was denied the solace which the companionship of the coachman, grooms, horses, greyhounds, and pointers might have afforded; for her mother having, notwithstanding the disadvantages of a country life, so satis factorily disposed of her elder daughter, the pride of her heart, had begun seriously to turn her attention to the younger; and being truly alarmed at the roughness of her manners, and thinking it high time to work a re form, had been roused at length to exert her authority and prohibited entirely the yards, stables, kennels, and coach-house. Of course she was not implicitly obeyed; but indulgent as she had hitherto been, when once her spirit was roused her temper was not so gentle as she required that of her governess to be, and her will was not to be thwarted with impunity. After many a scene of contention between mother and daughter, many a vio lent outbreak which I was ashamed to witness, in which the father's authority was often called in to confirm with oaths and threats the mother's slighted prohibitionsfor even he could see that " Tilly, though she would have made a fine lad, was not quite what a young lady ought to be "-Matilda at length found that her easiest plan was to keep clear of the forbidden regions, unless she could now and then steal a visit without her watchful mother's knowledge.

Amid all this, let it not be imagined that I escaped without many a reprimand and many an implied reproach, that lost none of its sting from not being openly worded, but rather wounded the more deeply because, from that very reason, it seemed to preclude self-defence. Frequently I was told to amuse Miss Matilda with other things, and to remind her of her mother's precepts and prohibitions. I did so to the best of my power; but she would not be amused against her will, and could not against her taste; and though I went beyond mere reminding, such gentle remonstrances as I could use were utterly ineffectual.

"Dear Miss Grey, it is the strangest thing. I suppose you can't help it, if it's not in your natur

you can't win the confidence of that girl, and make your society at least as agreeable to her as that of Robert or Joseph" on abolis

"They can talk the best about the things in which she is most interested," I replied.online7 154

"Well, that is a strange confession, however, to come from her governess! Whol is to form a young lady's tastes, I wonder, if the governess doesn't do it? I have known governesses who have so completely identified themselves with the reputation of their young ladies for elegance and propriety of mind and manners that they would blush to speak a word against them, and to hear the slightest blame imputed to their pupils was worse than to be censured in their own persons. And I really think it very natural, for my part." Le

“Do you, ma'am ?" J abox 19 of

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"Yes, of course. The young lady's proficiency and elegance is of more consequence to the governess than her own, as well as to the world. If she wishes to prosper in her vocation she must devotevall her energies to her business; all her ideas and all her ambition will tend to the accomplishment of that one object. When we wish to decide upon the merits of a governess, we naturally look at the young ladies she professes to have educated, and judge accordingly. The judicious governess knows this. She knows that, while she lives in obscurity her. self, her pupil's virtues and defects will be open to every eye, and that, unless she loses sight of herself in their cultivation, she need not hope for success. You see, Miss Grey, it is just the same as any other trade or profession d they that wish to prosper must devote themselves body and soul to their calling, and if they begin to yield to indolence or self-indulgence they are speedily distanced by wiser competitors. There is little to choose between a person that ruins her pupils by neglect and one that corrupts them by her example. You will excuse my dropping these little hints; you know it is all for your own good. Many ladies would speak to you much more strongly, and many would not trouble them

selves to speak at all, but quietly look out for a substitute. That, of course, would be the easiest plan. But I know and the advantages of a place like this to a person in your situation, and I have no desire to part with you, as I am h sure you would do very well if you will only think of these things and try to exert yourself a little more. Then, I am convinced, you would soon acquire that delicate tact which alone is wanting to give you a proper influ ence over the mind of your pupil."

I was about to give the lady some idea of the fallacy of her expectations, but she sailed away as soon as she had concluded her speech. Having said what she wished, it was no part of her plan to await my answer. It was my business to hear, and not to speak.

However, as I have said, Matilda at length yielded in a some degree to her mother's authority (pity it had not been exerted before), and being thus deprived of almost every source of amusement, there was nothing for it but to take long rides with the groom and long walks with the governess, and to visit the cottages and farm-houses on her father's estate, to kill time in chatting with the old men and women that inhabited them. In one of these walks it was our chance to meet Mr. Weston. This was what I had long desired; but now, for a moment, I wished either he or I were away. I felt my heart throb so violently that I dreaded lest some outward signs of emotion should appear; but I think he hardly glanced at me, and I was soon calm enough. After a brief salutation to both, he asked Matilda if she had lately heard from her sister.o

Yes," replied she. "She was at Paris when she wrote, and very well, and very happy."

She spoke the last word emphatically, and with a glance impertinently sly. He did not seem to notice it, but replied, with equal emphasis, and very seriously,— I hope she will continue to be so.".

,,,

"Do you think it likely?" I ventured to inquirefor Matilda had started off in pursuit of her dog, that was chasing a leveret. A

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"I cannot tell," replied he. "Sir Thomas may be a better man than I suppose, but from all I have heard and seen it seems a pity that one so young and gay and -and interesting (to express many things by one word), whose greatest, if not her only fault, appears to be thoughtlessness-no triflingi fault, to be sure, since it renders the possessor liable to almost every other, and exposes him to so many temptations but it seems a pity that she should be thrown away on such a man. It was her mother's wish, I suppose ?!"

159" Yes; and her own too, I think, for she always laughed at my attempts to dissuade her from the step. How do ow bis

"You did attempt it? Then, at least you will have the satisfaction of knowing that it is no fault of yours if any harm should come of it. As for Mrs. Murray, I don't know how she can justify her conduct. If I had sufficient acquaintance with her I'd ask her.".

It seems unnatural; but some people think rank and wealth the chief good, and if they can secure that for their children they think they have done their duty."

"True; but is it not strange that persons of experi ence, who have been married themselves, should judge so falsely?" ment dool yas 10 Wendoo okła Matilda now came panting back, with the lacerated body of the young hare in her hand."

Was it your intention to kill that hare, or to save it, Miss Murray?" asked Mr. Weston, apparently puzzled at her gleeful countenance.

"I pretended to want to save it," she answered, honestly enough, as it was so glaringly out of season, but I was better pleased to see it killed. However, you can both witness that I couldn't help it. Prince was determined to have her, and he clutched her by the back, and killed her in a minute. Wasn't it a noble chase ?

I

"Very for a young lady after a leveret." -There was a quiet sarcasm in the tone of his reply which was not lost upon her. She shrugged her shoul

ders, and turning away with a significant "Humph!" asked me how I had enjoyed the fun. I replied that I saw no fun in the matter, but admitted that I had not observed the transaction very narrowly.

Didn't you see how it doubled just like an old hare ? and didn't you hear it scream ?"

If I'm happy to say I did not."

"It cried out just like a childur oz of mil

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Poor little thing! What will you do with it ??'

Come along. I shall leave it in the first house wel come to. I don't want to take it home, for fear papa should scold me for letting the dog kill it." to bod

Mr. Weston was now gone, and we too went on our way; but as we returned, after having deposited the hare in a farm-house, and demolished some spice-cake and currant wine in exchange, we met him returning also from the execution of his mission, whatever it might be. He carried in his hand a cluster of beautiful bluebells, which he offered to me, observing, with a smile, that though he had seen so little of me for the last two months, he had not forgotten that bluebells were numbered among my favourite flowers. It was done as a simple act of good-will, without compliment or remarkable courtesy, or any look that could be construed into "reverential, tender adoration" (vide Rosalie Murray); but still it was something to find my unimportant saying so well remembered, it was something that he had noticed so accurately the time I had ceased to be visible."

I was told," said he, "that you were a perfect bookworm, Miss Grey-so completely absorbed in your studies that you were lost to every other pleasure."

No, Mr. Weston; don't believe it. It's a scandalous libel. These young ladies are too fond of making random assertions at the expense of their friends, and you ought to be careful how you listen to them."

"I hope this assertion is groundless, at any rate." Why? Do you particularly object to ladies study

ing ?"