The Argosy — page 259: what you’re looking at

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

240 Mrs. Carr’s Companion. - But Viola was firm. ‘No, dear Lady Mary, to-morrow is the utmost limit. I would not have waited till then but that I want to be with you as long as possible, and it is clear that the Avgy// cannot arrive before Thursday at earliest.” ‘“So John Thorold says, though I fancy the passage has some- times been made more quickly.” ‘“ But not at this time of year,” said Olive, ‘‘ although I wish I could think so. These last few days of waiting have seemed interminable !” Perhaps Viola thought so too, though she said nothing. Only turning to Olive, she presently said gently: ‘Olive, I have been intending to ask you—will you send me a telegram directly you hear of the ship’s arrival? I shall be anxious to hear of it as soon as possible.” ‘Oh! you take so much interest at least!” said Lady Mary, with pleasant irony. Viola gave her a deprecating look, which seemed to beseech her forbearance. Indeed she was in no spirits for teasing. Although she would not for worlds have remained for Miles to find her at St. Brenda’s, 1t cost her dear to leave the place on the very eve of his return. ‘‘T wonder there was no letter Sea John this morning,” said Lady Mary, presently. ‘‘I hoped that he might have heard which day the Argyll was expected.” ‘Perhaps it has not even reached Madeira yet,” suggested Olive. While they were still discussing the well-worn subject, and Viola was once more demonstrating that it was impossible to hope for the traveller’s return before Thursday, there came a sound of approaching carriage wheels, and a ring at the bell. ‘How tiresome!” sighed Olive. ‘An interruption on our last evening together. I am not in the humour for visitors.” Then, after a few minutes’ pause, which allowed the front door to be opened : ‘Surely that is not John’s voice! Oh, what can have happened!” Lady Mary started to her feet pale and trembling. Viola came to her side and clasped her hand with an instinctive childlike action. Whatever was to come they could bear it best so, together. Olive darted out into the midst of the commotion inthe hall. It was John indeed. In a moment more the door was thrown wide open, and Olive, roused out of her usual calm, appeared ushering him in, while, supported upon his arm, leaned a tall slight figure wrapped in plaid and overcoat. There was a stifled cry. ‘“‘ Miles! my boy!” Lady Mary was sobbing on her son’s neck. Viola shrank back into the shadow of the curtain. Her limbs trembled, almost refusing to support her now that the supreme moment had come. Every sensation seemed paralysed. But the flickering fire-light found her out in her hiding-place Gomicbooks (E(0) m