The Argosy — page 354: what you’re looking at

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

—— i| 1 | | | The Lovely Widow. 333 ‘of all her time when once the important question of clothes was settled. She was reclining in a lounge, partaking of five o’clock tea with Mrs. Lovell and some other ladies, when Mr. Lovell entered. “Dale has just come, and brought his friend.” “ Oh,” said Mrs. Lovell, rising hospitably, to be ready to welcome her guests. ‘‘ What is the friend’s name, dear ?” «Sir Arthur Belmont.” “Dear me, Mrs. Grant!” cried a stout, fussy lady; ‘‘ how did you manage it? ‘The cup broken, and the tea all over your lovely gown!” “Excuse me—so very awkward—that lovely cup!” murmured Mrs. Grant, hurriedly getting up. ‘““Never mind the cup, Florence,” said Mrs. Lovell, magnanimously, for it was one of a valuable set; ‘‘but let us ring for your maid to save the gown.” “No, no; let me run away for a few minutes.” And she grace- fully escaped at one door as Major Dale and Sir Arthur Belmont entered at the other. Just before dinner, Archie met Mrs. Grant’s maid running down a passage, with a note in her hand. Florence often sent him billet- doux, and he stopped hesitatingly. “Were you coming to me, Drew ?” “No, sir, only to one of the ladies,” said Drew, smiling. He passed on, and when Drew had watched him out of sight, she went swiftly towards the room prepared for Sir Arthur Belmont. The door was ajar, and peeping in, Drew saw the room was empty. She entered quickly, and laid her note on the dressing-table, escaping, as she thought, unseen. That evening, when the party assembled for dinner, Major Dale’s eyes watched keenly the introduction between Sir Arthur Belmont and the fair widow. The baronet was a much shorter man than Captain Melville, and not nearly so good-looking. His face was dark, the brow lowering and eyes deep-set. ‘There was considerable power in the counte- nance, and a dogged resolution which would overcome most obstacles. When he was introduced to Mrs. Grant, his brow was grave and un- concerned, and he speedily returned to a conversation with his host. ‘The widow herself looked bewilderingly lovely, graceful and uncen- scious, and smiled delightfully into the eyes of her fiancé when he presented her with the choicest flower of which he had robbed his sister’s conservatory. Archie looked beamingly handsome, and his natural gaiety was heightened by the influence of the near approach oi his marriage. To his mind everything that mortal man could wish for lay within his reach. Major Dale was puzzled and watchful. He had been Archie’s schoolfellow and friend through life, and things were going in a way to cause grave doubts and conjectures. His room adjoined Sir Arthur COMICOOoOlKS.EO© im