ng, took
me. There we met again, and it was there, right, as one might say,
under mamma's nose, he proposed to me. He was very eloquent, though he
was obliged to speak rather disconnectedly, owing to the music
stopping now and then and my mamma being of a suspicious turn: but he
was young in those days, my dear, and well favored, no doubt. So we
got married."

"That is the proper ending to all pretty stories. But is it true,"
says Clarissa, with a wiliness really horrible in one so young, "that
just at that time you refused a splendid offer, all for the vicar's
sake?"

"Splendid is a long word," says Mrs. Redmond, trying to speak
carelessly, but unmistakably elated, "yet I must confess there is some
truth in the report to which you allude. Sir Hubert Fitz-Hubert was a
baronet of very ancient lineage, came over with the Conqueror, or
King Alfred, I quite forget which, but it was whichever was the
oldest: that I know. He was, in fact, a trifle old for me, perhaps,
and not so rich as others I have known, but still a baronet. He
proposed to me, but I rejected him upon the spot with scorn, though he
went on his knees to me, and swore in an anguished frenzy, that he
would cut his throat with his razor if I refused to listen to his
suit! I did refuse, but I heard nothing more about the razor. I am
willing to believe he put some restraint upon his maddened feelings,
and refrained from inflicting any injury upon himself."

"Poor fellow!" says Clarissa, in a suspiciously choky tone.

"Then I espoused the vicar," says Mrs. Redmond, with a sentimental
sigh. "One does foolish things sometimes."

"That, now, was a wise one. I would not marry a king if I loved a
beggar. Altogether, you behaved beautifully, and just like a novel."

Feeling that the moment for action has arrived, as Mrs. Redmond is now
in a glow of pride and vanity well mixed, Clarissa goes on sweetly:

"I have some news for you."

"For me?"

"Yes, for you. I know how delicate you are, and how unable to manage
those two strong children you have at home. And I know, too, you have
been looking out for a suitable governess for some time, but you have
found a difficulty in choosing one, have you not?"

"Indeed I have."

"Well, I think I know some who will just suit you. She was at school
with me, and, though poor now, having lost both father and mother, is
of very good family, and well connected."

"But the salary?" says Mrs. Redmond, with some hesitation. "