The Argosy — page 289: what you’re looking at

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

266 The Story of Charles Strange. Ravensworth was with the innocence of Lady Level, there was a tone in her voice, a look in her countenance, as she spoke the last few sentences, that he did not like. Her manner was evasive, and she did not meet his glance openly. ‘‘Were you in his room when it happened ?” ‘Oh, dear, no. Since I came down here I have occupied a room next to his; his dressing-room, I believe, when he stays here at ordinary times ; and I was in bed and asleep at the time.” Asleep ?” “Fast asleep. Until something woke me: and when I entered Lord Level’s room, I found—I found—what had happened.” ‘‘ Had it just happened ?” “Just. I was terrified. After I had called the servants, I think I nearly fainted. Lord Level quite fainted.” ‘But did you not see anyone in the room who could have attacked him?” She shook her head. ‘Nor hear any noise?” ‘T—thought I heard a noise; I am positive I thought so. And I heard Lord Level’s voice.” ‘That you naturally would hear. A man whose life is being attempted would not be likely to remain silent. But you must try and give me a better explanation than this. ‘‘ You say something suddenly awoke you. What was it?” ‘‘T cannot tell you,” repeated Lady Level. ‘Was it a noise?” ‘* N—o; not exactly. I cannot say precisely what it was.” Mr. Ravensworth deliberated before he spoke again. ‘‘ My dear Lady Level, this will not do. If these questions are painful to you, if you prefer not to trust me, they shall cease, and I will return to town as wise as I came, without having been able to afford you any assistance or advice. I think you could tell me more, if you would do so.” Lady Level burst into tears and grew agitated. A disagreeable doubt—guilty or not guilty ?—stole over Mr. Ravensworth. ‘Oh, heaven, that it should be so!” he cried to himself, recalling how good and gentle she had been through her innocent girlhood. “I came down, hoping to be to you a true friend,” he resumed ina low tone. ‘“ If you will allow me to be so, if you will confide in me— Blanche, come what may, I will stand by you.” There was a long silence. Mr. Ravensworth did not choose to break it. He had said his say, and the rest remained with Lady Level. ‘Tord Level has made me very angry indeed,” she broke out, indignation arresting her tears. ‘‘He has made me—almost— hate him,” ‘But you are not telling me what occurred.” Gomichookssco m