The Argosy — page 345: what you’re looking at

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

324 Court Netherlegh. tinued Mr. Dalrymple. ‘She acts for all the world as if she had committed some crime. _ I told her so the other day.” ‘Acts in what way?” cried Alice. ‘‘She’s frightened at her own shadow. When the post used to come in at the Grange she would watch for the boy, dart down the path and seize the letters, as if she feared I might read the directions of hers. When she was recovering from that fever, and I would take her letters in to her, she more than once became blanchid and scared. Often I ask her questions, or address remarks to her, and she is buried in her own thoughts, and does not hear me. She starts and moans in her sleep; twice lately I have awakened in the middle of the night and found her gone from the bed and pacing the dressing-room.”’ “Vou alarm me,” exclaimed Alice. ‘‘ What can it be?” “JT can only suppose that her nerves are overwrought with all these - follies she is plunged into. It is nothing but turmoil and excitement ; turmoil and excitement from day to day: I was a fool to come here again this year, and that’s the truth.” | “ Selina had always led so very quiet a life,” murmured Alice. ‘¢Of course she had ; and it has been a wonderful change for her ; enough to upset the nervous system of a delicate woman. Selina has not been too strong since she had that fever.” “She ought to keep more quiet.” “She ought ; but she will not. Before we came up I told her she must not do as she did last year ; and I thought she did not mean to. Alice, she is mad after these gay frivolities ; worse than she was last summer, I do believe—and that need not be. I wished not to come ; I told Selina why—the expense, and other reasons—but she would. She would, Alice. I wonder what it is that chains her mind to this Babel of a city. I hate it. Go you in and see her, Alice. I can’t stay now, for I have an appointment.” Mrs. Dalrymple was in her bedroom when Alice entered, dressed, and waiting to go out: dressed with an elegance regardless of expense. “Good gracious, child, is it you!” she exclaimed. When the first moments of meeting had passed, Alice sat down and looked at her sister: her cheek was thin, and its brilliant bloom told more of hectic than of health. ‘‘Selina !” exclaimed Alice, “‘ what is the matter? You are much altered.” ‘Am 1? People do alter. You are altered. You look ill.” ‘Not more so than usual,” replied Alice. “I get weaker with time. But you are ill: Ican see it. You look as if you had some- thing preying on your mind.” “Nonsense, Alice. You are fanciful.” “What is it?” persisted Alice. “Tf I have, your knowing it would do me no good, and would ECORNIECOOOKS. CO