The Argosy — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

94 The House of Halliwell. maid, with her starched notions and sober ways,” retorted Lucy, who was feeling angry. ‘I’m sure it is a mistake, her being married.” “A very good mistake,” said Mrs. Halliwell. So it was settled that Hester should visit Wales, and George Archer spoke with her about his prospects the evening before her departure, spoke sanguinely. They were sitting in the garden. He was indulging a chimera ; though neither thought it one then. ‘To not deem me vain, Hester,” he said, “if I tell you something I have never told you yet. It 1s our approaching separation that draws it from me.” She turned her grave but sweet dark eyes towards him. ‘““T believe that Lord and Lady Seaford took an extraordinary fancy to me. Something more than usual.” ‘TY think they must have done so,” answered Hester. ‘They had you with them so frequently during the fortnight of their stay.” - “When they return here for the autumn—as they purpose doing— perhaps this liking for me may be improved to bring forth fruit,” he went on. ‘‘ He, Lord Seaford, may give me a living.” “Oh, George!” she exclaimed, ‘I think he is sure to do it The idea never occurred to me before.” ‘The worst is, these noblemen have so many calls upon their patronage,” continued Mr. Archer. ‘‘If one place drops in, a dozen candidates are ready for it.” “Your uncle is a clergyman, George,” proceeded Hester; “could he not help you to something ?” “You mean my uncle Elliot. No, he could do nothing. Hiuis living is a good one, but he has a large family of his own. Clergymen can rarely help one another to preferment. If the Earl will only take me in hand, I shall want no one else’s help. I think he will.” “T am so glad you have told me. It will be something to dwell upon while | am away. ‘There’s mamma calling to us—that it is getting dark, and we are to come in.” - He rose, and strained her to him, before they entered. ‘‘ Mind you don’t forget me while you are away,” he whispered. ‘“No, no,” she replied, dashing away a few tears from her eyes. The Seafords had gone to town, after Easter, for the season and for Lady Georgina’s presentation. It was said that she bore away the palm of beauty at the drawing-room ; that George the Fourth, sated though he was with ladies’ charms, had spoken publicly of her exceeding loveliness. When Hester reached North Wales she found Alfred very ill; but what he chiefly wanted was care—he called it coddling. He lodged with a mining overseer and his wife, who were attentive to him, in their rough, free way, but who had no knowledge of the cares and precautions necessary in illness. Hester’s heart smote her when she saw the want of all comfort in the place, the contrast it presented to the home he would have had at Seaford. Gomicbooks.com