The Argosy — page 356: what you’re looking at

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

342 A Secret of the Sea. “ A rule is proved by its exceptions. I am one of the exceptions.” ‘‘ How nice it must be to be able to write love-stories that you know will be read by some thousands of young ladies !” ‘ But if an author in every case writes only from his own experience, what a fearful experience must be his ! ” ‘I apprehend that in such a case a writer is like a clever violinist. He may play to the public on one string as long as he likes, if only his variations are sufficiently amusing not to weary them.” ‘Yes, I daresay there is really a very great sameness in such matters,” said Miriam, with a well-feigned simplicity. ‘“‘ And yet I suppose it hardly matters how poor alove-story may be ; the vivid imagination of your sex supplies all deficiencies, and clothes it with whatever warmth and colour it may otherwise lack.” ‘‘T am not so sure on that point. But I am afraid you are getting beyond my depth, Mr. Van Duren. For my own part, I have not much imagination. I am very, very matter-of-fact.” ‘“‘ That ought to form a bond of sympathy between us, seeing that I am one of the most matter-of-fact people in the City of London.” ‘¢ T have been told that bonds of sympathy are very dangerous things. Papa’s Three-per-cent. bonds would be a much safer investment.” Van Duren laughed. “ How would it be, Miss Byrne, if I were to go through a course of reading under your tuition ? ” *“Do you mean the reading of love-stories ? ” ‘‘ That, and nothing else, 1s what I mean.” “‘ How would it be possible for me to act as your tutor in sucha course of reading when I don't know the alphabet of the language myself?” ‘“‘ How would it be if we were to try to learn the alphabet together?” ‘‘T am afraid that I am too old to learn a fresh language. Besides, if you are as ignorant as you say you are, we should not know the proper sounds to give to the different letters.” “Nature would be our schoolmistress. With her to teach us, we should soon become apt scholars.” “Very we'l. We will have our first lesson on Monday. Bat before we begin you shall go and bowl your hoop a dozen times round the square at the bottom of the street, and I will sit on a doorstep, with a doll in my arms, and watch you.” All at once Peter Byrne, who for the last ten minutes had been gazing intently into the fire, and neither stirring nor speaking, turned in his chair and said to Miriam: “Go up to your room, Pussy, fora little while: I want to have a little private talk with Mr. Van Duren.” Miriam rose. “Shall I not see you again?” asked Van Duren. ‘“‘'Yes,” whispered Miriam. Then she crossed to the basket of flowers, plucked a spray, placed it in the bosom of her dress, smiled at Van Duren, and went. CORnniclooolkks (CO)