The Argosy — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

4 Lady Grace. that it was you Gertrude had really cared for. I was not sure; and I judged it better not to continue the train of thought: but, this I know, Gertrude has never been quite the same girl since. I suppose I ought not to tell you this: I fear I am forgetting myself in more ways than one.” Everard Wilmot paused. ‘‘ Do you know, Mary,” he said, “that - this communication in regard to yourself places me in a very painful position P” | ‘“T can only throw myself upon your generosity ; only plead for your forgiveness.” ‘Putting aside the question of my private feelings, you place me in a most embarrassing and painful position towards Dr. Dynevor. He expects that I have come home to marry his daughter; I ex- pected it; the world expects it; and what can be my excuse for refusing ? Can I go to him, hat in hand, and say, ‘Sir, I am tired of your daughter: I do not intend to marry her?’ ” She caught up the silk flounce of her evening dress, and rolled it about in thought as she spoke. ‘ How can it be managed? what can be done? Oh, Sir Everard, can you think of no plan? you are so much wiser than I.” “You seem to assume confidently that I must consent to the breaking up of my cherished plans ; to summarily resigning my pro- mised wife.” She looked very much distressed. ‘‘ What caz I do? Can I marry you, liking someone else?” ‘Having promised to be my wife, was it right that you should cul- tivate so much the society of Mr. Baumgarten ?” | “You do not understand,” she hastily said. ‘It was not nght ; but you do not quite understand. We have always been very intimate with the Baumgartens ; my youngest sister was named after Lady Grace ; and Charles has come here as freely as our own brothers have come. I did not think of any danger, I don’t think Charles did, it is your coming home which has shown us the truth.” ‘You wish me to understand that you and Mr. Baumgarten are irrevocably attached to one another. There was a risk of the flounce being pulled into shreds, and Sir Everard scarcely caught the confirmative answer. “Then will it not be better to tell the simple truth to Dr. Dynevor? I do not suggest this to avert unpleasantness to myself, but us ‘Tt is the very thing that must not be done,” she interrupted, in agitation. ‘ Charles Baumgarten is as yet too poor to ask for me, and papa would go wild at the bare idea of it. He of course considers it a most desirable thing—oh pardon me for having to say all this— that I should—should—become Lady Wilmot, and I dare not tell him I object. I thought if you could do it—as if the objection came from you—you would not be afraid of him, for he could not be harsh CONMClooolkxs (C©)