The Argosy — page 359: what you’re looking at

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

330 The White Witch. much from the loss of dignity she had incurred by being disengaged again; she was longing to fasten the link anew, and she hoped he had not forgotten what he said about giving her a bracelet. Mrs. Penteith had been much struck by the girl’s pretty looks; and, seeing that Godfrey chattered to her with great fluency, her hopes began to rise that he might, after all, console himself for the heartless treatment of the pale, insignificant-looking young lady, who had managed to infatuate him so deeply, in this sweet, blue-eyed young girl, who was evidently so much attached to him. Mr. Thornhill had explained that he, being obliged to come to town for a day on business, Elspeth had begged to come too, and they had hastened to call and inquire after the invalid. Elspeth stayed to luncheon, while her father kept an appointment ; and then her shyness broke down, and she talked and laughed without reserve, until Godfrey noticed a pretty little brooch she wore. This set her blushing again, as she faltered that it had been sent to her last week on her birthday. ‘But don’t you know who it came from?” said he, mis- chievously. “No. At least ——” She had been. brought up to tell the truth, so at last she stammered, ‘‘[ think the writing—looked like Ern—— like Mr. Underwood’s. Only of course it couldn't have been.” “Why not? Lucky fellow to be about and on his legs when other poor wretches are ill and can’t remember birthdays.” ‘ But if mamma knew it came from him, I should have to send it back: she says he isn’t steady,” cried the girl naively, speaking in a low voice, and unconsciously showing more feeling than Godfrey had thought her capable of. ‘“There’s nothing the matter with Underwood,” said he, like a grave old father. ‘‘He’s very young and high-spirited, that’s all. He will be steady enough in a year or two.” ‘‘We met him this morning,” whispered Elspeth, crimson again. “He wanted to get us tickets for the theatre ; but papa won’t go of course, so I could not. Then Ernest said, ‘Get Godfrey to take you,’ and then papa said you were ill in bed.” Mrs. Penteith, who had been away to put her bonnet on, now came back. She was aboutto take the girl back to her father at the Midland Hotel, and her carriage was waiting at the door. God- frey went with them, and in passing a jeweller’s stopped the carriage, and got out. ‘Pardon me, aunt,” he said; I won’t keep you more than two minutes.” He bought a little gold bracelet for Elspeth, with a horse-shoe studded with pearls upon it, which gave the simple little maid five minutes of the keenest pleasure her nature could feel. She had eyes for nothing else while the drive lasted, and Godfrey, after fastening it on her somewhat bony little wrist, sat watching her delighted face GEomicbooks.co |