The Argosy — page 286: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs. Raven’s Temptation. 265 was fastened. She rapped—once—twice—thrice—each knock louder than the last. ‘Then she knocked once more, sharply, lstened a moment, and turned away with a peculiar smile on her calm countenance. Downstairs, in the hall, she took down a dark grey cloak that hung there, and wrapping it closely about her, gently opened the outer doors and stepped upon the terrace. She walked a few paces from the house, turned round and looked up at it. She knew which . was the window of Evelyn’s room. Its blind was drawn, but a light burning within was clearly visible. She returned to the terrace walk. She did not pace to and fro, but stood quite still in the darkness, at that corner which commanded the front of the building, and its side nearest to the grass path running towards Ash Lane and Sloam’s cottage. What was she awaiting P Presently she heard light steps, and could see something moving— something which looked whitish in such dim light as a few misty stars afforded. As it came towards her, Nurse Hannah stole closer and closer to the side of the house. The light, scudding steps that she heard ceased for a moment—the whitish something, which was a garment, was taken off and folded into a small compass ; and then there came gliding along the terrace towards her, carrying the folded packet in its hand, a slight, graceful, dark-robed figure. Nurse Hannah stepped forward. There was an exclamation of surprise, a start backwards. ‘‘ What, nurse! Are you too taking an airing like me!” “There is nothing like it for those who know when it’s needed, Miss Agate,” returned Nurse Hannah, walking beside the young lady towards the hall door. ‘But I think I’ve had enough of it now. And I’m afraid it hasn’t done you much good,” she added, as she saw the intense pallor of Evelyn’s face and the feverish redness of her lips. ‘IT almost think I should be the better for another turn or two,” said the girl, running back. But she only went a few yards and turned again. “Oh, I’m sure you wouldn’t,” said the nurse. ‘‘ And you’ve been out with too few wraps—no wonder you're chilled.” She was in her black silk evening dress, whose train was tucked up about her, not carried in her hands, though they were both now free. ‘‘Go right up to your room and get to bed. Just look in at Mr. Leonard’s chamber on your way, will you, please, and tell Mrs. Raven that I’ve come back into the house, and will be with her the moment I’ve hada bit of supper. Poor lady, I dare say she’s nervous.” Nurse Hannah lingered, unfastening her cloak, till Evelyn had dis- appeared upstairs: then, with a speed strangely contrasted with her usuai quiet and deliberate movements, she again went outside, ran rapidly to the spot to which Evelyn had run, and there moved oddly ECOnnicloooks (GO