The Argosy — page 292: what you’re looking at

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

Fack Laybourne’s Inheritance. 273 like you to tell me something more. Who is the foreign gentleman on the other side of you, who appears so attentive to the most striking of the beauties ? ” ‘Oh, that,” said my neighbour, lowering her voice and looking a little grave, ‘‘is a Russian prince. His name is Sobranowski. He is amarried man. His wife is not returned yet from her walk. Yes —as you say—he is very attentive. People have sometimes even talked. But occasionally he transfers his attentions for a day or two to the youngest daughter, the little dark one. I don’t think s/e cares about them much. But the other is a regular flirt. Pretty creature! It is perhaps not to be wondered at. But her mother ought to make her draw the line at married men—don’t you think?”’ ‘‘ Certainly,” I replied briefly, but a little coldly. I liked gossip, but was careful always to object to scandal. “That is what / say,” continued Miss Lowndes with renewed briskness, apparently taking my curt answer for cordial assent. ‘‘ But she is one of those mothers who think that their children have a birthright of impeccability in great things—is Mrs. Laybourne.” ‘ Laybourne!” I exclaimed. ‘‘ Did you say Laybourne pt”? “TI did,” answered Miss Lowndes, with obvious interest in my eagerness. “And,” I continued, ‘‘the youngest daughter—what is her Christian name? Do you happen to know ?” ‘* Her Christian name is Rita.” ‘“‘ Kate!” I said, turning oer to my sister, ‘‘do you see that girl opposite ?” “The brilliant blonde who rattles: away at such a rate in French?” asked Kate. ‘““No—no!” said I, impatiently, ‘“‘ the smaller one with big, black eyes and wavy chestnut hair, and a pale, sweet, rather wistful face.” ‘What a poetical description!” replied Kate, with a good- humoured sarcasm that was habitual to her. ‘‘ Yes! I see the young lady. Have you constructed one of your usual elephants concerning her? She looks a little grave. Have you made up your mind that she writes sonnets? Supposing she should turn out to be only dyspeptic !” “You are very witty,” said I, majestically. ‘‘It must be the mountain air. I have heard of its havinga surprising effect on some constitutions.” | ‘““Ah! You must be taken seriously, I see,” said my sister. ‘*So who is the girl?” ‘Jack Laybourne’s cousin.” Kate sat suddenly bolt upright in her chair, as if she had been pulled erect with a string. ‘‘ Ze cousin?” she asked breathlessly. I nodded. ‘““Good gracious! What a pity Jack is not here,” was her next remark ina voice of genuine regret. | gb, AXX, ; + COnnicoooKs (CO) An