The Argosy — page 398: what you’re looking at

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

The House of Halliwell. 375 “Several of the articles are of value. The watch and chain especially, and some rings. But, sir,” and Mrs. Copp drew herself _up to her full height, ‘my niece will not allow her to keep them, or anything else.” ‘IT hope and trust she will,” warmly returned the Major. ‘TI shall _ pray Miss Lucy to accept them from me. Ah, my dear ladies,” he continued, taking a hand of each, “I only wish it was in my power _ to make any reparation to her for the annoyance which my unfortu- nate brother has brought on her and you. Pecuniary compensation is out of the question, but 4 “Sir!” interrupted Aunt Copp, in an awful voice, ‘“‘do you know that you are addressing persons of your own standing in life? The sister and daughter of one who was of your own rank, the Major Halliwell. He traces his descent to nobility, and not far distant. In George the Third’s time . “My dear lady, you are mistaking me. I was about to say that the only compensation possible is the hearty expression of my heart- felt and genuine sympathy: it is not in my power to offer any other.” “Not any,” responded Aunt Copp, with stony rigidity. ‘ The sooner such a lunatic as he is is out of Seaford the better for all parties.” | So thought Major Kerleton; and he started that same day with the poor madman for London. Of course the event to Lucy Halliwell could not be otherwise than deeply mortifying, but her heart had never been engaged in it, and she soon grew to laugh at it heartily. They took to calling it “f Lucy’s Adventure,” for it was the only romantic incident that ever happened to Lucy. What was now to be the career of Hester and Lucy Halliwell ? The year in their home at Seaford had expired, they had their 4500 each, and must look out for some means of earning a livelihood. It is certain that young women in a respectable sphere of life, when left unprovided for by the death of parents, require more sympathy than any other class. It may be they have a little money: it is to be hoped that daughters so left generally have. This they proceed to embark in various ways, according to their capacities and the ideas they have imbibed in their station of society. But let the reader be very sure that there are few of these unprotected women but have to bear a crushing weight of struggle and sorrow. Anxious perplexity, pinching want, heart-breaking care—these are often theirs; and for many there is no turn, no worldly rest, till they find it in the grave. Aunt Copp, who remained with them to wind up affairs at Seaford, proposed several things. One was that. Lucy should go out as governess, for which she was so well qualified, and that Hester should have a home with her at Liverpool: which she should be CORE LOeC SS) (S©@)