, and folded her hands together tightly. ‘You are a cruel judge,” Stainer answered bitterly. “And yet—I know that you are right.” “Curzon,” whispered Beatrix softly, in tremulous tones, “ is it your own story you are telling me ?” ECORNICLOOO SS (C(O) mn —_)