The Argosy — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

The Diamond Bracelet. 70 “Gerard, I have told you. I am too weak and sickly to be other than Iam. It would be a sin, in me, to indulge hopes of it: it would only be deceiving myself and you. No, Gerard, my love and hopes ‘must lie elsewhere.” ‘““Where?” he eagerly asked. Alice pointed upwards. ‘I am learning to look upon it as my home,” she whispered, “and I must not suffer hindrances to obscure the way. It will be a better home than even your love, Gerard.” Gerard Hope smiled. ‘“ Avex than my love: Alice, you like me more than you admit. Unsay your words, my dearest, and give me hope.” “Do not vex me,” she resumed, in a pained tone; ‘‘do not seek to turn me from my duty. I—I—though I scarcely hke to speak of these sacred things, Gerard—J/ have put my hand on the plough: even you cannot turn me back.” .« He did not answer; he only played with the hand he held between both of his. “Tell me one thing, Gerard: it will be safe. Was not the dispute about Frances Chenevix ?” He contracted his brow; and nodded. | ‘‘And you could refuse her! You must learn to love her, for she would make you a good wife.” “Much chance there is now of my making a wife of anyone!” “Oh, this will blow over in time: I feelit will. Meanwhile if ‘Meanwhile you destroy every hopeful feeling I thought to take with me to cheer me in my exile,” was his impatient interruption. ‘I love you alone, Alice ; I have loved you for months, truly, fervently ; and I know, you must have seen that I did.” “Love me still, Gerard,” she softly answered, “ but not with the love you would give to one of earth; the love you will give—I hope—-to _ Frances Chenevix. Think of me as one rapidly going; soon to be gone.” ‘Oh, not yet!” he cried, in an imploring tone, as if it were as she willed. ‘Not just yet: I hope to see you return from exile. Let us say farewell while we are alone.” She spoke the last sentence hurriedly, for footsteps were heard. Gerard snatched her to him, and laid his face upon hers. ‘What cover did you say the book had ?” demanded Frances Chene- vix of Gerard, who was then leaning back on the sofa, apparently waiting for her. “A mottled? I cannot see one anything like it.” “No? I amsorry to have given you the trouble, Fanny. It has gone, perhaps, amongst the ‘have-beens.’ ” “Listen,” said Alice, removing her hand from before her-face, ‘ I hear a carriage stopping. Can they have come home ?” ’ GOGO ‘S CO im