The Argosy — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

Christobel. 51 although he still had his back to the light, she perceived, or fancied so, some astonishment also in him. He said not a word, however, only bowed profoundly ; and presently taking a seat apart from the others, fell to watching Miss Fane, furtively but intently. ‘There was some effort at general conversation, but the results were not brilliant. Geraldine was studying Christobel’s face ; the rest of the ladies were studying her dress, and wondering why she looked so handsome in it. Miss Millicent was tired and cross. Most of the gentlemen had reached that ante-prandial stage when further existence without a cigar is unendurable ; and Godfrey was absolutely silent. It was a relief to Geraldine when the dressing-bell rang, and she could escape to her own room. In that grateful solitude, she took herself severely to task. Despising herself for jealousy, she tried hard to overcome the feeling, and to feel persuaded that all she had seen was the mere effect of fancy. But the effort was not very successful, and Geraldine, after an hour’s anxious struggle, was only a little more miserable than before. When dressed, she descended to the drawing-room, opened the door, and—startled two people: Captain Verschoyle and Miss Fane, who were standing in close conversation in front of the fire. They separated hastily, and Godfrey came forward to meet his young hostess. Something in her face moved him to say, with an obvious attempt at carelessness: ‘‘I was just asking Miss Fane if she knew any of my acquaintances in the States.” “Why? Is Miss Fane an American ?” asked Geraldine, quickly, for the colour rose faintly into Christobel’s pale cheeks, as she coldly answered : ‘“ Only in part ;” and Godfrey, tugging at his moustache, looked as if he devoutly wished his observation unspoken. | Aly Tue girlhood of Geraldine Hillyer had not been happy. She had early lost her mother, whom she devotedly loved, and, from the age of fourteen, had been practically mistress of the house. The task thus devolving upon her was by no means an easy one. Mr. Hillyer, for the sake of th® property, which was entailed, had ardently desired a son. Only daughters had, however, been born to him ; and his lot, thus soured, had been additionally embittered by losses of money. To have extricated himself from his consequent difficulties he would have needed to mortgage his estate ; and this was impossible without the consent of the next heir, his youngest brother, Harold Hillyer. And Harold Hillyer was out of England ; were, nobody knew, for he had not been heard of for years. ) He had, when still very young, at the end of a wild, half mad career, 1n a2 moment of terrible temptation, committed an act of forgery, and had expiated his crime in the usual way. His term of punishment over, he had disappeared, asking no help from his COMICOOOKS.EO