The Argosy — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

A Fashionable Marriage. 07 “You had better lie down,” she says, calmly, ‘“‘and I will send Parsons with some soda-water and my salts. Perhaps you will be able to appear at dessert.” And she quits the room to make an apology for the host’s non-appearance. | But Lord Windholm is an obstinate man. Just as the butler announces dinner he comes into the room, and, saying he feels con- siderably better, offers his arm to the Duchess of Braemuir, while the other gentlemen seek their partners also. Annie, who is seated where she can plainly see Lady Windholm, notices that her face is brightly flushed, and her eyes are sparkling like stars. But she is very lively, and during the whole dinner keeps up an animated flow of conversation. Annie is fascinated, and yet ' she cannot think what makes her long to see Geraldine burst into tears. At last the young Countess rises. Instead of moving to the door, which young Chillingham hastens to open, she stands _per- fectly still, her face becoming white as marble. All eyes. are fixed on her. ‘The rubies rise and fall with her quick breathing, and then she falls, and the lace dress is covered with a tide of crimson. There is one mute second of breathless horror, and then she 1s gently raised and carried to a sofa. ‘The blood 1s still flowing, and she is so motionless that they think she is dead. But the doctor, coming in an incredibly short time, assures them that the Countess still lives, though her hours are numbered. Gently they carry her up stairs and lay her on the satin bed, from which she will never rise ; the fair, lovely flower perishing ere it reaches maturity. The guests disperse, silent and awe-struck. It is dreadful to have death brought so near in an hour of pleasure, to have so grim a guest at a banquet. The Earl of Windholm, with a white, frightened face, seeks the © octor. “Ts there any possibility of her living ?” he asks anxiously. “I grieve to say there is not the least hope of her ladyship’s life,” replies the doctor. ‘‘This is not the first time she has ruptured a blood-vessel, and her constitution has never been strong. Added to which, there is a great weakness of the heart. But I am at a loss to conjecture what brought on this violent hemorrhage.. Has she been frightened or worried in any way ?” | ‘I think not,” the Earl answers. ‘‘ But may I see her?” ‘Certainly ; but remember, Lord Windholm, that any excitement will shorten the few hours that remain to her.” Lord Strathmere is almost frantic. Hesends for the most eminent physicians, but they all say the same. Nothing can be done for Lady Windholm ; she is past help. Lady Strathmere’s cold face pales at the words. Might her daugh- ter’s fate have been different if her life had been happier? What is the use of wondering what might have been? One has to do with what is. GOnlGaooks (CO)