The Argosy — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

A Shower of Daffodils. 153 “Oh, she is no relation; she is a Miss Raymouth, who has been brought up by the Hamiltons. There is some sort of mystery con- nected with her; so a friend of theirs told me. Molesworth, the artist. He seemed a good deal interested, I thought.” ‘TI don’t see why he should be,” said Philip Hartley, knocking off his cigar ash with his gloved finger. ‘Why should he not be ?” returned the other, in a surprised tone. ‘“‘He is painting her for the Academy, as—as—lI forget what, but some legendary beauty. She wears a curious ring, and in that ring there 1s ——” ‘* An engagement ring ?” rather sharply interrupted Hartley. ‘“ Oh, no; quite the contrary. Molesworth says that ring would prevent her marriage.” ‘Nothing but a wedding-ring can keep a man from thinking ot such a woman.” “Really, Hartley, if you rave like that I shall think you are in love: you who have promised yourself to science ! ” ‘ T won’t disguise the fact from you that I have caught the fever which men talk of, and which I have laughed at,” was the half-jesting answer. ‘I can’t account for it, but her eyes chained me.” ‘‘T would advise you to be careful, old fellow. I should not lke to see you unhappy, and there 7s something strange in the history or antecedents of that girl.” ‘Get me an introduction and I will take the risk,” said Philip Hartley. ‘‘T can introduce you to the house quite easily, if you really think it well. Mr. Hamilton is a martyr to gout, and I go in sometimes and join them at coffee in a friendly way, and play a game of chess with the old gentleman. But he likes whist best, and cannot often make the table up. Mrs. Hamilton does not play, and Miss Roper, who is Evelyn Raymouth’s companion and late governess, is always declining it on plea of headache. When she does take a hand, she exasperates the old gentleman by constantly revoking.” ‘ And you mean that you can introduce me to takeahand? All right, Richmond ; when shall I come down ?” ‘Can you dine with my people to-morrow night, and we will drop in after. But stay,” broke off the speaker; ‘‘I have promised to go down to St. Albans with Mrs. Hamilton and Miss Raymouth to- morrow.” “ Couldn’t you get me an invitation to go too?” Mr. Richmond laughed. ‘‘ You have caught the fever to some purpose, I think. Perhaps I might manage to get it you. Are you not desperately anxious to do an etching of the shrine, or something of that sort?” ‘“ Desperately anxious,” assented Philip. “ Well, it is late, but they are late people,” said Mr. Richmond. IT will drop in to-night on Hamilton, in his study ; Pll wire to you COnnicoooks (CO)