The Argosy, Vol. 49

# The House of Halliwell

This excerpt from Mrs. Henry Wood's serial novel presents Chapter XI, "A Wedding." Aunt Rebecca Copp arrives at the Halliwell home in widow's weeds, bringing news of her husband's death from fever contracted at the Cape during a difficult voyage home from Calcutta. She recounts the disastrous voyage—collision damage, crew illness, and poor weather—and her husband's Christian burial at sea. Aunt Copp also reports on relations: Jane Pepper (their niece) has lost all five children to illness and grieves heavily; her brother Alfred struggles financially as a clergyman. Mrs. Halliwell's health deteriorates visibly, and she dies that evening. The family receives £500 each upon her death, with the provision they remain in the house one year. Aunt Copp's interfering presence during the mourning period proves tiresome before her departure to Liverpool. Mary Halliwell's winter visit to relatives at Middlebury results in an engagement to Dr. Goring, announced upon her return to Seaford.