The Argosy — page 142: what you’re looking at

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

Christobel. 127 But the police are not charitable-minded, and they intended to unearth Vandyken if they could, more especially as the government of his own country was pursuing him on a charge of swindling. The papers were full of the affair for a few days, and the public expected great things. It was announced that the police had inform- ation, and that there would probably be a trial. Satisfied with this assurance, people were content to wait, and—waiting—they began to forget. Meanwhile Miss Millicent had been buried with all the pomp becoming a Hillyer; but Christobel, at Geraldine’s desire, remained for a few days at the Hall. Mr. Hillyer, disliking and mistrusting her, was not sorry to keep her near him until his sister’s will was read. He had yet to determine the conduct he should observe towards Miss Fane should she be, as he feared, universal legatee. A great surprise awaited him, however, in the disgovery that Miss Millicent had nothing to leave. Her lawyers lost no time in com- municating the fact that some years previously she had lost the greater part of her money in an unfortunate speculation, and had sunk the remainder in an annuity which enabled her to keep up a delusive appearance of wealth. She had possessed very valuable plate and jewels ; but on enquiry it appeared that these had vanished as utterly as her fortune. No trace of them was to be found, but Miss Millicent’s maid, when questioned on the subject by Mr. Hillyer, expressed her belief that her mistress had secretly and gradually sold them. What she had done with the money thus realised became the next problem. Mr. Hillyer, in the bitterness of his heart, concluded that in one way or another it had been spent for the benefit of Christobel Fane. He was not sufficiently master of himself to prevent these suspicions be- coming partially apparent when speaking with his sister’s protégée, and the girl was deeply wounded by them. She said she knew nothing of the plate or jewels, but Mr. Hillyer had difficulty in believing her ; and although good breeding made him conceal his incredulity, good- breeding was not always as strong as his resentment. ‘““May I be allowed to ask how your acquaintance with my sister began, Miss Fane?” he asked once, with evident irritation. ‘“‘T knew her through a mutual friend,” replied Christobel, coldly. “A friend of the family ?” ‘| have no reason to suppose so.” Mr. Hillyer was more than displeased. ‘‘ You do not seem to be communicatively inclined, Miss Fane, but you must feel that my sister’s extraordinary interest in you warrants curiosity on my part.” Christobel did not answer, and Mr. Hillyer, with fresh anger at her silence, continued: ‘‘ Are you willing to account in no way for an attachment so sudden, and, considering my sister’s nature and habits, you must allow me to add—so inexplicable ?” CoOnniclooolkks (CO)