The Argosy — page 335: what you’re looking at

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

316 Sir Cecil’s Rival. ‘‘T beg your pardon,” said Thorpe, endeavouring to collect him- self—hearing that name spoken, that hated name which had wrought such havoc in his life, had completely unnerved him. ‘I beg your _ pardon, I did not follow your remark; of whom were you speaking ? ” ‘‘T said who I was; nothing more. Did you not put the question to me P” ‘You are called Bevis Trehawke—just that ? ” ‘Yes, you seem surprised ; but it is the name that always goes with Trehawke Castle. I get the name with the property from an uncle.” “Indeed!” was all the response Sir Cecil made. He was lost in thought ; could there have only been a simple mistake at the bottom of that past unhappy business? He must know more. ‘You cannot have been long in this neighbourhood?” said he suggestively. “Oh! I am but an importation, a transient dweller in these parts : I am paying a visit at the Vicarage; Miss Spenser and I are old school-friends.”’ ‘““T have the pleasure of knowing Miss Spenser; indeed all the family. Are they well?” asked Thorpe endeavouring to speak unconcernedly, as though of ordinary acquaintances. ‘‘T have never heard Ethel speak of you,” said the downright young lady addressed, at the same time taking a quiet survey of her companion’s features. ‘Nevertheless they ave old friends of mine,” said Sir Cecil with some irritation, feeling the colour rising into his face under Miss Trehawke’s steady regard. At length she turned her glance down again to the whip she was twisting in her hand, and replied to Thorpe’s first enquiry. ‘* Well, Sir Cecil, Mrs. Spenser and Frederick are well; but Ethel is very ill, fading slowly out of life.” ‘No, no,” said Sir Cecil, as soon as he could recover from the shock of Miss Trehawke’s words. ‘It may be serious, but you are exaggerating her state.” | ‘I wish I were, but in my opinion she is dying. Nothing rouses her, nothing interests her.” “«T hope you may be mistaken—I hope you may be mistaken’ said Thorpe, a sickening pain fastenimg itself upon his heart. The silence which ensued was only broken by the arrival at last of the groom. Sir Cecil then roused himself. | ‘You will permit me to drive you home, Miss Trehawke? Your servant could carry a message to my place; and a carriage be here in a quarter of an hour.” ‘Thanks, no,” was the reply of that spirited young lady. “ It is necessary to Sultan’s education that I should mount him again.” ‘Defer the improvement of Sultan, and allow me to have the pleasure of seeing you home; will you have the chestnuts ?” Gomilecbooks