The Argosy — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

Chyristobel. 135 Chisholm swam from the room. ‘“‘ Do give me Christobel’s address,” said Geraldine, in a low voice to Fortescue. He complied, adding, ‘‘ I met her accidentally, but I suppose it is useless to try and make Mrs. Chisholm believe that.” ‘The widow sat back in her carriage for about a quarter of an hour in unbroken silence. ‘Then, finding that Geraldine refrained from all remarks, she observed austerely : ‘Tt is not that I have the least desire or curiosity to see any more of such a person, but I confess that had Mr. Fortescue not deliber- ately concealed that shameless girl’s address, I should have thought better of him.” “He gave it to me as soon as [ asked for it,” said Geraldine, calmly. ‘It is 14, Glen Isla Mansions.” Upon which Mrs. Chisholm immediately pulled the check-string and ordered the coachman to drive there. Christobel was at home, and Geraldine did what she could by the sweetness and kindness of her own manner to cover the insolence of Mrs. Chisholm. She found Christobel nervous and ill at ease, but attributed it to the unwelcome presence of the widow. ‘The latter, on her side, noted everything, cross-questioned Marianna when Christobel, as usual, was summoned from the room, and drew her own conclusions. ‘“A sick cousin of yours!” she repeated. ‘‘ An Italian, of course, who has taken exclusively to Miss Fane. Very touching, I am sure, and very strange.” She continued questioning, and Marianna told her several fibs with a truly Southern air of candour. She did not resent being interro- gated as an Englishwoman would have done, but, all the same, she was careful not to let her visitor learn more than was necessary. Mrs. Chisholm took her leave at last with great politeness, and remained suspiciously amiable all that day and for several days following. ‘They communicated their discovery and subsequent visit to Verschoyle, who, as Mrs. Chisholm did not fail to remark, appeared not at all astonished ; and she surprised a glance between him and Mr. Sherlock which set her thinking. Since her engagement to Mr. Hillyer, her interest in the inscrut- able old Australian had increased enormously. She was very uneasy at the interest which, as she fancied, he took in Christobel Fane ; and she was determined that it should in no way benefit its object, if she could help it. With this laudable purpose, she set herself to watch and listen, and one day her patience was rewarded. Mr. Sherlock had lately once or twice received a visit from a per- son whom he called Mr. Petrie, who greatly excited Mrs. Chisholm’s curiosity, inasmuch as the conversations between him and the old gentleman were very long and apparently very interesting. “Could he be Mr. Sherlock’s lawyer ?” thought Mrs. Chisholm. ** And was he drawing up a will ?” A suspicion so excruciating was not to be borne. NOOKS A) Golm (CO) am