The Argosy — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

94 Court Netherleigh. were lighted up with it, and her rather tall, delicate figure was thrown back—in disdain. Oh, that he could have read it then! He never afterwards quite remembered what he said when he approached her. He knew he took her hand. And he believed he whispered words of thanks. ‘They are not due to me,” was her answer, delivered with cold equa- nimity. ‘‘ My father tells me I must marry you, and I accede to it.” ‘“May God enable me to reward you for the confidence you repose in me!” he whispered. ‘“‘If it be given to man to love a wife as one never yet was loved, may it be given to me!” She twisted her hand from him with an ungracious movement, for he would have retained it, and walked deliberately across the room, leaving him where he stood, and rang the bell. “Tell mamma Mr. Grubb is here,” she said to the servant. He felt pained: he understood this had been an accorded interview. Like all other lovers, he began to speak of the future—of his hope that she would learn to love him. ‘There should be no misunderstanding between us on this point,” she hastily answered ; and could it be that there was contempt in her tone? ‘TI have agreed to be your wife; but, until a day or two ago, the possibility of my becoming so had never been suggested to me. Therefore, the love that I suppose ought to accompany this kind of contract 1s not mine to offer.” How wondrously calm she spoke—in so matter-of-fact, business-like away! It struck even him, infatuated though he was. “It may come in time,” he whispered. ‘‘ My love shall call forth yours ; my éd ‘“T hear mamma,” interrupted Adela, drawing away from him, like a second cruel Barbara Allen. ‘‘ Adela, where’s your town house to be?” began one of the girls to her when they got into the drawing-room after dinner, the Earl and Mr. Grubb being still at table. ‘‘ Not in the smoky City, surely !” ‘‘His house is not in the City; it’s in Russell Square,” corrected another. ‘‘Of course he won’t take her ¢here /” ‘“¢ Ada, mind which opera-box you secure. Let it hold us all.” ‘‘ Of course you'll be smothered in diamonds,” suggested Lady Mary. “One good thing will come of this wedding, if nothing else does : mamma must get us new things, and plenty of them.” “IT wonder whether he will give us any ornaments? He is generous to a fault. Is he not, Adela?” ‘“‘ How you tease!” was Adela’s languid rejoinder. ‘‘Go and ask him.” ‘““T protest, Adela, if you show yourself so supremely indifferent, he will declare off before the wedding-day.” “ And take up with one of you? I wish he would.” “No fear. Ada’s chains are bound about him fast. One may see how he loves her.” Gomicbooks (E@) m