The Argosy — page 238: what you’re looking at

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

Fenny Morris's Voyage. 223 “So we can,” said Mrs.Webb, witha slight cough. She was immensely taken with Madame Freep and her grandeur. | “But,” added Madame, turning to Jenny—who was staring at Mrs. Webb with wide-eyed surprise, “tell me about your friend, Miss Morris.” ‘Which friend?” asked Jenny. ‘“* He who has just gone aft—Mr. Dacey. How long have you known him? Is he a cousin ?” ‘Known him!” echoed Jenny; ‘I never saw him in my life till we came on board this ship.” ‘‘ Not know him before? Good heavens! Well, then, let me tell you—I am sure it has all arisen from your inexperience, my dear Miss Morris—that you and he are /oo intimate for strangers. I took you to be cousins, at least. It is quite improper.” | Now, of all words in the wide range of language, that one conveyed the most ominous sound to Jenny’s ears. Improper! Her spirit sunk before it; and being for the moment convinced that she had sinned against society, by innocently making friends with Mr. Dacey, she stood like a criminal, blushing, and looking a great deal too pretty to be pleasing to Madame. Mrs. Webb, feeling herself in some dexree responsible for Jenny’s good behaviour, took up the grievance, reproaching Jenny in severe terms. ‘““He has been so very kind to me—to all of us,” spoke Jenny at length, remembering all he had done. “TI shall ever feel grateful to him.” ‘““T am ashamed of you, Jenny Morris!” cried the scandalised Mrs. Webb. “ Hecan’t be agentleman. If he were, he would not have thrust his company upon you when I was lying ill.” Jenny’s good sense came to her. “I think it isall a fuss for nothing,” she said. ‘‘ What have I done—or what has Mr. Dacey done ?” “Tt seems to me the young lady is infatuated with Mr. Dacey,” ill- naturedly spoke Mrs. Freep. “ Decidedly so,” interrupted old Bumble, who was standing by. And Jenny at the moment hated him cordially. Mr. Dacey came towards her as she sat, her face flushing indignantly, and her heart swelling beyond the possibility of quiet utterance. She _ returned his bow hastily, and, brushing past kim, entered the cabin and shut herself in her own little room. “Oh, Elsie, Elsie,’ she cried, apostrophizing her distant sister, “ why did you ever marry Edward West, and then getill! Oh, that I should ever live to be told that I was improper and infatuated and by a stupid, lumpy-headed old man, too!” It seemed really too much, and. Jenny hid her head in her little berth and sobbed with all her heart. | GO im econnicloooks