The Argosy — page 316: what you’re looking at

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

Iwo Dreams. 207° little consequence. It so happened she had never visited the Holts before, great friends though they were. ‘They had met abroad and at the houses of common friends, but something had always come in the way of a visit to the Priory, and Effie could scarcely believe she was really on her way thither. As the fly drove up to the door of the old house, she saw Mrs. Holt in the garden, and, putting out her head, nodde@ and smiled gaily. Up ran her hostess, exclaiming, ‘‘ Effie, my dear child, what a delightful surprise! Why didn’t you let us know you were coming.” “Surely you received my telegram yesterday ?” “No; did you send one? Oh, that dreadful boy at the post- office! He really must be got rid of. This is the third telegram he has lost in a month—careless, good-for-nothing young rascal ! Never mind about that now, however. How delightful to think you really are here at last.” “But is it convenient? Are you sure you can put me up?” asked Effie. | “Oh, I forgot! every room is full,” cried her friend, stopping short in dismay as she was hurrying her into the house. ‘ But I can manage; you won’t mind. Oh, yes, I know; that will do nicely. There’s Fred; he wz// be surprised! Do you know who this is ?” she called out to her husband, who was coming down stairs. ‘Effie Perceval! Can I believe my eyes?” “Yes; and she telegraphed yesterday to say she was coming, and that horrible boy must have lost the message. Fred, you must have him sert away.” . While Effie was lunching, Colonel Holt ran over the names of those who were staying in the house, and of those of the neighbours who were coming to dinner. ‘““T hope you have brought a smart dress, young lady, and all your diamonds, for there is to be a perfect invasion of natives.” “Oh, I think I shall do,” laughed Effie, “though I was not pre- pared for such a festivity.” ‘They don’t happen often, thank goodness ; why, now I think of it, you left us in the lurch on the last grand occasion ; this very day, last year, by Jove, so it was.” “Yes. Oh, we won't talk of that,” said Effie, shuddering and turn- ing pale. She was relieved by the entrance of Mrs. Holt, who offered to take her to her room. oe have dere tie best 1 canidear: ordered my “den to- be turned into a bed-room for you. There was literally no cther room available. ‘There is only one drawback: it is at the end of a long passage, has no lock to the door, and is not very near any other room.” “Tt wil do beautifully, I am sure,” cried Effie, vexed at the trouble she was giving, and feeling she could not in reason make any objections, though the idea of an isolated room did not strike her pleasantly, COMICOOO SS (C(O) re