The Argosy — page 175: what you’re looking at

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

The Missing Rubies. 163 asking for a story. The dearest little companion he always was to me !” “How you must have loved him!” The words escaped from Beatrice unawares, “T did love him. Even now, I cannot look at that picture without wishing that he could come back, a little innocent lad, just as he was then! Is it not Cowper who says : ‘ The meek intelligence of those dear eyes?’ It isn’t the fashion to admire Cowper nowadays, I dare say, but he chimes in with my old-fashioned mode of expression. I don’t often quote poetry, yet the line seems to describe the look in that por- trait.” It was seldom indeed that Jane Earle was betrayed into making such a long speech. But, from the first moment of their meeting, she had been drawn towards Beatrice and felt a sense of ease in her presence. ll her life, Jane had been one of those women whose lot it is to be suppressed. She had never had nerve enough to assert her- self and her opinions. Moreover, she had always regarded herself as a weak person, who needed guidance. Caroline was the clever woman of the family, and they must all submit to Caroline’s superior mind. “T am sure you must care for him still,” said Beatrice, trying to speak composedly. ‘And he must care for you—he can never for- get you.” “We seldom talk of him,” Jane answered, with a hurried glance towards the group on the lawn. ‘He is under acloud. Things did not go well with him, and we could not help him, poor boy! There was something between him and Alma once—I think it must have been a painful parting. But we must let bygones be bygones—they are all coming in!” They were indeed. Dorothy, sedate and obtuse as usual; the Countess, with inquisitive tongue; Alma, with her watchful glances ; and Olga bringing up the rear with the kitten. ‘“Why have you been keeping Miss Ward indoors?” Caroline Gradizoff demanded. “ Now, that is so like you, Jane! When flowers are growing out in the air and sunshine, people do not care to be shut up in a room to stare at your nosegays. You have a mania for pick- - ing things, and sticking them into jars and dishes, and then calling upon everybody to admire your tasteful arrangement ! ” ‘* Miss Jane’s flowers are perfectly charming,” said Beatrice, resent- ing the tone and manner of the Countess’s speech. Even Dorothy, obtuse as she was, could not help wishing that Caro- line would not speak in that way to Jane before strangers. It might give people the impression that there was discord in the Earle family. And she was anxious to appear in a good light before this beautiful girl, who would be a rich woman some day, and might perhaps be- come a neighbour. Caroline was too trying. comicbooks.com