The Argosy — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

254 Winifred Power. It was quite wonderful to see with what rapidity Gertrude obtained the upper hand of most people at The Limes as the time went on. Her insolent beauty, her grace, her wit and self-possession compelled in Sir John a delighted, in the others a reluctant, homage. When Richard had departed for the Hague, she was installed the greater part of the day in the lhbrary, and set to write the notes and transcribe the memoranda that had formerly been the sisters’ joy and pride. ‘They, in the schoolroom now, inking their fingers and cry- ing their eyes out over their verbs, relieved their feelings by private grumbling, but dared make no open protest. Mrs. Hatherley grew daily yellower, thinner, more silent; Mrs. Fane daily more exasperated. ‘The latter lady had indeed tried a passage at arms with the beautiful governess, but she came off second- best. She was no match for Gertrude. Next she tried what a little private aspersion would do with Sir John; but was quick enough to see that there was not much to be gained in that way. So she solaced herself by telling a great deal to Mrs. Hatherley, who listened eagerly and promised secresy. ‘Sir John is being completely hood-winked,” she said to Winifred. ‘T suppose Mark will be the next victim. Perhaps he will marry her. Then, I hope you will be satisfied, darling. She ought never to have come here.” Winifred listened in silence and pain. When Mark returned, he did admire Gertrude very much: and lounging away an hour in Winifred’s studio one morning, he told her as much with infinite frankness of enthusiasm. ‘You have got on famously with your work,” he said presently, changing the subject. ‘‘That is a nice little head. Quite southern, too, in type. Was your model an Italian ?” ‘Only half Italian,” Winifred answered : and began to relate the circumstances. She was a young girl who had presented herself of her own accord to her one day, as a model, saying she came from London. While painting from her, the girl let out that her father, who was an Englishman, had formerly been as coachman in Sir John’s service, that he was now bed-ridden, and he had sent her down to The Limes on a begging errand. She had been roughly received by Sir John, and apparently sent away empty-handed. And being of a timid disposition she had hit upon the ingenious device of offering herself as a model to Winifred and getting Aer to intercede for the money. ‘What a strange thing!” exclaimed Mark. ‘“ How did she hear of you?” “T don’t know. At your house, I suppose ; some of the servants may have gossiped with her. Her mother, an Italian, is dead: her father had married late in life, she said, after quitting Sir John’s service.” ‘‘ What is the man’s name?” " Ridgeley.” CORNICE OOO KS (E(@) m