The Argosy — page 275: what you’re looking at

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

252 The Story of Charles Strange. Lady Level, in the midst of much lamentation, was conducted to the front entrance, and thence ushered into a long, low, uncarpeted room on the left of the dark hall. It was very bare of furniture; chairs and a large table being all that it contained. ‘‘It is of no conse- quence,” said Lady Level; ‘‘I have come only to see Lord Level, and may not remain above an hour or two. I cannot tell. You are Mrs. Edwards, I think. I have heard Lord Level mention you.” ‘‘My name is Edwards, my lady. I was housekeeper in the late lord’s time, and, when a young woman, I had the honour of nursing my lord. Since the late lord’s death, I and my brother, Jacob Drewitt, have mostly lived here. He used to be house steward at Marsh- dale.” ) Lady Level removed her bonnet and cloak, and threw them on to the table. She looked impatient and restless, as she listened to the account of her husband’s accident. He had received an injury to his knee, when out riding, the day after his arrival at Marshdale ; fever had set in, deepening at times to slight delirium. ‘‘T should like to see him,” said Lady Level. ‘‘ Will you take me to his chamber ?” Mrs. Edwards marshalled her upstairs. Curious, in-and-out, wide and shallow stairs they were, with long passages and short turnings branching from them. She gently threw open the door of a large, handsome room. On the bed lay Lord Level, his eyes closed. ‘He is dozing again, my lady,” she whispered. ‘“‘ He is sure to fall to sleep whenever the fever leaves him.” “There is no fire in the room !” exclaimed Lady Level. ‘The doctor says there’s not to be any, my lady. In the room opposite to this, across the passage, you will find a good one. It is my lord’s sitting-room when he is well. And here,” noiselessly opening a door facing the foot of the bed, ‘‘is another chamber, that can be prepared for your ladyship, if you remain.” The housekeeper left the room as she spoke, scarcely knowing whether she stood on her head or her heels, so completely was she confounded by this arrival of Lady Level’s—and nothing wherewith to receive her! Mrs. Edwards had her head and hands full just then. As Lady Level moved forward, her dress came into contact with a light chair, and moved it. The invalid started, and raised himself on his elbow. “Why !—who—is it ?” Tt is I, Lord Level,” she said, advancing to the bed. He looked strangely amazed and perplexed. He could not believe his own eyes, and stared at her as though he would discover whether she was really before him, or whether he was in a dream. Don’t you know me?” she asked gently. Ts it—Blanche?r ” Pee.” CONMICLIOO_ KS. (E@) m