The Argosy — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

Charles Austen's Love. ate ‘But what can I say?” returned Lucy with a voice full of tremor. ‘It has come upon me so suddenly. I never dreamed of this. Our positions are so different ——” “Only as regards worldly substance,’ he generously interrupted ; ‘and that is as it should be. - In all else, Lucy, you are worthy of a noble.” “Oh, no, no,” she cried, moving yet farther away. ‘“ You do me too much honour. I cannot ——” ‘To not decide hastily, Lucy,” he said. ‘* That movement almost tells that you were doing so—and to reject me. Weigh things well first. My dear, I have long seen how dreary your home is here; } would fain transplant you to one that will at least be more cheerful.” “You are very kind, Mr. Austen,” she murmured. “But do not think I am asking you from this sole motive—your own benefit,” he returned, with asmile. ‘“‘No. I want you for my- self. I have learnt to love you, Lucy—more deeply than I once thought I could ever love again. You know my history?” “Ves. Oh, yes. At least—some of it.” “Tn the past days, when I was nearly twenty years younger than I am now, I loved one who was—who was ——” Squire Austen broke off in emotion. It was as if the remnants of the old love lay about him jet. “Why speak of it?” murmured Lucy. “I know more than enough, and how you must have suffered.” “Well, I loved her very greatly, that’s enough to say; and I have kept single all these years for her sake. You have heard who it was, I daresay.” “Jean Deste, grandpapa’s niece,” whispered Lucy. ‘And your mother’s cousin. Yes. We plighted our troth to one another in love. True love; passionate love, Lucy; there was as much on her side as on mine. I retained at least that grain of con- solation.” ** And she gave you up,” said Lucy in an earnest tone of sympathy. ** Close upon the wedding-day.” “She gave me up close upon the wedding-day,” assented Mr. Austen, his voice betraying resentment even yet, though he might know it not. ‘‘One came along here richer than I was, his prospects grander ; I was not the eldest son then: Jean was dazzled by his attrac- tions and she gave me up for him. There it lies, all the history: and many years have passed since then.” “If I once promised to marry a man, I would hold to my promise whatever might betide,” spoke Lucy, clearly resolute. Charles Austen laughed kindly. ‘And I want you,” he said, “ to _ promise to marry me. But not hastily, not against your better will or judgment ; understand that fully, my dear. Weigh well the arguments that may present themselves to you, for and against. Iam forty-four years of age this year; you are twenty-three . (CONMIE NOOO KS (E(@) m