The Argosy — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

78 After Years of Waiting. “She may not think so. It is said there was a great deal of intimacy before Mr. Kathlane died. She married him simply for his money— that’s well known—and the handsome cousin used to be a very frequent visitor. ‘There was a deal of gossip about it at the time, and—but there’s Dick Worthington now. Look how her colour mses when she speaks to him.” ‘“ Are you quite certain your information is correct, Miss Granger ?” The pale eyes glanced at him again, and then looked away. “ About the engagement? Quite sure, Mr. Thornbury. At least, the world is sure of it. I am neither more nor less wise than it.” Mr. Thornbury did not change colour at the news, or seem, in reality, to feel much surprise ; he stood laughing and chatting with the young lady for a few moments on different subjects, and then, excusing himself, sauntered across the room to where Mrs. Kathlane sat, sur- rounded by an admiring group, of whom Richard Worthington was one. ‘‘Tt is my waltz,” said Mr. Thornbury, as she looked up, and greeted him with one of her brightest smiles. ‘“ Or are you too tired?” “Tired?” She laughed a little silvery laugh as she rose. “Iam never tired of dancing. Richard, I will leave my flowers and fan with you as a hostage.” It was nothing, this ee at with him her fan and flowers—it was like a thousand other little coquettish ways which she had—but Rupert thinking—oh! so bitterly—of what had just been told him, fancied that he saw something deeper than her usual light coquetry in the glance she gave the handsome young fellow, and groaned in spirit. It seemed a full confirmation of what he had heard. “One, two, three. One. two, three. You are shockingly out of step, Rupert!” said she, after the first turn. “ What is the matter? ¢ You look as stern as if you had seen a ghost.” “T have,” he said, almost grimly—“ the ghost of a dead hope ;” and she, half-frightened at his tone, looked up at him questioningly. But in another moment he smiled back at her, and she was re- assured. “Don’t talk nonsense, Rupert. There! you are dancing beautifully now. What were you and that odious Cornelia Granger talking about so long ?” “ Odious do you call her ?” “Well, I do, Rupert. I think her so ; she has not a spark of good feeling in her. Don’t you go and tell, now.’ “Do you think she is truthful, Millicent ?” ‘‘No, I don’t. Take care!” They whirled lightly through the dance, Rupert almost startling Millicent by his unwonted gaiety, laughing and chatting hke anyone but his grave self; and she, the colour deepening in her cheeks, the Gomicbooks. com