The Argosy — page 189: what you’re looking at

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

172 Lady Valeria. “ Not till late from Altcar, but one stops at Ingildyke—the station just beyond the Park. You had better take Brickbat, that'll give you plenty of time ; but can you desert your flock in this way ?” ‘De Cressy will—” the Vicar began, but stopped with a flush of annoyance ; Lionel and his fair freight were nowhere visible. Only the great barge came slowly trailing along, stopping ata shout from Eustace. In it was Mr. Renwick, and in him was comfort to be found. He undertook at once the charge of the rest of the day’s entertainment, and, moreover, promised to escort the party up to town, spending the night at St. Fridolin’s. ‘As you are going back to the Court, will you telegraph my reply for me?” Eustace asked his father, pencilling on a card as he spoke. ‘‘ Here it is, ‘Coming back at once. ‘Train arrives—’ when ?” “Tt’s a slow one. You'll not get in before seven.” “There it is, then. Will you give my love to my mother and explain the case ?” “ But what am I toexplain? What does the man want with you ?” "That I don’t know. It’s his wanting me at all that is the alarm- ing thing. Do you know anything of the family ?” “No, except by name. Stop. Don’t hurry,” as his son was about to mount. ‘‘ You'll only have to wait at Ingildyke. ‘Tell me, who is that most charming girl?” ‘Which one? Do you mean Miss Archdale.” ‘¢So she is not your lost pearl, eh ?” said Lord Altcar in a lowered voice, replying to Eustace’s tone rather than to his words. ‘‘ I’m un- commonly sorry to hear it. She is a girl after my own heart. I mean to join the party presently just to make friends with her. ‘There’s a look in her face that shouldn’t be there. As for yourself, Eustace— ” But Eustace swung himself into the saddle and Brickbat gave an impatient little dance, cutting short his words. He gave more than one sharp, scrutinising side-way glance at his son’s face as he walked beside him to the corner of the field where a gate had to be opened. “Come down again soon. I would have run up to town before this, only I didn’t like leaving your mother and Mary to the mercy of that little hussy, Mrs. Randolf. Eustace!” in a sudden explosion of feeling. ‘‘ Can you stand the thought of that minx as mistress here? I swear [’ll live to a hundred rather than give her the chance! If I thought I couldn’t, I’d set to work to day and construct a will that should throw the property into Chancery for generations to come.” Eustace laughed as he turned Brickbat’s head in the direction of Ingildyke and listened to some last shouted directions about leaving him in the Stationmaster’s care to await the groom’s arrival, but the laugh was a bitter one. Huis father’s words had touched him more deeply than he cared to show. Thelost Pearl! Ah me! Was the old wound never to heal? Must he go till the day of his death CONNICMOOOKS. COms