The Argosy — page 400: what you’re looking at

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

A Dramatic Critique, and what Came of It. 3/7 ' “TJ wish Claud had your strength of character,” she said, with a half-sigh, ‘‘ but we cannot change his nature. He has anes and the defects that accompany ts’? “The ;defects I perceive, the genius I must take on trust, 5. Mr. Dane’s reply. She rose with an impatient movement, eas began turning over the books and papers on the table. “T know you do not believe in him—you never did,” she said, resentfully. ‘I think you will be almost disappointed if his play succeeds and proves you were wrong.” He looked at her with pained surprise, and when she met his eyes, her anger died a sudden death. ‘TI did not mean that,” she exclaimed, in her quick, impulsive way, putting Out her hand. ‘‘ You wish him well, I know, and I can’t expect you to see him with my eyes.” He took her hand in both his own, looking at her with an expression that softened every line of his face. “You do not suppose I could be indifferent to anyone so dear to you?” he said gently; ‘‘to you, Edith, who are so dear to me?” The pressure of his fingers sent a thrill to her heart.. She gave him a quick, shy glance, then drooped-her head, and “suddenly, sweetly, strangely blushed.” © Before he could speak again, there was a footstep in the corridor outside, and she hastily disengaged her hand. He detained her as she was turning away. “Do you ever take an early walk in Kensington Gardens, as you used’ last summer?” - “ Sometimes,” she answered, smiling. ‘* Why?” “Will you be there to-morrow morning at about ten o’clock ?—by the Round: Pond ? -I have’something to say to you which can best be said under the trees where I have so often lingered to think of you.” 7 | >a “J will come,” she whispered, and her heart leapt with a sudden joy that almost startled her. At the § same moment her brother ephereg the room.» ° , : j vil” He was little more than a youth, with a fair, beatae face, doce blue eyes, and a quantity of untidy fair hair which he had a restless trick of pushing back from his forehead. . ‘‘ How is your head, dear?” his sister asked afiectionately. “Splitting,” was the brief reply, as he crossed the room to shake hands with the visitor. ‘‘ Don’t mention the play, if you please,” he added hastily, before the latter could speak. ‘I.am-sick of the subject. .Would that mine enemy had written—a tragedy fae | Mr. Dane laughed. _ “ May I be allowed to say that, from what I ~have aed Miss oo will make a sensation in the part of Boadicea ?” _“ Oh, Edith will. do well enough,” her brother admitted, adele) y EOnnicloookks (C©)