The Argosy — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

Chrstobel. ae moment came for moving, offered her his arm and marched her into the dining-room. As the evening went on, it appeared that the old Australian was not the only person on whom Miss Fane had cast a spell. Major Fortescue, who for days past had languidly allowed himself to be appropriated by Mrs. Chisholm, now deserted her for the new- comer. ‘The lady thus abandoned hid her feelings successfully, but inwardly fumed ; and jealousy sharpening her natural malice, she fell to watching her rival with a preternatural acuteness. Nothing that Christobel said or did escaped her, and it was she who subtly drew everybody’s attention to the fact that Captain Verschoyle, when urging Miss Fane to sing, appeared to betray some previous knowledge of her capacity. ‘Miss Fane looks as though she sang,” said Godfrey, coolly enough, although he bit his lips. ‘‘ And as one of my burning desires is to hear “In Una Tomba’ whenever I have the chance, it is natural that I should suggest it now.” “Qui s’excuse, s’accuse,” murmured the widow behind her fan, but loud enough for Geraldine to hear. Christobel rose and went to the piano. ‘‘As I do know‘ In Una Tomba,’ I will sing it,’ she said, “if only to encourage Captain Verschoyle in always asking for it, until he hears it sung to his taste.” She had a lovely voice, as full of feeling as her face ; and she sang the noble, solemn song quite simply, yet with an intensity of longing which astonished her audience. When she ended, there ensued one of those silences which are more eloquent a thousandfold than applause. “You sing lke an artist,” said Mrs. Chisholm, at last. ‘‘ I remem- ber once hearing of an American girl who sang that at a concert in Chester, and enraptured everybody. I was unwell, and could not go. I was so sorry ; for all the gentlemen were raving when they came home. What was the name? Mildmay? Musgrave? Mortemer— That was it. Did you ever hear her, Miss Fane ?” “Yes,” answered Christobel, quietly. ‘At that very concert, perhaps?” Mrs. Chisholm put up her eye- glasses. Her tone was impressive. ‘* Yes, at that concert.” “Come and sing a duet, Mrs. Chisholm,” suddenly interposed Godfrey, rising and approaching the piano. ‘“ You cannot have for- gotten how you ravished us last night.” But Mrs. Chisholm protested. ‘She had a cold—she was hoarse. She could not sing after Miss Fane. Besides, she really wanted to hear more about Miss Mortimer. Perhaps Miss Fane knew her?” “Oh, nonsense!” said Verschoyle, gaily. ‘How should Miss Fane know one concert-singer more than another? It is unkind of you to hesitate about the duet when you know I am expiring to show off!” And he drowned further expostulation in a shower of chords. Comiclooolks (SO) am =)