The Argosy — page 46: 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. 33 ‘Here goes! I am willing to be accused of any proof of devotion to Lady Heliotrope!” said Charley Byce, turning his pockets, with suspicious alacrity, inside out, while Lady Heliotrope looked on with amusement, tempered by misgiving. With some chaff and laughter the other young men followed suit to Charley, and a pleasing variety of handkerchiefs and cigar-cases were brought to view; but, naturally, not the bracelet. Mr. Seaton stood on the outskirts of the group, looking on with some gleams of benignity on the follies of his juniors. “Come, Mr. Seaton, you are not to shirk,” said Byce, with the easy self-assurance of one who believes himself on the right side of fashion and fortune. ‘‘ Now for it, you know.” ‘© T may be excused, I think,” said the gentleman, stiffening a little. ‘Such proceedings belong to you young men.” “Oh, but Lady Heliotrope insists!” said Mrs. Prideaux-Power ; “you cannot disobey orders.” And though a kindly disclaimer came from the lady quoted, Mr. Seaton’s hand had begun the circuit of his pockets, the luckless search ending, after a start, that shook him from head to foot, with the production of the bracelet. He held it out almost helplessly. “T know nothing whatever about it,” he said in shaking tones that could scarcely articulate words. ‘It is all some vile nonsense; and I swear—I swear—but that there are ladies present % “ Of course—of course! We all see it is some foolish jest,” said Lady Heliotrope, hastening to receive the gems from the hand that seemed to loathe them, and with kindly tact taking the hand itself cordially in her own. ‘“‘ These young men are demoralised by the Hunt Week. I fancy the perpetrators are not far to seek.” ** Well, I must confess to being the worst delinquent,” said Mrs. Prideaux-Power, advancing promptly, while a buzz of agreement went through the group with the last speaker’s words. ‘You are not going to be angry with us, I hope, Mr. Seaton? The bracelet dropped on my dress, and your pocket was too temptingly handy ; SO we just popped it in and kept our apologies ready.” “Till I ask for them, perhaps,” said Mr. Seaton, with unrelenting sternness, and lips still quivering. ‘‘ You have exposed me to sus- picion in the most unjustifiable fashion, and I decline to see any fun in the matter.” “No, Avay don’t say so,” entreated Lady Heliotrope, seconded by her husband and several others. ‘‘ A joke is but a joke, after all, ill-judged though we must confess this was. And here is Mr. Byce waiting to be heard, I fancy, as a partner in guilt.” ‘** More than that, Mr. Seaton,” said Byce, coming forward with much deprecation of manner and not more persiflage than habit made inevitable. ‘ Although Mrs. Prideaux-Power tries so kindly to shield me, I am the sole sinner. She warned me not to do it, and I can only say I wish I had taken her advice.” VOL, XLVIII. D COMIC aoe mm