The Argosy — page 108: what you’re looking at

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

The Village Blacksmith. 93 his whole air was languid, and he looked as if his chiet idea was how exceedingly tiring it was to live. He was evidently of pale complexion, but sunburnt through residence in a foreign climate. He had a long dark moustache, which he stroked caressingly and almost incessantly. He spoke but little and never began a conver- sation. If addressed he answered courteously, but his manner said plainly he would prefer, if the effort of making a choice were thrown upon him, to be allowed to eat his dinner in peace. Now one of Vera’s accomplishments was mimicry, and the languid air of her vis-a-vis and his slow drawl were irresistible. In a few days she was perfect in both, and, to Mr. Ryot Tempest’s horror, came down to dinner the evening he had announced his intention of leaving the hotel, prepared to exhibit her proficiency in the art. She assumed a languid air, the very counterpart of the gentleman’s opposite, she raised her eyes just as he did, and, instead of rattling on in French and English as she usually did to her father and mother drawled out her answers to their attempts at conversation in so exact an imitation of her opposite neighbour that no one who was listening could fail to recognise the person she was mimicking. In vain did Mr. Ryot Tempest fidget and frown and in impatient undertones reprove her for her rudeness ; in vain did Mrs. Tempest expostulate with her in rapid French. Vera was deaf to both, and kept up the part she was playing through six courses. Her victim ignored her conduct utterly ; he was as calm and as languid and as little inclined for conversation as ever; not the faintest sign betrayed he was conscious of the amusement Vera was causing at his expense. Only when she rose from the table, one flash from those dark eyes, a flash that had no languor about it, told her he had observed her, had writhed under her conduct, had done nothing to provoke it, had difficulty in forgiving it. “What do you mean, Vera, by making such an exhibition of yourself?” demanded Mr. Ryot Tempest irritably, as soon as they reached their own sitting-room. “IT don’t know, papa. I wanted to have some fun before we left the hotel. It will be dull enough after to-morrow, we three shut up in a large house just as we are at home.” | “Fun, indeed! Your conduct was most unladylike, and positively insulting to Captain Raleigh. For that, I understand, is the gentle- man’s name, and a very good name it is, too. My only surprise is that he did not leave the table. I really think I ought to call upon him and apologise for your conduct.” “T will go myself, if you like. What fun it would be!” said Vera, glancing at herself in the glass to see if her hair was in order - for the visit she proposed making. “Certainly not. Perhaps I may have an opportunity of saying something suitable before we leave the hotel. I know a little of his family, and if, as I conjecture, he is one of ¢ie Raleighs, they COMIC OOO cS (SO)