This would aid him in carrying out
his resolve of a cautious and staid demeanor toward his pupil. To
preserve his freedom, he must keep himself thoroughly in hand.
Experience had taught him that, were he once to give way and show
his affection, there would from that moment be an end of teaching
and learning. And yet so much was he drawn to the girl, that, at
this very time, he gave her the manuscript of his own verses to
which I have referred--a volume exquisitely written, and
containing, certainly, the outcome of the best that was in him:
he did not tell her that he had copied them all with such care
and neatness, and had the book so lovelily bound, expressly and
only for her eyes..
News of something that seemed likely to suit her ideas for Letty
at length came to Mrs. Wardour's ears, whereupon she thought it
time to prepare the girl for the impending change. One day,
therefore, as she herself sat knitting one sock for Godfrey, and
Letty darning another, she opened the matter.
"I am getting old, Letty," she said, "and you can't be here
always. You are a thoughtless creature, but I suppose you have
the sense to see that?"
"Yes, indeed, aunt," answered Letty.
"It is high time you should be thinking," Mrs. Wardour went on,
"how you are to earn your bread. If you left it till I was gone,
you would find it very awkward, for you would have to leave
Thornwick at once, and I don't know who would take you while you
were looking out.
Pages:
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186