The Argosy — page 212: what you’re looking at

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

196 RECOLLECTIONS OF A GOVERNESS. BY THE AUTHOR OF °° THE LADYE SHAKERLEY.”’ AY 4th, 1836.—A lovely day.’ Lessons ended,’ we went into the garden. I sat with my work under the great cherry-tree, which was one sheet of white bloom, whilst Helen raked the long border and tied up the large clumps of white lilies and scarlet lychnis, which will look so beautiful together by-and-by. Suddenly Captain Langton appeared, come to say farewell before going out with his regiment to the East Indies. He had seen Sir William and Lady Dacre, and now came to seek us; seek Her, I should say. Helen threw down her rake, and, seating herself on the grass under the cherry-tree, began caressing his beautiful Skye terrier. Captain Langton moved closer to her, and I heard him say, “ Shall I leave Coonach to you, Helen?” ‘Oh, please do,” she answered. But Coonach seemed to have under- stood the question, and, releasing himself, went a little nearer his master. Captain Langton answered the mute request. ‘‘ My poor old fellow, you must stay and take care of her for me.” Holding my child’s hand in his, he put it on Coonach’s head, and, bending over her, said, ‘Love my dog, love me, Helen.” Helen only answered him by again caressing Coonach, who, hang- ing his head, submitted patiently, and at length, with a long yawn, laid himself down between the old master and the new mistress. Helen was still half sitting, half kneeling on the grass, and Captain Langton was leaning on the oak seat, which surrounded the old cherry- tree. At last she said, half to herself: “So stupid of them to order your regiment abroad when there are so many others. I wish the king had sent one of them.” He laughed, and then gently took one of the long curls that fell on her shoulder, drew it out admiringly (indeed it was beautiful hair), and kissed it. ‘‘We have been friends from children, Helen,” he said. ‘Yes, Guy.” “ And I have loved you all my life, Helen,” he continued, in a lower voice; but still I could hear, and I gave a little cough, and thought how badly her French exercise would be done after this; but she only answered, “Yes, Guy; I know Frances used to say you liked me better than either of your sisters. I have liked you better than Edward, for he is so tiresome sometimes, and you have always been so good to me.” “You are a child still, Helen,” he replied. And, the, tone of his. voice betrayed disappointment. ECORNICLOOO SS (C(O) mn —_)