The Argosy — page 322: what you’re looking at

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

308 Parkwater, “No!” “He is. Jones came up to dine with me this evening, and he told me of it after dinner, when we were alone. He heard it somehow.” ‘‘Where is she? How did Fred find her? ” “She lives somewhere in Brompton. I can’t say how Fred found her out. Jones did not know.” ‘‘'What is she doing at Brompton ? ” ‘Teaching music, I believe. Jones knows nothing against her. Fred is up there with her every day of his life.” “Well, if Fred chooses to play the fool, he must, that’s all,” testily retorted Mr. Lyvett. ‘¢ Yes ; but he has no right to play it and disgrace the family. Jones thinks he means to marry her.” ‘‘ Nonsense, James! Fred’s not such a simpleton as all that.” “I would not answer for him, father. The girl must have obtained pretty good hold upon his mind, for him to renew his intimacy with her after the lapse of two or three years.” ‘What has brought her back to London? I thought she was away ; in Ireland, or somewhere.” “Fred knows, I suppose. I don’t. Jones thinks she has been teaching for some time; has got a tolerably good connection.” “ T'll tell you what, James Who is that, coming upstairs ? ” ‘‘ Fred himself, I think. It is like his step.” “ Then I'll have the matter out at once,”angrily exclaimed Mr.Lyvett. Fred himself it was. He came into the room, whistling, an evening newspaper in his hand. ‘ Frederick,” began Mr. Lyvett, in a temperate voice, ‘‘ how is it you were not here, to go with your mother and sisters to-night ? ” J did not intend to go, father. I told Fanny so.” “Where have you been?” “ Been?” echoed Mr. Fred, rather astonished at the question: for Mr. Lyvett was not in the habit of cross-questioning his sons. ‘ To lots of places. A fine night, James, is it not? ” ‘Perhaps you have been to Brompton?” ‘To Brompton, sir |” repeated Fred, in a dubious accent. “ Here, come and sit down. I don’t go to bed this night until you and I have had an understanding. A pretty thing James has heard : that you are playing the fool again with that Sophia May !" “ Pray who told you?” demanded Frederick, turning to his brother. “That is of no consequence,” was the reply of Mr. James Lyvett. ‘‘ Have you renewed your intimacy with her or not?” sharply inter- rupted Mr. Lyvett. “Yes, I have,” replied the younger son. ‘I do not wish to deny it. I have a very great friendship for her, and I am proud of it.” «Well, she’s a nice individual to acknowledge a friendship for,” sar- GONMGIOO SS (CO) eC