The Argosy — page 177: what you’re looking at

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

162 The Missing Rubtes. white, in a feathery setting of maidenhair. But there was something else that Beatrice was inwardly pining to see. She praised the flowers and their arrangement to Jane’s full content; and then asked, a little bashfully, if she might look again at that charming view of Birket Foster’s, taken from the old bridge? Jane was well pleased to grant the request. ‘These old gentlewomen were justly proud of their pictures; to appre- ciate any of their choice possessions was to stand high in their favour. ‘““T think it hangs in a good light,” said the old lady, compla cently leading the way to the drawing. ‘The colouring is very soft and delicate, is it not? And one can almost hear the rush of the stream !” But Beatrice, although she managed to answer intelligently enough, could hear nothing but the loud throbbing of her own heart. And while she seemed to be gazing in rapt admiration at the picture, she did not, in truth, distinguish a single detail. Yet it was not until she had looked steadily at it for a reasonable time, that she ventured to glance at that crayon portrait, close by. She was alone with Jane Earle. Dorothy and the Countess had taken possession of Alma, and were keeping her with them on the lawn, engaged in a long conversation. The opportunity was too ~ good to be missed. “That is a sweet boy’s face,” said Miss Ward, in a voice that crembled a little. And then she gave herself up to the pleasure of gazing her fill. ‘‘ The eyes are beautiful; but there is a sadness in them that one seldom sees in the eyes of a child.” ‘He was a happy child enough, but his eyes always had that look,” replied Aunt Jane, with a faint sigh. ‘I remember that some people used to fancy he would not live to grow up.” ‘But he did live ?” “Oh, yes; he is a man now. But not a very happy man, I am afraid.” Aunt Jane, too, was looking at the portrait, with more expression in her delicate old face than was often seen there. And Beatrice recollected that Godwin had loved Aunt Jane better than any of his other relations, always excepting poor Grace Corder, who died. CHAPTER “2 V45 REMINISCENCES, “Ir is a grave matter to bring up a boy,” said Jane Earle, after a brief pause. ‘That portrait was done when Godwin was about seven years oid. He was our poor brother’s only child—the sweetest little fellow that ever was! I remember him, with his fair hair and gentle face, playing quietly in this very room, or sitting at my feet and COMIC OOOKS. GO