The Argosy — page 196: what you’re looking at

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

Court Netherleigh. 181 No more invitations came for her from the gay world. Not that she would have accepted them. For the short time the Chenevix family remained in town after the outbreak, cards would come in, bidding Lord and Lady Acorn and their daughter Grace to this entertainment and to that; but never a one came for Lady Adela Grubb. She might have passed out of existence for all the notice taken of her. Mr. Grubb had suggested to her father that she should have her own carriage. She did not set one up; she would have had no use for it, had it been set up for her. They went to their seat in Oxfordshire, carrying her with them. Lord Acorn returned to town in a day or two; Grace went on to Colonel Hope’s place near Cheltenham, to stay with her sisters, Sarah and Frances, ‘This left Adela and Lady Acorn alone; and her lady- ship pretty nearly drove the girl wild with her tartness. She would have driven her quite wild had Adela’s spirit been what it used to be; but it was altogether subdued. ; Mamma,” said Adela to her one day, after some mutual bickering, ‘“do you want me to die?” “Don't talk like a simpleton,” retorted Lady Acorn. “I think I sha// die—if I have to lead this life much longer.” “You are as likely todie as Jam. What do you mean?” ‘““T mean what I say. I think I must—must kill myself, or some- thing. ‘Take a dose of opium, perhaps.” “You wicked girl! Running on in that false manner! Whatever your life may be, you have brought it upon yourself.” ““ Yes,” thought Adela, ‘‘ there lies the sting.” ““What’s the matter with your life?” tartly resumed her mother. “It is so weary. And there’s no hope left in it.” ‘It would not be weary if you chose to exert yourself. You might do many things. Get music—books—work. Look at Grace, how busy she is when we are staying here, with her sick-clubs, and her poor cottagers, and her schools.” Lady Adela turned up her pretty nose. ‘ Sick-clubs and schools ! Yes, that suits Grace.” ‘At all events, it keeps her from being dreary. What do you do all day long? Just sit with your head bent on your ‘hand, or mope about the rooms like one demented! It gives me the fidgets to look at you! You should rouse yourself, Adela.” ‘“ Rouse myself to what ?” she faintly asked. ‘‘ There’s nothing to rouse myself to.” ‘“ Make something ; some interest for yourself. No life is open to you now, save a quiet one. Even were it possible that you could wish for any other, I and your father would take care you did not enter on it. But quiet lives may be made full of interest, if we so will; a great deal more full than noisy ones.” Good advice no doubt: perhaps the only advice open to Lady Adela now. She did not profit by it. The weary time went on and EORnNIClOOkKS (CO)