The Argosy — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

I4 Winifred Power. considerably exercised. Diuligently employing her eyes, she arrived at the conclusion that the man must be a gentleman, as society under- stands the word, but was now fallen from his ‘‘ high estate,” and that he knew Gertrude well. Once during the conversation Winifred noticed that the stranger drew back a step, and pursed up his mouth to a whistle of gratified, slightly sardonic amazement. Was Gertrude telling him of her marriage, she wondered? After this, the man produced a pocket- book, and handed his fair acquaintance a card. Gertrude apparently gave him hers in return ; at any rate she gave him something. And then they parted; tHe man with an unceremonious nod; Lady Hatherley with a mere turn of her classic and haughty profile, that was more contemptuous than the curtest dismissal. On rejoining Winifred, Gertrude gave her a swift glance, compounded of question- ing, a certain shame-facedness, and an odd sort of triumph. Probably, with her usual theatricism, she only wanted to be questioned, to have told her friend some rigmarole to which her imagination, insincerity, and good-nature would have contributed in equal shares. But Winifred asked no questions ; and Gertrude vouchsafed no explana- tion. They reached the Place Vendome at last, but Gertrude did not turn in the direction of the Rue de la Paix. ** And Georgie’s bangle ?” said Winifred. ‘‘T shall not get it. Where’s the use?” ‘Then will you give her something else?” ‘‘T shall not give her anything at all. I cannot afford it.” Winifred was quite sure that Gertrude would never deprive Georgie of a present out of mere caprice. When her own wants were provided for, she was invariably ready to supply other people’s. Moreover, the significance of her tone implied, as it was probably intended to do, that she had the fifty francs no longer. Was that what she had given to the mysterious individual? Winifred could not help smiling to herself at the idea of his possibly turning out nothing more than a gentleman beggar—some Bohemian protégé of Gertrude’s, whom she was graciously pleased to patronise, and whom she regally released from obligations of deference. A day or two later, Sir John and his bride returned to England, leaving Mrs. Dallas highly pleased, if nobody else was. ‘Everything turns out for the best,” said the good little woman. ‘‘T always used to tell Mr. Dallas that dear Gerty’s wilfulness was superficial. And now you will believe me, I suppose, you incredulous man!” This with a playful shake of her head at her lord. ‘Vour arguments, my dear, now as always, are irrefragable,” replied Mr. Dallas, with a gravity that made Winifred smile, and then kiss Mrs, Dallas’s gentle face in remorse for having smiled. COMICIOO KS, Co