The Argosy — page 359: what you’re looking at

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

338 Court Netherleigh. she said, jerking it out. She did not dare to say three, her courage failed her. He put down the pen and turned towards her in displeasure. “Selina, I told you before we came to town that I could not have these calls made upon me, as I had last year. You know how very small our income 1s, and you know that your extravagance has already crippled it. The allowance I make you 1s greater than I can afford. I cannot give you more.” | ‘“Oh, Oscar, I must have it,” she exclaimed in excitement, terrified at the aspect her situation presented to her, for her mind was apt to be imaginative. ‘‘ Indeed, I must—even at an inconvenience. But two hundred pounds !” “To squander away in folly ?” “No. If it were only to squander away, I might do without it ; and I cannot do without this.” Mr. Dalrymple looked keenly at her, and she turned from his gaze. “Let me know what you wt it for, that I may judge of the necessity you speak of. If it is not convenient to you to tell me, Selina, you must be satisfied with my refusal.” ‘Well, then,” she said, seeing no help for the avowal, “I owe it.” “Owe it! Owe two hundred pounds! You/” So utter was his astonishment, so blank his dismay, that Selina’s heart failed her. If her owing two hundred thus impressed him, what would become of her when he learnt the whole truth ! ‘And I am pressed for it,” she ep added. ‘‘ Please let me have it, Oscar.” 58 ‘What have you gone in debt for ?” ‘Various things,” she answered, not caring to avow particulars. But he looked steadfastly at her, waiting for the truth. ‘‘ Dress.” “The compact between us was that you should not run in debt,” he said, in a severe tone; “‘you promised to make your allowance do. You have behaved ill to me, Selina.” She bent her head, feeling that she had. Oh, feeling it terribly, just then. Ueeessall.you owe ? . vAlhee “V—es.” But the falsehood, as falsehoods ought to, left a tremor on her lips. Without speaking another word, he unsealed a paper in which were enclosed some bank notes, and handed several to her, to the amount of two hundred pounds. ‘“ Understand me well, Selina, this must never occur again,” he said in an impressive tone. ‘* These notes had a different and an urgent destination.” ‘What a goose I was, not to ask for the other hundred ! ” was her mental comment, as she escaped from the room. “It is not of the least use offering Damereau two hundred; but she might take three. And where am I to get it?” Where, indeed? Did the reader ever try when in extremity to EORNIELOOOKS EO)