The Argosy — page 239: what you’re looking at

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

Parkwater. 227 heart had already learned to flutter for him as it had never fluttered for Frederick Lyvett. During this stay of Captain Devereux, the children were much in their own apartments ; except on Sundays they did not dine at the luncheon-table. He was so loose in his ideas, and sometimes also in his expressions, that Lord and Lady Tennygal kept their little girls out of his society as much as they could. As a matter of course this also kept the governess from it. But they had met oftener than “three times :” that was, so to say, a figure of speech. ‘What do you suppose makes me linger here, in this remote bog- hole of a sister-kingdom, and in this precious house of it, ever in an uproar with children ?” continued the Captain. “I do not know,” answered Miss May, blushing deeper and deeper. Captain Devereux thought he had never seen a more lovely face than that one with the blush upon it, and his eyes said it so plainly that the governess cast down hers. “Then you ought to know. It is you, And if you had only listened to what I said the other day, instead of darting away, you would have known it then.” He spoke in that insinuating tone which none knew how to assume better than Theodore Devereux. It had won its way to many a more experienced head and heart than poor Sophia May’s. ‘‘T am sorry if you thought me rude,” she replied. ‘ Lady Rose was with me, and she is——” “A quick genius,” he interrupted, “and might carry tales. Was that what you were about to say? Quickness runs in the Devereux family. I am wanted in Scotland, where I made an engagement to go shooting ; I am wanted at Sir Archibald’s ; I am wanted in fifty places ; and I cannot tear myself away from the spot. You alone are keeping me here.” Captain Devereux knew he had never told a greater untruth in his life ; and he knew, also, that if he could have got away, Miss May and her charms, ten times magnified, would not have kept him for a single moment. He went on improving upon his assertion; Sophia’s heart fluttering more and more with every word, and believing it religiously. ‘‘And I am a fool for my pains: for I cannot afford yet to take a Mrs. Devereux. What’s the matter?” She had turned aside and appeared to be busy, tying the sash of a little girl. Captain Devereux looked round, and saw Lady Tennygal ; who was beckoning to him from the door of the room. ‘J have been searching for you,” she began: “ you must ask Harriet Ord for the next quadrille. You have neglected her all the evening.” “ Harriet Ord’s a scarecrow.” “It is a pity you think so, Theodore,” was the answer. “I believe, if you chose to ask her, you might have her for your wife to-morrow. I am sure she likes you. And she is so amiable, and : ecomniclooolkks _ (CO) pS