The Argosy — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

152 Cyril Trevor's Wood-Nymph. here? There are as many as one could wish for, even in Pau, my boy.” “Oh, as many and more!” was my cynical response. “Only, preferring to be married for merit rather than money, I should like to know something of the young lady herself, and thanks to folly and fashion that feat is well nigh impossible. Can’t we let the subject drop, sir? Iam thoroughly tired of it.” “Let it drop?” said my tormentor, rolling his head round to see me better. Then suddenly drawing in his legs, he darted a lean hand sideways in my direction as greater emphasis to his meaning, and re- commenced : ‘“¢ Now, Cyril, just listen. You represent the good of lifetome. I took you when your parents died; reared you as my heir—my son ; and you have always been a good lad—always. I can’t last long— you know I[ can’t. I grow weaker every day. Do me this favour. This one favour. Promise to look seriously about you while we are in Pau. I will not ask you to propose to anyone. No, no! But to please me, to gratify an old man’s whim, consider the subject seriously.” ‘Enough, sir!” I answered, touched by this appeal. ‘I give you my promise. You deserve far more than that from me. I will think the matter over carefully, and do my best to meet your wishes.” “Thank you, my boy!” exclaimed my uncle, rubbing his hands together. ‘‘ You always were a good lad; very!” Nevertheless, I was greatly annoyed. One afternoon, not many days after the preceding conversation, I strolled across the bridge over the Gave, intending to walk off a fit of ill-humour incident on meeting three fashionable young ladies in the Place Gramont. ‘The day was intensely hot ; and in my present state of mind shade became absolutely necessary on advancing into the country. Luckily a little by-path, seeming to invite investigation, enticed me, and taking it, I found it led through a thick plantation, which afforded a grateful relief after the dust and glare of the high road. Presently, emerging from the wood, the ripple of running water attracted my attention. Following the sound, I arrived at a group of beech trees, and, forcing my way through the underwood, saw a natural basin where the stream had collected into a clear pool a few feet deep. Around the margin ferns and ivy found their way through moss, bend- ing down to admire their grace reflected in the mirror beneath. In the centre there jutted up a fragment of rock, clad with greyish lichen and a few odd rock-ferns which peeped from the narrow fissures in its sides. It was a place for Diana herself to bathe in. Throwing myself down, I reclined upon a couch of fallen aenen concealed by the undergrowth, which still permitted me to enjoy the peaceful beauty of the scene. My happiness was complete but not lasting, for at the moment a sweet voice broke the stillness. CORMICECOOOKS. (EO)