The Argosy — page 293: what you’re looking at

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

270 The Story of Charles Strange. such ideas are. For your own sake, Blanche, put them away from you.” | ‘‘T wish my dear brother’Tom were here !” she petulantly returned. ‘Tt was a shame his regiment should be sent out to India!” Mr. Ravensworth drew in his stern lips. He had suspected that of the dreadful fate of Tom Heriot she must still be ignorant. The suspicion was now confirmed. At that moment the steward, Mr. Drewitt, appeared ; and Lady Level introduced him by name. Mr. Ravensworth saw a pale, vener- able man of sixty years, still strong and upright, looking like a gentle- man of the oid, old school, in his plum-coloured suit and white silk stockings, his silver knee-buckles, his low shoes, and his volumi- nous cambric shirt-frill. He brought a message from his lord, who wished to see Mr. Ravensworth. ‘Who told his lordship that Mr. Ravensworth was here?” ex- claimed Lady Level, qu‘ckly. ‘Madam, it was I. My lord heard someone being shown into your ladyship, and inquired who had come. I am sorry he has asked for you, sir,” candidly added the steward, as they left the room together. ‘The fever has abated, but the least excitement will bring it on again.” Lady Level was sorry also. She did not care that Mr. Ravens- worth’s presence in the house should be known upstairs. The fact was that one day when she and her husband were on their homeward journey from Savoy, and Blanche was indulging in odds and ends of grievances against her lord, as in her ill-feeling towards him she was then taking to do, she had spoken a few words in sheer perverseness of spirit to make him jealous of Arnold Ravensworth. Lord Level said nothing, but he took the words to heart. He had not lked that gentleman before; he hated him now. Blanche blushed for herself as she recalled it. Of course, it was not the visitor likely to give most pleasure to Lord Level. As the steward introduced Mr. Ravensworth and left them together, Lord Level regarded him with a cold, stern glance. «So it is you!” he exclaimed. May I ask what brings you down here? Did my lady send for you ?” “No,” answered Mr. Ravensworth, advancing towards the bed. “Major Carlen called at my house this morning and requested me to come down. I could not reach Marshdale before to-night.” ‘ Major Carlen? Oh! very good. Major Carlen dare not inter- fere between me and my wife; and he knows that.” ‘So far as I believe, Major Carlen has no intention, or wish, to in- terfere. Lady Level sent to him, in her alarm, and he requested me to come down in his place.” “Tf Major Carlen has entered into an arrangement with you to come to my house and pry into matters that concern myself alone ——” ‘‘T beg your lordship’s pardon,” was the curt interruption. ‘I do CONMICLIOOKS.(E) m