The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 2, September, 1851Various
History
The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 2, September, 1851
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
Leonard had now only to discover the nobleman whose name had been so
vaguely uttered by poor Captain Digby. He had again recourse to the
_Court Guide_; and finding the address of two or three lords the first
syllables of whose titles seemed similar to that repeated to him, and
all living pretty near to each other, in the regions of May Fair, he
ascertained his way to that quarter, and, exercising his mother-wit,
inquired at the neighboring shops as to the personal appearance of
these noblemen. Out of consideration for his rusticity, he got very
civil and clear answers; but none of the lords in question
corresponded with the description given by Helen. One was old, another
was exceedingly corpulent, a third was bed-ridden--none of them was
known to keep a great dog. It is needless to say that the name of
L'Estrange (no habitant of London) was not in the _Court Guide_. And
Dr. Morgan's assertion that that person was always abroad, unluckily
dismissed from Leonard's mind the name the homoeopathist had so
casually mentioned. But Helen was not disappointed when her young
protector returned late in the day and told her of his ill success.
Poor child! she was so pleased in her heart not to be separated from
her new brother; and Leonard was touched to how she had contrived, in
his absence, to give a certain comfort and cheerful grace to the bare
room devoted to himself. She had arranged his few books and papers so
neatly, near the window, in sight of the one green elm. She had coaxed
the smiling landlady out of one or two extra articles of furniture,
especially a walnut-tree bureau, and some odds and ends of
ribbon--with which last she had looped up the curtains. Even the old
rush-bottom chairs had a strange air of elegance, from the mode in
which they were placed. The fairies had given sweet Helen the art that
adorns a home, and brings out a smile from the dingiest corner of hut
and attic.
Leonard wondered and praised. He kissed his blushing ministrant
gratefully, and they sat down in joy to their abstemious meal, when
suddenly his face was overclouded--there shot through him the
remembrance of Dr. Morgan's words--"The little girl can't stay with
you--wrong and nonsensical. I think I know a lady who will take charge
of her."
"Ah," cried Leonard, sorrowfully, "how could I forget?" And he told
Helen what grieved him. Helen at first exclaimed that she would not
go. Leonard, rejoiced, then began to talk as usual of his great
prospects; and, hastily finishing his meal, as if there were no time
to lose, sat down at once to his papers. Then Helen contemplated him
sadly, as he bent over his delighted work. And when, lifting his
radiant eyes from his MS. he exclaimed, "No, no, you shall _not_ go.
_This_ must succeed, and we shall live together in some pretty
cottage, where we can see more than one tree"--_then_ Helen sighed,
and did not answer this time, "No, I will not go."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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