The Argosy — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs. Montagw’s Governess. 223 order of things. This was the return home, after ten years’ absence in India, of Mr. Talbot North, Mrs. Montagu’s only brother; and that little lady, grown, since her introductory struggle, younger and plumper, thanks to Miss Lockhart’s care, was in a happy flutter of expectation. It was Sunday night, a fair moonlit Sabbath evening, and Mr. and Mrs. Montagu had gone to church, leaving Miss Lockhart at home imparting a little theological instruction to their numerous offspring. As Miss Lockhart was thus engaged, her attention was caught by the sound of a footstep on the gravel walk without; the next moment the hali bell was sharply pulled. It was followed by a brief dialogue between some new-comer and the only maid-servant at home; which terminated simultaneously with the appearance of the stranger in the drawing-room. ‘This unexpected and unknown visitor was a tall handsome man of about thirty or thirty-five years of age; and, as he stood within the doorway surveying the wonder- ing group about the table, he smiled in an amused fashion. At once it rushed across Miss Lockhart’s mind who was the un- seasonable intruder: and meanwhile the new-comer had not all the gazing to himself, for the children’s six pairs of eyes were riveted upon him in unmitigated astonishment. Finally the gentleman spoke. ~ ‘Do you not know me?” asked he, laughing delightedly. “IT think you must be Mr. North,” answered Miss Lockhart, half rising from her seat. “And you, I am sure, are Miss Lockhart,” said Mr. North, for it was no other than Mrs. Montagu’s brother who had returned at this inopportune moment. ‘“ By name, at least, you are exceedingly well- known to me,” continued the young man, as he came forward with frankly outstretched hand. “You Uncle Talbot!” exclaimed Guy, in tones of manifest dis- approval and disappointment, for their Indian uncle had been a species of hero to them. ‘‘ Come back like that! Why, you might be anybody !” Miss Lockhart, looking at the young man standing before her in his splendid strength, with his engaging debonnaire expression of countenance, could not endorse Master Guy’s discerning judgment. ““Hiave you dined, Mr. North?” inquired she, as it occurred to her that she ought to play hostess in Mrs. Montagu’s absence. What will you take ?” ‘Nothing at present, thank you, except a cup of tea, if I can have one.” So Miss Lockhart, mindful of her responsibilities, made the tea and brought him a cup with her own hands, North watching the process, and admiring her dainty grace while she was at work. She was dressed to-night only in a plain dark woollen gown, but it fell about her slender form in soft, undulating folds as she moved across COMMICMOOOKS.C©