The Argosy — page 290: what you’re looking at

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

The White Wéhitch. 265 spare a few minutes to see him. The girl stared at him, went up- stairs at once however, and he, having advanced well into the passage, had the satisfaction of hearing himself described in a loud whisper as a tall, handsome gentleman, looking frightful ill. Returning, after a little whispered conversation, the girl showed him up into a tiny front room, overcrowded with gaudy furniture; and very shortly the lady came in through the folding doors. Her plump, babyish, pretty face was rather worn; and, commanding though she was in figure, it was apparent that she was nothing but a weak, help- less creature, led by every impulse, incapable of self-government, and at the mercy of any will that might find it worth while to guide her. Godfrey read this nature easily while she was saying that her husband was out. Godfrey said he wished to see her husband, and enquired when, next day, he was likely to be at home. She did not know; she seemed curious about her visitor, her eyes wandered shyly from his face to the carpet and back again while he talked, and at last she asked awkwardly where he had met her husband. ‘“‘ Tt was in the country, a short time ago,” answered Godfrey. This answer roused her to sudden anger; it blazed in her long dark eyes, and brought two bright spots of colour to her cheeks. She lost her shyness, and broke out vehemently : ‘Yes, yes, that was when he left me here by myself for weeks— and would not disclose to me where he was; but I know as well as possible he was after somebody or other. Yes, yes, and I believe it is the same girl I have seen him with twice—he has brought her to London—oh, I know his old tricks. He’ll be going off with her one of these fine days, and leave me, his lawful wedded wife, that has worked and slaved and cared for him, and followed him half over the world, to starve! She’s got money, I think, and that’s why. For money he’d sell his soul.” Godfrey, suppressing his emotion, listened to this outburst quietly. “I don’t suppose it is as bad as that,” said he. ‘* He would never have the heart to leave you, after all you have done for him.” “Oh, wouldn’t he! You don’t know him, sir. Why, during the year I’ve been married to him he has left me three times; and each time has only returned to me when he’d spent every penny, and had to come back to my earnings. I’m a singer, sir, by profession, and a good one too, though I say it that shouldn’t ; and I never need be at fault for a profitable engagement in America,” Godfrey was looking at her curiously. She mistook the gaze. “Are you thinking I am not married—that I am like some of those girls that run after him?” she cried. ‘‘ Wait a minute.” She sprang up, swept past him into the next room, and came back with her certificate of marriage in her hand. Godfrey read it: it was celebrated in New York, between Edward Grey and Susan Jane Waters. The date was October of the year before. EMNNIELOOKS, (EC) m