The Argosy — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

A Capriccio. II5 companions by a sea of heads. It was all so new to me that I was getting bewildered and a little frightened, when a friendly voice said in my ear: ‘You are alone. May I not be of service to you?” And looking up, I saw the young man holding out his arm to me with such a frank smile on his handsome face, that indeed I could not resist his offer. ‘Thank you, sir,” I said flurriedly ; ‘I have lost Aunt Rebecca.” He piloted me safely through the crowd, looking down at me once or twice with a half smile, but not speaking. I could understand that it was his delicacy of feeling that kept him silent. As I after- wards learnt, he was such a gentleman in words, thoughts and deeds. When we reached Aunt Rebecca I let go his arm and dropped him a little courtesy, and wondered, even then, if I should ever see him again. ‘Then, to my surprise, I saw Mr. Greville clap him on the shoulder with a hearty : “Bravo, my lord! So you have tracked my little partridge,” adding something in a lower tone and laughing. *¢ May I be introduced ?” asked the young man. Certainly, certainly. Bless me! Rebecca, Rebecca; Lord Everril—son of our old friend—wishes to be introduced to you.” Whereupon the young man bowed, and Aunt Rebecca courtesied and told him that she had known his father and mother intimately, and that she remembered him as a baby. It was such a balmy night that we decided to walk home; and somehow it came to pass that when Mr. Greville and Aunt Rebecca started off together arm-in-arm, I found Lord Everril still by my side. May I walk back with you?” he had asked Aunt Rebecca, with one of his quick smiles. ‘“ For old acquaintance’ sake ?” But instead of escorting the maiden aunt, he had fallen back on the niece. He was so unlike the men I met at home—so fashionable, so handsome, so courteous, that I was almost too shy to talk at first. But by degrees his genial manners thawed my constraint, and I found myself chattering away quite merrily. I told him all about home, about the boys, and how this was my first visit to London, and that I had never been to any gaieties in my life. “Have you a wish for gaieties ?” he asked, suddenly. ‘“ Now, for instance, would you care to go to the great ball on Friday night at the Duchess of R——’s ?” “Care !” I cried, clasping my hands, ‘‘Oh—but it is impossible.” “Not a bit. I can easily manage it,” he said, eagerly. ‘* Only promise me that if you are invited you will come.” I shook my head. ‘‘T have nothing to wear—nothing smart. Do you not see how old-fashioned Iam? And this is my best frock.” connicloooks (C(O)