The Argosy — page 245: what you’re looking at

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

228 Mrs. Montagu’s Governess. V. “WetL! good-bye, and good luck to you! mind you get the appointment,” said Mr. Montagu to Talbot the following morning, prior to the departure of the latter for London, whither he was going on business. “Thanks ; but I have changed my mind as to settling in England ; I intend to return to India.” As he made the announcement North saw Miss Lockhart start violently, then her eyes met his in one burning gaze in which their very souls met, and the truth was confessed. From that moment North knew that her life was no less wrecked than his own, that the parting was no less grievous to her than to him ; and he could not have told whether the knowledge were more bitter or more sweet. ‘Nonsense, we shan’t let you go abroad again,” said his brother- in-law lightly, for he did not attach much consequence to North’s remark, treating it as a mere momentary expression of perversity. Only Marion Lockhart understood the serlous purpose underlying his words. ‘Of course not,” said Mrs. Montagu, in echo of her husband. “Well, we shall see you back this day week; you are going no further than London, I suppose ?” ‘And into Kent,” replied North in a somewhat absent tone of ‘voice. “Kent! what takes you there?” inquired Mrs. Montagu in ‘surprise. ‘Tt is only upon some business of other people’s,” replied North in a tone that did not invite further questioning. And a few minutes later a servant announced that the dogcart was at the door, and the young man was borne swiftly away. It was characteristic of Talbot North that he attended in the first place to the business which he had declared to be that of other people. Upon his arrival in London he delayed only to take a hasty luncheon at his hotel and to write one or two letters, and then, driving to Charing Cross, he took rail once more. As the train drew near to the small village of Rushford, his desti- nation, North pulled a small flat parcel out of the breast-pocket of his coat. Examining the seals to make sure that they were intact, he care- fully read the address legibly written on one side of the parcel; and then, replacing it in its former receptacle, fell to considering how he could best discharge the mission with which he was fraught. ‘This was the conveying to a wife the intelligence of the death of her husband. ‘The event had taken place in a foreign land some twelve months before, and North had gathered that a coldness and separation had existed between the wedded pair; but the dews of death were already gathering fast over the sick man’s brow when he, Gomichookss.co m