The Argosy — page 263: what you’re looking at

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

244 THE WHITE Cat. I. I WAS crossing from the Law Courts to my chambers in the Temple. It was the week before Long Vacation, and I was looking forward to a well-earned rest. Constant attendance at the Courts had made havoc of my nerves, and I needed to replenish my overtaxed resources. I was walking rapidly, my hands in my pockets, my head bent towards the ground, when I suddenly became conscious of shouts to which I had hitherto paid no heed. At the same moment a hand touched my arm, and a passer-by told me that it was my attention which the shouts were intended to attract; and turning, I saw a coachman even now gesticulating from his box. With a feeling of annoyance I crossed the road. Did you call me?” I asked impatiently. “JT did, sir. Her ladyship wishes to speak to you.” Then I was aware that a fat forefinger was beckoning to me from the interior of the brougham. ‘Oh, my dear Mr. Oswald Jones!” said her ladyship. “ You ane Oswald Jones, aren’t you? Iam delighted to see you; I am indeed. You are not looking well. Come inside for a moment: I wish to speak to you.” I obediently entered. “Ah, Mr. Oswald Jones!” she continued ; ‘‘see what a penalty you pay for success!” I began modestly to assure her ladyship that the prize was worth the pain. ‘No doubt, no doubt—to an ambitious man. But you should not overdo it. You are never without a headache, I am sure; you have no appetite ; in short, you’re a miserable creature.” I was beginning to protest, but her ladyship cut me short. ‘Not a word now. I have not lived sixty years for nothing, and I say that you, a successful barrister, with a large practice, are, never- theless, a miserable creature. Your mother was a dear friend of mine, and I reproach myself with having neglected my friends. Now I feel myself bound to look after you. When do your holidays commence ?” ‘To-morrow 1s the last day of term.” “Then next Monday morning you must take yourself and luggage to Waterloo, and come by the 10.15 train to Barkington. Someone shall meet you, and you shall spend your vacation with me.” ‘My dear Lady Pownceby,” I exclaimed, appalled at the thought of spending two months with this old lady: “I could not think of Gomilcbooks.co mn