Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

266 THE ARGOSY. ‘That is true. I have much to say that concerns you very closely.”’ She was very quick and understood me. “You wish to speak to me alone. I am sure you will not object, aunt, if ' my cousin and I speak together in the window there;” and she rose and walked toward a large bay window at the far end of the room and motioned to me to sit beside her. The old baroness looked surprised and a little indignant. It was no occa- sion to stand on tnifles, but I did not wish to offend her at a time when her help might be urgently needed, perhaps within a few hours. So I made a low, deferential bow and said: ‘You will understand this rather unusual step, baroness, when I tell you that | have already declined to hold this interview with my cousin, even in the presence of the Count von Nauheim; and that my object is merely to have direct from my cousin’s lips alone her wishes and intentions in the future.’ “ T understand, prince,” she replied with her stately bow; but I thought I could detect some symptoms of alarm. Whether this was merely awe of me, or the evidence of some other hidden fear, I could not decide. But the whole atmosphere of the place reeked so foully with intrigue, that I did not know whether she was true‘or in Von Nauheim’s plot. As I took my seat by Minna’s side she welcomed me with a little smile which, sad and wan though it was, seemed like a messenger of confidence. Then she put a hand on my arm and said wistfully : “ You will treat me quite frankly, cousin: - I have been relying on that so strongly.” “As frankly as I can. Moreover, it is your frankness that is to be tested. Do you think you can trust me sufficiently to do as you said when I saw you last—tell me the whole of your wishes unreservedly? ” ‘ Certainly I will,” she replied instantly. “I have been waiting to do so ever since the day of my dear father’s funeral.” ‘‘T understood that I was to await some sign from you. You said as much,” I reminded her. “True; but your message to me, that you would seek an interview as soon as practicable, has kept me waiting till now. I have been impatient; but it does not matter now,’ she ended with a smile. “Who gave you my message?” I asked. I had sent none, of course, but guessed that it was a ruse of Von Nauwheim’s to keep us apart while he was away in Braunstadt. ‘“ The count himself,” answered the girl in some astonishment, and with a look of quick suspicion. ‘“ Did you not send any?” “There has been some misunderstanding,” I said quietly. ‘“ But I was waiting to hear from you; and I was to the full as impatient as you could have been.” She cast her eyes down and frowned; and her little foot tapped quickly on the floor. “Tt must be as you say—he misunderstood you; or else he was afraid of my speaking plainly to you while he was away.” eonniicbooks COLNT