The Argosy — page 333: what you’re looking at

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

314 Caroline Heath. morning unrefreshed. ‘The day was lowering, sultry, intensely oppres- sive. Never had the work seemed so unpalatable, or so hard to get through. In the afternoon, when she was picking roses in the front garden—sent to do so by Mrs. Heath, who was expecting some friends to tea—the garden-gate opened and footsteps came up the path. Stepping out from the bushes, Caroline found herself face to face with the handsome young man who had spoken from the top of the coach, with the very self-same laughing blue eyes close to her own. “T beg your pardon,” said the stranger. ‘This is Mr. Heath’s, I believe. Can I see him?” “He is not at home just now,” she replied. “ Mrs. Heath is. Will she do?” ‘“‘Well—perhaps,” he answered, doubtingly, as he took a card from his pocket. ‘“ Will you kindly let it be taken to her >—What lovely roses !” Caroline took the card with the hand which had no roses in it, and carried it to the sitting-room ; a pretty room, its window opening to the ground and looking to the grass plat. Mrs. Heath sat near it, working an antimacassar in red and white wools. She was a little woman, fair and frivolous. “Dear me!” she exclaimed, reading the card. ‘“‘ Mr. George Rochester.’ It makes me think of the man in Jane Eyre. Show him in, Caroline ; why on earth did you not do so at once ?” He came in; his gentlemanly appearance, well-bred manners, and good looks bespeaking for him a gracious reception. Mrs. Heath, who had been used to society and had really lowered herself by marrying a farmer, recognised his superiority at once. Taking the chair offered him, Mr. Rochester explained his business. Of the little body of engineers who had come down he was. the head and chief. Tom Heath was right in that conjecture. He had now called to ask leave to erect a tent for tools and other purposes on one of Mr. Heath’s fields, which overlooked the line to be made—would Mr. Heath give that leave? “Tt will not damage the ground in the least, and will be quite a temporary accommodation,” he explained. ©‘ Mr. Williams—Squire Williams, I believe you call him down here—has allowed us to do the same thing on his land, and the tent is now being put up there.” “Oh, I feel sure Mr. Heath will not think of objecting ; but, perhaps he had better be spoken to,” said the wife. ‘ Caroline, you can go and ask your papa; he is sure to be with the haymakers in the three-acre field.” ‘“T think I had better go to Mr. Heath myself; and perhaps this young lady will show me the way,” said Mr. Rochester. He bowed over his hat to Mrs. Heath and left her presence. Caroline conducted him out by a little gate which opened direct on to the meadows. ECOMMICOOOKS.E© im