The Argosy — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

Divided. > and his whole appearance suggestive of a choleric, head-strong young farmer. He did not look more than twenty-one; but there were lines about the mouth and forehead indicative of an iron-will and strength of purpose well matched with his great physical strength. As he forced his way into the green-room he was exclaiming incoherently : “She is my wife, I say. Iwill have her, if I have to kick you out of your own house first. Where is she? What the devil do you mean by hiding her from me ?” ‘‘Have patience. Only have patience,” gasped poor Monsieur Lenard. “If you would but listen to reason, instead of making all this esclandre! Give me but five, ten minutes’ private interview, my good Raoul, and I will tell you what you choose. But do not be indiscreet—I entreat of you, do not be indiscreet.” “Dame! It is for you to talk of indiscretion. I want my wife, I repeat,” thundered the young man, steadily advancing, whilst fat little Monsieur Lenard slowly retreated, casting nervous glances at the stranger’s formidable riding-whip. Ue looked quite capable of laying it across the shoulders of anyone who interfered with him, even should they be the important ones of the manager himself. Some of the men, amongst them d’Edmond and de Caromont, thrust themselves forward, prepared to lend their assistance in expelling the intruder should the scene last much longer; but they were secretly relieved when Monsieur Lenard waved them back with uplifted hands and a hurried : *Doucement! Doucement! Do not defy him!” “Ts he an escaped lunatic?” cried Mademoiselle Clothilde. ‘Would it not be safer to take him into custody ? ” Denise Lenard was leaning heavily on the back of the chair, her fingers interlaced with a tension that drove the blood from them. She was looking straight towards the young man, her head thrown back, and a whole world of proud defiance in her beautiful face. D’Edmend, looking at her, began to guess the state of affairs and ‘moved in front of her, as though to protect her from danger and insult, ‘It would be wiser for you to restrain yourself,” he said, addressing the stranger with insolent menace. *Sacré tonnerre !” said the young man passionately, thrusting him aside with no more ceremony than if he had been a dog. “I will settle my account with you or anyone else, if you will wait. If you want my name, messieurs, here it is—Raoul de Kériadec—I am not ashamed of it. It was known before the name of Lenard was registered.” ‘Known at the village market,” said De Caromont, sotto voce. “Come, my good fellow, calm yourself,” put in d’Edmond, with contemptuous patronage. ‘‘No one talks about fighting. But, at least, behave yourself like a gentleman.” | COnnicloooks (CO) mn