The Argosy — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

6 Lady Grace. in the Church. For all he could see now, he might live and die at this poor living, and he did not like the prospect. But we left him walking home from service with Edith, and they soon reached Whitton Cottage. Mr. Baumgarten went on at once to the little room he used as his study, but Edith, at the sound of wheels, lingered in the garden. ‘The Countess of Avon’s carriage drew up, and stopped at the gate. Miss Dane went out to it. Grace spoke first, her eyes running in all directions while she did so, as if they were in search of some object not in view. “Edith, we could not go home without driving round to ask after your mamma.” “Thank you, Lady Grace. Mamma is in little pain to-day and her cough isnot troublesome. I think her breathing J is generally better in hot weather. Will you not come in?” ‘“ Couldn’t think of it, my dear,” spoke up the Countess. ‘* Our dinner will be ready ; you know I have to take it early. Grace for- got to order James round till we were half-way home.” “Has Mr. Baumgarten got back from church yet?” carelessly spoke Lady Grace, adjusting the lace of her summer mantle. ‘He is in his study, I fancy,” replied Edith, and she turned round to hide the blush called up by the question, just as Mr. Baumgarten approached them. At his appearance the blush in Grace Carmel’s face rivalled that in Edith’s. ‘You surpassed yourself to-day,” cried Lady Avon, as she shook hands with him. ‘I must hear that sermon again. Would you mind lending it to me?” “Not at all,” he replied, ‘if you can only make out my hiero- glyphics. My writing is plain to me, but I do not know that it would be so to you, Lady Avon.” ‘When shall I have it? Will you bring it up this evening, and take tea with us? But you will find the walk long, perhaps, after your services to-day ; and the weather is hot,” she added. “Very long; too far. Could you not return with us now, Mr. Baumgarten ?” interposed her daughter. ‘‘ Mamma will be glad of you to say grace at table.” Whether it pleased the Countess or not, she had no resource, in good manners, but to second the invitation so unceremoniously given. Mr. Baumgarten may have thought he had no resource but to acquiesce —out of good manners also, perhaps. He stood leaning over the carriage, and spoke, half laughing : ‘Am I to bring my sermon with me? If so, I must go in for it. I have just taken it from my pocket.” He came back with his sermon in its black cover. ‘The seat of the carriage was exceedingly large, sweeping round in a half circle. Lady Grace drew nearer to her mother, sitting quite back in the middle of the seat, and Mr. Baumgarten took his seat beside her. Edith Dane cast a look after them as the carriage rolled away, a COMMICOOOKS. EC