The Argosy — page 222: what you’re looking at

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

206 Recollections of a Governess. A low murmuring from poor Lady Dacre, and then Sir Wilham broke out again. ‘Civil to him when he comes! sYou had better keep him out of my sight for a day or two. Confound him, I could not look at him now and be civil. ’Pon my word, I thought he came to see me. I did indeed ! Give me my drops, my dear, give me my drops—you have quite done for me, quite.” I think Edward’s letter to her, when he heard of her marriage, was the only thing that gave her a moment’s pleasure. It showed her con- duct was felt and understood by him, at any rate. ‘ Dearest Helen,—May God bless you. I never knewa moment's. peace till I received mother’s letter this morning. I understand all. Your most unworthy but loving brother, E. D. Nov. 1.—My Helen married. She was married on the 24f2, Mr- Crayford had promised not to be in a hurry—but he was in a hurry. He had promised to give her time, but he put it on Sir William’s state of health, and wished the marriage to take place: perhaps it was bet- ter, if it was to be, that it should be over. A very quiet wedding. Even Edward was not present ; he was expected but did not arrive at the last. They went straight to Manor House. She preferred staying near Cherry Court, though Mr. Crayford offered to take her anywhere she liked. The evening before I found her in tears, She wiped them hastily away, and, taking Coonach up in her arms, she put him into mine. “I must leave him and all that behind, dear auntie. You take him, for my sake ; I have said my good-bye to him now.” On Friday morning Coonach was gone! He was very uneasy all the night, and, after breakfast, nowhere could he be found; but in the afternoon, he was brought home. Poor fellow, he had actually found her out and gone to the Manor House, the servant said, howling and whining. My poor Helen hardened her heart, and sent him back to me; and I did not lose sight of him until yesterday. I thought he was safe whilst I was in church, but he made his escape, and was again at the Manor, and Helen keeps him. She wrote me a little note to say his joy at finding her again was so unbounded ; and I am glad she has, for only those who care for animals know the blank the loss of a dog or a bird makes in one’s life. Nov. 8.—Dreadful tidings to-day. Edward is dead! The news was sent to Mr. Crayford. He told Helen, ordered the carriage, and allowed her to come alone to break it to her parents, which was kind and con- siderate. Oh, how I hope he may be able to make her happy! She left the carriage at the lodge, and walked on here; came in at the gar- den-door and up to the schoolroom. I could scarcely believe she had changed her name. “ Hush!” she said, when I started up. “Oh, auntie, how can I tell papa? Edward is gone—thrown from his horse —killed!” I was shocked beyond words. Oh, how. sad:an)énd for that poor boy! Poor Edward, for whom she had done all that woman CON VOOGIKX<S O G } J (CO) in —_)