The Argosy — page 346: what you’re looking at

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

Court Netherleigh. 325 worry you. And yet,” added Mrs. Dalrymple, “I think I will tell you. I have felt lately, Alice, that I must tell somebody.” Alice laid gentle hold of her. ‘“ Let us sit down on the sofa, as we used to sit together at the Grange, when we were really sisters. But, Selina, if you have wanted a confidant in any grief, who so fit to be that as your husband ?” “He!” cried Selina—“ fe / It is the dread of his knowing it— the anxiety I am in, daily and hourly, to keep it from him—that is wearing me out. Sometimes I say to myself, ‘What if I put an end to it all, as Robert did ?’” Alice was accustomed to the random figures of speech her sister was at moments given to use; nevertheless her heart stood still. ‘What is it that you have done, Selina? ” “Ruined Oscar.” “ Ruined Oscar !” ‘And ruined myself with him,” added Selina in a reckless tone, as she took off her bonnet with a jerk and let it lie in her lap. ‘I have contracted debts that neither he nor I can pay, thousands upon thousands ; and the worry of it, the constant, incessant dread of dis- covery, is rendering my life a—TI will not say what—upon earth.” “Debts ! thousands upon thousands !” confusedly uttered Alice. “Tt is so.” ‘How did you contract them? Not as—as—Robert did? Surely that infatuation is not come upon you ?” ‘““No. But that infatuation, as you call it, is in fashion in our circles just now. I could tell you of one young lady, whom you know, who amuses herself with It pretty largely.” ‘A young lady !’ ‘She is younger than I am—but she’s married,” returned Selina : and the young lady in question was the Lady Adela Grubb. ‘‘ My embarrassment arises from a love of pretty gowns,” she added lightly; for it was not possible for Selina Dalrymple to maintain a tragic mood many minutes together. ‘‘Damereau’s bill for last season was between three and four thousand pounds. It is over four thousand now.” Alice Dalrymple felt bewildered. ‘‘It is not possible for one per- son to owe all that in a year, Selina!” ‘“Not possible?” repeated Mrs. Dalrymple. ‘Some of my friends spend double—treble—four times what I do.” ‘And so their example led you on?” cried Alice presently, waking up from a whirlpool of thought. “Something led me on. If one is in the world one must dress.” ‘No, Selina: not as you have done. Not to ruin. If people have but a small income they dress accordingly.” ‘*And make a sight of themselves. I don’t choose to.” ‘* Better that, and have peace of mind,” remarked Alice. ‘Peace of mind! Oh, I don’t know where that is to be found now a-days.” COMIC OOO SS (C(O) >