The Argosy — page 323: what you’re looking at

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

Parkwater. ‘ 309 castically cried Mr. Lyvett. ‘‘ You might remember, Master Fred, that you are speaking to your father.” “Why, what do you take her for, sir?” was the indignant question. ‘For old May’s daughter originally : for an adventurer lately, and a pretty clever one. What do you take her for?” added Mr. Lyvett, looking keenly at his son. ‘“‘ For one of the best creatures that ever struggled with an unfortu- nate lot,” returned Fred, with something hke emotion. ‘It is rather too bad to call her an adventurer, father.” ‘‘T calf her what I please: and what I deem to be appropriate,” said Mr. Lyvett. ‘Her beauty and virtues would adorn a throne,” cried Fred, going quite off into rhapsody. ‘‘She was born in an obscure sphere, but her qualities fit her for a high one. I only wish you knew her, sir.” ‘It is enough for one of the family to boast of that honour,” was the sarcastic rejoinder of Mr. Lyvett. ‘I should like to ask you one thing, Frederick: what good do you expect to come of this? Do you think it is creditable for my son to go visiting people on the sly?” ‘“‘T have not gone on the sly ; I have gone openly. Except that I have said nothing about it at home. I was thinking of doing that.” *¢ Oh, indeed ! ” “‘ And you could not expect me to be very open on the point, sir, after what you and James did formerly. Banishing me off to Valparaiso to separate us, and then turning her and her parents out of doors.” “I had nothing to do with the Valparaiso business,” said James. <‘Some of you had, at any rate.” “We may as well cut short the discussion, or it will last till your mother comes home, and it is of no use worrying her with such a sub- ject,” said Mr. Lyvett. ‘Frederick, you must give this nonsense up. I must have your word of honour upon it.” ‘‘T am not prepared to do that,” was Fred’s reply. é¢ Why ? 23 The young man was silent. <‘ Why ? I ask you,” irntably repeated Mr. Lyvett. ‘‘ My friendship with Miss May is more serious than you imagine sir. I wish to make her my wife.” An ominous pause. Then Mr. Lyvett broke it with a mocking faugh. ‘James, go out and get a cap and bells. We will fit him out for Astley’s. He shall play the fool’s part in the next new pantomime. Oh, Fred! you had better go to school again and learn wisdom.” ‘‘A pretty pantomime it is, that he is enacting now!” said James, with a look at his brother. ‘I am ashamed of you, Frederick.” ‘‘It is a man’s privilege that he may marry.whom he pleases,” said Frederick. COLMA a) NOOKS (CO)