The Argosy — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

2C0 The Tenant of The Ceda’s. through the long window, which opened, like a door, upon the verandah. The room in which I found myself was as great a contrast to the one I had just quitted as could well be imagined. With its polished floor and panelled walls; its light but elegant furniture, its crowd of dainty ornaments, and general look of airy brightness, it might have been transported bodily from a Parisian ‘‘ Appartement.” But I noticed with surprise, that it seemed to have been recently occupied by a lady. ‘There were fresh flowers in the vases; music on the open piano, books on the table, and a work-basket, with a strip of | embroidery, which seemed to have been just thrown down. I hastily drew back, and turned to my companion. “IT understood that the house was unoccupied,” I said. ‘ Why did you not tell me ——” ‘There is no one here except myself,” he interrupted. “Then, to whom do these belong?” I enquired, pointing to the books and music. “To no one in particular. They did belong to a lady who lived here for a time three years ago, but she’s dead.” | “You mean Mademoiselle Lestelle ? ” He nodded, slowly passing his hand across his forehead. ‘But how came they to be left here? Did no one claim them, after her death—no friend or relative ?” ‘She had no near relations, and few friends in this country. I have heard her say that she would leave no one to regret her. But she was mistaken there,” he muttered. I looked at him curiously. ‘There was something in his face that attracted me, in spite of its harsh lines. ‘Vou, at least, will not soon forget her, Iam sure?” I said, after a pause. His lips curved in a smile half sad, half bitter. ‘T have not so many friends that I can afford to forget that one. I suppose I may claim the dog’s virtue—fidelity, if no other. I know that I would gladly have died upon her grave,” he added, in a low tone of suppressed but passionate feeling which was a revelation tome. The next moment, however, he broke into a short laugh. ‘You may well look astonished to hear such a romantic sentiment from ‘ Caliban,’ as Sir Philip calls me. Sounds grotesque from my lips, doesn’t it, sir?” ‘You need not fear ridicule from me,” I said, quietly. ‘I under- stand your feeling, and respect it,” He gave me a half-incredulous look, as if sympathy were some- thing new to him. Then his face changed and softened, and with a quick impulsive movement he put out his hand. “Thank you, sir—that’s kindly spoken,” he said, earnestly. “ I’m sorry I told you a falsehood about the key—for it was a falsehood. I have it in my pocket. But—but this room, where she spent so many hours, is sacred to me; so sacred, that it seems sacrilege for a * —- ~— —— | Gomichbooks.com