Lady
Thetford's own, and the dull black dress set off the pearly fairness of
the blonde skin, and the rich abundance of fair hair. Lady Thetford's
brows contracted a little; this fair, subdued, gentle-looking, girlish
young woman, was hardly the strong-minded, middle-aged matron she had
expected to take the nonsense out of obstreperous May Everard.

"Mrs. Weymore, I believe," said Lady Thetford, resuming her
_fauteuil_, "pray be seated. I wished to see you at once, because I am
going out this evening. You have had five years' experience as a
nursery-governess, Mr. Knight tells me?"

"Yes, Lady Thetford."

There was a little tremor in Mrs. Weymore's low voice, and her blue eyes
shifted and fell under Lady Thetford's steady, and somewhat haughty
gaze.

"Yet you look young--much younger than I imagined, or wished."

"I am twenty-seven years old, my lady."

That was my lady's own age precisely, but she looked half a dozen years
the elder of the two.

"Are you a native of London?"

"No, my lady--of Berkshire."

"And you have been a widow how long?"

What ailed Mrs. Weymore? She was all white and trembling--even her
hands, folded and pressed together in her lap, shook in spite of her.

"Eight years and more."

She said it with a sort of sob, hysterically choked. Lady Thetford
looked on surprised, and a trifle displeased. She was a very proud
woman, and certainly wished for no scene with her hired dependents.

"Eight years is a tolerable time," she said, coolly. "You have lost
children?"

"One, my lady."

Again that choked, hysterical sob. My lady went on pitilessly.

"Is it long ago?"

"When--when I lost its father."

"Ah! both together? That was rather hard. Well, I hope you understand
the management of children--spoiled ones particularly. Here are the two
you are to take charge of. Rupert--May, come here."

The children came over from their corner. Mrs. Weymore drew May towards
her, but Sir Rupert held aloof.

"That is my ward--this is my son. I presume Mr. Knight has told you. If
you can subdue the temper of that child, you will prove yourself,
indeed, a treasure. The east parlor has been fitted up for your use; the
children will take their meals there with you; the room adjoining is to
be the school-room. I have appointed one of the maids to wait on you. I
trust you find your chamber comfortable."

"Exceedingly so, my lady."

"And the terms proposed by Mr. Knight suit you?"

Mrs. Weymore bo