The Argosy — page 196: what you’re looking at

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

Lady Valeria. 179 question of the first marriage as settled. / don’t want to dispute it. Maybe you do, though ?” “That marriage will never be questioned by me,” spoke Oliver, firmly and defiantly. The other drew a long breath, whether of relief or sataninanent Eustace could not divine. ‘ You know you give me points by saying so?” he asked, stroking his glossy imperial and looking at him with half contemptuous admiration. ‘‘You know I don’t mind admitting, if you fad pressed that point, I might have had some difficulty in making out my case. My respected progenitor—long ago gone over to the majority—has doubtless repented his culpable careless- ness with regard to his son and heir’s interests. But you, my brother, make amends for all,” he continued in an outburst of admiration: ‘“‘you have the sentiments of a good son and a true gentleman. I, too, hope to show that I am at one with you in all that concerns the family honour. The circumstances of my early life and training may have been against me, but I trust to prove that the sentiments innate in the heart of a gentleman exist and are paramount /ere,” and he drew himself up and laid one hand on his breast with an air—theatrical, perhaps—but which seemed to come naturally to the man. ‘Let the marriage be admitted by you. Let me feel that you in your heart acknowledge my claim to a brother’s place, and I gladly do my share ; and for the sake of one equally dear to us both I resign from this moment name, kindred, social position, and am content to die as I have lived, plain Stephen Magrath.” Magrath’s voice shook, and he stopped as if affected at the contem- plation of his own magnanimity. Eustace looked at Meynell, who made no response but stood dejectedly leaning against the mantel- piece, his face shadowed by his hand. “There are still a few formalities to be gone through before we proceed to discuss future arrangements,” he observed. ‘‘ You are pre- pared to prove your identity with the boy that Stephen Magrath and Bridget, his wife, took out with them to America?” Magrath nodded. ‘‘He was well-known to many residents in Petropolis, and was always considered to be dead and buried.” The man’s face fell foran instant. ‘‘ Do they really think me dead, then?” he asked. I wasn’t on good terns with them when we parted. They were all jealous of me. Couldn’t understand why I was always treated better than the others. Poor old Biddy. She kept the secret well.” He paused, and meditated fora moment. “If they vead/y think me dead,” he began, addressing Meynell, “‘isn’t it better to leave it so? Why should we take them into our confidence? I have been taking steps to obtain evidence from Petropolis; but I will give that up, unless you require it. It would of course be so much more time gained for you,” he added, with a frank smile. ‘Tt might be advisable for you to do so,” the Vicar assented gravely. CoOnnicoooks (SO)