The Argosy — page 220: what you’re looking at

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

204 Recollections of a Governess. “In his power ?” repeated Lady Dacre. And then, calmly as she could, she told her all that had passed. Lady Dacre shook her head, the tears rolling fast down her cheeks. I tried to leave the room, but she stopped me. “ Don’t go, dear auntie,” as she used to call me when a girl, ‘‘ don’t go. You are a true friend, and feel for us in sorrow or in joy. Do not leave us now. I can never know joy again. Oh,my boy, my boy! what is poverty compared to this?” she said, sobbing. “I have known poverty for years, but shame and dishonour are hard to bear.” Helen seated herself on a low stool and laid her aching head on her mother's knee. ‘“ My poor child,” said Lady Dacre fondly, ‘‘ you have . never given me a moment’s pain, and am I to sacrifice you to hide his guilt? Mr. Crayford will pay all if you accept him ?” ‘* Yes, mother, and no one will ever know what Edward did. I sup- pose he did do it ?” “It would kill your father,” said Lady Dacre, slowly, “ but—” ‘‘ Mother,” said Helen suddenly, “have I not some money? I mean, shall I not have something at my father’s death if I live so long? Can I give it all up to Edward now? to pay Mr. Crayford?” “ Helen, some of that money was raised to pay for his step. Edward was to pay it back: and lately he has had more, which he is to repay when he is of age, by cutting the manor wood. It was the only thing left us to do. He has had it, Helen, he has had it, there is no hope there.” ‘‘ And, mother, your jewels? I remember them a long time ago in that dark blue case, lined with white satin ; so beautiful !” Lady Dacre only shook her head sadly. I had £900; but what was that? they were welcome to it: at that moment how I wished for thousands! ‘Even if we had the money, nothing but your consent would keep Mr. Crayford silent, 1s it not so, Helen ?” ‘“‘He said so, did he not, auntie?” I was obliged to say he had. ‘* And if I let Edward bear his own burden?” Helen continued slowly. “Oh, my Helen,” interrupted her mother, “the shame, the disgrace !” Helen thought her mother loved her less than Edward ; that she could sacrifice her to screen his fault. It roused her pride, her besetting sin ; it hardened her. So when her mother whispered something, of which I only caught the words “‘ Guy Langton,” she answered, ‘‘ No,” and Lady Dacre said, ‘“‘ Then, Helen, darling, you must save us, and Heaven will reward you, my child. Go to your own room now, and rest awhile.” She looked like a statue, so white and cold, as she closed the door. He came again in the afternoon, and Lady Dacre tried to get a little Celay fcr her child but Helen’spromise he insisted on, as upon her answer depended the instructions he gave his bankers by that after- noon’s post. After receiving her promise he trusted so, entirely )tocher fulfilling it that he would not hurry her, or do anything that might vex conn SORMIGIOO SS (C(O) mn —_)