The Argosy — page 100: what you’re looking at

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

Divided. 87 miserable routine to them both. Young people are so much more unhappy Jecauwse they are unhappy than older ones, who have given up expecting to find any perfection in the world. Denise was pro- voked with Raoul for his tiresome wish to marry her when they were so unsuited. Why had he not found a good, dull little girl from Guimpe? And Raoul—who, strange to say, preferred his beautiful, wilful wife to any ‘good, dull little girl” in the world— grew bitter and desperate, suffering double what Denise suffered, because he had the keenest of pains to endure—unrequited love— of which she knew nothing. It went on like this for a year. When the second winter drew near, Denise moped more than ever; quarrels and bitter words became frequent, until things seemed unbearable. Then Raoul suggested a change. He had some property near Rouen which wanted seeing after. His uncle, Monsieur de St. Huriel, lived in that neighbourhood, and Raoul knew that he was always welcome to stay as long as he liked with the St. Huriels, with whom he had been intimate since childhood. He arranged to pay them a visit of two or three months, whilst he transacted what might be a lengthy business, and he had a faint hope that the change would benefit Denise. «“ And I?” she asked, when he unfolded his plans to her, her eyes brightening with expectation. ‘‘ Where shall I go, meantime ? ” “ You—since you are wretched with me—may, of course, go where you please. I had hoped you would have come with me. But if it seems dull to you, soit. I shall be there during July, August and September. I suppose you will wish to spend the—holiday— with your Uncle and Aunt Lenard in Paris?” “Ves. I know they will be glad to have me. Oh, Raoul, what a treat you have given me!” For the next few days Denise was peculiarly pensive and quiet, with now and then a mischievous gleam in her eyes that ought to have roused her husband’s suspicions. She was wild and reckless, but not ill-intentioned. And it was chiefly from a delight in adven- ture and excitement that she wrote to Monsieur Lenard, suggesting that for those three months she should appear again at his theatre in her former role and under her maiden name, “Raoul has his ideas,” she concluded; “but, dear, good old uncle, spoil me just this once and make me happy and keep my secret.” That Monsieur Lenard aided and abetted in this mad-cap scene we are aware. We have also seen that Monsieur de Kériadec sud- denly discovered the plot, and appeared, like a true spoil-sport upon the scene of action. (Zo be continued.) GomilGaooks