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248 THE PORTBAIT.
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
+ -A^ Ghaptek V. It Lias "Been Affirmed ...
copy as many towers after tlie model of the leaning one of Pisa as they felt inclined _^
I was returning rather late one evening from Carrington , having made a few purchases previous to setting out on my journey _,,
when I fell into a musing fit , and wandered back to Paris , Mrs . Bethuneand the dragon . I had not for months heard anything
of my former , friend . A few formal letters had passed between us _^ and then an unbroken silence had followed .
Musing on the past , and walking slowly in the deepening twilight , unless my imagination were playing me a trick , there right before
me was Sarah herself , walking towards our cottage . If not Sarah Dermidit was her wraithher " Doppelganger , " scarlet gown
and black , mantle to bootwith , shoes and antique head gear such , as only our dragon would wear .
I rushed forward past the figure , and then turned full round to * have a look at the face .
" Bless my soul , Miss Emily , is that you ? " The familiar words and tone soon assured me it was Sarah in the body , and not her
spectre . "I should rather ask , " I replied , _"is that you , Sarah Dermid ? for who would have dreamt of meeting you here ?" li
Ah ! you may well say so , Miss Emily , but this is a world of change "—and the dragon uttered one of her old groans and" looked
• very woful . < l Of course , you are here in search of me , " I said . " Come with
me , and you shall tell me all when you are rested . But are you alone , or is Mrs . Bethune with you ? " I added , as it was possible they might
be on their way to the North , Mrs . Bethune having frequently said she should much like to visit the mountains of Scotland , and
sketch some of the wild scenery peculiar to that romantic region . Sarah shook her head despondingly , and muttered , " I am
alone , quite alone . " And as I perceived that her tale was not a leasant oneat least for herI asked no more questionsbut
p , , , _fastened home with my unlooked-for companion , Sarah had often hinted to me , when in an extra confidential
moodthat her mistress would probably renounce the world and enter , a conventas she had expressed such an intention
whenever a fit of low , _sjDirits came on . I paid no heed to such communicationsfeeling that such an idea might be in the brain of Sarah _,,
but certainl , y not in that of her mistress as a genuine conviction . The dragon's story was to the effect that her mistress had declared
her intention of going abroad to visit several convents , but , to the consternation and disappointment of Sarah , declined to take her it
with her . To make up for this cruel treatment , as Sarah called , Mrs . Bethune had given her a pension of £ 30 per annum , and my old friend was now on her way to Scotland , to remain there , if she
felt it agreeable . " But you see , Miss Emily , I may feel like a stranger , oven
In my own country . " " And what of Master Edward ? " I askod ; " how is ho employed ?"
248 The Portbait.
248 THE PORTBAIT .
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Citation
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English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), June 1, 1861, page 248, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01061861/page/32/
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