The Argosy — page 207: what you’re looking at

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

Rupert's Chotce. | 195 pleasant shock ; but she went forward and welcomed her cordially, saying, as she kissed her, how much she had looked forward to seeing her, and how glad she was to have her with her. “It is.so kind of you to say so!” answered Miss Herries in a voice not otherwise than sweet, but with a commonness of tone and accent which was terribly depressing. “It is so unfortunate that Rupert cannot be back to welcome you this first evening,” said Mrs. Loraine, quietly. ‘*You ‘must put up with only me and our dear old friend Miss Barlow, for this evening. My son was sure you would understand that he could not help it. There is a change in the.trains, so that he cannot get back after the cricket match, which was an old engagement. He will be here to break- fast to-morrow.” | “Qh! of course! I quite understand,” said Miss Herries, with a provoking smile. “ Now let me introduce you to Miss Barlow, my dear. She was Rupert’s governess long ago, and is now staying with me for a few weeks—a great pleasure to me.” So Mrs. Loraine talked on, trying to hide even from herself Miss Herries’ total irresponsiveness ; for, in answer to this introduction, she only bowed to me, and said, “Indeed! How kind of you!” to Mrs. Loraine, Saunders came in with fresh tea, which was ahelp to us. Mrs. Loraine said something of “regret that her father’s ill-health should have prevented her mother from being able to bring her on this first coming to Helmsleigh.” ‘Oh, thanks! you were too kind to think of asking her! but mamma meyer goes anywhere.” At this moment there entered a good-looking youth of nineteen. Albert Eliot, a nephew of Mrs. Loraine (or rather, of her husband), who was being crammed for an examination of some kind by the Vicar of Helmsleigh. He had come, obviously, to inspect his future cousin. Mrs. Loraine introduced him, and, young though he was, his masculine presence worked a change in Miss Herries. She was quiet, almost demure in manner, but she was excited. ‘Now, my dear,” said Mrs. Loraine, a few minutes later, “I will take you to your room. We dine at half-past seven, and you will like to rest a little.” As the door closed upon them, Albert planted himself in front of me and made a comical face of amazement and disgust. “ That young woman won’t let her eyes grow rusty for want of use!” he said- “Miss Barlow, Rupert ought to have his head punched !” “You will keep Mr. and Mrs. Carter waiting for dinner, Albert,” I replied, as discouragingly as I could; but in my heart I felt that I agreed with him, and I went at once to my room to dress for dinner, feeling that I could not meet Mrs. Loraine. My heart ached for her EOMRniilElooe SS (CO)