"Has she come?"

"No, Mamma, not yet."

"I wish it were well over. The thought of it worries and excites me. A

cushion for my back, Bella."

And poor, peevish Mrs. Coventry sank into an easy chair with a nervous

sigh and the air of a martyr, while her pretty daughter hovered about

her with affectionate solicitude.

"Who are they talking of, Lucia?" asked the languid young man lounging

on a couch near his cousin, who bent over her tapestry work with a happy

smile on her usually haughty face.

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"The new governess, Miss Muir. Shall I tell you about her?"

"No, thank you. I have an inveterate aversion to the whole tribe. I've

often thanked heaven that I had but one sister, and she a spoiled child,

so that I have escaped the infliction of a governess so long."

"How will you bear it now?" asked Lucia.

"Leave the house while she is in it."

"No, you won't. You're too lazy, Gerald," called out a younger and more

energetic man, from the recess where he stood teasing his dogs.

"I'll give her a three days' trial; if she proves endurable I shall not

disturb myself; if, as I am sure, she is a bore, I'm off anywhere,

anywhere out of her way."

"I beg you won't talk in that depressing manner, boys. I dread the

coming of a stranger more than you possibly can, but Bella must not be

neglected; so I have nerved myself to endure this woman, and Lucia is

good enough to say she will attend to her after tonight."

"Don't be troubled, Mamma. She is a nice person, I dare say, and when

once we are used to her, I've no doubt we shall be glad to have her,

it's so dull here just now. Lady Sydney said she was a quiet,

accomplished, amiable girl, who needed a home, and would be a help to

poor stupid me, so try to like her for my sake."

"I will, dear, but isn't it getting late? I do hope nothing has

happened. Did you tell them to send a carriage to the station for

her, Gerald?"

"I forgot it. But it's not far, it won't hurt her to walk" was the

languid reply.

"It was indolence, not forgetfulness, I know. I'm very sorry; she will

think it so rude to leave her to find her way so late. Do go and see

to it, Ned."

"Too late, Bella, the train was in some time ago. Give your orders to me

next time. Mother and I'll see that they are obeyed," said Edward.




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