The Argosy — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

132 Christobel. l.ves with an ancient sister and this beautiful girl, whom they guard like dragons. By-the-by, you used to sing at one time. Didn’t Mirandola teach you ?” “Yes,” said Fortescue. “Lucky dog! Then you will be able to call, the temptation of renewing your former acquaintance with the maestro being too great to resist. And Mirandola will have to introduce you to his niece, whether he likes it or not.” ‘¢ But why do you call her his niece ?” ‘She must be something to him, and her recent appearance on the scene is against the hypothesis of her being his daughter. Going, old fellow ; good-bye. I start for Italy to-morrow.” The first thing Fortescue did, after installing himself in the studio the next day, was to walk to the window and strain his eyes upwards. They were not blessed anew with the gracious vision that had charmed them before; but the mere knowledge that such a thing was possible transformed Cardigan Square into a Garden of Armida. He did not lose much time in calling on Signor Mirandola, and was most warmly received. ‘The little Italian had heard of his former pupil’s reverse of fortune, but that rather added to than detracted from the cordiality of his greeting. He introduced Fortescue to his sister, who presently came in—a quiet, dried-up little spinster, as Italian as she could be, although out of love for her brother she had wrenched herself from the land of her birth. Her conversation, although genial, was limited, and Signor Miran- dola having exhausted his first raptures, was perforce beginning them (like Browning’s thrush) all over again; when Fortescue, in sheer desperation, asked them if they lived all alone. “We have an invalid friend, who never goes out,” said Signor Mirandola, carelessly. ‘“¢ And latterly we have taken into the house a pupil of my brother’s, a young lady, who will probably enter the profession one day, but at present earns her livelihood by teaching,” added the Signora. Almost before she finished speaking Fortescue sprang to his feet, for the door had opened and Christobel stood inside it. On perceiv- ing the visitor she started and turned red, then deadly pale. Her first expression had been unmistakably one of gladness, but it was succeeded by a look of terror. She glanced in a curious, helpless way at Signor Mirandola. ‘ At last I have found you,” said Fortescue, in a low voice, as he took her passive hand. ‘I seem to have waited years for it.” Signor Mirandola, doubtless enlightened as to the real object of his visitor’s coming, became rather cold in manner, but to this Fortescue remained obstinately blind. ‘The charm of his bearing, which could be great when he chose, vanquished the Signora Marianna, who, like,a true woman, was much struck by the advantage to Christobel of having so delightful a young man in love with her. When Fortescue CORMIECLIOO KS. (EC)