The Argosy — page 278: what you’re looking at

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

A Lady’s Privilege. 259 at college, belonged to the same club in Piccadilly, and were both of them, whenever the latter could tear himself away from the more congenial society of his sporting colleagues, recognised habitués of some of the best and most exclusive houses in London. During the preceding season Trevor had frequently met Sybil Courtenay, and had even ventured to pay her more than one visit in Lowndes Square, where, when not monopolised by her uncle the Admiral, the young lady resided with her mother. As far as our hero was concerned it was a case of love at first sight; but his invincible timidity had hitherto debarred him from any open avowal of his sentiments, which Miss Sybil, by that intuitive faculty of perception peculiar.to the female mind, had perhaps already divined. The news, therefore, that he was soon to be domiciled in the same house with the object of his affections appeared to Jack an oppor- tunity not to be lost ; and he firmly resolved, provided his courage did not fail him at the critical moment, to bring matters to a crisis ; or, as Noland would have tersely expressed it, to ‘‘ go in and win.” At Rokesley station the friends found a trap awaiting them, roomy enough to contain themselves and belongings, including that indispensable encumbrance the Honourable Walter’s valet; and in less than half an hour arrived at their destination. “What time do we dine, Gilson?” inquired Long Odds, who being a frequent visitor knew every servant in the house by name. “Dressing bell just rung, sir,” replied the butler. ‘“ James will show you your room in the bachelors’ quarter, next door to Mr. Trevor's.” | Long before his companion had finished his elaborate toilet, Jack had found his way to the drawing-room, where most of the company were already assembled. Cordially welcomed by the Admiral, and greeted with a frosty smile and a flabby shake of the hand by the hostess, he glanced round the room and discovered the object of his search engaged in conversation with a tall man of soldier-like aspect, whom he had a vague recollection of having seen before. He had just succeeded in catching her eye and was on the point of advancing towards her when the announcement of dinner, and the almost simultaneous entrance of Noland, all haste and apologies, occasioned a general move. A look, however, of pleased recognition from Sybil in some degree consoled him; and having been formally presented by his host to Mrs. Beresford, a sprightly widow of five-and-thirty, who chattered incessantly during their progress to the dining-room, he soon found himself, to his intense delight, seated exactly opposite his lady love and her attendant cavalier. “We are a small party to-day,” said his lively neighbour when she had finished her soup ; “and if some of them were out of the way they wouldn’t be missed. That solemn Sir Geoffrey Hawbuck for example, on Mrs. Pemberton’s right, who only speaks in monosyllables, and old Lady Totterly who falls asleep between every dish and has to GomiilGcaooks