FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117  
118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   >>  
te inconsiderate." "Oh, well, it is of no great consequence. She is quite stylish for a governess, and doubtless your nephew is taken with her." "That will not suit my views at all," said Mrs. Leighton, coldly. "I shall speak to her to-morrow." "Pray don't. It really is a matter of small consequence--quite natural, in fact." "Leave the matter with me. You have done quite right in mentioning it." At twelve o'clock the next day, when Florence had just completed her lessons with Carrie, Mrs. Leighton entered the room. "Please remain a moment, Miss Linden," she said. "I have a few words to say to you." Mrs. Leighton's tone was cold and unfriendly, and Florence felt that something unpleasant was coming. Chapter XXX. Florence Is Followed Home. "I am listening, madam," said Florence, inclining her head. "I wish to speak to you about last evening, Miss Linden." "I hope my playing was satisfactory, Mrs. Leighton. I did my best." "I have no fault to find with your music. It came up to my expectations." "I am glad of that, madam." "I referred, rather, to your behavior, Miss Linden." "I don't understand you, Mrs. Leighton," Florence responded, in unaffected surprise. "Please explain." "You danced several times with my nephew, Mr. Percy de Brabazon." "Twice, madam." "I understood it was oftener. However, that is immaterial. You hardly seemed conscious of your position." "What was my position, Mrs. Leighton?" asked Florence, quietly, looking her employer in the face. "Well--ahem!" answered Mrs. Leighton, a little ill at ease, "you were a hired musician." "Well?" "And you acted as if you were an invited guest." "I am sorry you did not give me instructions as to my conduct," said the governess, coldly. "I should not have danced if I had been aware that it was prohibited." "I am sorry, Miss Linden, that you persist in misunderstanding me. Mr. de Brabazon, being in a different social position from yourself, it looked hardly proper that he should have devoted himself to you more than to any other lady." "Did he? I was not aware of it. Don't you think, under the circumstances, that he is the one whom you should take to task? I didn't invite his attentions." "You seemed glad to receive them." "I was. He is undoubtedly a gentleman." "Certainly he is. He is my nephew." "It was not my part to instruct him as to what was proper, surely." "You are very plausible. Miss
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117  
118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   >>  



Top keywords:

Leighton

 
Florence
 
Linden
 

nephew

 
position
 
danced
 
proper
 

governess

 

Please

 

matter


coldly
 

consequence

 

Brabazon

 

invited

 
instructions
 
conduct
 

employer

 

quietly

 

conscious

 
immaterial

However
 

musician

 

oftener

 

answered

 
understood
 

attentions

 

receive

 
invite
 

undoubtedly

 
gentleman

surely
 

plausible

 

Certainly

 

instruct

 

circumstances

 
social
 

looked

 

prohibited

 

persist

 
misunderstanding

devoted

 

twelve

 

mentioning

 

entered

 
remain
 

moment

 

Carrie

 
lessons
 

completed

 

natural