The Argosy — page 244: what you’re looking at

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

Madame Laroche. 225 “ Perhaps,” smiled Louise from the seat she had resumed, ‘‘ this may prove a key,” handing him a letter addressed to her, ‘‘I am quite un- acquainted with its contents, foronreading ‘My dear nephew,’ I turned at once to the signature, which proved to be Madame Laroche’s.” Maurice took the letter ; and continued sternly, “What secret has my Aunt Laroche confided to you? It is mynght to ask, and my right to be answered, since it appears from this precious epistle that it concerns me above all others.” A crimson flush dyed Louise’s pale face as she said gravely, ‘ You should certainly be able to conjecture, Mr. Arnot, what madame would be likely to confide as a secret.” | “T certainly am not,” he returned, controlling his angry excitement with an effort. ‘ But youwill do me the greatest kindness if you will explain at once. Again I ask, what is the secret ?” Louise, paling and flushing alternately, at last answered somewhat falteringly, ‘‘ I have only heard the story of your engagement, Mr. Arnot.” “What ?” he asked, in amazement. “ I don’t understand.” “ Marie—the lady to whom you are engaged,” she replied, still more falteringly. “¢ Marie ! when-did you hear all this? ” he asked, calmly and gravely. “The evening that I spent with madame,” answered Louise again, looking much like a prisoner at the bar. He gazed silently at her downcast face a moment, Sad then wheeled around and stood in the doorway of the summer-house for what seemed an age to Louise. Presently he came back to her. “And you believed her, Louise?” he said, reproachfully. ‘ You believed her after all my silent worship of yourself? Louise, no one could have made me doubt you !” **Could I doubt your own aunt?” murmured Louise. ‘But you could doubt me! Now listen, Louise. Marieis a creature of my aunt’s imagination—all that she has told you is a fiction. I love you, and youonly. Will you be my wife, Louise ?” Louise’s answer must have been favourable, for madame received by the next post a letter from Maurice which contained the following : ‘* Your letters were duly received by Louise and me, and the necessary exchange made. Believe me, my dear Aunt, we both thank you warmly for so promptly undoing what was so unwisely done. Louise and [ are very happy and ask your blessing upon our engagement.” The sheet dropped from Madame’s hands. ‘Letters exchanged! what have I done? what have I done?” she exclaimed, in utter astonishment and shame. But she took good care never to ask either Maurice or Louise, and deciding to make the best of a disagreeable event, she called on Louise the next week with a bland innocence truly edifying to the lovers. VOL. XVII. Q CONNIECLOO© SS (EO) im