The Argosy — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

148 Hester. Hester took up her wraps with her usual quiet dignity, and, head erect, marched upstairs. If she were wounded, none should know it. But she was zo¢ wounded. No such false report should destroy her faith in Talbot, “er lover, alive or dead! ‘The girls had made a mistake. It could not be true! Next morning, Sunday, she cased herself as it were in armour of proof, and went off to church. In her quiet corner, hidden from the congregation by the old carved pulpit, she was not pained by glances of either wonder or pity, nor by the sight of Lorette Tracy in her fashionable mourning, wiping away an occasional tear with a black- bordered handkerchief. But an ordeal awaited her when the service was over. As she emerged by the chancel door, intending to escape the usual greetings in the churchyard, and steal quietly home by the private path to the Rectory, she was waylaid by a graceful figure in trailing black robes, who stood barring her way with outstretched hands. “Dear Hester! the very person I most wanted to see! You were at Guestwycke yesterday, Do tell me how are the dear old people? You know of course ”—with a keen glance at Hester’s pale face— “you know the tie which binds us together? You have heard that poor Captain Guest andI..... ” She paused, a pause suggesting uncontrollable emotion, and passed a handkerchief lightly over her eyes. “I know you*say you were engaged to him, if that is what you ‘mean, Mrs. Tracy,” Hester answered bluntly, trying to disengage the hand which the widow retained in her own. “We kept our secret well, I think,” Mrs. Tracy faltered gently, “ but now I have thought it right to let his parents know all that passed be ‘tween us, and how dear he was to me.” Hester, wrapped in her panoply of proud reserve bowed with Brave indifference, and made as though she would pass on. ‘IT have begged for an interview directly they are able to bear it. Meantime it has been such a relief to know you were with them— you who knew my poor Talbot so well. ... .! Hester wrenched away her hand quite fiercely. ‘‘ Excuse me, Mrs. Tracy—my father is waiting.” ‘The torture was more than she could ‘bear. ‘There were limits to endurance ; and though she mistrusted Lorette Tracy, and her heart clung obstinately to its belief in Talbot’s fidelity, her reason was beginning to yield. What if the report were true? Who could blame him if, hurt at her cold rejection, he had consoled himself elsewhere, and carried his suit where it would find more ready hearing? If only it had been anyone else! Hester moaned in her despair. The girl had left the Manor House with a promise to repeat her visit to Talbot’s parents as soon as possible. It had been arranged _ between them that the Rector should drive her over one morning early in the following week, and leave her to spend a long day with her old friends. GOMIGooOoOks: co m