The Argosy — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

214 An Every-Day Story. long letter to his sister, Mrs. Haydn, and begged her to advise him what to do for his daughter in the case he described. Mrs. Haydn arrived herself in answer. A handsome, nich, fashiop- able, prosperously married woman, with a talent for management. She came primed with much excellent advice; but was startled at the first sight of Rosalie’s beauty. The flexile, graceful shape, the stately little head, the oval face, with hair, eyes, brows and lashes of the same rare shade, the lips of delicate red, the pretty smile and clear pallor of complexion, were all marked with the keen eye of a connoisseur; and she hastened to charge herself with the care of Rosalie’s future, and assure her brother that, with a proper education, his daughter had all the requisites for making a great sensation in society, and eventually a splendid match; none the worse qualified by this early experience of a foolish fever. It did not hinder girls’ prospects, she said, or cause them to make less good wives. She took Rosalie back with her to her home in town. Having no children of her own, the charge was pleasant rather than otherwise. Once there, she caused the girl to be provided with the best of masters, and gave her herself the best of training—for a fashionable life. Close upon this, the Reverend Mr. Halcroft had a living given him quite unexpectedly near town, and removed to it: so that all associations with the old home were severed for Rosalie. ‘So much the better,” said Mrs. Haydn. Thus passed three years. At nineteen, Rosalie was introduced into society by her aunt, to become at once its loveliest ornament, and achieve all the success that had been promised for her by vanquishing a somewhat stern gentleman and great match, Mr. Linden, who had hitherto been held to be impregnable. Accustomed to be courted— beset, in fact—Rosalie’s cold indifference piqued him, her rare beauty charmed him; and he soon found himself as violently in love as it was possible for a man of his temperament to be. Left to herself, Miss Halcroft might have declined him, for not an atom of love for him touched Aer heart ; but Mrs. Haydn was impera- tive, and as good as settled things for her. Decline Mr. Linden !—the best match of the season! no, no; that would never do. ‘And Rosalie, who had learnt to appreciate the good things of this world that the gods provide for lucky people, accepted him. At twenty she became Mrs. Linden. Then succeeded a life of placid elegance, of luxurious ease. For the first time in her experience every exquisite taste could be delighted, every delicate sense gratified, and all her desires and wishes fulfilled. All? Was there no yearning in her heart that her husband’s calm kindness could not satisfy? no chamber in her soul that his self- complacent image could not fill? Who knew what had become _ of the poor prodigal, Bertram Payne, who lost honour, happiness, and EOMRniilElooe SS (CO)