Alcott, Louisa May - SSC 14 by Behind a Mask (v1.1)

                      
"Very neighborly of Lady S. to send the dangerous young lady here, where
there are two young gentlemen to be
captivated. I wonder why she didn't keep Sydney after she had caught him," murmured Coventry to his cousin.
                             "Because she had the utmost contempt for a titled
fool." Miss Muir dropped the words almost into his ear, as she bent
to take her shawl from the sofa corner.
                            
"How the deuce did she get there?"
ejaculated Coventry , looking as if he had received another
sensation. "She has spirit, though, and upon my word I pity Sydney , if he did try to dazzle her, for he must
have got a splendid dismissal."
                            
"Come and play billiards. You promised, and I hold you to your word,"
said Lucia, rising with decision, for Gerald was showing too much interest in another
to suit Miss Beaufort.
                            
"I am, as ever, your most devoted. My mother is a
charming woman, but I find our evening parties slightly dull, when only my own family are present. Good night, Mamma." He shook hands
with his mother, whose pride and idol he was, and, with a comprehensive nod to
the others, strolled after his cousin.
                            
"Now they are gone we can be quite cozy, and talk over things, for I don't
mind Ned any more than I do his dogs," said Bella, settling herself on her
mother's footstool.
                            
"I merely wish to say, Miss Muir, that my
daughter has never had a governess and is sadly backward for a girl of sixteen.
I want you to pass the mornings with her, and get her on as rapidly as
possible. In the afternoon you will walk or drive with her, and in the evening sit with us here, if you like, or amuse yourself as you
please. While in the country we are very quiet, for I cannot bear much company,
and when my sons want gaiety, they go away for it. Miss Beaufort oversees the
servants, and takes my place as far as possible. I am very delicate and keep my
room till evening, except for an airing at noon . We will try each other for a month, and I
hope we shall get on quite comfortably together."
                            
"I shall do my best, madam."
                            
One would not have believed that the meek, spiritless voice which uttered these
words was the same that had startled Coventry a few minutes before, nor that
the pale, patient face could ever have kindled with such sudden fire as that
which looked over Miss Muir's shoulder when she answered her young host's
speech.
                            
Edward thought within himself, Poor little woman! She has had a hard life. We
will try and make it easier while she is here; and began his charitable work by
suggesting that she might be tired. She acknowledged she was, and Bella led her
away to a bright, cozy room, where with a pretty little speech and a good-night
kiss she left her.
                             When alone Miss Muir's conduct was decidedly peculiar. Her first act was to clench her hands and mutter between her teeth, with
passionate force, "I'll not fail again if there is power in a woman's wit
and will!" She stood a moment motionless, with an expression of almost
fierce disdain on her face, then shook her clenched
hand as if menacing some unseen enemy. Next she laughed, and shrugged her
shoulders with a true French shrug, saying low to herself ,
"Yes, the last scene shall be
better than the first. Mon
dieu , how tired and hungry I am!"
                            
Kneeling before the one small trunk which held her worldly possessions, she
opened it, drew out a flask, and mixed a glass of some ardent cordial, which
she seemed to enjoy extremely as she sat on the carpet, musing, while