The Argosy — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

118 The Perplexities of Captain Fieramosca. Clelia turned a very lively colour. Had Aunt Teresa told about the birthday gift of flowers ? she thought. An agonizing moment elapsed while the Signora Maria was appa- rently absorbed in examination of her work. She stuck a pin or two between her lips, then resumed: “‘ He is going to be married to the rich widow opposite.” “Tt is not true!” cried Clelia, passionately, the swift denial wrung — from her by astonishment and pain. The Signora Maria was wont to snub any such flat contradiction of her words ; but in this instance she only said carelessly, ‘‘ Don’t you believe it? Why?” Why, indeed? Clelia, with a whirling brain and a beating heart, sat mute. ‘*T think it must be true,” continued her mother, ‘‘ because it was. told me by Don Giacomo, and he, you know, is always at this English- woman’s. Fieramosca is there for hours every day, and quite alone. And the other evening—let me see, when was it P—to be sure— the night of your birthday—he met her, by appointment evidently, as she got out of her gondola at the ¢vaghetfo yonder, and went. home with her.” Signora Maria had taken the pins from her mouth now, and was fastening them into her work; and just so deliberately and placidly did she plant each dagger-thrust of news into her quiver- ing daughter’s heart. Clelia neither fainted nor cried aloud ; but, as the ruins of her happiness fell about her, she had a vague feel- ing of wonderment that everybody should continue so calm. There was a ring at the door, and the little maid, going to open, came back presently rather flustered, and announced “a lady.” “T trust I do not intrude,” said Mrs. Walford, smilingly, with a courteous bow to every one, and a special kindly smile to Clelia. The girl had risen, and stood like a statue. She knew quite well who the stranger was. Signora Maria, by no means in a trim to receive visitors, felt secretly put out, but her Italian ease of manner carried her through the difficult situation successfully. Instead of the repellant English formula, ‘‘To what am I indebted?” she simply told Mrs. Walford that she was very glad to see her, exactly as if she had known her all her life. ‘“T called,” said the widow, ‘‘ because I have heard that you are the fortunate possessor of some old lace, with which, if you found an appreciative purchaser, you would be willing to part. My in- formant is Don Giacomo. Is he right ?” ‘‘ Ves,” said the Signora, ‘‘so far right that some time ago she thought of disposing of the lace. But now she had promised it to her daughter, who was going to be married.” “Indeed!” Mrs. Walford turned towards Clelia: ‘‘ Was the Sig- norina to be married soon ?” ECOPMICLIOO KS, (EO)