The Argosy — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

158 Cyril Trevor's Wood-Nymph. ‘* Never!” I cried, fervently. ‘ Grant my request, and I shall be happy for life.” Madame laughed heartily at my ardour, and having obtained the desired promise, I took my leave. “Ho!ho!” chuckled my uncle, when I reappeared in his room ‘Shall we go to Rome next week, Cyril? Do you want bracing now, my boy?” ‘‘ The wind has changed, sir,” I answered, gravely. ‘ The journey will scarcely be necessary on my account. Had you any idea that Miss Ross would be at her aunt’s to-night, sir ?” I enquired. “Of course I had,” chuckled my uncle. “TI arranged the whole affair. Got Madame B to drive with me to the villa one ‘day, and had a chat with Mr. Ross. The long and short of it is that I obtained his consent to your marriage with his daughter, provided he incurred no trouble or expense in the matter. A selfish old man, Cyril. You do well to take the girl away from his influence. But, my boy,” he added, wistfully, ‘you must have the wedding soon. | can’t last much longer.” “ Don’t, sir, for pity’s sake, say so. You'll live for many a long year yet, please God,” said I, brokenly. ‘Ah, no! My time is almost run,” he answered, sadly. ‘‘ And I should like to see you settled first.” I took advantage of Madame B——’s complaisance, with the result of falling daily deeper in love. Beatrice completely won my uncle's heart, and it was very pretty to see her tender solicitude for him. In due course the day of the ball arrived, and I sent Beatrice a bouquet and wreath of flowers, but as yet I hdd not dared mention the wedding-day. My uncle had been far from well that day, and towards evening alarming symptoms began to appear. He was very anxious that I should go, however, declaring that he should rest more easily when he knew his dearest hopes were consummated and I was actually married ; and grew so excited on perceiving my reluctance to obey, that at last I left the room, pledged to redeem my promise to him before returning home. Determining only to explain my uncle’s danger to Beatrice, and carry back from her a single word for him, I searched the crowded rooms and corridors of Lady C. ’s villa, and at length found her seated in the conservatory, screened by large flowering plants from observation, the very embodiment of melancholy. On seeing me she sprang up hurriedly, a vivid flush dyeing her lovely features. It was not difficult to guess who was the object of her contempla- tions. “Cyril! I thought you would never come! I even heard some one mention that your uncle was worse, and you would most pro- bably not be able to leave him.” ‘‘ And was this the cause of your sadness, Beatrice ? ” She blushed and looked down, with all the charm of modesty ECOMicooolkxs.con @