The Argosy — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

Lady Grace. II ‘ T think,” he said, lowering his voice, “you had better ask Mary for a reason.” ‘Then, was it er fault ?” “Tt was not mine. At least, not—not altogether. Dear Lady Grace, although I have come expressly to tell you this, I do not feel at liberty to speak more fully,” he added, ina quicker tone. “I think you will be quite sure to hear the truth from the Dynevors, and then I can be more explicit as regards myself.” “ Well, I am very greatly surprised,” she said. ‘‘ But I don’t think it appears to have broken your heart.” “ Hearts are elastic, and don’t break so easily,” replied Sir Everard, with a half smile. After he left, Lady Grace sat buried in a reverie. Her daughter, who had been out, found her so. “‘Mamma,” exclaimed the latter, “‘ how serious you look !” ‘I was thinking, Gertrude. Everard Wilmot has been here to tell me some news: his engagement to Mary Dynevor is at an end.” “Oh, indeed,” said Gertrude, carelessly : but she turned crimson. ‘And his manner, as he told me, has set me wondering,” continued Lady Grace. ‘* My dear, I don’t believe he cares one bit about it; I am inclined to suspect there was not the smallest particle of love in the matter—on either side. Take care! What are you about, Gertrude? —leaning out of the window like that!” “IT was looking at the accident at the corner of the square; a horse has fallen down,” was the composed reply of Gertrude. And a few weeks passed on. Mary Dynevor was not dying, no one said that; but everyone did say that she was wasting away. The Sub-dean, haughty, cold and implacable, would not see it ; Miss Dynevor had begun to speak of it complainingly ; Regina and Grace grieved. She had a touch of low fever, and seemed unable to struggle out of it. Mary chiefly lay upon the sofa; she was too weak to sit up throughout the day. Smarting under the displeasure of her father, obliged to submit to the querulous remarks of her aunt, who rarely ceased to grumble at the rupture of so desirable a marriage, suffering, in a less degree, from the covert reproaches of her sisters, who felt it as a grievance upon them, Mary had a sad time of it. As to Charles Baumgarten he had gone on circuit and seemed to be done with for ever. Even Richard never heard from him or of him. But all this only shows how we estimate things by comparison. Had it not been for the visions opened up by Mary’s becoming the wife of Sir Everard, it might not have occurred to Dr. Dynevor to turn up his nose at Charles, nephew of the Earl of Avon, heir to the half of Lady Grace’s fortune, sure to meet with support and to get on at the Bar. Sensible and steady, Charles Baumgarten would have been welcomed for any one of the portionless daughters of the Canon. comicoooks (c©)