The Argosy — page 270: what you’re looking at

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

The White Witch. 253 Mrs. Mayne tried feebly to extricate her own limp hand, which lay in her daughter’s, and restlessly turned away her head, as if the slim fingers and the steady dark eyes burnt her. “You frighten me so, Mary!” she whispered miserably. ‘I am more afraid of you than I am of anybody, of Sir William even ——” “Mamma!” “I am, when you are in those fits. I never know what you will say or do. You are so—so zede//zous in your suffering. It all comes of that. What made you sing to Godfrey Mayne last night ?” “I don’t know. It wasimprudent; a rash, mad impulse such as I have had to regret before, as Heaven knows, and you know. And I suffered for it, as I deserved. Do not reproach me, mamma; you, at least, must not.” ** No, no, I did not mean to,” said Mrs. Mayne hurriedly. ‘ But —look here, Mary: are you ericouraging Ernest Underwood ?” “No, no. I have told you before that I must have some relief; I can find it best in bright, high spirits such as his or the children’s. He is only a boy; it is just a mild flirtation to him and nothing more, and I shall take care to keep it so. If there were to ensue a danger of his caring for me seriously, I would tell him ——” Tell him!” shrieked Mrs. Mayne. ** Mamma, who is excited now? I would tell him enough to turn his thoughts from me: to show him that Mary Dixon is one who must stand apart, who cannot be wooed as other girls can. Any little invented tale would do; his brains are so shallow. Iam not to be cruel to you, do you say? No fear: you know better than that. I will be careful with everyone, in all ways; I will, indeed. Only don’t be afraid, and don’t think a thunderbolt is going to fall if I laugh and talk a little with a lad who is all talk and laughter. As for my Singing, I think I can get Godfrey Mayne to say nothing about that.” **Mary, don’t you think you are wrong in treating Godfrey as you do? You and he have been hitherto so antagonistic to each other. Better be friendly with him. Though he seems determined, it is not difficult to lead him, if one goes to work the right way. Look how I managed his engagement to the parson’s daughter. He Is really a . kind-hearted fellow; though he may not seem so to you from the dislike you appear to have taken to each other. I am sure you could persuade him to anything, if you chose to try.” A faint colour rose to the girl’s face, pale till then. “And yoz wish me totry! I do not understand.” ** No, no, don’t look like that, Mary. I do not want you to make Godfrey fall in love with you. Were you thinking ¢hat? though there’s no danger of your doing that—he is too cold. But I think you should not make an enemy of him. You are pretty and attractive: draw him to you ina sisterly way. You know it could not matter, now that he is engaged to Elspeth.” (EONNIE OO KS (E(©) nnd