The Argosy — page 272: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs. Raven’s Temptation. 253 ‘¢Perhaps he may be one of Davies’s old acquaintances. It will be fun to tell her we know the name of her respectable friend.” Frank felt as if he hated the smooth, bright girl, with her sweet, hard voice, and her heartless words. “The man’s name is Eldred Sloam,” he said coldly. ‘‘ He is in our employment, when he chooses to do any work, and lives on the estate. I should not wonder, though, if Leonard were to turn him off: he does not hike him. Mr. Toynbee “Who is Mr. Toynbee?” interrupted Evelyn. ““Mr. Toynbee is the vicar,” Frank answered; and there he cut the conversation short by turning to Miss Agate, and beginning upon a very different subject. Evelyn gave her head a slight toss; it did not escape the quick eye of Philip Connell, and he prepared to devote himself to her enter- tainment. Perhaps he liked her less than Frank did: certainly he could better have given reasons for his dislike. But he liked amusing himself, and he liked studying human nature. Philip Connell had once kept tame snakes in his chambers, and had written several magazine articles about them. ‘Was Frank giving you an account of the beauties of Ravenstoke, and the virtues of its inhabitants?” he asked, dropping into the chair beside Evelyn, and speaking as if he had been deaf to their recent conversation. ‘“‘T put to him a question or two,” returned Evelyn. ‘Of course, everything about Ravenstoke is interesting to me now. But I fear I wearied him, as he is gone in search of more improving conversation. Is your cousin very fond of improving his mind, Mr. Connell ?” “It is to be devoutly hoped so,” answered Philip, with a glance intended to convey to Evelyn the unspoken words—“ for he needs it.” ‘Perhaps I can enlighten you upon some of the matters you would like to know, Miss Evelyn.” ‘“* How large is the family, then?” asked Evelyn in an undertone. “There is this one—I conclude—and Mrs. Raven, of course; and— an elder brother ? ” Philip nodded. ‘‘An elder brother, of course; or Frank,” glanc- ing at him, ‘‘ would not be the younger one.” “Is he at home? Does he live at the Court ?” “‘ Certainly : it is Leonard’s own house,” said Philip. ‘‘ He is the reigning squire.” ‘And there are no other children—no more younger brothers ?” she went on. “No; only Frank. You will find Ravenscourt a beautiful house, Miss Evelyn. And the estate is a good estate. And the genealogy is a long genealogy. Everything is as it should be.” ‘Ah! but what can that signify to the poor hired companion ! ” she sighed. ‘‘.S/e should rest satisfied with the security of her salary and the comfort of her private apartment.” CONMMICOOOKS.CO©