The Argosy — page 294: what you’re looking at

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

My Saturdays. 273 watching the tennis, and soon afterwards I saw him playing with unusual energy. Mrs. Minton rustled up, all silk and beads, and fluttering flowers, and scented pocket handkerchief. ‘““ Dear Lady Anderton, I am so glad to see you at ast; I was so sorry to miss you on Monday. And when you are here so seldom ! And I ad want Lucilla to make Miss Moville’s acquaintance—they would be such wzce friends for each other. Here on Saturday, of course, ze saw nothing of her.” Lady Anderton responded with less effusiveness, and Imogen found it superfluous to add anything to the stream of words. It foamed for some time round the interesting topics of the date of the Andertons’ arrival, the length of their stay, the object and exact duration of the drive which had defrauded them of Mrs. Minton’s visit; and then there was a slight pause, which gave the latter lady a starting-point for a new cascade. ‘‘ And of course we wanted so much to congratulate Miss Moville, and you too, dear Lady Anderton. It must be such a relief to your mind, and you must be so proud. Not but that the other party ought to be prouder, and no doubt he is; but still—you know. Of course it is a most suzfable arrangement, nothing could be better; but you must let me congratulate you, my dear. I am sure you are very happy.” And she laid her fat fingers—sparkling with rings—upon Imogen’s hand. Imogen drew it away. “T cannot imagine what you mean, Mrs. Minton,” she said, in absolutely freezing tones. ‘‘OQught I not to have mentioned it? But zeal/y, you know, when it is in the papers, you cannot expect your friends to treat it as a secret. Can she now?” asked Mrs. Minton, turning to Lady Anderton. “T am afraid I must ask for an explanation, too,” said Lady Anderton, glancing nervously at Imogen. “Why, Miss Moville’s engagement to Lord Sandgate was in Saturday’s Ola Podrida with all particulars, as a positive fact,” Mrs. Minton declared, growing fussed. “Tt is very annoying,” Lady Anderton answered, “very annoying indeed. Such reports do so much mischief. It is quite premature, and I beg you will not repeat it.” “It is much more than premature,” struck in Imogen, angrily ; “there 1s not the slightest foundation for it. ‘There never was; there never will be. I will have it contradicted at once. Mrs. Minton, will you kindly do so if you ever hear the subject mentioned ?” ‘Really, Iam very sorry,” replied Mrs. Minton, somewhat abashed. “T thought it such a nice thing, and so likely to be true. Itisa great pity.” Imogen could bear no more, and left her to trickle as much of the sweetened vinegar of her condolences and apologies over Lady Anderton as the latter was willing to bear, or unable to defend her- self from. She wandered down to the river by herself, and her VOL. XXXIV. T (CO) ElOOOKS (C©)