The Argosy — page 389: what you’re looking at

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

366 The House of Halliwell. it,” retorted Lucy, struggling between tears and rage. “ Offer of marriage, indeed! if it zs an offer of marriage, you may take it to yourself. Hester, just pack the watch back again to the Seaford Arms; send Phceby withit. My name was not on the book, so Aunt Copp can do as she chooses with that—keep it for herself, and tell him so.” Lucy’s tirade was cut short, for the blind was again pushed partly open, and a scarlet wrist went in. ‘JT beg your pardon,” cried the Captain’s voice, ‘‘I forgot this.” Aunt Copp involuntarily stretched forth her hand, and received another packet, similar to the one which had contained the watch, the Captain darting off as before at the military pace of a forced march. | ‘Miss Lucy Halliwell,” read Mrs. Copp, again, through her spec- tacles. ‘““T won’t have it! call him back! throw it after him!” exclaimed Lucy. But Aunt Copp told her she knew better what she was about, and opened it. A pretty gold chain, and the key of the watch. ‘‘'Well, my dear,” said Aunt Copp, “‘ you are in luck.” “Luck!” ironically uttered Lucy. ‘* The man’s a fool.” | ‘TI know who is a greater,” rejoined Mrs. Copp, laughing at Lucy. ‘Hester, I appeal to you. Is it right—is it in accordance with good manners, his poking these things in at the window? Ought they not to be sent back instantly ?” “TI think it is in accordance with good-nature,” Hester gently replied, “‘and to forward them back, as you suggest, would be re- turning insult for kindness. When he next calls, let Aunt Copp return him the presents, and civilly inform him that you cannot accept them.” ‘““T wish you may get me to do it,” cried Mrs. Copp. ‘‘ ‘ There is a tide in the affairs of man,’ and Lucy has now got hers.” So the task fell to Hester. And when the Captain called that afternoon (still in his regimentals) Hester went to him alone. But before she had well entered upon the subject, Captain Kerleton inter- rupted her, and made Lucy a very handsome offer. Hester was at a nonplus: not knowing, now the affair was put upon a regular foot- ing, whether Lucy would have him or not: She retired to the next room. | “Have him? of course,” cried Aunt Copp. ‘““ Have him? of course not,” repeated Lucy. “Niece Lucy, the matter is serious now, and you must not be childish over it. What is your objection?” “T don’t know enough of him,” said Lucy. ‘Consider, Aunt Copp, it is only a fortnight since we first set eyes on him. The idea of promising to marry a man after a fortnight’s acquaintance! ” “You need not marry him off-hand—or promise to,” argued Aunt Gomicbooks.co