The Argosy — page 112: what you’re looking at

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

The House of Halliwell. 95 However, what was to be done now was to get him well. And Hester was one of those right and rare spirits who set themselves to make ¢he dest of present exigencies, to meet and grapple with what- ever duties may arise. As it has pleased God, in His infinite wisdom, to allot to us all some especial talent of usefulness (though many, in their carelessness, go to their lives’ end and never find out their own), so Hester believed that her humble one lay in being useful to others, particularly in nursing, tending and soothing the sick. She entered heartily on her task, arid with the aid of warm weather, and another and a better Aid, she got Alfred round again. By the end of go dy he was quite w ell, and she went back to Seaford. It was a long journey for her: travelling in those days was not what it is now; but she halted at Shrewsbury: They had some very distant acquaintances living there, of whom they knew little more than the name, but Mrs. Halliwell had written to ask them to receive Hester, which they kindly did for a night, both going and returning. She left Shrewsbury early in the morning, and reached Seaford about eight in the evening. She never doubted that George Archer would be waiting for her, but they came flocking round the coach-door, and he was not there. Mrs. Halliwell, Lucy and Mary. It was a lovely summer’s night; the harvest moon near the full; but a dark shade seemed to have fallen on Hester’s spirit. She did not inquire after him—when the heart truly loves, it is always timid—yet they talked a great deal during the walk home, and at supper. Chiefly about Alfred: the situation of his home, the sort of people with whom he lived, his parish duties, and the family at Shrewsbury ; it seemed they never would tire of asking Hester <uestions, one upon another. But when she and Lucy went up to their bed-room for the night, she put on an indifferent manner, and enquired if they saw much of Mr. Archer. ‘““Not so much as when you were at home, of course,” laughed Lucy, “his attraction was gone. And, latterly, very little indeed. since the Seafords came, he is often with them. And he is reading with Lord Sale and Master Harry Seaford. They goto him every day.” ‘‘ Are the Seafords at the castle, then ?” ‘“"They came in July. Parliament rose early ; the King went to Brighton, and all the grandees followed his example, and left town. We get all the ‘ fashionable intelligence’ here now, Hester.” ‘Did he know I was expected to-night ? ” pene Kine 2? | “Don’t joke, Lucy,” pleaded Hester, “I am tired. You know I meant Mr. Archer.” “Yes, he knew it. We met him this morning, and Mary told him, and I wonder he did not go with us to meet the coach. Perhaps he is dining at the castle; the Earl asks him sometimes. Very dangerous to throw him into the society of that resplendent Lady Georgina.” CoOnniclooolkks (©) mM