The Argosy — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

My Cousin Caroline's Wedding. 79 “ Beg pardon, sir,” he said, touching his hat, “ but the captain’s car- riage went this way—don’t think it’s of any use looking for it that.” “Which way ?” ‘Right down along the left road, sir, without turning to the church at all. The postboys were lashing their horses like mad, and the car- nage tore along and whirled off at the finger-post, which leads to nothing but the railway-station.” ““ Was the captain in it?” ‘“‘ The captain was in it, sir, and Miss Lina with him, His own man sat in the rumble.” - “ What the devil!” growled the choleric Sir Popperton, when I re- turned to report, “are we to cool our heels in this church all day ?” ‘“‘ The breakfast !” stammered Dr. Cram, his nose turning to a light purple, as the fear gained ground that some untoward accident might put a stop to the banquet. “Those dreadful horses have run away with him, and he will never - come back but with his head torn off,” shrieked Carry, going into an angry faint upon the altar steps. “ Dear Mrs. Dashingly,” groaned Dr. Cram, “ don’t you think a little refreshment would revive her?—the breakfast—or so? She may have a fit of illness if she fasts longer.” It being obvious that a dwelling-house was a more convenient place than a church to wait in, while a man was brought home without his head, we returned to the carriages to be conveyed back again. Father Peter joined us as we entered the house, and Sir Popperton’s out- riders were despatched flying, in search of the runaway chariot. “There, he’ll soon be heard of now, my dear,” cried Dr. Cram to Caroline, his spirits going up at his proximity to the collation. Fitzhenry was heard of, and Lina also. May a certain gentleman fly away with me, if ever I saw sucha house in my life, before or since. My aunt danced a hompipe with passion, and poor Caroline, in her wild dismay, tore her orange-blossoms to pieces. It appeared—for, bit by bit, the whole plot and counter-plot was laid bare—-that Fitzhenry had, in the first instance, proposed to Mrs. Dashingly for Lina. But the lady, with indignant firmness, informed him that he might just as well ask for Aer, or—say—for the whole convent of nuns; and that there was just as much probability of his obtaining them, as there was of his obtaining Lina. That the latter was promised to Alfred, and in the event of that project failing, she was to be “dedicated.” The communication was obligingly accompanied by a hint that if ever Captain Fitzhenry gave another thought to- wards Lina, he must bid farewell to Dashingly House. The captain bowed to the decision, apparently -acquiescing | (it, and continued his friendship with Dashingly. Caroline made a dead COMIC OOOKS. EO