The Argosy — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

228 Parkwater. “Oh, I knew long ago I might have her for the asking,” carelessly replied Captain Devereux, “ but I shall not try ¢4af on till everything else has failed. When I am so deep in the well, that I can sink no lower, I may go to her and her eighty thousand pounds to draw me up.” ‘Theodore, how can you speak so?” asked his sister indignantly. “Is she worth no more to you than that P” | “Not at present,” was the cool rejoinder. ‘“ As to her amiability— cela va sans dire. It’s the best part about her.” ‘¢ Well, come and dance with her now.” Captain Devereux followed his sister, with a wry face: but, once in the society of Lady Harriet Ord, he became all smiling attention. Slightingly as he had spoken of her to the Countess, there was in his heart a latent conviction that he should sometime be thankful to win her and her coveted money, and he would not mar his chance. In earlier days, years ago now, they had been thrown a good deal together. Captain Devereux put forth sqme of his blandishments, just to pass the time away, and had gained her heart. He knew he gained it—and then, like the knight in the once popular song, he rode away. Lady Harriet was not handsome; in fact, she was rather remarkably plain ; but she was sweet-tempered and of sterling worth. Heaven help her, said the world, if she linked herself to that Theodore Devereux ! Lord Tennygal sdid it: but Bessie, blinded by sisterly affection, thought it would be all that was wanted to reform her brother. She only knew of a few of his lighter failings. ‘‘T have something of import to say to you,” spoke Captain Devereux, seeking out Sophia when he quitted Lady Harriet. ‘Can you contrive to give me a few minutes’ interview to-morrow ?—or on any subsequert day?” ‘‘ Were it anything very particular,” she began, with her blue eyes cast unconsciously down—“ but still, it could not be. I do not see that it could. J am in the schoolroom all day, and the young ladies are with me.” ‘‘ Provoking little reptiles!” he ejaculated. “Do you never go out, Miss May ?” ‘ Not often, without them.” | ‘Well, I must see you. Look here: the day after to-morrow will be Sunday. You can stay at home from church.” ‘¢But I—I shall have no plea for staying at home, Captain Devereux,” she urged. ‘‘ What would Lady Tennygal think P ” ‘Tet her think what she likes. I suppose you have a headache sometimes? You can have one then. No doubt you w//, after this dissipation.” Strange to say, on the following Sunday, Miss May’s head did ache. It was so painful as to preclude her going out; and an intimation to that EOMRniilElooe _ SS (CO)