The Argosy — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

144 Roy’s Good Samaritan. Fitzroy is gone you must take his place; you are my nearest kinsman and my heir.” ‘Then looking up at him plaintively: “ You won’t grudge a little of your time to Branxholme and to me? It will all be your own some day.” Geoffrey was a man of few words. He got up, and bending over his aunt, kissed her faded cheek; a silent recognition of his new . responsibilities towards her. And then for a few moments poor ~ Lady Lucy broke down and sobbed audibly. Her loss was but a few weeks old, and the sight of Geoffrey had recalled it to the childless mother in all its first freshness. But it was a relief to talk of her son to so patient a listener, and Lady Lucy soon dried her tears. “Poor Roy! He had been ill for months, but it was almost sudden at the last ; and, as I wrote you, I did not reach Brodighera in time to find him alive.” ‘ But his wife was with him ?” ‘Poor thing! Such a helpless creature! I’ve settled a handsome annuity upon her and packed her back to her friends in Australia. Not my style at all! No air! No manner! (Between ourselves, not even a lady!) I don’t know how the poor creature would have managed all alone but for Mrs. Beaudesert.” ‘“ Mrs. Beaudesert?” questioned Geoff. The name was new to him among his aunt’s acquaintance. “Ves; Mrs. Beaudesert. All through Roy’s illness she was kind- ness itself, both to him and his wife. I believe she had met poor Fitzroy somewhere long ago ; and when she found them at Brodighera apparently friendless, and ”—with a sigh—‘“ hard up (for it seems he had gambled away his last napoleon at-the Monte Carlo tables), the good creature took pity on them, moved them into comfortable rooms and sent all sorts of luxuries for Roy’s use. Poor fellow! he did not want them long.” “ And where is JZr. Beaudesert ? ” | ‘ Tead, these three years. He was a younger son of Lord Villebois, a judge in India, and tremendously clever they say. Wrote legal works—‘ Beaudesert on Marriage Settlements,’ or something of the kind. I daresay you’ve heard of it, though Z never did.” Geoffrey shook his head. ‘* Not in my line, aunt.” ‘No, dear Geoff. I wish it were. You must really begin to think seriously of settling now. You have done your duty to your country, now consider your duty to Branxholme. As head of the family, I must provide you with a wife as soon as possible. I know two or three people who would suit.” “Do you? I don’t,” said Colonel Pierrepoint, with a smile. ‘The only person who ever kept her place in my heart a day was Well, you wouldn’t have approved of her for a niece.” ‘“ Indeed! I’m so anxious to see you married, Geoff, that I would overlook a great deal. Who is she?” ECONMNIELOOOKS.E© im