The Argosy — page 388: what you’re looking at

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

The House of Halliwell. 365 They had never seen the Captain in his regimentals, and a very imposing sight it was. He detected them at the window, and walked straight up to it. “Good morning, ladies,” he said, putting his face close to the blind. ‘Is not this a blazing day?” “Something else looks blazing, I think, Captain,” cried Aunt Copp. “We did not know you.” “You mean me, in my regimentals,” returned the Captain ; “ they came down last night. I should have had them before, but the servants at home made a mistake, and sent my brother’s. He is in Scotland—gone to look after his property—or it would not have happened. What are you working at so attentively, Miss Lucy ?” “T am stitching a wristband, Captain Kerleton.” “ Not for me, Miss Lucy?” “No,” laughed Lucy. ‘“ For my brother.” “Perhaps the time may come, Miss Lucy, when you will stitch mine.” Aunt Copp gave a significant cough, and Lucy, after a surprised glance upwards, blushed deeply, and went on fast with her stitching. “Will you walk in, Captain?” said Mrs. Copp. ‘‘ You will find the front door open.” ‘Not this morning,” replied the Captain. ‘I only came to bring this—if you'll please to open the blind.” Aunt Copp drew open the half of the Venetian blind, and the Captain thrust in a small parcel, tied up in white paper, turning short away as soon as she had it in her hands. There was no direction, and Aunt Copp held it in uncertainty. , “Captain Kerleton,” she called after him, “‘ what’s this for? Is it to be opened ?” ‘Opened, of course,” answered the Captain, whirling his head round to speak, his legs striding away all the while: ‘I did not bring it for anything else.” What should be in this parcel but a green-and-gold book and a small, beautifully enamelled watch, in a case. They opened the book, full of curiosity. ‘‘ Advice to Young Ladies about to Enter into Housekeeping. By a Clergyman’s Wife.” And on the fly-leaf was written, “‘ For the future Mrs. Kerleton, with respectful regards.” On the paper enclosing the watch was written, ‘‘ Miss Lucy.” “Well, if ever I saw such a start as this!” uttered Aunt Copp, while Lucy’s face turned of an indignant red. “Tt is shameful, Aunt Copp! It is quite indecent of you! You have been saying something to him about me. I am sure of it!” “T declare to goodness I have not,” fired Aunt Copp. ‘‘ This offer of marriage—for it’s nothing less—has come of his own free will, and from no talking of mine. Shan’t we have a nice time of it, getting her wedding things ready, Hester ?” “Aunt Copp, I always thought you were an idiot, and now I know ) GomilGaooks im