The Argosy — page 171: what you’re looking at

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

156 A Shower of Daffodils. They soon wandered away, he and she, after their arrival, leaving Mr. Molesworth and his auditors, and stood together before the portrait of Mrs. Siddons as the tragic muse, making observations for themselves. Miss Roper was observing them, however; she felt as certain that love-words were passing as if she had been close by and heard them. Mr. Molesworth seemed to have the same idea, for he glanced away from Murillo’s “‘ Beggar Boys” and spoke sarcastically to the ex-governess. Mrs. Hamilton noticed nothing. She was studying the picture intently through her gold eye-glass. ‘“So he has committed himself, has he, that fellow! I don’t envy him.” In the evening, Philip Hartley dined at Redcot, and after dinner he had an interview with Mr. Hamilton. ‘That over, he left without again seeing Evelyn, at Mr. Hamilton’s request. Afterwards, Mr. Hamilton sent for her to his study. She seated herself at his feet on a low stool, and averted her head, for she was sure she knew what was to be the subject of discussion. Mr. Hamilton passed his hand over the girl’s shoulder caressingly. She raised her hand and touched his. It was the hand with the ring on it. ‘“‘ Evelyn,” he said, in a voice checked by emotion, ‘‘ Mr. Hartley has been to me. I have told him to wait a few days for his answer.” Pausing for a moment he then went on. ‘“ Evelyn, my dear, the time has come when you are to know all—all that I have kept from you for your ease of heart.” Evelyn held his hand tightly. She felt a fear of what was coming, now that Philip had spoken. — Of late years she had known by instinct that there was some unpleasant tale to tell. “Ts it of my father and mother you would speak to me, dear Mr. Hamilton ?” she asked, faintly. “Of one of them, Evelyn; your father. But he will tell you all himself, very shortly.” “Then my father lives!” she cried in surprise: but she did not like to ask why had she never seen him. ‘‘ He lives, and he 1s very ill, my dear; your mother has been long dead. His illness is sudden, as I gather, and dangerous ; and he asks for you. The letter came to day while you were at Dulwich.” “Yes?” she said, for he paused. ‘You must decide for yourself, Evelyn, whether you will obey his request, or not. He has neglected you for so long that perhaps you 1) “Oh, I will go to him,” said the girl, as she burst into tears. “That is right, child ; Miss Roper shall attend you. She can stay at some inn there, I suppose, while you go on to the house: I will tell her. And, Evelyn, I know you will be gentle and forgiving to him. Be your own dear self, and all will be well.” {9 CORMICLOOOKS.(E0) m