The Argosy — page 279: what you’re looking at

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

262 Court Netherleigh. Not for a minute or two did she see anything: the company was dense. ‘Then, threading his way through the line made for him, advanced a man of noble form and distinguished face, the form and face of him she had once called husband. A sound, as of terror, escaped her. He was in evening dress, and in mourning. He seemed to be making direct for the recess, for Adela; and she shrank behind the draperies to hide herself. For a moment all things seemed to be in a mist, inwardly and outwardly. What brought Mr. Grubb ¢/eve—and who was the Sir Francis Netherleigh that had been announced, and where was he? Not to Adela had he been advancing, neither did he see her. Mrs. Blunt chanced to be standing before the recess ; it was to her he was making his way. “How do you do, Sir Francis?” she warmly exclaimed, meeting his hand. ‘It is so good of you to come: my husband thought you would not be able to spare the time.” ‘‘] thought so also when I spoke to him this afternoon,” was the answer given, in the earnest, pleasant tones Adela remembered so well. ‘‘ My stay in Paris is but for a few hours this time. Where is Mr. Blunt ?” ‘““T saw him close by a minute ago. Ah, there he is—John,” called out Mrs. Blunt, ‘‘ here is Sir Francis Netherleigh.” They both moved off towards the fire-place; the crowd closed behind them, hiding them from sight, and Adela breathed again. So then, Ze was Sir Francis Netherleigh! How had it all come about P Gathering her shawl around her, she escaped from the recess and glided through the room with bent head. In the outer room, open- ing to the corridor and the staircase, she came upon her sister. ‘Harriet, 1 must go,” she feverishly uttered. ‘I can’t stay here.” | “Oh, indeed!” said Lady Harriet. ‘‘ Well—I don’t know.” “If there’s no carriage waiting, I can have a cab; or I can walk. It will not hurt me. I shall find my way through the streets.” She ran down the stairs. Harriet felt obliged to follow her. ‘Will you call up Sir Sandy MaclIvor’s carriage,” asked Lady Harriet of the servants standing below. ‘‘ Adela, do wait an instant! One would think the house was on fire.” “T must go; I must get away,” was the eager, terrified interrup- tion, and Adela bore on to the outer door. The carriage was called, and came up. In point of fact Sir Sandy and his wife had privately agreed to keep it waiting, in case Adela should turn faint in the unusual scene, and have to leave. In the porte cochtre they encountered a lady who was but then arriving. “What, going already!” she exclaimed. “Ves,” replied Lady Harriet ; ‘and I wish you would just tell Sir Gomichbooks. Go