The Argosy — page 196: what you’re looking at

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

The White Witch. 181 Without any delay, Godfrey let it be known that he was about to pay a visit to his aunt at Liverpool, making the announcement at luncheon ; and that he should probably be away two or three weeks and accompany her to Southport. Chancing to lift his eyes while say- ing this, he met those of Mary Dixon fastened on him, a very curious expression in their depths. Did she suspect him? He did not care. Drawing the ink towards him, later, on the small writing-stand, Godfrey wrote a few lines to his aunt. After directing the letter, he rose. Mrs. Mayne, passing across the room, glanced at the address. “The Hon. Mrs. Penteith, Castle Lodge, near Liverpool.” ** Why do you put ‘ The Honourable Mrs. Penteith ?’” she asked of Godfrey. ‘Well, it is usual to do so, I fancy,” he idly drawled, in reply. “Ves, yes; I mean ow is your aunt the honourable? ” *‘ Her husband was a son of Lord Northstone; brother to the present lord.” **T thought he was Admiral Penteith ?” “Just so. Admiral the Honourable Charles Penteith.” **T don’t remember to have heard you or your father mention it before. Is Mrs. Penteith rich?” * Yes. Fairly so.” *€ And you will probably come in for her riches, Godfrey.” “I’m sure I don’t know. ‘The matter does not trouble me.” Mary had listened to all this, without speaking. Godfrey saw her looking at him stealthily. Picking up the letter, he carried it out to put it in the post-bag. The next day he started for Liverpool, stayed one day only with his aunt and then journeyed into Norfolk. For more than a fortnight he remained in Norfolk, making inquiries, travelling about, hunting, getting more and more excited over his search at the unexpected difficulties which cropped up at every step. At the end of that time he arrived at Southport, where Mrs. Pen- teith then was, harassed, worn out, baffled. She wondered what he had been doing with himself; but all she learnt in answer to her ques- tions was that he had made a walking-tour and had done too much. He was restless, and at a week’s end he told his aunt he thought he should go home. ‘Well, do as you like, my dear boy,” she answered. “I see you are not enjoying yourself much here, and that you have something on your mind that you will not tell me ; perhaps I have forgotten how to win a confidence. An old woman like me must leave that for some- body younger.” She spoke kindly, but was nevertheless a little hurt. She was a widow, had never had children of her own, and Godfrey was as a favourite son to her. ““Miss Thornhill will know how to find out what is the matter, Godfrey, and how to comfort you.” EONNIEL OO KS (EO) m