The Argosy — page 247: what you’re looking at

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

230 Mrs. Montagu’s Goverivess. back till some time to-morrow,” said that functionary, in some distress over his ill-timed arrival, and quite expecting Mr. North to be over whelmed with vexation. On the contrary, Mr. North received the tidings with cheerful resignation, and at once inquired for Miss Lockhart. ‘‘T have sent for you because I have something of importance to ~ communicate,” said North to her, as soon as Marion had joined him in the drawing-room. ‘“‘ Something of importance to communicate !” echoed Marion, with the vague alarm that often seized her. ‘“‘ Will you tell me quickly ? ” “Sit down,” said North, gently, taking her trembling hand, and leading her to a low easy-chair ; then, seating himself nearly opposite to her, he resumed: ‘‘ I only want now to ask one or two questions. Do you mind telling me your present name?” She strove to answer, but for a time her quivering lips seemed as though they would refuse their office. At length only a single word was audible. “ Milman.” ‘That before >—I mean your maiden name.” ‘* Marion Lockhart Wilson.” ‘Exactly. I only wished to be sure of making no mistake.” The sad eyes of the poor frightened girl asked the question her tongue could not put: his motive in making these inquiries. North lost no time in replying to the glance more pathetic than words. “T have a trust to fulfil; when I undertook it, I thought I should have been in England much earlier than has actually been the case, otherwise I should have endeavoured to attend to the matter by other means than a personal interview; I must express my regret for my delay. About twelve months ago I was up country, a long distance from Bombay, surveying in a wild and lonely district, when I was fetched one evening to see a sick person, an Englishman. Illness will do its work sharply in that climate; four-and-twenty hours will often see the beginning and the end, and I now found this unfortu- nate stranger at the point of death.” Mr. North paused; but he saw by Marion’s face that the con- clusion was half-divined. | “Go on,” whispered she, the breath coming and going fast be- tween her parted lips. ‘‘ That person was ?” Henry Milman.” North had almost expected her to faint or fall to weeping; but Marion did neither. Her head dropped back against the chair and she closed her eyes for a moment in silent thought or prayer. ‘Did he suffer much?” she murmured at length. “No doubt he had suffered great pain,” answered North, ever straightforward and truthful whatever the temptation to the contrary | might be. ‘* But by the time I reached him he was fast lapsing into unconsciousness. ” Gomicbooks,., co m