The Argosy — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

; Adonais, Q.C. 69 She said the word slowly, pronouncing each syllable by itself, and if Adonais did not notice that it was like the changing tones of a bell, he might have done so. But Adonais was a man of the world; he recognised at once—just as he had done many and many a time before, and just with the same inward amusement—the opening attack of anenemy. He did not know, of course, that his great Leart lay in one scale, and a little pair of gloves in the other; but this he did know—that Miss Gabrielle Ryan condescended to flirt with him. ‘““T have rather an objection to the name,” he laughed ; ‘it is too ambitious. Itis the most ambitious name I know; and, you see, it is apt to make its bearer ridiculous.” Gabrielle clasped and unclasped her white fingers thoughtfully. “I understand you,’ she said. ‘I had a friend in New York, L’Amour ; and Love and Truelove are common names where I come from. I used to think these rather ridiculous ; but Adonais sounds so—very different.” He laughed again, and shot a quick keen look at her from his smiling eyes. ‘‘ Yes; it is possible to think of these others as abstract terms ; but Adonais is so much more personal.” “How dye do, Adonais?” Roland Vaughan had come slowly into the room, with that half-slouch, half-lounge familiar to everyone who knew him, and—a curious look on his face—was standing beside them. Adonais turned. ‘‘ Well, Vaughan, how are you? Do you know, I fell into a reverie upon clden days on my way up here.” * Not a very pleasant one for you, I should say, eh?” laughed Mr. Vaughan, but there was something of a sneer in his laugh. Adonais drew himself up slightly. “It was zot¢ wholly pleasant. Miss Ryan, I fear we used to be— scapegoats. ” Vaughan leaned back on the mantelpiece. “I expect we were,” he cried. ‘I have seen very little of you lately, Adonais. The fact is,” he added suddenly, ‘“‘I went on in the same old path and you struck out another. I think that’s just about it.” Adonais smiled kindly up at him. ‘“ Ah, well, the paths may meet again some day—who knows? May they not, Miss Ryan?” She lifted her eyes, and looked from one to the other of them. “Yes, the two may run together for a while.” There was mean- ing in her tone ; Vaughan laughed shortly and turned suddenly away. Adonais bent gracefully towards her. “The General Election approaches, and hints are dangerous. Now Miss Ryan, do you mean that I’ve designs on Vaughan’s borough— Qh, dinner !” and he stopped abruptly as the door was thrown open. **T believe I take you in.” A long white table, sparkling with glass and silver; bright masses of colour and dark heavy foliage here and there ; a pale soft light from the lamps and candles shining over all. It was a pretty sight ; and Gomiichboo <s) (E@) m