The Argosy — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

176 Lady Valeria. “JT should have thought you might have seen that I hope—I humbly strive—to take this dispensation in a right spirit,” said Oliver, nervously and hastily. ‘‘ I—I—-a—accept it as chastisement, and bow before the rod. I may have been setting inordinate store by the things of this world, and this may be sent asa warning.” Eustace dropped his hand, but he went on as if he were repeating a prepared speech, gaining confidence at the sound of his own voice. ‘“ These are not the worldling’s views, but as a minister you might have been expected to enter into them. I might have counted on spiritual counsel and—prayer” (this last with a gulp as if he should have disliked it uncommonly) ‘‘as it is” (in sudden apprehension of Eustace proffering one or the other) “I will say good-bye.” The limp hand — had grown suddenly hot and twitched uneasily, Eustace felt, before he dropped it. ‘‘Is the man trying to take in himself or me?” he thought as he walked down the street. ‘‘ Both, I verily believe. I don’t know yet what made him send for me, but it strikes me forcibly that for all the good I can do him I might as well have stayed at Altcar.” CHAPTER XXXIV. STEPHEN MAGRATH CLAIMS HIS BIRTHRIGHT. THE few who attended the early service at St. Fridolin’s next morning were much impressed by the sight of the Meynell carriage in waiting to carry off the Vicar at its conclusion. It was earlier by twenty minutes than the hour named when Eustace found himself in the house in Seagrave Place. He found the banker restlessly pacing to and fro in the dining-room, looking haggard and worn, with hollow, anxious eyes and hot, shaking hands. Eustace regarded him wonder- ingly. He recognised fully the gravity of the situation, which had in truth cost him a wakeful hour or two that night; but he had not believed it in Oliver Meynell’s cool, languid-blooded nature to take anything deeply to heart ; and here he was, advancing to meet him with the faltering step and bent head of a man made old in a night by sudden calamity. “Tt is good of you to come. Iam very lonely here,” he said in a low, hoarse voice. ‘T am glad to be of.any service,” said the Vicar, with the expression of friendly neutrality he had resolved to himself to maintain. ‘“I wish you had selected a more competent adviser.” ‘‘You had my mother’s confidence,” said Oliver, hastily. Then with a wistful look: ‘‘I wonder how this business appears to you— as an impartial observer.” ‘¢ There can be only two ways of looking at it,” answered Eustace, in spite of his determination to express no opinions whatever. ‘“ This man we are expecting either is your brother orheis not. Inthe first case he ought to be acknowledged and received into the family—if CORMICLMOOOKS.(E©)