The Argosy — page 266: what you’re looking at

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The Missing Rubies. 249 You are not looking well this morning,” he Said, in a tone of kind concern. ‘JT am well, thank you,” replied Harriet, speaking with the frank- ness which he always seemed to win from her. ‘‘But I am worried, absurdly worried, in fact, about Beatrice and her lover.” . ‘What of them, Mrs. Milton?” “T don’t know. My husband and I are much perplexed. We think there has been something unpleasant between Mr. Redburn and Godwin Earle. That Mr. Redburn is a strange old man. He called here yesterday in a hurry, and asked for Godwin’s address.” ‘ And you gave it?” “Ves. Then it seems he went straight to the office in Aldersgate Street, and requested a private interview with the poor fellow. What passed between them, my husband could not tell. Mr. Redburn departed, looking triumphant and extremely disagreeable. And soon afterwards Godwin rushed away without uttering a single word. It looks rather bad, we think; does it not?” ‘Perhaps it does. Have you heard from Miss Ward this morn- ing?” , “No; I wish we had. She might have given us an explanation. She, poor girl, was oddly unwilling to go to Fairbridge. But we tried to reason away her reluctance, of course. What else could we do? This Mr. Redburn was her father’s greatest friend ; and she is bound to consider his wishes, I suppose.” ‘She is not bound to let him meddle with her private affairs,” said Mr. Vordenberg decidedly. ‘‘ He has no right to come between her and Mr. Earle.” ** Not the least right. But why should he want to come between them? It is true that Godwin is not rich, but he has excellent pro- spects. Mr. Corder seems to treat him as a son. They are not thinking of marrying yet. Beatrice is so young that they may well wait a year or two.” “But he is not very young,” Vordenberg remarked thoughtfully. ** And he looks as if he had had but little joy in his life. I have never seen a man with that expression who has not known sorrow.” “Oh, I believe he has suffered a great deal. There has been some misunderstanding with his friends; but I have not heard the story. Mr. Corder’s son married a Miss Earle, and the Earles never forgave their sister for making such a match. I have always fancied they must be a hard-hearted set. ‘They are living at Fairbridge.” “At Fairbridge! That is where Miss Ward is staying.” “Yes ; she has already met them. But they donot know anything about the engagement. Our young people agreed to keep the matter asecret for the present. I think Godwin did not mean to make any declaration until his position was more assured. But love conquered prudence.” “That was not surprising,” said Vordenberg, with one of his sad VOL, XLIV, Q* CON () NOOKS an