The Argosy — page 271: what you’re looking at

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

254 Court Netherleigh. Perhaps the most unwelcome minor item in the affair to Lord Acorn, was having to carry the news to his wife at home. It was evening when he got there; he and Mr. Grubb having travelled up together: for the easy-natured peer did not intend to turn the © cold shoulder to his son-in-law because he had supplanted him. ‘Will you give me a bit of dinner, Frank?” asked the Earl, as they got into a cab together at the terminus, only too willing to put off the evil quart d’heure with my lady as long as might be. ‘“‘T will give it you, and welcome, if there is any to give,” smiled Mr. Grubb. ‘‘I left no orders for dinner to-day, not knowing when I should be back.” Alighting in Grosvenor Square, they found some dinner was to be had. Afterwards, Lord Acorn went home. Huis wife, attired in one of Mme. Damereau’s best black silk gowns, garnished with a crape apron, was sitting in the small drawing-room, all impatience. ‘Well, you ave late!” cried she. ‘‘What can have kept you until now ?” “Tt is only ten o’clock,” replied the Earl, drawing a chair to the fire. ‘At work, Gracie!” he added, turning to his daughter, who sat at the table, busy with her tatting. ‘ Only ten o’clock!” snapped the Countess. ‘‘ I expected you at five or six. And now—how are things left? I suppose we have Court Netherleigh ?” ‘Well, no; we have not,” quietly replied Lord Acorn. ce Not - / ) ‘ Not at all. Grubb ts made the heir. He has Court N etherleigh —and is to take the name.” Lady Acorn’s face, in its petrified astonishment, its righteous indignation, would have made a model for Sir David Wilkie. Not for a couple of minutes did she speak ; voice and words alike failed her. ‘The deceitful wretch!” broke from her at length. ‘To play the sneak with Margery in that way !” ‘Don’t waste your breath over a mistake, Betsy. Grubb knew nothing about it; is more surprised than you are. Court Netherleigh was willed to him when Margery first came into it; when he was a young lad. She but carried out the directions of Sir Francis Nether- leigh.” pe Acorn was beginning to breathe again. But she was not the less angry. “T don’t care. It is no better than a swindle. How deceztful Margery must have been !” ‘She kept counsel—if you mean that. As to being deceitful—no, I don’t see it. She never did, or would, admit that the estate would come to us; discouraged the idea, in fact.” ‘All the same, it is a frightful blow. We were reckoning on it Was nobody in her confidence ?” CONIC MDOO;KS, (Eo)