The Argosy — page 304: what you’re looking at

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

The House of Halliwell. 283 The words troubled Hester greatly, but she only remarked that she hoped Mabel would make a good wife. “Not in the prudent sense of the word,” observed Mrs. Rice. “‘ Mabel can spend money, but she has no idea of saving it by domestic management. Why, she could not iron a pocket-hand- kerchief ; or scarcely hem one. And she will have no fortune: it is well known that the old lawyer lives up to his income, some say beyond it. Rely upon it, this is the worst day’s work she and your brother ever did. To fix on each other is to prepare for struggles and poverty.” A curious recollection darted into Hester’s mind then—of the life of struggle promised to them all by her Aunt Copp. She felt very sad, and an impulse she could not restrain urged her to speak to Mabel, who happened to draw near as Mrs. Rice walked away. _ My dear Mabel,” she began, “I fear you and my brother ought mot to think of marrying, at least yet. Do you know how very small his living is ?” “Two or three hundred a year.” “Two or three hundred a year!” echoed Hester. ‘‘ Where can you have received so false an estimate of his income? They call it one hundred and seventy pounds, but there are outgoings, and it does mot bring him in more than one hundred and fifty pounds, if so much.” “Oh, that’s lots,” cried Mabel. ‘‘ A hundred and fifty! It is more than we can spend. And there’s the house as well.” ‘You do not know the value and uses of money. You ¥ “Yes, I do,” interrupted Mabel. ‘‘ Mamma always allows me fifteen pounds a year for my clothes, and I have to eke it out by all sorts of contrivances.” ’ “Dear Mabel, there are expenses in a married life which you little foresee or think of, and they come on very soon. Pray believe that I am full of love, both to you and Alfred, when I suggest that you should reconsider matters, and look to consequences.” “Tt will be quite fun to economise. I shall like it. As good as our gipsy party here to-day. You know we had to drink out of each other’s glasses.” “No, Mabel, it will not be fun. You will find that you have plunged yourselves into difficulty and trial.” The nearest approach to a pout or frown that Hester had seen on Mabel Zink’s face appeared then. ‘‘ You are dissatisfied with me, Miss Halliwell; you wish he had chosen Emma Farley, or Mary Hook, or perhaps Matilda! You detest me for winning him, and you don’t like me at all.” “My dear Mabel,” said Hester, vexed to be so misconstrued, ‘‘ the very fact of my speaking thus to you proves that I like and esteem you ; otherwise my remonstrance would have been made to Alfred. [ only ask you to reflect, to deliberate, and I urge it for your sake GomiilGaooks