The Argosy — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

A Marnage from the Stage. 201 storm would doubtless come on shortly. ‘In that case,” said Mrs. Raughan, ‘the closed carriage must be sent after him directly.” ‘Tell Maria to bring my hat, please,” she added, rising from the table. | The man expostulated humbly but firmly—the storm would break almost immediately. The Signora, however, had determined to risk it. She meant to walk out, it was so oppressive in the house ; and he saw her disappear in the direction of the ruined Abbey, a favourite spot. The clouds that had formed themselves into that formidable rampart behind the house were spreading overhead, and heavy drops came down through the sultry air. Then camea loud clap of thunder, followed immediately by a blinding flash of lightning. Mrs. Raughan must have just reached the ruins, and might be frightened at the strength of the storm. Gabriel caught up a cloak and ran as if for dear life down the front lawn and through the trees to the edge of the grounds, and then on through more trees to the Abbey glade. His black hair was flying as he ran, and in his face was a look of resolve taken in great agitation. The rain had not yet pressed through the trees, but flash after flash lit up with startling brilliancy the growing twilight. The glade was reached, and within a stone’s throw stood the ruins. There was Mrs. Raughan, motionless under the shelter. of the broad gateway, her face pressed against the stones and tears falling down the pale cheeks. Ina moment the valet was at her feet, breathless, groaning aloud and pressing her dress to his lips. His mistress drew herself back as if to avoid some dangerous animal. ‘‘ Release my dress,” she commanded with haughty anger, as he clung to it in spite of her. ‘“‘ Forgive me,” murmured Gabriel, his head still bowed. ‘Get up and go,” she cried. ‘‘ Are you mad, fellow ?” Instead of answering, his head drooped lower and lower until it almost touched her feet. ‘Leave me this moment,” she said, fumbling at the little dagger that hung in its jewelled sheath at her waist, ‘‘ or I shall have to spurn you with my feet.” Gabriel leapt up. “I know,” he cried, with fierce tenderness, ‘‘ that you have the fearless courage of a noble soul, that you have the beauty of a goddess, that you have determination enough to retrieve the one unwise step you took; that even now you are planning for your future release !” Mrs. Raughan started ; an angry flush rose to her brow. ‘“ Inso- lent!” she muttered. ‘‘ Let me pass, if you refuse to go yourself.” “Mrs. Raughan! Claudia! I have lived here a menial for five months! I have suffered martyrdom. I have been at the beck and call of that man, who is my inferior and whom I hate. I have degraded myself for ever in the sight of my equals, and, still worse, I have endured from you the scorn you would not have dared to show me had commicoookKks (GO) am