g. "Don't
you remember, mother, the Russian prince I used to dance with at Madame
du Lac's juvenile parties?--I made quite a romance about him; and that
young Austrian--I forget his name--whom we met at Stuttgart, Baron
Holdenberg's nephew; he was charming, to say nothing of Lohengrin and
Tannhauser. I have quite a long list of loves, Ada. Oh, I _should_ like
to dance again! To float round to the music of a delightful Austrian
band would be charming."

"My dear Katherine, that is all nonsense, as you will find out one day."
Then, after some moments of evidently severe reflection, her brows knit,
and her soft baby-like lips pressed together she said: "I think I should
like to move nearer town, and get a nice nursery governess for Cis and
Charlie, and--Don't you think it would be a good plan?"

"The governess, yes, as they will lose their present one when Katherine
goes. But why not stay on here till next autumn, when the lease or
agreement expires? You will have it all to yourself in about ten days,
and it will be quite large enough," said Mrs. Liddell.

"Stay on here!" began her daughter-in-law, in a high key, and with a
look of great disgust. She stopped herself suddenly, however, smoothed
her brow, and added, "Well, I will think about it," after which, with
unusual self-control, she changed the subject, and talked gravely about
governesses, their salaries and qualifications, till it was time to go
to bed.

A few days after this conversation the house was invaded by a host of
applicants for the post of instructress to the two little boys. Every
shade of complexion, all possible accomplishments, the most varied and
splendid testimonials, were presented to the bewildered little widow, in
consequence of her application to a governesses' institution. She was
fain to ask Katherine to help her in choosing, much to the latter's
satisfaction, as she did not like to offer assistance, though she wished
to influence the choice of a preceptress. Together they fixed on a
quiet, kindly looking young woman, to whom both took rather a fancy, and
Katherine felt very much relieved to know that this important point was
settled.

But Mrs. Frederic did not seem at ease; there was a restlessness about
her, a disinclination to leave the house, that attracted Katherine's
notice, although she was much occupied with preparations for their
departure. At last the mystery was solved.

One afternoon Mrs. Liddell and Katherine had been a good