The Argosy — page 177: what you’re looking at

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

162 A Glove’s Evidence. pletely changed that it startled her. ‘I should like to make a little bet with you,” he said playfully. ‘‘ A dozen pair of those pretty gloves to one that the accused is innocent—and that you shall prove her so.” ‘‘ 7 prove her innocent, when I know so well she 1s not ?” ‘““T take eight and a quarter, Lady Jakes; your size is let me see Ah! these gloves will be guide sufficient. They will exactly fit you.” “No. Those are a quarter of a size too large.” “Indeed ? Still they look small enough. I dare say the numbers are not always to be relied on. Irrespective of figures, I believe these gloves will fit you.” ‘How persistent you are, Mr. Bywell! I tell you they are too large.” ‘‘ But, seriously, you cannot be sure without “Trying them on? Well, suppose I ave tried them on?” “You, Lady Jakes? Impossible!” “Yes, I have. And as you seem so much surprised, I'll tell you how it happened. One day I went into my maid’s room and saw her box open. It contained her coloured things which she is not wearing. . On the top of them lay a lovely pair of long Suéde gloves. One doesn’t expect one’s servants, you know, to wear such gloves as these. Tan-coloured Suede mousquetaires had just come into fashion when my poor husband died, so I have never been able to wear a pair.” ‘And you tried on this glove—just to see how tan. mousquetaires would suit you?” he inquired, with an eagerness he could not repress. ‘“T did; for that reason partly. And for another. I thought my hand was less than Johnson’s ; and it is.” “Try this on now, dear Lady Jakes. To oblige me. Do!” Laughing and blushing, she complied, scarcely noticing that he shipped the ring upon her finger first. The glove was too large, as she had said. He ea about to button it, and leaned over her for that purpose, when, suddenly, looking towards the door: “Quick! ‘Take it off!” he cried, as though fearful of some one appearing on the scene. It was a false alarm, but one that answered his purpose better almost than he had dared to hope. The glove was pulled off with all the haste he could desire. Mr. Bywell pointed to her hand. ‘Where on earth is my ring?” she asked. Without speaking, he turned it out of the third finger of the glove. But this was not enough for Mr. Bywell. He waited for the lady to say something more. “Tt is the most extraordinary thing I ever heard of!” she exclaimed, flushed: and breathless with excitement. ‘‘It is exactly 3 CORNICLIOO KS ,(eo)