The Argosy — page 243: what you’re looking at

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

228 Fenny Morris's Voyage. calmed, Jenny wrapped a veil round her head and stole out for a moment, for the pure air on deck, before going to bed. Looking into the saloon, she saw the table occupied by a large card party, over which Madame Freep presided like one in her element: as she really was. Halting close to the bulwarks of the ship, Jenny leant her head against the rigging, and was surprised to hear voices just beyond; surprised because she had thought everybody was at cards. “Iam sorry to be obliged to speak out plainly,” said a voice she well knew, — ‘‘but you force me to it by affecting not to understand me. I must say that your conduct is intolerable in exposing two respectable ladies to the society of a woman like that.” > ‘““My young friend,”—it was Mr. Bumble who replied—“ you are really a little too warm. This lady, to whom you have taken so un- accountable an objection, is a very admirable person, very. She is under the escort and protection of the captain’s brother.” “Well, by heavens, this is really too much. I will not siand by— I swear to you, I will not stand by and see that innocent young lady insulted by her. No; not if I have to unmask the Jezebel for it.” ‘‘ Now compose yourself,” gently interposed Mr. Bumble, as he dis- engaged his coat from the other’s grasp. “‘ That young woman, who has as much pride in her as Lucifer or the fallen angels, can take care of herself. She has acted a most ungrateful part to Mrs. Webb. Dear Mrs. Webb, at the earnest entreaties of the Morris family, took charge of the troublesome girl, and this is the result ! I assure you she deeply regrets it.” | Jenny’s annoyance caused her to start, and she caught the eye of | Mr. Dacey. Huis hand was clapped, not very gently, on old Bumble’s lips. And Jenny, in her too hasty efforts to get away, fell over a coil of rope that lay on the deck, her foot somehow twisting itself amidst it. Mr. Dacey ran to raise her. Her ankle was hurt, and was in intense pain. Seating her ona stool that had been left out, he went to the saloon. Jenny overheard every word that passed there. “Fallen down on deck and hurt her ankle!” repeated Mrs. Webb in answer to his hurried words, and his request that she should come. ‘What a sad termination to a moonlight meeting!” exclaimed Madame Freep, with irony. ; ‘“‘ Will you come out at once, and see to Miss Morris?” airs Mr. Dacey sharply to Mrs. Webb. “Well, really, I hardly know about it,” returned that lady, rising slowly and unwillingly. ‘“‘ If young persons in the position of Jenny Morris will be so indecently imprudent as to prowl the deck at night with gentlemen " Jenny forgot her injured ankle in the insult, and rose up- alone. ‘*Stand aside,” she cried to Mrs. Webb in a storm of indignation, “you should not put a finger on me, madam, though I died in another Gomicbooks.co