story, and I do her justice. Count on me, Sydney, as your friend, and
now get up again. My grandchild (never accustomed to wait for anything
since the day when she was born) is waiting dinner for you. She is at
this moment shouting for her governess, as King Richard (I am a great
reader of Shakespeare) once shouted for his horse. The maid (you will
recognize her as a stout person suffering under tight stays) is waiting
outside to show you the way to the nursery. _Au revoir._ Stop! I should
like to judge the purity of your French accent. Say 'au revoir' to me.
Thank you.--Weak in her French, Catherine," Mrs. Presty pronounced, when
the door had closed on the governess; "but what can you expect, poor
wretch, after such a life as she has led? Now we are alone, I have a
word of advice for your private ear. We have much to anticipate from
Miss Westerfield that is pleasant and encouraging. But I don't conceal
it from myself or from you, we have also something to fear."

"To fear?" Mrs. Linley repeated. "I don't understand you."

"Never mind, Catherine, whether you understand me or not. I want more
information. Tell me what your husband said to you about this young
lady?"

Wondering at the demon of curiosity which appeared to possess her
mother, Mrs. Linley obeyed. Listening throughout with the closest
attention, Mrs. Presty reckoned up the items of information, and pointed
the moral to be drawn from them by worldly experience.

"First obstacle in the way of her moral development, her father--tried,
found guilty, and dying in prison. Second obstacle, her mother--an
unnatural wretch who neglected and deserted her own flesh and blood.
Third obstacle, her mother's sister--being her mother over again in an
aggravated form. People who only look at the surface of things might
ask what we gain by investigating Miss Westerfield's past life. We gain
this: we know what to expect of Miss Westerfield in the future."

"I for one," Mrs. Linley interposed, "expect everything that is good and
true."

"Say she's naturally an angel," Mrs. Presty answered; "and I won't
contradict you. But do pray hear how my experience looks at it. I
remember what a life she has led, and I ask myself if any human creature
could have suffered as that girl has suffered without being damaged by
it. Among those damnable people--I beg your pardon, my dear; Mr.
Norman sometimes used strong language, and it breaks out of me now and
then--the good qualities of t