The Argosy — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

30 The Results of a Hunt Week. Ted’s eyes had shot there fast enough on his own score, and the “little look across the crowd ” had passed between its wearer and himself. What it implied from him he knew but too well, but perhaps on Miss Ffoulkes’ part no more than instinctive recognition of an ardent admirer. Uncertainty, however, is hope. Less neglectful of Byce’s butterfly remarks than utterly deaf to them, he advanced direct to that same pink dress. ‘Two trains and a burly M. F. H. delayed him a second, and that second had landed Rick Pontifex at Miss Ffoulkes’ side. He was speaking in undertones while entering his name on her card for early dances and late. Of that coveted card Godfrey next secured possession. He was midway, mentally, between fury with Rick and relenting towards Agatha, on account of a charming hint of deprecation in her reception of himself, and inscribed his name as often as allowed. He was proceeding to claim the last dance when he found his rival’s initials already there. With a grim bow he restored the offending card, and scorning to dance more than absolute decency required, returned to his doorway, whence Charley Byce, despite his bravado, had been easily beguiled to join in the tramp and swing of the opening quadrille. Mrs. Prideaux-Power, claimed by Lord Heliotrope as partner, was among the magnates at the top of the room, her charges dispersed among the dancers. In close attendance on Lord Heliotrope and his party stood Mr. Seaton in a state as near beatitude as his nature permitted, titles possessing for him that magnetic charm so apparently soul-satisfying to those affected by it, and so curious an enigma to those who are not. In themselves, however, the Heliotropes well merited regard, and public-spirited, energetic and affable, Lord Heliotrope was no unfamiliar figure in an opening quadrille. With his eldest son danced Amy Seaton, as was noted approvingly by her father; for on the erowing attentions of that young man to his daughter he was found- ing just now the most delusive hopes. Mr. Seaton’s property was situated close to that of Mrs. Prideaux- Power, illustrating the aphorism: “If I had seen you less I might have liked you more,” while Ted Godfrey owned a snug property near, that match-making mothers were ready to provide with a mistress on the shortest notice. ‘Ted was a good-looking, well set- up man of twenty-eight, and a favourite with his own sex as well as the fairer, even Mr. Seaton according to him confidence and liking. Another estate near, that had been of much consequence in the past, was represented by Rick Pontifex; but extravagance had diminished its acres, and the present owner in early youth seemed inclined to follow in the wild footsteps of his forebears. Happily he had “ pulled up in time,” and although his inheritance was not what it might have been, he was still a decided parti, and GoOmiilcdooks (E(0)