The Argosy — page 170: what you’re looking at

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

Was it a Ghost ? 155 “ Which Doctor Mantell, madam ?” was his most unexpected and disconcerting answer. “Ts there more than one Doctor Mantell ?” “Yes, madam ; there are two cousins. Doctor George Mantell, a who lives in Church Street, and Doctor Leigh Mantell, who lives in ‘b St. Anne’s Place.” ; ‘Do you happen to know which Mrs. Mantell is in want of a nursery governess ?” “They are both looking out for nursery governesses, I think madam.” I was evidently in ill-luck that day. What was I to do? I was especially anxious to find the Mrs. Mantell of whom Eliza had said such pleasant things, but how was I to find her? Howcould I go to either lady’s house, ask if she was the person who had been so kind to Eliza, and then take my leave if she said she was not? Besides, I did not know what Eliza’s surname was. Aboveall, there was not much time wherein to make experiments. In an hour and a half my train would start. I thanked the man, left the shop and went slowly along, wonder- ing if I must really return without fulfilling my errand, wasting thus a whole afternoon, and the still more precious money which my journey would cost me. An impulse made me suddenly look up, and I saw standing at the other side of the street a woman, with a baby in her arms, a poor woman in a shabby black shawl. I recognised an instant afterwards that it was the poor woman I had travelled with in the train three years ago. ‘The same sad eyes were looking intently at me now, as if she had something to say to me. I crossed the street to speak to her, but directly I began to move towards her, she turned and began to walk on. I quickened my pace to make up to her, but without success. I went faster and faster till I was almost running, but the faster I went, the faster too did she go; though, strange to say, without running. She seemed to glide very fleetly but very quietly along. At length the astonished looks of the people I was passing reminded me of the remarkable pace I was going at. Islackened my steps, and then, rather pro- _ voked, determined to give up the chase. But as I paused the woman paused also, and turning round, beckoned to me with an imploring look in her dark, sad eyes. It was evident she wanted me to follow her for some unimaginable reason, and did not wish me to walk with her; so, impelled now by curlosity as well as interest, I tacitly submitted to this arrangement. The woman led the way at a moderate pace, and I followed about _ twenty yards behind. We turned several corners and at last entered what I supposed must, from its outward aspect, be one of the most fashionable streets.in‘the place. This was not the kind of locality into which I expected my humble acquaintance to lead me. ‘“ Who GOMIGIOOKSAGO