The Argosy — page 327: what you’re looking at

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

308 Sir Cecil’s Rival. caps, any one of which would have excited the envy of an Eastern potentate; and sundry other things, as to the names and uses of which he was completely ignorant. Minus: A great deal of cash, and—that trifling organ, his heart. Il. Just two months later, the Vicarage drawing-room one evening wore an unwonted aspect of life and festivity. <A fat living was Briarsford, no stinted stipend requiring careful outlay, and the house was a good and pretty residence. The drawing-room was as pleasant a room as rich hangings of a tender, delicate hue, and a wealth of flowers with their living beauty and warm fragrance, could produce. Asa rule, only Mr. Spenser and his mother and sister were there to enjoy its luxury ; but things were different upon this evening, for it was the appointed date of a feast, to which they had bidden their friends and neighbours. ‘The feast was eaten, and the gentlemen, quitting the wine, had just rejoined the ladies. ‘They had not, however, yet settled into their places, but stood huddled rather like a swarm of bees in the neighbourhood of the door, each probably intent upon selecting the special situation that seemed most desirable in his eyes. Sir Cecil Thorpe had not the least doubt where he should come to anchor; but he intended to take up his position by a strategical movement. Possibly it was a guilty conscience that made him so cautious, or, perhaps, he only dawdled to enhance his enjoyment by anticipation—as we handle a long looked-for letter before breaking ~ the seal, or watch the wine beading round the untasted glass: perhaps he waited for an invitation from the soft eyes, whose every expression he knew so well now. Whatever the motive, however, his hesitation cost him his pleasure, for while he stood aloof, a young man—the only bachelor present besides himself—dropped into the vacant chair at Miss Spenser’s side. Thorpe muttered to himself very strong language upon perceiving the usurpation. ‘Too much disgusted to seek amusement elsewhere, he retained his former station at the head of the room, supporting himself with one arm against the mantelpiece, while he surveyed the company cynically. Seated on a causeuse close to him, gossiping with a crony of hers, Miss Burton, was Adelaide Dudley; she had her back to Sir Cecil, so that he could only look down upon her jet black hair wrapped round a stately head, and just catch the shimmer of her yellow silk dress. Their host, the Reverend Frederick Spenser, was seated at a table beneath the chandelier, engaged in turning over a book of photographs for Mrs. Daglish, whose most salient points, her fat and her flaming complexion, were thrown up to highest effect by the crimson velvet robe in which she was attired. Mrs. Daglish was good-nature itself, and she had the highest regard for her clergyman; but she was selecting all his nearest relatives to make uncomplimentary remarks upon, being as regularly over- Gomicbooks.com