The Argosy — page 281: what you’re looking at

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

258 The Story of Charles Strange. ‘ But is he so well as that ?” she asked, in surprise. ‘* Well, my lady, he is very much better, there’s no doubt of that. He will be out of bed to-morrow or the next day, and, if he takes care, will have no relapse,” was the housekeeper’s answer. ‘“‘ No doubt it might be safer for the doctor to continue to come a little longer, if it were only to enjoin strict quiet ; but you see my lord does not like him.” ‘“‘T fancied he did not.” ‘He is not our own doctor, as perhaps your ladyship has heard,” pursued Mrs. Edwards. ‘ He is a Mr. Hill: a clever, pleasant man, of a certain age, who was very intimate with the late lord. They were close friends, I may say. When his lordship met with this accident, it put him out uncommonly that we had to send for the young man, Di. Macferraty, Mr. Hill being away.” “If Lord Level is so well as to do without a doctor, I might go into his room. Don’t you think so, Mrs. Edwards ?” “Better not for a day or two, my lady; better not, indeed. I’m afraid my lord will be angry at your having stayed here—there being no fitting establishment or accommodation for your ladyship ; and ——” “That is such nonsense!” interrupted Lady Level. ‘With Sanders and Timms here, I am more attended to than is really necessary. And even if I had to put up with discomfort for a short time, I daresay I should survive it.” “And it might cause his lordship excitement, I was about to say,” quickly continued Mrs. Edwards. ‘A very little thing would bring the fever back again.” Blanche sighed rebelliously, but recognised the obligation to con- demn herself a little longer to this dreary existence. CHAPTER XI. THE QUARREL. THE following day was charmingly fine: the sun brilliant, the air warm as summer. In the afternoon Lady Level went out to take a walk. Lord Level was not up that day, but would be, all being well, on the morrow. It was the injury to the knee more than his general health that was keeping him in bed now. Outside the gate Blanche looked about her, and decided to take the way towards the railway station. Upper Marshdale lay close beyond it, and she thought she would see what the little town was like. If she felt tired after exploring it, she could engage the solitary railway fly to bring her home again. She went along the deserted road, passing a peasant’s cottage now and then. Very near to the station she met the surly boy. He was EGomichookssco m