The Argosy — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

Lady Valeria. 163 dear love and when Mr. Stannard can be spared she will be glad to see him.” ““T had better go to her at once. Renwick was going to bring them round by Chesterton Woods to see the view from the mill, but they can’t be very much longer now.” ' The great drawing-room was empty. But as he entered by the window at one end, a door at the other opened, and a small figure in a trailing white cashmere breakfast-gown appeared. Running childishly up, she flung her arms round his neck, lifted a soft little pink mouth to be kissed and then, dropping her curly flaxen head on his breast, sobbed hysterically, to his no small embarrassment. “Oh! Eustace. My dear, dear brother. Oh! I am gladto have you! I thought you never, never were coming to me. And he trusted me to you!” “I didn’t know you wanted me, my dear,” he said, drawing back from her embrace somewhat disconcerted. ‘‘No one told me you were here.” Amy manifested great determination to control her sobs by the aid of a blue-bordered and monogrammed handkerchief, glancing over it piteously now and then. “There. Iam better now ”— faintly and with a tearful smile. “It was only seeing you upset me. I must learn to be brave, now that I have baby to think of”—pressing a little plump white hand on the blue satin facings that presumably covered her heart,— “but it is hard sometimes to bear things,” and she sobbed anew. ‘When did you come, and where is Randolf, and how is my niece?” enquired Eustace, letting her rest on his arm, but gently and firmly conducting her to a neighbouring sofa. “Very well, poor little unconscious darling ! S#e feels nothing. It all falls on me. When did we come? Last week—or was it a fort- night ago? It seems as if years had passed over me.” Amy clasped her hands carefully on one side of the cascade of lace down the front of her robe, and raised her great blue eyes appealingly to her brother-in-law. * Tell me about Randolf. Has he gone back to Malta, or what P” he asked, seating himself near her and feeling, he didn’t know why, uncommonly sorry for her. ‘‘'Y—y—yes, he has gone. It was his p—parting wish that I should come here, and I have obeyed him. But oh! it’s dreadful, Eustace ! Oh, don’t forsake me! Remember you are all I have in the world now,” and she dropped on his shoulder again in tears. Eustace reflected that he had a good many people in the world on his hands besides Mrs. Randolf, and, expecting every moment to hear the carriage wheels on the gravel outside, performed his ministry of consolation rather brusquely. “Of course I'll take care of you, dear, but what on earth’s the matter? If you won’t tell me plainly, I can’t help you.” COnnicboooks im