The Argosy — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

The Results of a Hunt Week. 27 “ Not I,” said the lady airily; ‘‘but he will have a rowing from me if he is not, for he promised we should open the ball in good time. I am half dead beginning, and shall never get my party together till the programme is done. How are you by this time, Mr. Pontifex? I was just saying I am not going to let this ball see many of the small hours. You have done for me, between you all, with such a week as this.” ‘Pardon us for disbelieving that, when your face speaks just the other way,” said Ted Godfrey, a dark-eyed, handsome young man, with a laughing bow. ‘‘ And we know Mrs. Prideaux-Power’s pluck and good-nature never fail over the extra dance.” Mr. Seaton acknowledged this speaker’s presence after the slightest fashion possible, while his daughter’s cheek took a pink flush as she dutifully seconded the paternal lead. A markedly-warm greet- ing was given to Miss Ffoulkes by this gentleman and received also with a slight increase of colour and smile, both jealously noted by a chance occupant of the ball-room door, of whom more here- after. The ladies swept into the crowded cloak-room. Miss Seaton and Agatha secured a vacant corner, where, under cover of helping each other, they eagerly pursued a whispered talk. ‘*T have been on the tenter-hooks all day, and only saw Mr. Knight an hour ago,” began Amy Seaton, arranging her white dress with whiter hands; ‘“ but ad you see papa’s seception of him? It was nothing short of insult.” ‘‘ Your father is always so odd, it stasteas the less,” were the words that came first to Agatha’s lips; but she substituted: “Tt certainly was stagey; but perhaps a twice-rejected suitor could scarcely ex- pect more. But is there really something important to hear?” “Indeed there is,” said Amy; ‘‘ the hoped-for chance has really come at last. I am going to run away with Rick Pontifex. It was only finally settled on the race-course after you had gone that papa leaves the ball to-night with Lord Heliotrope, to go with him to- morrow to this sale of horses at Wroxton.” An involuntary start from Agatha showed the importance of the announcement. ‘And you, dear; are you actually prepared to do it?” she asked in doubting accents. Amy raised a deprecating glance to her friend’s face. ‘Yes, yes, of course,” said Agatha, hastening to remove any im- pression of disapproval. ‘It is settled now, and there has been much to justify you in the step. Mr. Pontifex talked to me about it for ages last night at the ball, but somehow I did not think your father would go to the sale. And Ae meets you when, and where?” “That he depends on hearing from you, for I had not seen Mr. Knight when we parted on the race-course, and I must refuse to dance with Rick to-night, though he is to ask me. Suspicion must ConnicooolkKs mn