The Argosy — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

Lady Valeria. 167 in black silk and clanking with jet. Lastly, a subordinate carrying a load of spare fleecy wraps. The thrill that the apparition of a baby always seems to excite » amongst womankind of every station of life ran through the feminine portion of the assemblage, and even the less impressionable masculine element was stirred with interest when the pretty childish mother rose, and, taking the other infant in her arms, turned to the company and said, with the dignity of a Queen Regent displaying an infant monarch to the populace: ‘‘I felt I could not let you go without see- ing my daughter ; the only representative of the line of Altcar in this generation.” Without enquiring into the precise significance of this description, it sounded sufficiently impressive to warrant a burst of general enthu- siasm. De Cressy, full of his nation’s chivalry, sprang to his feet, and with a ‘‘ Moriamur-pro-Rege-nostro-Maria-Theresa” air raised, not his sword, but his glass on high, and gave “ Miss Esmée Stan- nard’s health, with three times three!” received with tumultuous acclaim. ‘Then the Queen-mother made her stately progress round the room with the royal infant, allowing each in turn a look, a touch of the baby majesty’s soft hand, or whatever other token of devotion and loyalty suggested itself; in the midst of which a door at the other end of the room opened, and Lord Altcar, Mary and Lady Archdale appeared, attracted by the burst of clamour. “ Hullo! what’s this? Handing the last entrée round?” asked Lord Altcar, not altogether inaudibly. Amy cast him a glance of wounded feeling in return for the cruel jest. ‘* This is not a house for children,” she murmured, nestling up to Lady Archdale. ‘‘I keep my poor little daughter as much out of sight as possible, and steal away when I can to the nursery for an hour’s play with her.” Lady Archdale and all the rest within hearing looked touched and sympathetic, while the nurse pursed up her lips dubiousiy and received the baby with the elegance imposed by a stiff, tight waist and two delicately ruffled wrists; and then the procession departed with the same state with which it entered. ‘“‘ Almost as good as the bonfires and shouting retainers,” Eustace could not help whispering as Amy passed him, whereon she fluttered back to her seat by de Cressy like a wounded dove. Lord Altcar meanwhile was addressing his guests and explaining the programme for the rest of the day. Boats were in readiness to convey those who didn’t prefer driving to the point nearest to the scene of the Foresters’ Féte in Lord Ingilby’s park ; after exhausting which entertainment a ramble through the woods would bring the party to the castle ruins, where a gipsy tea was to be disposed of. There was to be a miscellaneous entertainment at the school-room later on, after which fireworks, a torch-light procession, and supper were to conclude the day’s amusement. COMIC OOO an) 4 KS (C©)