Roxy Hastings — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

ROXY HASTINGS. 131 She told her of her resolve never again to see a father whose cruelty had wrought such a terrible result, and in- sured to her a life-long distress; and whose iron will had so nearly driven her into a detested union. “I know that I cannot resist him if I remain,” she said. ~ My only safety is in flight, on which I have fully deter- mined. But how or where to go to begin the novel task of earning my own living; these are the questions that re- main, and on these I have come to seek the advice of my friend.” When Miss Blythe ascertained that no debate of the main question would be allowed, and no advice received upon it, she.set herself diligently to seek how she might assist the unfortunate girl. So successful was her search, that ere Lucy’s second visit she had found, by consulting advertisements, a wealthy American family who were going abroad, and who wanted a governess competent to take full charge of the educa- tion of three young girls. The head of the family was agent and joint proprietor of a manufacturing house which was about establishing a branch in one of the midland counties of England, and he expected to reside there for a series of years, perhaps for the remainder of his life. The situation would be “permanent for five or six years” (so said the advertisement) “if the applicant gave full satis- faction.” Miss Blythe went at once to see Mrs. Allard in behalf of her friend, for she knew that nothing would suit Lucy bet- ter than such an opportunity to put the ocean at once be- tween her and all pursuit. The result was encouraging and yet not altogether satisfactory. She found Mrs. Allard almost in despair of getting an _ eligible offer in the very short time which was to intervene before they were to embark, and the lady listened with evident delight to her eulogium of Miss Holden’s merits _and capacity. But she was a vulgar, ignorant, over-dressed woman, whose coarseness did not even seem to be relieved _ by good temper, for she was both cross and suspicious. That Lucy, with her sweet face and quiet, lady-like de- portment, would be very acceptable, Miss Blythe did not doubt, but whether it would be an agreeable or even en- “durable situation for her was more questionable. “T don’t want no stuck-up creatures,” she said, “who will be settin’ themselves up to catch my sons, Miss Blythe. (E(0) EOmMmieboo <S