The Argosy — page 255: what you’re looking at

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

238 The’ Fabric of a Vision. But what was anxious, but with no change on his face such as I thinking about ?” Then came common sense, and whispered: ‘‘ You little simpleton, you don’t deserve so good a husband. Your love is a bad sentry if it cannot keep out such midsummer madness as this.” By the time the full sun-lght had filled the room I was almost ready to laugh at myself for thinking twice about such nonsense; but I was, all the same, so much ashamed of the vague imaginings that dream had engendered, that I would not for worlds have told Edward a word about it. “Tm afraid I was rather growly last night,” said Edward at breakfast ; ‘‘ but I really was quite knocked up with my long walk.” “T was disgracefully cross, myself,” I admitted, handing him his. coffee, ‘‘ but I missed you so all the evening. Long separations don’t seem to agree with either of us.” ‘“ What do you say to sauntering about a little in these parts before we go on to Carlisle, Mary? It’s a very pretty country and it’s much nicer being by ourselves than with anyone else.” “Of course it is,” I admitted; ‘‘ but, my dear Edward, we have written to the Westlakes to say we’re coming.” “Then write again and say long railway journeys don’t agree with me, and that we can only reach them by easy stages. And as I haven’t half explored Calverley yet, shall we stay here a day or two? This seems a nice, comfortable hotel.” Oh no,” ITanswered with a shudder; ‘let us get out of this. A little of Caverley goes a long way.” And so it happened that the same day found us at the Royal Hart, Branscombe. The Royal Hart, Branscombe, was a magnificent model of all that an inn ought not to be. ‘The landlord and servants seemed alike to look upon the guests as personal enemies, to be harassed, worried, and made miserable by every means in their power. But in spite of all discomforts I spent a much pleasanter evening than at the well-appointed ‘‘ Calverley Arms.” Edward seemed quite himself again, and I myself felt in my usual spirits. ‘This sudden scheme of rambling through the pleasant district of mid-England, in the height of summer, was delightful to me. It would be lke a wedding tour, a second honeymoon, I said. We wandered about in the woods all the evening, and I was so tired that I dropped asleep directly my head touched the pillow. How long had I been asleep? I woke, shivering with fear. For, incredible as it may seem, the terrible experience of the night before had been repeated, to every smallest detail. Again the river, the bridge, the lovers, the sudden splash and cry, and then the face of ~my husband turned towards me with that frantic horror on it ! This time I did not cry out, only drew my breath quickly and lay rigid, unable to move or speak, though. I knew, somehow, that Edward was awake. CONNIE OOO KS (EO)