The Argosy — page 249: what you’re looking at

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

232 The Missing Rubies. sudden faintness as she was crossing the Silverdean fields; that she had been found, half insensible, by Mr. Earle ; that he had helped her to reach the railway station, and had then taken care of her on the journey. All through the night the kind-hearted woman had worried herself about the girl’s state of health, and had made up her mind to call in a doctor at once if there was the slightest return of that terrible faint- ness. It was a great relief to see Beatrice coming downstairs in her neat black gown, with a fresh, morning face, and eyes that showed only the very faintest traces of tears. “T hope you have slept well, my dear?” said Mrs. Milton, anxiously. ‘‘ Yes; I see you look rested. I always detect the traces of wakeful nights at a glance. Now come and have breakfast without a moment’s delay. I have been thinking a great deal about that faint- ing-fit of yours, and I believe I have found out the cause.” “Oh, 1t wasn’t at all a bad fainting-fit,” replied Beatrice, with a slight colour rising to her cheeks. ‘‘ And indeed it didn’t last long.” “You don’t know how long it lasted—how could you know, when that young man discovered you lying on the grass in a state of insen- sibility? It makes me shudder when I picture the scene, Beatrice !” ‘Then please don’t picture it, dear!” “Nonsense,” said Mrs. Milton, loading her pupil’s plate with good things. ‘It is my duty to try and realise any adventure in which you are concerned. And I must caution you, Beatrice, against the foolish practice of going out early in the morning without a substantia} breakfast. You fainted because you had not taken enough nourish- ment to sustain your frame. It is well for you that Providence interfered on your behalf, or the consequences of your folly might have been very serious.” ‘TI did feel rather weak and spent when we arrived at the railway- station,” admitted Beatrice, busy with ham and eggs. ‘‘ Mr. Earle got a cup of tea for me at a cottage.” ‘Very kind and sensible of him. But, my child, you must not go about the world accepting cups of tea from young men. Iam not pleased, by any means, at this unconventional beginning of an ac- quaintance.” ‘But, Harriet, I couldn’t help it.” Miss Ward always addressed her ex-governess by her Christian name. ‘‘And he is a thorough gentleman ; you could see that, I’m sure.” “He looks a thorough gentleman. But, Beatrice, child, you have yet to learn how much a man may have lost before he loses externa} refinement. It is the last thing that leaves him.” “Tt you are going to talk in this depressing strain, Harriet, you wil? utterly spoil my breakfast,” said the girl in an aggrieved tone. ‘Why have we to come to the conclusion that Mr. Earle has nothing but his external refinement to recommend him? Why isit necessary always to believe the worst of people at once?” CORNICE OOOKS GO) m —. se -