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capital girl, and one can't help loving her. I know
you'll get her on, for, really, she is the most delightful little dunce. My
mother's ill health and Bella's devotion to her have prevented our attending to
her education before. Next winter, when we go to town, she is to come out, and
must be prepared for that great event, you know," he said, choosing a safe
subject.
"I shall do my best. And that reminds me that I should report myself to
her, instead of enjoying myself here. When one has been ill and shut up a long
time, the country is so lovely one is apt to forget duty for pleasure. Please
remind me if I am negligent, Mr. Coventry."
"That name belongs to Gerald. I'm only Mr. Ned here," he said as they
walked toward the house, while Hector followed to the wall and sent a sonorous
farewell after them.
Bella came running to meet them, and greeted Miss Muir as if she had made up
her mind to like her heartily. "What a lovely bouquet you have got! I
never can arrange flowers prettily, which vexes me, for Mamma is so fond of
them and cannot go out herself . You have charming
taste," she said, examining the graceful posy which Miss Muir had much
improved by adding feathery grasses, delicate ferns, and fragrant wild flowers
to Sir John's exotics.
Putting them into Bella's hand, she said, in a winning way, "Take them to
your mother, then, and ask her if I may have the pleasure of making her a daily
nosegay; for I should find real delight in doing it, if it would please
her."
"How kind you are! Of course it would please her. I'll take them to her
while the dew is still on them." And away flew Bella, eager to give both
the flowers and the pretty message to the poor invalid.
Edward stopped to speak to the gardener, and Miss Muir went up the steps alone.
The long hall was lined with portraits, and pacing slowly down it she examined
them with interest. One caught her eye, and, pausing before it, she scrutinized
it carefully. A young, beautiful, but very haughty female
face. Miss Muir suspected at once who it was, and gave a decided nod, as
if she saw and caught at some unexpected chance. A soft rustle behind her made
her look around, and, seeing Lucia, she bowed, half turned, as if for another
glance at the picture, and said, as if involuntarily, "How beautiful it
is! May I ask if it is an ancestor, Miss Beaufort?"
"It is the likeness of my mother" was the reply, given with a
softened voice and eyes that looked up tenderly.
"Ah, I might have known, from the resemblance, but I scarcely saw you last
night. Excuse my freedom, but Lady Sydney treated me as a friend, and I forget
my position. Allow me."
As she spoke, Miss Muir stooped to return the handkerchief which had fallen
from Lucia's hand, and did so with a humble mien which touched the other's
heart; for, though a proud, it was also a very generous one.
"Thank you. Are you better, this morning?" she said, graciously. And
having received an affirmative reply, she added, as she walked on, "I will
show you to the breakfast room, as Bella is not here. It is a very informal
meal with us, for my aunt is never down and my cousins are very irregular in
their hours. You can always have yours when you like, without waiting for us if
you are an early riser."
Bella and Edward appeared before the others were seated, and Miss Muir quietly
ate her breakfast, feeling well satisfied with her hour's work. Ned recounted
her exploit with Hector, Bella delivered her mother's thanks for
you'll get her on, for, really, she is the most delightful little dunce. My
mother's ill health and Bella's devotion to her have prevented our attending to
her education before. Next winter, when we go to town, she is to come out, and
must be prepared for that great event, you know," he said, choosing a safe
subject.
"I shall do my best. And that reminds me that I should report myself to
her, instead of enjoying myself here. When one has been ill and shut up a long
time, the country is so lovely one is apt to forget duty for pleasure. Please
remind me if I am negligent, Mr. Coventry."
"That name belongs to Gerald. I'm only Mr. Ned here," he said as they
walked toward the house, while Hector followed to the wall and sent a sonorous
farewell after them.
Bella came running to meet them, and greeted Miss Muir as if she had made up
her mind to like her heartily. "What a lovely bouquet you have got! I
never can arrange flowers prettily, which vexes me, for Mamma is so fond of
them and cannot go out herself . You have charming
taste," she said, examining the graceful posy which Miss Muir had much
improved by adding feathery grasses, delicate ferns, and fragrant wild flowers
to Sir John's exotics.
Putting them into Bella's hand, she said, in a winning way, "Take them to
your mother, then, and ask her if I may have the pleasure of making her a daily
nosegay; for I should find real delight in doing it, if it would please
her."
"How kind you are! Of course it would please her. I'll take them to her
while the dew is still on them." And away flew Bella, eager to give both
the flowers and the pretty message to the poor invalid.
Edward stopped to speak to the gardener, and Miss Muir went up the steps alone.
The long hall was lined with portraits, and pacing slowly down it she examined
them with interest. One caught her eye, and, pausing before it, she scrutinized
it carefully. A young, beautiful, but very haughty female
face. Miss Muir suspected at once who it was, and gave a decided nod, as
if she saw and caught at some unexpected chance. A soft rustle behind her made
her look around, and, seeing Lucia, she bowed, half turned, as if for another
glance at the picture, and said, as if involuntarily, "How beautiful it
is! May I ask if it is an ancestor, Miss Beaufort?"
"It is the likeness of my mother" was the reply, given with a
softened voice and eyes that looked up tenderly.
"Ah, I might have known, from the resemblance, but I scarcely saw you last
night. Excuse my freedom, but Lady Sydney treated me as a friend, and I forget
my position. Allow me."
As she spoke, Miss Muir stooped to return the handkerchief which had fallen
from Lucia's hand, and did so with a humble mien which touched the other's
heart; for, though a proud, it was also a very generous one.
"Thank you. Are you better, this morning?" she said, graciously. And
having received an affirmative reply, she added, as she walked on, "I will
show you to the breakfast room, as Bella is not here. It is a very informal
meal with us, for my aunt is never down and my cousins are very irregular in
their hours. You can always have yours when you like, without waiting for us if
you are an early riser."
Bella and Edward appeared before the others were seated, and Miss Muir quietly
ate her breakfast, feeling well satisfied with her hour's work. Ned recounted
her exploit with Hector, Bella delivered her mother's thanks for
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