The Argosy — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

{50 Edith Falconer. you do, Mr. Russell?” said she, in her full, sweet tones, while the faintest tinge of colour dawned in the waxen pallor of her cheeks. i{dith Falconer had a complexion of a creamy whiteness, the effect of which was heightened by the little rings of dark hair that came straying down caressingly about her ears and forehead. Mr. Russell merely acknowledged the young lady’s gracious recognition by a grave inclination of his head, taking for one moment the slender fingers so cordially extended to him. ‘Papa, you remember Mr. Russell,” continued Miss Falconer, laying her hand upon her father’s sleeve. Mr. Falconer could not at the moment charge his memory with ‘he fact of Mr. Russell’s existence, but 1n his present post-prandial mood of benevolence that was a very small matter. ‘To be sure! to be sure! How do you do?” he cried, with the goodwill born of satisfied nature ; and stretching out a huge fist he grasped and shook very heartily the hand of—Sir Percival Hunt! ‘Your intentions were excellent, papa,” said Edith, smiling ; ‘‘ but you have made a mistake and selected the wrong person.” Mr. Falconer felt over a large expanse of waistcoat, where in time he found his eye-glasses ; these he proceeded to fix upon his nose to assist his vision or his memory. Russell had no alternative but to introduce Sir Percival to the Falconers, but he did it as briefly as possible. Mr. Falconer had all the independent Englishman’s fervid regard tor everything approaching a title ; so it was with a marked increase of urbanity that he now greeted young Hunt afresh. Edith mean- while walked on and entered their private sitting-room, whither her tather proposed that their new acquaintances should adjourn to finish the evening: this hospitable proposal, though, Russell persisted in declining, and in bidding the giver good-night. But the last words the young men heard, as they went on their way, was a confused murmur of ‘“‘ olad to see you any evening—whist—my daughter—tea—amusic.” Percival Hunt cast a rueful glance backward. ‘Why would you not go in when we were asked ?” demanded he of his companion, savagely. ‘““T was actuated by a careful regard for your welfare, young man ; you are better away from there.” ‘Look here, Russell ; if you think I am going to stand tutoring and being hectored over in this fashion, you are mistaken.” ‘‘My dear fellow, I don’t want to hector or tutor or anything of the sort; but listen to a few words of wisdom: a man had better put his head into the jaws of a lion than his heart into Miss Falconer’s cruel hands.” 18 NOTWITHSTANDING Russell’s wise foresight and good resolutions, both young men spent a large portion of the next two days @CliLGorng ero m