There had been for the two children at first a young lady
whom they had had the misfortune to lose. She had done
for them quite beautifully--she was a most respectable person--
till her death, the great awkwardness of which had, precisely,
left no alternative but the school for little Miles.
Mrs. Grose, since then, in the way of manners and things,
had done as she could for Flora; and there were, further, a cook,
a housemaid, a dairywoman, an old pony, an old groom,
and an old gardener, all likewise thoroughly respectable.
So far had Douglas presented his picture when someone put a question.
"And what did the former governess die of?--of so much respectability?"
Our friend's answer was prompt. "That will come out.
I don't anticipate."
"Excuse me--I thought that was just what you ARE doing."
"In her successor's place," I suggested, "I should have wished to learn
if the office brought with it--"
"Necessary danger to life?" Douglas completed my thought.
"She did wish to learn, and she did learn. You shall hear tomorrow
what she learned. Meanwhile, of course, the prospect struck her
as slightly grim. She was young, untried, nervous: it was a vision
of serious duties and little company, of really great loneliness.
She hesitated--took a couple of days to consult and consider.
But the salary offered much exceeded her modest measure,
and on a second interview she faced the music, she engaged.
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