The Argosy — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

Lo Mrs. Raven's Temptation. men before, and knows about the other. She won’t want us to give our names, I am sure.” The girl seemed to listen only for the appearance of civility. Probably she knew well enough that ‘‘ Madame’s” refusals to be seen were guided entirely by some inner motives of Madame’s own. ‘“T don’t believe she will remember to repeat my messages,” said Philip, as she went off, in seeming obedience. Certainly she scarcely remained away long enough to deliver them. She was at the door again In an instant. ‘‘ Madame” was inexorable, nor did she send any excuse to soften the edge of her determination. ‘The blunt statement was, “‘ She can’t see you to-day.” So the two young men could do nothing but retire. ‘Does she smell a rat?” wondered Philip. ‘‘ Does she think we come as spies and foes, rather than as inquiring friends? Has my being with you anything to do with her denial of herself, think you, Frank ?” ‘*Goodness knows.” ‘““Tt’s all nonsense, of course. I only wish Louisa was not so excited over it. And this unsatisfactory ending to the affair will just make her worse.” ‘““T’ll come here again to-morrow by myself,” said Frank, his curlosity awakened now more than it had yet been. ‘‘ We must get to the bottom of all this.” They did not return straightway to the Connells’ house. Philip took his cousin with him for a saunter about the town, and he knew so many people, and all were so glad of a chat with the lively young barrister, one and another offering luncheon, that it was afternoon before they got home. They found another visitor there. Marco Learli. He was sitting in the drawing-room with Mrs. Connell, Louisa, and Evelyn Agate. Miss Cleare was still with her pupils, and Mrs. Raven had retired to her own room, presumably to finish that letter to Leonard, which last night’s catastrophe had interrupted. | Louisa’s head was bowed over her needlework. Had anybody observed her narrowly, it would have been seen that a very natural dew-drop gemmed the flower she was embroidering. Mrs. Connell was talking to her guest with an air of more than usual solicitude and kindliness. Evelyn half-reclined on the sofa: there was a strange look on her face, which instantly struck Philip Connell, who knew her countenance so well. Marco’s chair, placed forward in the centre of the group, was slightly turned towards her. “T am sure Philip will be as sorry as we all are,” said Mrs. Connell, turning towards her son, as he advanced with Frank into the room. ‘Philip, prepare for a disagreeable surprise: Signor Learli finds it necessary to leave Coltburn this evening.” “Not quite a surprise,” murmured the young foreigner. ‘“ Miss Connell knows that even when I first arrived, I said my stay here was not likely to be so long as I had thought.” ECOPMIEMOOKS Conn