The Argosy — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

The Oleander. 63 door. As she neared it Mr. de Lisle entered and met her on the threshold ; she scarcely heeded him, save by a bend of her head ; but he, looking up, caught the wrath and scorn upon her face and shrank beneath it, even as the Campagna wild flowers shiver and tremble when the hot breath of the Sirocco passes over them. Antonio closed the door after her and walked slowly down the room towards Lord Welford. He stood perfectly quiet and apparently submissive as his lordship with haughty arrogance addressed him. A great patience and gentle dignity seemed to hold in leash the fiery passion and impulse of his southern race. “Mr. de Lisle,” began Welford, ‘‘I am not well versed in the customs of your country, but there is a certain code of politeness among gentlemen which teaches them when they intrude upon un- suspecting hospitality. It is no doubt agreeable work to while away the days inso pleasant a spot and with so fair a model from which to draw inspiration; but can you say truly that it is the love of art only that keeps you so ardent a devotee to your labours? Has not Mr. de Lisle a more earthly motive than real glory, which he hopes to advance through the Lady Diana’s portrait ?” It was not Welford’s words so much as his manner and tone that gave the sting of insult to his address. Antonio never flinched ; he waited a moment and then with a great effort he spoke, his words coming slowly, and with a slightly foreign accent : ‘You are but right, my lord. I fad another motive, as much dearer to me than the success of my art, as is the Lady Diana’s beauty above my poor handiwork. I love your sister, and it is for the honour of her love that I strive. I am neither rich nor great, but I wear a blameless name, and can show a pure past. I have offered my love, my life, to the Lady Diana, and I await her answer to my petition.” “That is scarcely sufficient, sir. The Lady Diana listens to no lover and accepts no suitor except as I direct. What your past or future may be I neither know nor care, for your cause is as hopeless as it is pretentious.” “Lord Welford can scarce prevent my constancy,’’ replied Antonio. Then, with a touch of Tuscan poetry, he added, turning to the oleanders : ‘‘ Since nature’s sunshine can blossom into fairest flowers these bare trees, so the sunshine of love can arouse the hardest heart, and overcome all obstacles. I can treasure hope and faith, Lord Welford, without your sanction.” ‘I wish you joy of your simile,’’ sneered Welford. “If you elect to wait for the blossoming of these oleanders before venturing to pursue your suit, you will serve my cause better than your own; for, to my own knowledge, not one of them has flowered these ten years or more. It would be weary work waiting for your blooms of imagery to flourish in a woman’s heart at such a rate. I think, sir, your myth bears little prospect of fulfilment. When the oleander Gomichboo “S (E@) m