The Argosy — page 371: what you’re looking at

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

350 In the Primrose Time. “Ah, well. It’s what we must all come to,” said the good dame, cheerfully, beginning to clear the table. Neither of them thought of Nansie. She had never appeared to listen to what passed before her unless directly addressed, and not always to understand then. Now, though she sat with eyes cast down, her ears were alert to catch every word, and the whole strength of her mind bent upon understanding it. She slipped away to think. From her window she could see the Manor House, where the Squire lay dying and Philip watched in lonely sadness. An irre- sistible impulse seemed to draw her there. She looked at her pretty white gown hanging on its peg, but some delicate instinct made her keep to the faded old frock and russet cloak, childishly short and scant as they were. Her old wanderings had taught her every path and short cut to the Manor. She had haunted the place at all times and seasons too often not to know exactly how near she could approach unseen almost to the very windows. ‘Then a sudden dash across the open and she was safe in the shelter of the portico. She tried the door softly. It was on the latch, and, opening it, she slid into the hall like a shadow. Plenty of hiding-places there. A high-backed carved settle stood on one side the hearth, and behind this she could kneel, watching her chance to see or hear of Philip. Suddenly the door-bell clanged loudly and impatiently. She heard the servant’s footsteps crossing the hall, and then a voice that she knew. ‘“T wish to see Mr. Reynholt at once.” ‘ Beg your pardon, my lady, but Mr. Reynholt is with the General, and the doctor’s orders are that they are not to be disturbed.” “Then I shall come in and wait till you can take my message.” The man made a feeble murmured protest, but unavailingly, and Lady March swept past him regardless. ‘‘ Tell him Iam here. Tell him to come as soon as he can. I will wait till I see or hear from him.” ‘The doctor’s orders—” again protested the butler. ‘JT shall not go without an answer to my message.” Lady March’s voice was raised high with impatience, and the man made the best of the situation by showing her hurriedly into the library and shutting the door on her. Nansie heard the rustle of a dress on the staircase and the voice of a housekeeper or nurse speaking low but imperatively. ‘“What’s the meaning of this disturbance? Have you forgotten your orders, Parkins ?” ‘T couldn’t help it, Mrs. Peterson. It’s Lady March—won’t go without seeing Mr. Reynholt. It’s on important business.” — ‘Nothing is of such importance as peace and quietness just now. You may tell her that. The doctor says nobody is to go near the room. Everything depends on this sleep lasting.” Gomicbooks.com