The Argosy — page 244: what you’re looking at

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

232 Parkwater. ‘“ Theodore,” said his sister gravely, “ you have been behaving ill to Harriet Ord for this many a year past, unless you have all along in- tended to marry her. You have paid her attention: you have kept, I am certain, other suitors away from her: thus is the only fit termina- tion, and for yourself it is a most fortunate one. Were I you, I should make the best of it instead of the worst.” ‘“‘ And a very good ‘ best’ you may make of it,” added the Earl. “If Lady Harriet has not beauty, she has money and good temper: some- body, whom I know, 1s deficient in both.” “Tt is to be hoped her temper is good,” snapped Captain Devereux. ‘She will find it put to the test.” Lord Tennygal glanced at him a keen glance, and spoke ina serious tone. ‘Devereux, mark me: when a man marries, he had better resolve not to try his wife’s temper, for his own sake as well as for hers. If you cannot bring yourself to endeavour to make Harriet happy, it is your duty not to marry her.” “What a row about nothing! ” answered Captain Devereux, as he rose from the breakfast-table. ‘I am not going to beat her.” Lord Tennygal drew in his lips. But for his wife's presence he would have spoken out his indignation. “ By the way,” said Captain Devereux, halting with the door-handle in his hand. ‘‘ Be so good as keep what I have told you to yourselves. It isnot to be announced yet. There are reasons against it.” ‘Your debts, I suppose,” replied his sister. ‘¢So just keep it dark, both of you,” concluded the Captain, not giving her a direct answer. On the following day, the Earl departed from Parkwater. Business called him to London. His wife and family would remain where they were until Easter, when he was to return for them. And thusa short while again passed on; Captain Devereux paying visits to Mrs. Barry’s two or three times a week, by way of courting Lady Harriet. It wanted about a fortnight to Easter, when there stood one day in a somewhat remote part of the park, a lady and gentleman, in conversation so earnest that the approach of a carriage across the green sward was unnoticed. As it came upon them, however, the gentleman started, and took off his hat in some confusion. The lady walked away. The carriage contained Harriet Ord and Mrs. Barry. Mrs. Barry only had noticed the talkers. ‘That looked like the governess,” was her thought. ‘* How earnestly she was talking with Captain Devereux ! —and how pale she looked !” Captain Devereux, on his part, gazed with amazement after the carriage ; for it not only bore the ladies, but sonfe luggage also, as if they had came to make a stay.” ecomniclooolkks _ (CO)