The Argosy — page 164: what you’re looking at

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

Edith Falconer. I51 of the Falconers; upon the third evening they were their guests at dinner. Edith had been in a very charming mood, and Hunt was in the seventh heaven of bliss. As for her father, if the first endeavour of a host should be to please his guests, then did Mr. Falconer fulfil all the obligations that lay upon him by falling asleep immediately the servants had withdrawn, leaving the three young people at liberty to divert themselves: which they proceeded to do by a prompt adjournment to the balcony, ostensibly to watch the moon rise over the water. And then occurred the first cross circumstance in the night’s entertainment, then fell the one drop of gall into the nectar of Sir Percival’s enjoyment. Just as he had wedged himself into a corner close to Miss Falconer, on the excuse of screening her from the wind, and was giving her much information upon the various kinds of craft, with a promise of getting his yacht round from Southampton, and Edith was listening as though she had that moment discovered in nautical life her true vocation in the world— just at that propitious moment a letter was handed to Sir Percival Hunt requiring a reply by that night’s post. He had no time to lose; so inwardly swearing at his correspondent, and at the noble institution of the penny post, young Hunt went off to his own rooms to attend to the business in question. The young lady left thus to his powers of entertainment, George Russell made no attempt to emulate Sir Percival in his amiable endeavours to amuse Miss Falconer; on the contrary, he remained in his place, aloof and self-absorbed. ‘The girl’s manner also was altered ; her gaiety of speech and demeanour had been instantly exchanged for the most absolute gravity and quiet. And so in silence they watched the stately moon mount into the highest heavens ; in silence they watched the shaft of quivering light shoot across the restless waters to the strand beneath ; in silence each waited for what might next occur. The stillness was at length broken by Miss Falconer. ‘‘ A good many moons,” said she, with a faint little sigh, “‘ have risen and set since we watched one together.” : Aroused by the sound of her voice, Russell turned his head slowly, as though reluctant to do so, and looked at his companion. The radiance from the lighted windows fell full upon her, and revealed every line and detail of the beautiful figure to the young man’s unwilling gaze. He remembered how her beauty had beguiled him before; perhaps felt how it might beguile him again, despite his experience, despite his old hard lesson: so it was with bitterness and anger that he replied : ‘“A good many; time enough for me to have learned wisdom. As for Miss Falconer, she had no need to acquire it. Her admirable prudence was established then.” “Wisdom! prudence! Of course, a man always puts the hardest CONNICLOOKS.EO