The Argosy — page 292: what you’re looking at

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

The Story of Charles Strange. 269 noon, and hearing the curious information he had disclosed, her temper had been gradually rising. It was temper that had caused her to declare herself to Lord Level while the servants (as related in a former chapter) were at supper in the kitchen, and Mrs. Edwards and the old steward were shut up in their sitting-room, waiting for their own supper to be served. The coast thus clear, in went Blanche to her lord’s chamber. Not to open out the budget of her wrongs: he might not be sufficiently well for that: but to announce herself. To let him see that she was still in the house, that she had disre- garded his injunction to quit it; and to assure him, in her rebellious spirit, that she meant to remain in it as long as she pleased. Nota word of suspected and unorthodox matters did Lady Level breathe, and the quarrel that arose between them was wholly on the score of her disobedience. Lord Level was passionately angry, thus to have been set at naught. He told her that as his wife she owed him obedience, and must give it to him. She retorted that she would not do so. The dispute went no further than that; but loud and angry words passed on both sides. And the next episode in the drama, some three or four hours later, was the mysterious attack upon: Lord Level. “ Arnold,” suddenly spoke her ladyship, looking up from her chair : ‘IT mean to take a very decisive step.” “In what way?” he quietly asked, from his seat on the other side the fireplace. ‘‘ To send for the police ?” “No, no, no; not that. I shall separate from Lord Level.” “Oh,” said Mr, Ravensworth, taken by surprise, and thinking she was jesting. “As soon as he is well again, and able to discuss matters, I shall demand a separation. [I shall zzszst upon it. If he will not accord it to me privately, I shall apply for it publicly.” ‘‘ Blanche, you will do no such thing,” he exclaimed, rising in ex- citement. ‘‘ You do not know what you are saying.” ‘And you do not know how much cause I have for saying it,” she answered. ‘‘ Lord Level has—has—insulted me.” “Hush,” said Mr. Ravensworth. ‘“ I don’t quite know what you mean by insult —-—” “And I cannot tell you,” she interrupted, her pretty black satin slipper beating its indignation on the hearthrug, her cheeks wearing a delicate rose-flush. ‘‘ It is a thing I can speak of only to himself.” ““But—I was going to say—Lord Level does not, I feel sure, intrude personal insult upon you. Anything that may take place outside your knowledge you had better neither notice nor inquire into.” Lady Level shook her head defiantly. ‘I mean to do it.” ‘I will not hear another word upon this point,” said Mr. Ravens- worth, sternly. ‘‘ You are as yet not much more than a child, young lady ; when you are a little older and wiser, you will see how foolish COMICHOOKS.C© mn