The Argosy — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

Winifred Power. | 19 pressed with Lady and Mrs. Hatherley, who had relatives there ; but the former carelessly said that they had received telegrams which set their minds at ease. After dinner, in the drawing-room, the conversation went droning along ; the weary wheel of platitude turning, turning ; only stayed occasionally when some young lady mildly warbled a ditty ; and red- faced old gentlemen beat the measure, all out of time, with their forefingers, and reflected upon the excellence of the lately imbibed champagne. All at once Sir John fainted again; at least he turned pale, put his hand to his heart, and dropped his head. Then followed a gradual melting-away of the guests, secretly glad to get off, and still gladder to think that ¢/zs time the dinner had been eaten. And when the house was clear of strangers, Sir John recovered, and with a prompti- tude which to a suspicious mind might have been suggestive. For now as he rose and announced that he was going at once to bed, he did not look so much ill as anxious. At least, so it struck Gertrude, who was watching him. His eyes had a new expression, sullen, hunted, and his manner was almost savage, as he requested some brandy might be given to him. It was brought, and water with it. Sir John poured out a wine- glass full, and then to the astonishment of everybody, he drained it neat. No one had ever seen him do such a thing before ; for he was singularly temperate. After this he turned away without saying “sood night” ; slowly but steadily mounted the stairs to his dressing- room alone, and locked himself in. Gertrude was about to follow his example, when she was con- fronted by the respectful figure of the butler. ‘“‘If you please, my lady, this letter arrived by the evening-post, but in the confusion before dinner about Sir John’s illness, Parkins forgot to give it to you.” Fresh food, this, for observation on the part of Mrs, Hatherley and Flossie. ‘They both strained their eyes diligently; and were presently elated by seeing the envelope slip unnoticed from Gertrude’s grasp, and flutter along the folds of her dress to the floor. Flossie, under pretence of shutting the window, rose and dexterously kicked the paper under a table, Gertrude meanwhile being so absorbed in the letter as to be unconscious of all movement. On concluding she looked about for the envelope, Flossie very officiously helping her ; so officiously indeed that Gertrude lost patience with her fussiness, and exclaimed : “Oh! it’s no matter,” wished her a curt ‘ Good-night,” and in her turn disappeared up stairs. She had hardly vanished through the drawing-room door, when Flossie furtively, but triumphantly, exhibited the captured envelope. But the servants coming in to put out the lights and shut up, Mrs. Hatherley made her a sign to be careful, and only allowed her to ECOnnicloooks (S©)