The Argosy — page 216: what you’re looking at

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

200 Recollections of a Governess. frequent visits. I feel certain my poor Helen is the cause, though she escapes whenever she can. Sir William evidently likes him better, and his increasing inability to take any exercise makes him glad of visitors, and he always has Helen near him. Lady Dacre came to my room last night. She put a purse in my hand. With tears in her eyes, she said, “It is not what you ought to have, but all I can give you now. I hope for better times when my boy 1s more steady.” Then she sat down and burst into tears. “ He is quite reckless,” she said, “in money matters ; just like his grandfather, unable to control any fancy. He cannot bear to be thought poor. His allowance is long overdrawn. We have sent him all we can, to prevent his borrowing from any rogue who might be willing to lend him money.” I tried to comfort her, hoped he might find it easier to resist temptation when he had been a little longer in the regiment, or when they went abroad. She was always trustful, and always thought things would turn out better than they seemed, and she grew more satisfied, apparently, before she left me. ‘Do not tell Helen, poor child,” she said, when she wished me good-night. But Helen had noticed for some time that Edward’s letters were opened with more anxiety than pleasure by his mother, and had wondered what could be the reason. April 25.—Mrs. Langton died on the 12th, at Brighton. Before her death she desired a very handsome bracelet might be given to Helen, with her fond love. I wish Captain Langton had been near Edward, he might have advised him better. May 4.—The cherry-tree is all in bloom again. Helen sits under it constantly with Coonach, though I warm her. The wind 1s still un- usually keen for the time of year. I did not refer to this day last year, but I noticed that Coonach was more than usually petted. Some- how I feel as if some evil were hanging over our heads, and dread the way it may come, and the way it may be taken. June 23.—The King died on the 2oth, and the young Princess Victoria is our Queen: only ten days older than my Helen! May God bless and guide her. ‘“ Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” August 22.—The thunderbolt has indeed fallen, and on my poor child. Oh, that I could have borne any sorrow for her! It was thus, She and I were in the schoolroom ; she was taking a likeness of Coo- nach, when Hawkins opened the door and said, * Mr. Crayford’s in the drawing-room, and wishes to speak to you, Miss Dacre.” ‘¢ Not to me,” she said, carelessly; ‘“‘ tell my mother, Hawkins.” ‘If you please, Miss Dacre, it was you Mr. Crayford wished to see,” returned the old servant. ‘‘I believe it’s something about Mr. Edward.” Helen rose hastily. ‘* Come with me, dear,” she said, ‘* What in the world can it be about Edward ? ” I went down with her to the drawing-room. She entered eagerly. ECORNICLOOO SS (CO) in —_)