The Argosy — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

108 Gwen. most profitably spent hours of my last term, to say nothing of their pleasantness.” A blush of pleasure spread over Gwen’s disfigured face for a moment, and her eyes glistened through the unshed tears, as she said : “Did you really like it? Was it not a sacrifice after all, to spend those sunny hours shut up with so dull a pupil as myself? Ah! but that is only because you are so good,” she went on more dejectedly. “Tt was a sacrifice all the same, and the worst of it is that I made no sacrifice on my part to meet it. I know it now. I liked our talks, and I would talk in spite of all your warnings, and I never really studied hard at the subject at all. You were quite right; I am shallow, and conceited, and I do follow my own inclinations almost always I fear. Oh! what a hateful sort of character I must be!” sighed the girl, in a tone of most genuine self-contempt. “‘T don’t think you are really shallow, and I am quite sure you are very honest and true, and not more conceited than we have all con- spired to make you,” said Mr. Dallas, smiling. ‘‘ Moreover, you have made an immense stride in your education already, according to your own showing, in the discovery of your short-comings. It takes many people years, some of us even a life-time, to learn this priceless lesson of humility, which you have got by heart so soon. I, for one, shall look up to you with increased respect Miss Gwen, henceforth.” There was no raillery in his tone now, but a quiet earnestness that came like balm to Gwen’s wounded spirit. The girl was deeply touched. Her tutor had been somewhat of a hero to her all along, although he had angered her at times by his plain-speaking. But all the more precious was his present encouragement, knowing as she did that it was spoken in good faith. She felt cheered, and responded with almost her old wonted gaiety. Mr. Dallas, on the contrary, had suddenly grown serious. The boys could not think what had come over their clear-headed master in school that afternoon. He contradicted himself more than once, and. answered so beside the mark on one occasion, that a subdued titter went round the class, which, however, was speedily checked. V. A THUNDER-BOLT fell on the school next day when a rumour became current that Mr. Dallas intended leaving at the end of the term. A rumour which the frown on the Doctor’s face, and the haggard aspect of Mr. Dallas’s, seemed to confirm. No wonder Mr. Dallas looked haggard, for little rest had he known that night During a long country walk the evening before he had thought the matter out, and on his return to the school had gone straight to the Doctor’s study and placed his resignation in his. hands. comicbooks.com