The Argosy — page 205: what you’re looking at

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

188 The Village Blacksmith. ; “Cook, would you believe it? The master is going to have a finger in Miss Vera and the Captain’s pie, as soon as they come home,” she said, on reaching the kitchen, painful memories of “no followers allowed” inspiring her with sympathy. “Tf I. was the Captain, then, I’d chop his finger off with my sword,” said Cook, mixing her metaphors and a pudding simul- taneously, and brandishing a spoon in an alarming fashion. “Tf I was cook and parlour-maid, ’d mind my own business, and not interfere with my master’s,” said a voice from the scullery, where Mark Brown was brushing his master’s clothes. “Tf I was a Baptist, I would not go to church on Sundays for all the masters and Tempests in the world,” retorted Cook. ‘And if I was in love with anyone who disappeared like some ‘4 I know has, [’d find out where they were gone to. ‘There is my bell; that * the Captain and Miss Vera,” cried Mary. | While these compliments were being exchanged in the kitchen, Mr. Ryot Tempest was nervously awaiting Vera’s return. Presently he heard her and Captain Raleigh come in, and a minute or so later’ there was a knock at his study-door. ‘Come in, my dear,” said the Rector, expecting to see Vera; but to his vexation it was Captain Raleigh, who with his most languid air entered the study and closed the door. | The interview was not a long one, though to Vera, who was eagerly awaiting the issue, it seemed interminable. Captain Raleigh opened the battle at once. ‘Mr. Ryot Tempest, I have come to ask your consent to my engagement with your daughter. Perhaps I ought to have spoken tq © you first, and I intended to have done so, but, as sometimes happens — in similar cases, I could not wait.” “ Vou—you have taken me rather by surprise, Captain Raleigh. — But before I reply, allow me to ask you a question: Are you a member of that Church which I conceive to be an Italian mission, I set up in this country ?” | “Tf you allude to the Roman Catholic Church, I am,” said Captain Raleigh with a slight smile. ! ‘Then, in that case, I cannot consent to your engagement with Vera. In fact, I must request that all intercourse between you shall — cease from this day ; except on one condition, which would, of course, — alter my decision, for I need scarcely say I have no other objection — to you.” ‘ And that condition?” said Captain Raleigh quietly. ‘That you become a Protestant. I shall be happy——" ‘Heaven forbid !” shouted Captain Raleigh in a tone which made. Mr. Tempest start, and as he spoke his pale face grew paler, his dark, sleepy eyes flashed fire, and he changed the somewhat listless attitude he had assumed. Now he stood upright, as though abou to lead his company into the thick of the battle, and Mr. Ryo! CONNIECLIOO KS aeolian) |