The Argosy — page 250: what you’re looking at

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Philip Twyford’s Exchange. 235 Thus poor Jeannie Carson was denied the approbation that her sweet little face and innocent manner should have won for her. Lettie danced well and knew also how to talk to her partners ; she noticed that Jeannie was not so well provided for as she might have wished, and in consequence took the opportunity afforded by the end of the dance to make her known to Philip Twyford. They had a_ pleasant dance together, but Philip was prejudiced. He was certainly beginning to be sensitive on the subject of his poverty and too proud to dance much with a moneyed lady. Lettie charmed him and he felt safe with her, having made up his mind that she was Miss Carson’s companion. ‘Though such a companion surely no man ever saw ! It was a beautiful vision that haunted the poor lieutenant for the remainder of his sleeping hours that night. A fair smiling face and profusion of blonde hair: rosy red lips and large blue eyes. He decided many times that it would only be common courtesy to go and call the next day, and enquire after the ladies. True, it was a fashion long out of date, but a charming one nevertheless. It would be a sad century to live in when all such little acts of kindness would be despised. The call of enquiries that afternoon, which ended in tea and delightful chat, was only the forerunner of many more. Philip could sing: Lettie could play: Philip was in want of an ac- companist: Lettie loved nothing better than accompanying. It was an ordinary state of affairs enough, but productive of infinite pleasure. The old Squire sat and looked on approvingly, or victimised Jeannie to the extent of a game of backgammon. Philip was too much fascinated to seriously wonder at his uncle’s complaisance during his evident neglect of the supposed heiress. He would occasionally relent in his behaviour towards Jeannie: bring her a book to read or some flowers. But the experiment never really answered, and he soon found himself again beside Lettie. Once he felt sure that he heard the old man laughingly mutter something that sounded suspiciously like “deep game,” and that was on an occasion when he had been trying his best to appear interested in Jeannie. At last intimation arrived that his exchange was affected. Hewas to join the other battalion of his regiment the following month. He had but a short time longer in England, but meant to spend it all at Woodridge. It was foolish, he knew, allowing himself to become more and more infatuated with Miss Phillimore, but at the same time it was irresistible. Compulsory banishment from England was a pro- spect dismal enough to contemplate: but voluntary banishment from Lettie while in England, too much to expect of a susceptible young officer. “Come, boy,” said the old Squire, the evening before Philip’s de- parture, “‘ you mustn’t be off into the drawing-room yet. You haven't done justice to my old port for ever so long. The ladies are attrac- tive, I know, but an old man must not be neglected: especially an EONNIE OOO KS m (E(©)