Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 259: what you’re looking at

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

250 seem to understand. I gave him his hat and he left the house. By my love for him, Miss Mercy—excuse me, my lady—that is all I know.” Mercy was very white now, for she was frightened. There was in her mind an inexplicable presentiment that he would mot return, or that a great danger menaced him; but she con- trolled herself admirably. ‘ Robert,” she said presently, “ re- peat again the message that was given to you. Repeat it word for word, just as it was delivered to you for him.” ‘‘T have already done so, my lady. The message was, ‘ Say that his friend Tom must see him at once; he will un- derstand.’ That is the exact message, word for word, just as it was given to ine—just as I repeated it to him.” ‘Did he seem to understand to whom the message referred? ”’ “Yes, my lady.” “Do you know to whom it re- ferred?” ‘No, my lady. Mr. Jack looked an- noyed when I mentioned the name. That was all. He made no comment.” “Was it a man who gave you the message?” “ Yes, my lady, a man and a stranger —not a gentleman. [ think he was simply the bearer of the message.” “Robert, you have known Lord John since he was born. What friend has he, who bears that name, who might have called him out in that man- ner?” “My lady, I know of only two friends by that name, and they are both here in the house at this moment. I have no idea who it could have been.” Mercy was silent several moments. She was endeavoring to control herself, and at last, by a supreme effort, she succeeded. When she did _ speak again, her voice was low and firm. ‘Robert,’ she said, “the guests must not know. Nobody but you and I must know. I will leave the room, and you must announce that the earl is suddenly ill; that I have gone to him. THE ARGOSY. Get them away, out of the house, all of them, everybody; then, when they are gone, every one, come to me. Oh, Robert! What could have happened to him? ” “ Alas, Miss Mercy—my lady—I do not know. Nothing, I think, only he has somehow been detained. He may come at any moment.” But he did not come. The guests, loud in their expressions of sympathy, departed. The lights were extin- guished until the great house was shrouded in darkness, except where they shone from two windows in the apartments of the countess. There, behind tightly drawn cur- tains, still arrayed in her reception cos- tume of satin and pearls, the young countess was restlessly pacing the room, while before her, with downcast head and his hands behind his back, stood faithful old Robert. Three hours had passed since Lord John left the parlors, and Robert had become dumb for lack of further argu- ment to appease the anxiety of his mis- tress. hers; his ignorance as profound. Mercy had sent her maid to another part of the house; now she told Robert to recall her. “The servants must not know that he is gone, Robert,” she said, wistfully. “He will surely return before long, and you must wait up for him. You will not desert your post?” “No, my lady, no. I will wait’’ ‘“ And the servants? ”’ “ Take no heed of them, Miss Mercy. Leave it all to me; and if I may ven- ture one word of advice ” “Yes, Robert; what is it?” “Let vour maid put you to bed, and send her away as though nothing had happened. I will listen for your bell, while I watch for Mr. Jack—for my lord. You see, I used to call him Jack when he was a boy, and he likes to have me do so still, when we are alone.” “ He loved you, Robert.” ‘He loved me, and he loves me now, GONMUC His concern was as great as AOOLK CO