The Argosy — page 337: what you’re looking at

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

318 Caroline Heath. me that the os up at my place would kill you, you don't leave me much choice.” ‘We do not make ourselves, remember, pe are not responsible for our tastes and distastes. I thank you gratefully, John. We will be the best of friends always, but nothing more. It is settled then ?” ‘““T expect so. Be sure of one thing—TI would never marry an un- willing woman. Yes, it’s settled.” The great and overwhelming sense of relief which had stolen over Caroline kept her silent. How grateful she was to him for the quiet and reasonable way in which he had met the offered slight, heaven only knew. It was as if a glorious dawn had replaced a dark and interminable night. And in her meetings and her walks with George Rochester there now lay no pricking of conscience. Il, ONE evening close upon September, when the lovely hues of sun- set last far into the gloaming, and the late birds carol forth their evening chant, Caroline Heath was walking down the winding lane from the house of Squire Williams, when she found herself overtaken by Mr. Rochester. On the left a brook meandered silently along at the foot of a grove of trees; involuntarily, as it seemed, both turned towards it. ‘There was a path amidst the trees which equally led to the high road. Mr. Rochester spoke abruptly. ‘“ Will you forgive me, Caroline, if I ask you what you may deem an impertinent question ?” ‘“T do not think you could be impertinent,” she answered, softly. “"Thank you; not willingly. Is it true that you were engaged to Arkright, of the Glebe Farm, and is the engagement now at an end P” Caroline coloured painfully. ‘‘ How did you know anything about it?” she said. ‘““T heard the rumour yesterday. Is it so?” ‘It is true I wasengaged to him. It was a sort of—of—business engagement,” she strove to explain; ‘that is, he and my father settled it between them. When I found how impossible it was that I could—could—like the prospect, I asked Mr. Arkright to release me, and he did so. He behaved very kindly over it.” He looked down at her changing countenance. It was not the rosy light of sunset that made it so lovely, for that was lost in grey clouds. Allin a moment, without notice, he drew her to his side and rein her passionately. ‘“ My dearest love!” he whispered ; ‘‘ my darling Caroline !” EGOMIGIOOKS (C(O) im