The Argosy — page 355: what you’re looking at

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

334 The Lovely Widow. Belmont’s, and he had been writing a letter with the door of commu- nication open when Mrs. Grant’s maid entered and laid the note on the table. The subsequent meeting in the drawing-room had puzzled him. A thoroughly English Christmas was celebrated, Mr. Lovell having invited a number of relatives to dinner besides the guests in the house. The children made noise enough to show they were enjoying a season devoted to their pleasure, and everyone made merry. Under cover of the general excitement, the occasionally pre-occupied and anxious manner of the bride was not noticed. At last the day before the wedding came. At breakfast the guests found their letters, and Sir Arthur Belmont announced that his con- veyed a necessity for immediate departure to town. ‘There were polite regrets of course, but Major Dale felt instinctively glad. Mrs. Grant was not down at breakfast, and directly after the baronet de- parted. Archie amused himself by writing large labels for Florence’s innu- merable packages, addressing them to “‘ Mrs. Melville, Langham Hotel,” and then wandered aimlessly about amid the general con- fusion. Mrs. Grant came down to dinner, after a severe day’s work, she said, which accounted for her pale cheeks and weary manner. ‘Good-bye, then, till to-morrow,” said Archie, bending his hand- some head to claim a lover’s privilege. ‘“ Good-bye, Archie.” The words were murmured by pale lips, and Mrs. Grant shivered —upon which Archie tenderly wrapped her shawl round her, and stood to watch her ascend the broad staircase with a gaze of passionate admiration. There was a cold and uncomfortable confusion at the breakfast- table next morning. Mrs. Lovell had breakfasted early in her room, and so three pretty bridesmaids—who were shivering at the thought of the damp country church—tried to make the table as cheerful as usual, and failed. Archie looked in, having satisfied himself, by questioning Drew, that the luggage was all ready. When the hundredth opening of his watch assured him that in halfan-hour the carriages would be at the door, he bethought him of a message he had to send to Florence, and rapidly ascended the stairs. At the top, looking white and frightened, stood his sister Jennie, in close, agitated conver- sation with Major Dale, whose face was set and stern. Both started as Archie approached. ‘“What’s the matter?” he asked. “Oh, Archie, I don’t know—TI can’t think!” cried Jennie, clasping her hands, and tears pouring down her cheeks. ‘Tell me at once!” exclaimed Archie, fiercely ; ‘‘is Florence ill?” And not waiting for an answer, he dashed on towards her room. Major Dale followed him quickly, and they found the door locked. “The balcony !” said Archie, as he swiftly sped through his sister’s Eomicbooks.co