The Argosy — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

62 Mrs. Carr’s Companion. Lady Mary! Pray stay and receive him yourself. Say I will write anything, rather than see him! It would only put us both to needless pain.” ‘My dear, I insist upon your remaining. ‘The least you can do for him is to give him his answer yourself. And perhaps it might soften the refusal if you gave him the reason for it.” | | There was no time for further remonstrance. ‘The door opened to admit the new vicar of St. Jude’s, who advanced looking eagerly from one to the other, as though to read his fate. Lady Mary only waited to give him her graceful congratulations upon his preferment before sailing away, blind to Viola’s entreating looks. She would have been surprised, perhaps, at the simple dignity with which Viola, left to her own resources, received the visitor. All her embarrass- ment vanished as she spoke. ‘Mr. Vaughan, I am so very sorry that this should have happened. Believe me, I never dreamed of such a thing !” ‘‘T fear I have taken you rather by surprise. I only heard of my good fortune yesterday, and my first thought was of asking you to share it with me.” And he thought with satisfaction how well that slender figure, that lovely face, those simple, easy manners, would grace his new vicarage- house. Mr. Vaughan was not naturally a conceited man: but the shower of stoles, cassocks, sermon-cases, and other little marks of personal attention which he received from the lady members of his flock, may be his excuse for supposing he had only to throw the: handkerchief to be received with rapture. It was Viola’s task to undeceive him. ‘Indeed, you pay me a great compliment. I thank you most sincerely, but it cannot be. Even if I were able toreturn your feeling for me as it deserves—even 1f ——” ‘Ah! my proposal has come too suddenly upon you. Our acquaintance has been short. I ought not to have expected that you could think of me in that way yet; but in time—give me hope at least.” He attempted to take her hand, but Viola gently withdrew it. ‘Wait, Mr. Vaughan, and hear me out. Even if that were all, there is one insurmountable obstacle : Iam bound to someone else! ” A blank look overspread his eager face. ‘‘ Did Lady Mary know of this ?” he asked dejectedly. “Not until a few minutes ago, and I must ask you to keep my secret. I would not have told you but that Lady Mary thought I ought to do so.” ‘Your secret is safe with me, Miss Keith. ‘Thank you for trusting me, for it will make my disappointment easier to bear. It is better to know the worst at once.” All this time he had been standing by the chimney-piece looking down upon her. He seemed loth to quit his position, or bid farewell to his hopes. Viola was beginning to COPMIELOOOKS Conn