The Argosy — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

The White Witch. 97 ate as himself, seeing that he was nearly forty before he took the plunge ; and although Godfrey felt that he could have borne a similar delay as a Christian should, he made a becoming display of impatience at the idea. He then left the Vicar’s presence, and after tea in the drawing-room with the ladies of the family, enjoyed a duly authorised téte-a-téte with Elspeth under the trees in the garden, which not even the numbing effect of the parental sanction could deprive entirely of its charm. They had a picturesque parting, and Godfrey kissed her pretty and blushing face with momentary fervour. Mrs. Mayne was alone in the drawing-room. ‘‘ Where have you been, Godfrey?” she asked. ‘‘ Your father has been wanting you.” “‘T have been to the Vicarage.” “The Vicarage! After what I told you! I wonder you had the courage. Did you see the Vicar?” | “Ves, I saw the Vicar.” *« And what did he say ?” “He said: ‘ Bless you my children!’” “Godfrey ! What do you mean?” “That I am going to have him for a new papa, and Mrs. Thorn- hill fora new mamma. And I think ”—looking at her steadfastly— “that you can guess who has been the happy instrument in bringing about all this.” * You are going to marry Elspeth p—Matilda? Which is it?” “Well, I think you may guess that also.—Is my father in the library? I will go to him.” No sooner had he left the room than Mrs. Mayne hastened up stairs to her own. There, with a smiling face, she wrote out a short telegram to be despatched to Dinan. CHAPTER V. THE THUNDER-STORM. Mr. MAyneE was delighted to hear of the engagement to Elspeth. It was not, perhaps, quite the best match his son could have made; but the Thornhills were of very good family, and Godfrey could afford to dispense with fortune in his wife; and Elspeth her- self was a charmingly pretty and innocent little girl; and Mrs. Mayne had contrived to so greatly imbue him with the idea that Godfrey ought to marry somebody that he could but be pleased. “But I know you brought it about, Laura,” said he, admiringly. “You must confess that. And now where are we to look for a hus- band for Mary?” added he, ingenuously letting out the open secret that he had had designs on her for his son. “You will waste your time in trying,” replied his wife, gently. “Mary does not care for admiration or attention; and I really believe she means, what all girls are fond of saying, that she will never CONMIEIOOKS (E©) m