first thing, to satisfy
myself."
"And are you satisfied?" he
asked, with a smile.
"More than satisfied—I'm charmed; for it is the most beautiful spot I ever
saw, and I've seen many famous seats, both at home and abroad," she
answered enthusiastically.
"The Hall is much flattered, and so would its master be if he heard
you," began the gentleman, with an odd expression.
"I should not praise it to him—at least, not as freely as I have to you,
sir," said the girl, with eyes still turned away.
"Why not?" asked her companion, looking much amused.
"I should be afraid. Not that I dread Sir John; but I've heard so many
beautiful and noble things about him, and respect him so highly, that I should
not dare to say much, lest he should see how I admire and—"
"And what, young lady? Finish, if you
please."
"I was going to say, love him. I will say it, for he is an old man, and
one cannot help loving virtue and bravery."
Miss Muir looked very earnest and pretty as she spoke, standing there with the
sunshine glinting on her yellow hair, delicate face, and downcast eyes. Sir
John was not a vain man, but he found it pleasant to hear himself commended by
this unknown girl, and felt redoubled curiosity to learn who she was. Too
well-bred to ask, or to abash her by avowing what she seemed unconscious of, he
left both discoveries to chance; and when she turned, as if to retrace her
steps, he offered her the handful of hothouse flowers which he held, saying,
with a gallant bow, "In Sir John's name let me give you my little nosegay,
with thanks for your good opinion, which, I assure you, is not entirely
deserved, for I know him well."
Miss Muir looked up quickly, eyed him an instant, then dropped her eyes, and,
coloring deeply, stammered out, "I did not know—I beg your pardon—you are
too kind, Sir John."
He laughed like a boy, asking, mischievously, "Why call me Sir John? How
do you know that I am not the gardener or the butler?"
"I did not see your face before, and no one but yourself would say that
any praise was undeserved," murmured Miss Muir, still overcome with
girlish confusion.
"Well, well, we will let that pass, and the next time you come we will be
properly introduced. Bella always brings her friends to the Hall, for I am fond
of young people."
"I am not a friend. I am only Miss Coventry's governess." And Miss
Muir dropped a meek curtsy. A slight change passed over Sir John's manner. Few
would have perceived it, but Miss Muir felt it at once, and bit her lips with
an angry feeling at her heart. With a curious air of pride, mingled with
respect, she accepted the still offered bouquet, returned Sir John's parting
bow, and tripped away, leaving the old gentleman to wonder where Mrs. Coventry
found such a piquant little governess.
"That is done, and very well for a beginning," she said to herself as
she approached the house.
In a green paddock close by fed a fine horse, who lifted up his head and eyed her inquiringly, like one who expected a greeting.
Following a sudden impulse, she entered the paddock and, pulling a handful of
clover, invited the creature to come and eat. This was evidently a new
proceeding on the part of a lady, and the horse careered about as if bent
myself."
"And are you satisfied?" he
asked, with a smile.
"More than satisfied—I'm charmed; for it is the most beautiful spot I ever
saw, and I've seen many famous seats, both at home and abroad," she
answered enthusiastically.
"The Hall is much flattered, and so would its master be if he heard
you," began the gentleman, with an odd expression.
"I should not praise it to him—at least, not as freely as I have to you,
sir," said the girl, with eyes still turned away.
"Why not?" asked her companion, looking much amused.
"I should be afraid. Not that I dread Sir John; but I've heard so many
beautiful and noble things about him, and respect him so highly, that I should
not dare to say much, lest he should see how I admire and—"
"And what, young lady? Finish, if you
please."
"I was going to say, love him. I will say it, for he is an old man, and
one cannot help loving virtue and bravery."
Miss Muir looked very earnest and pretty as she spoke, standing there with the
sunshine glinting on her yellow hair, delicate face, and downcast eyes. Sir
John was not a vain man, but he found it pleasant to hear himself commended by
this unknown girl, and felt redoubled curiosity to learn who she was. Too
well-bred to ask, or to abash her by avowing what she seemed unconscious of, he
left both discoveries to chance; and when she turned, as if to retrace her
steps, he offered her the handful of hothouse flowers which he held, saying,
with a gallant bow, "In Sir John's name let me give you my little nosegay,
with thanks for your good opinion, which, I assure you, is not entirely
deserved, for I know him well."
Miss Muir looked up quickly, eyed him an instant, then dropped her eyes, and,
coloring deeply, stammered out, "I did not know—I beg your pardon—you are
too kind, Sir John."
He laughed like a boy, asking, mischievously, "Why call me Sir John? How
do you know that I am not the gardener or the butler?"
"I did not see your face before, and no one but yourself would say that
any praise was undeserved," murmured Miss Muir, still overcome with
girlish confusion.
"Well, well, we will let that pass, and the next time you come we will be
properly introduced. Bella always brings her friends to the Hall, for I am fond
of young people."
"I am not a friend. I am only Miss Coventry's governess." And Miss
Muir dropped a meek curtsy. A slight change passed over Sir John's manner. Few
would have perceived it, but Miss Muir felt it at once, and bit her lips with
an angry feeling at her heart. With a curious air of pride, mingled with
respect, she accepted the still offered bouquet, returned Sir John's parting
bow, and tripped away, leaving the old gentleman to wonder where Mrs. Coventry
found such a piquant little governess.
"That is done, and very well for a beginning," she said to herself as
she approached the house.
In a green paddock close by fed a fine horse, who lifted up his head and eyed her inquiringly, like one who expected a greeting.
Following a sudden impulse, she entered the paddock and, pulling a handful of
clover, invited the creature to come and eat. This was evidently a new
proceeding on the part of a lady, and the horse careered about as if bent
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