--oh, yes. But they will not be the less pointed at, the
girl especially, as I say. They allude to their mother now and then in
conversation, Wilson tells me; but I would recommend you, Madame Vine,
not to encourage them in that. They had better forget her."

"Mr. Carlyle would naturally wish them to do so."

"Most certainly. There is little doubt that Mr. Carlyle would blot out
the recollection of her, were it possible. But unfortunately she was the
children's mother, and, for that, there's no help. I trust you will be
able to instill principles into the little girl which will keep her from
a like fate."

"I will try," answered Lady Isabel, with more fervor than she had yet
spoken. "Do you have the children much with you, may I inquire?"

"No. I never was fond of being troubled with children. When my own grow
up into childhood I shall deem the nursery and the schoolroom the fitter
place for them. What I trust I shall never give up to another, will
be the _training_ of my children," pursued Barbara. "Let the offices
properly pertaining to a nurse be performed by the nurse--of course,
taking care that she is thoroughly to be depended on. Let her have the
_trouble_ of the children, their noise, their romping; in short, let the
nursery be her place, and the children's. But I hope that I shall never
fail to gather my children round me daily, at stated and convenient
periods, for higher purposes; to instill into them Christian and moral
duties; to strive to teach them how best to fulfil the obligations of
life. _This_ is a mother's task--as I understand the question--let her
do this work well, and the nurse can attend to the rest. A child should
never hear aught from his mother's lips but persuasive gentleness; and
this becomes impossible if she is very much with her children."

Lady Isabel silently assented. Mrs. Carlyle's views were correct ones.

"When I first came to East Lynne I found Miss Manning, the governess,
was doing everything necessary for Mr. Carlyle's children in the way of
the training that I speak of," resumed Barbara. "She had them with her
for a short period every morning, even the little one; I saw that it was
all right, therefore did not interfere. Since she left--it is nearly
a month now--I have taken them myself. We were sorry to part with Miss
Manning; she suited very well. But she has been long engaged, it turns
out, to an officer in the navy, and now they are to be married. You will
have the en