The Argosy — page 165: what you’re looking at

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

152 Dr. Ball. ‘‘T believe it would be hard to find two such good young people,” he said at last ; and then he covered his face with his hand, and felt that now indeed it was all over, and that he was on the verge of tears. There was a long silence. Then—‘ Well, well, well,” said the Bishop—‘“ I promise you to think it over. Worth, such as you have ascribed to this young man, should count before anything.” It really did seem to the Bishop that Dr. Ball had uttered unlimited words of commendation about Gerald Wygram. ‘‘ And heis of good birth undoubtedly. ‘That is always something, even nowadays. Yes, [ll think it over. When you return home, Dr. Ball, which,” courteously, ‘I hope will not be for some time yet, tell Dulcinea from me, that I shall come and stay with her at the hall very soon for a day or so, to talk all this over, and that I shall ask Mr. Wygram here to study him a little, before giving my final decision. Tell her too ”’—with a kindly smile directed at the astonished Curate—“ that it was your hearty praise of Mr. Wygram that induced me to look into a matter that I cannot still help considering a little imprudent.” ‘This will be good news for Dulcinea, my lord,” said the Curate, finding his voice at last when it was too late. But was it too late? ‘‘T hope it will continue to be good news all her life,” said the Bishop, with a sigh. He knew he would be glad to get rid of his guardian duties, and for that very reason was afraid to get rid of them. “ But now for another topic,” he said, cheerfully, laying his hand on the Curate’s shoulder. ‘‘ You know the Rector of Dreena is dead and —-—” In fact he offered our little friend a rectory, with an income that quadrupled his present salary. But the Doctor shrank from him when he mentioned it. ‘‘ Nay, my lord,” he said, ‘‘ give it to some better man.” ‘*T couldn’t,” said the Bishop. ‘Give it to some better man,” repeated the Curate, earnestly. *T could not leave my present place, indeed. They could not get on without me ; they are, for the most part so old, and so cross. I beg you will leave me there, with my old men and women. They all know me, and / know them; and it is too late for me to begin the world afresh, with new faces and new interests.” The Bishop said nothing further then, but he took his arm, and led him into the drawing-room, where presently he drew his wife aside, and told her all aboutit. After which, Mrs. Craik made a great deal of the little Doctor, and treated him delicately, as if he was of extreme value: as indeed he was. At the end of two days he went home, and told Dulcinea all the news, and she, on hearing it, took him round the neck and kissed him tenderly. “T knew it,” she said. ‘I fe/¢t it. Something told me you were the one person in the world to win my case for me. Dearest, sweetest, Joveliest Dr. Ball, how shall I thank you ?” ‘* My dear, if you only knew,” faltered the Doctor. Gomichbooks (E(0) m