The Argosy — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

8 Lady Grace. “We found that a marriage between us would not lead to happiness, and we parted.” ‘“ Won't you speak out?” cried he, bringing down his clerical shoe upon the carpet. “That is all I have to say,” she answered, drooping her head. “Tam to understand, then, that Sir Everard Wilmot declines to carry out the engagement ?” “Ves.” She had slightly hesitated at the answer, but it appeared to her that she must give it, for want of a better. “Very well,” cried Dr. Dynevor, as he quitted the room and shut himself into his study. This gave Miss Dynevor and the girls an opportunity of enquiring on their own account. Question after question they poured out on the unhappy Mary, but they did not succeed in getting from her any solution to the mystery: which of course bore an ill appearance. “‘T very much fear it is a case of jilting,” groaned Aunt Ann. ** Tf the days of duelling were not past, one of your brothers ought to go out and shoot Everard Wilmot. Dishonourable craven!” Mary’s cheeks burnt: the “jilting ” had been on her side, not his : and it was great pain to hear this epithet applied to one so generous and upright. Miss Dynevor’s anger, however, could do neither harm nor good: but, unfortunately, Dr. Dynevor’s could, and he had adopted precisely similar sentiments in regard to Sir Everard. It did not occur to him to surmise that a young lady who had waited hopefully (as he con- cluded) for the return of her bridegroom to claim her, would be likely to refuse him as soon as he appeared, therefore he laid all the blame at his door and not hers. A very few days, and then— something like a thunder-clap burst forth on Mary. Her father was entering an action against Sir Everard Wilmot for Breach of Promise. ‘Oh, Aunt Ann,” gasped Mary, appearing before Miss Dynevor whiter than a sheet, ‘‘ what can be done?” Intensely provoked at the state of affairs altogether, Miss Dynevor declined to say. In point of fact she did not know. “Has papa vea//y entered an action against him ?” ‘How can I tell what your papa has or has not done?” retorted Aunt Ann. “If he has not done it, he will do it; be sure of that. My brother Richard is the most obstinate man living. Once his mind was set upon a thing when a boy, you couldn’t turn him, and I’m sure you can’t now.” ‘ But think of the dreadful scandal, Aunt Ann!” ‘ You should tell him to think of that.” The possibility of concealment was all over now, as Mary saw ; and she dragged herself, in fear and sickness to his presence. “Is it true that you have done it ?” she gasped ; and the Sub-dean was at no loss to understand her meaning. CONMIEOOOKS (F©)