The Argosy — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

Cyril Trevor's Wood-Nyimph. 157 you need change of air, Cyril. We'll go to Mentone or Rome. They say the climate is more exhilarating and quite as mild as this. What do you say to it ?” “I’m well enough, sir. But all places are alike to me, and I’m quite ready to accompany you anywhere.” ‘A very proper frame of mind,” he chuckled, gathering his legs up sharply and shooting them out again with equal rapidity. ‘‘ Very good! ‘Phen we'll be off next week. By-the-bye, Madame B has a party to-night, as you know. She wanted me to go, but I said the night air was too great a risk, and told her I’d send you instead. You'll look in, my boy?” “Certainly, if you promised, sir,” I answered, morosely. ‘“ But frankly, I wish you had not done so. I am in no humour for frivolity just now.” “Quite right,” coughed my uncle, satirically. ‘At your ad- vanced age you ought to have done with frivolity. But you'll go, Cyril 2” Accordingly, about half-past eight I presented myself at Madame B ’s. The rooms were full, and, as I paused on the threshold, if my face betrayed my secret feelings, its expression must have been exceedingly ungracious. Madame, however, welcomed me kindly, and after a few words, said: ‘‘ You have met my niece before, I understand. Perhaps, however, a more formal introduction would not be out of place. Beatrice, my dear, allow me to present to you Mr. Cyril Trevor.” My head reeled, my heart stopped as, in the radiant being before me, I recognised my long-lost wood nymph. It is impossible to recal what followed. Everything was enveloped an a rosy haze of blissful incredulity. When I recovered somewhat we were sitting together in a distant part of the room, screened from the public gaze by rows of plants, from which I conclude, that even at that trying moment, my native common-sense had not entirely deserted me. The time passed with terrible rapidity. Beatrice told me that her aunt had come a few days since to the Villa, and after a long conver- sation with Mr. Ross, had carried her off to Pau. Making good use of my time, a bond of sympathy was binding us very closely together when Madame at last broke in upon our solitude. “ Really, Mr. Trevor, I cannot permit you to monopolise my niece all the evening. You may call to-morrow if you like, but I must separate you now. Beatrice, Miss Lucy wishes to speak to you about iLady C.’s ball. Are you going, Mr. Trevor ?” ‘““T had not intended accepting the invitation on account of my uncle’s health,” I replied; ‘‘ but if Miss Ross will favour me with her hand—-—” I stopped and looked at Beatrice. “T am not a good dancer,” she said, blushing. ‘You will be serry for having asked me, afterwards.” CONnNIClOOO (CO)