The Argosy — page 333: what you’re looking at

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

312 | Bidding by Proxy. “See that the picture is brought to-morrow morning to this address,” said Mr. Ferguson, giving him the card, ‘‘and the cheque will be ready.” ‘‘ What a surprise for Septimus,” said the delighted Mrs. Palecourt to her brother, as they sat dawdling over their dessert. ‘*‘ How pleased he will be!” | ‘Not so sure of that,” gruffly replied Tom. ‘‘ Rather more than he bargained for, I fancy. However,” he went on, as a cab stopped at the door, ‘‘ here he is to answer for himself; and if you take my advice, you won’t say a word about it until he has had something to eat.” When the traveller had recruited his energies with the aid of a “‘réchauffé” dinner, his wife, unable any longer to restrain her impa- tience, burst out with the news. ‘‘ What do you think has happened, dear, since you were away? ‘The picture is yours.” “Ts ite?” replied Mr. Palecourt, with less enthusiasm than she expected, and wondering in his own mind how she knew it. ‘“ What’s the figure?” ‘A hundred guineas.” ‘Guineas !” echoed Septimus, not over pleased. ‘* The fellow has gone beyond my commission,” he thought. ‘““ Yes,” continued Sophy in great excitement. ‘Tom went down to the rooms on purpose to buy it for you.” “Tom!” exclaimed her husband, thoroughly puzzled. ‘* What had he to do with it? I left a commission myself for a hundred pounds.” “You did?” said Mr. Ferguson. Then, my good fellow, you’ve made a pretty mess of it, for we have been bidding against each other all the time.” “Tt wasn’t Tom’s fault,” interposed Mrs. Palecourt, ‘“‘he did it to oblige me. I was so anxious you shouldn't miss it. If I had only known you intended bidding yourself!” ‘Never thought of it until I was half way to the station,” growled Septimus, still harping on the unnecessary outlay. However, when morning came, and with it the picture, its owner, who in the meantime had reflected that after all he had got it at a ridiculously low price, felt equal to discharging his lability, including . Shadrach’s commission, with a tolerably good grace ; and before many days had elapsed, the newly-framed masterpiece occupied the place of honour in the gallery of Thurloe Square. So elated, indeed, was Septimus with the possession of such a treasure, that he literally talked of nothing else; and it was confidently whispered, by the chosen few invited to inspect the marvel, that poor Palecourt had decidedly Cuyp on the brain. Some weeks later, while strolling in Piccadilly, he came across a COMMICOOOKS.E) m