The Argosy — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

Mary Silver. 123 found the master absent, and the pianoforte occupied by a girl whom she had not seen before. A tall, handsome, stylish girl, with an exquisite complexion, brilliant cold eyes, and a supercilious mouth. She was playing bravura passages with a great deal of dash, and she suspended her occupation to honour Mary with a comprehensive stare. “One of Mr. Shelley’s pupils?” she coldly questioned. ‘“ He is called away to speak to somebody. You had better sit down.” “Thank you!” replied Mary, rather nettled at the supercilious tone, and at being thus patronised by a new student. ‘‘I don’t require an invitation to sit. I am quite at home here. I am in my fifth year !” The young lady laughed slightingly, and ran up a chromatic scale with her left hand. ““T have seen your Mr. Shelley,” she began again, ‘and I do not know whether I shall get on with him. He was rather inclined to be on stilts just now. A young professor, too! Fancy that! I hear also that he is sarcastic.” ‘“ He is a first rate master!” cried Mary, warmly, for Mr. Shelley was her favourite professor, and she was nothing if not loyal. ‘‘If he is ever sarcastic to his pupils, it is their own fault.” “He can be exceedingly disagreeable when he chooses,” said the new comer. ‘‘ There is one thing I like about him: he has a nice voice. It is pleasant and refined. I suppose he is never disagree- able to you ?”’—with slight sarcasm. ‘“‘ He is never anything but kind and pleasant to me,” replied Mary. ‘“‘ He never gave me an unkind word or a cross look.” “Ah,” said the new girl, after a long, scrutinising look at Mary, “YT think I know you now. I recognise you from the description which has been given to me (‘A tell-tale face; you can almost read her thoughts on it.’ That’s how it ran.” Mary started, and flushed crimson. ‘‘ Who said that?” she asked. But even as she spoke she divined what the answer would be. “Your friend, Mr. Frank Templeton, gave it to me.” There ensued a moment’s pause. On the new-comer’s face sat a proud, meaning, mocking smile. Mary shivered involuntarily, and the other girl saw it. ‘““T suppose Mr. Templeton never told you he had met with me?” went onshe. ‘‘ He isa very great friend of yours, is he note” “Yes,” answered Mary, resolutely, looking straight at her. “So he is of mine. We saw a good deal of him in Cornwall; my family were staying there, and we all came back together. Mr. Templeton put off his own return to suit our convenience. And he comes to us frequently now in London.” Mary heard this piece of news with an apprehensive, sinking heart. Before she had framed any answering remark, Mr. Shelley came back to conclude his new pupil’s lesson. Afterwards Mary took hers. COnnicloooks (CO)