The Argosy — page 276: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs. Raven's Temptation. 257 the ebb and flow of a yet unsettled character, were really only the natural product of a shallow, hard, and low nature. James Sloam and the pony-chaise awaited the young lady at the Raven station. Evelyn alighted in high spirits. She had often envied such a scene as that in which she now figured. ‘The dark trees of the ancestral house in the background, the lingering in- quisitive villagers, the neat little equipage; and her own dainty figure at the very front and centre of the stage. She was quite affable to James: yet the boy reported her later as “‘an awful fine lady.” For which Mrs. Sims reproved him. ‘The lad takes after his poor mother in more than her plain face,” whispered she to Janet Mackay. ‘“* She was always taking brass for gold if it was done up ornamental.” Mrs. Raven came into the hall, and met the girl on the threshold. Beyond this action itself there was nothing warm in her reception. It was singularly quiet ; as lacking in the chilly forms of civility as in the kindlier utterances of genuine hospitality. Evelyn did not straightway give her Frank’s packet then, though she had it in her reticule. Her acquaintance with the son of Ravens- court was too striking a point to be thrust bluntly forward, and perhaps passed over in a hurry. She would go to her own room first ; then, refreshed and trim, return to Mrs. Raven, bearing her son’s gift in her hand. Her quick glance satisfied herself in an instant that the room to which she was led was all that could be desired. The old-fashioned dormitories of Ravenscourt might not be very lofty, but they were large and bright, with white dimity hangings and fresh carpets, and bright chintzes. ‘There were flowers on the toilet-table, flowers on the mantel-shelf, flowers everywhere. “The mistress hopes very much that you will like your room. She was in here looking over it the moment before you came.” This speech called Evelyn’s notice to the attendant who had followed her in. It was Charity Hale, and Evelyn liked neither her nor her address. The old woman’s words were harmless enough, but they had no respectful prefix, and Evelyn detected something of familiarity in her tone, and of mockery in her small, peering eye. Evelyn thought she could not do better than at once teach her her place. “Oh, I did not notice you before,” she said, looking the old woman up and down. “I am glad you are here, for I am very tired. Draw off my boots, please.” | ** Aye, sure,” said Charity. “Only I’m aat stiff, that if I kneel down, I don’t know how I’m to get on my feet again.” “Oh, never mind, then,” answered the baffled Evelyn. “The younger women have all got their own work, ye see,” com- mented Charity, quite serenely. ‘‘ But the mistress will hire another to wait upon ye, likely—if you stay. It’s no fit task for a poor old body like me.” VOL. XXXIII. S CONnnicloO© Ss (C(O)