The Argosy — page 328: what you’re looking at

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

3 14 _ Parkwater. for nothing, and finding there was a comfortable :inn, telegraphed to his family that he should not be at home until Monday. Mr. Castlerosse was a good churchman, rarely missing divine service. But on the Sunday morning the skies were so blue, and the leaves of the trees so green, the air altogether was so refreshing, and the country so lovely, that perhaps he may have been forgiven for strolling and sitting in the fields and lanes instead of attending church. He never forgave - himself for it afterwards. He went to church in the evening: and, after service was over, walked home by invitation with Mr. Balfour, and sat with him for an hour or two. Upon rising to leave, he inquired, pursuing the thread of their conversation, whether Mr. Balfour would not go to town with him by the early train: for the clergyman was to go up to see Mrs. Castlerosse and his future pupil. “No,” answered Mr. Balfour. ‘“ I have a marriage to perform.” “You do not get many of them, I expect, in this little place,” cred Mr. Castlerosse. | ‘Very few indeed. These parties are from London. The lady has been down-here three or four weeks, lodging at a farm-house.” ‘A nice, lady-like young woman, she seems,” interposed Mrs. Balfour ; ‘““a Miss May. ‘The gentleman is a Mr. Lyvett.” “May! Lyvett!”’ echoed Mr. Castlerosse, recalling the old affair and the shipping off of Fred: he had not been informed of the recent trouble. ‘ What’s his Christian name? What sort of a looking man is he?” ‘“‘A fair young man, with a light moustache and an eyeglass. And,” added the clergyman, referring to a paper, “‘his name is Frederick. Frederick Lyvett and Sophia May.” The effect this information had on Mr. Castlerosse, who was a most excitable man, was such as to startle Mr. and Mrs. Balfour. He soon explained himself, and demanded that the ceremony should be stopped. “I have no power to refuse to marry them,” observed the clergy- man. ‘They are both of age.” ‘‘ Of age!” repeated the heated Mr. Castlerosse. ‘‘ Heaven and earth, sir! Don’t I tell you it is a horrible runaway marriage, that will ruin Fred for life, and drive Mr. Lyvett mad ?” “ They were asked in. church for the third and last time this mommg, and both of them were present.” ‘Oh, good heavens,” cried Mr. Castlerosse ; “and I should have heard it, had I only been there, and could have pounced upon him ! Well, sir, I tell you that this marriage, if it takes place, will drive his father mad, and give his mother the heartache for life. The girl is no better than an adventuress,” But still the clergyman shook his head, and urged that without just grounds he could not stop it. COLMA a) NOOKS CO