The Argosy — page 170: what you’re looking at

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

A Shower of Daffodils. 155 her hand, and laid it upon the shrine. Mrs. Hamilton talked on with Richmond, apparently not noticing that the hand was there. Philip Hartley’s eyes were bent steadily on the little hand, when something—he knew not what, for there was no sound—caused him suddenly to look towards the watch chamber. There, half hidden behind a heavy curtain which covered a doorway, appeared a middle- agedman. His eyes were fixed intently on the young girl, who for her part was wondering what Mr. Hartley would think of this action of hers, and was quite unconscious of the stranger’s gaze riveted upon her. That evening they all dined together at Redcot, Mr. Hamilton’s house; and after dinner Evelyn sang ‘‘Soave Imagine d’Amor ” charmingly, and Mr. Hartley sang “To Anthea,’ and meant “To Evelyn.” Then the little afternoon tea-table, with its dainty bows of crimson ribbon, was drawn up close to Mr. Hamilton’s chair, and the whist cards were laid upon it ; and it would have been a most enjoyable evening, only Mr. Molesworth, the artist already alluded to, dropped in unexpectedly and spoilt it all. For after he came a sort of constraint fell upon everyone, which was strange, as he was an old friend. It may have been due to his marked coldness towards young Hartley, who was Evelyn’s partner in the game at the time he entered. These young men were destined to meet each other frequently in the days that followed. But their demeanour never changed towards each other. Philip Hartley often came up to town from Cambridge after this time; and he never came without seeing his friends at Redcot. Miss Roper, the ex-governess, was of opinion he came too often ; but then she was rather a champion of the artist, who had adroitly flattered her water-colour sketches, made when she had been travelling with the family abroad. There came a day, however, when Miss Roper understood that Mr. Molesworth had no chance with the young lady. She also learnt that he did not wish for a chance. It came about in this way. Mrs. Hamilton and Evelyn, accompanied by Miss Roper, drove out to the Dulwich picture gallery, where Mr. Molesworth had promised to meet them, and give direction, not to say bias, to their opinions on the works of art there. It was the first fine day after a week of pouring rain. On their way they happened to meet young Hartley. Stopping the carriage to speak to him, and hearing he had nothing to do, they persuaded him to take the vacant place in it and accompany them. Evelyn’s parasol had a pink lining, and the soft reflected colour had a charming effect, so Philip thought. It was during that drive that he resolved to test his fate without more delay. He had ample means to marry upon. CoOnmnicboooks (CO) im