this was but one
of many instances daily occurring, in which Agnes was obliged to
relinquish her own pleasure in order to gratify the whims and caprices
of her little brother. Lewie had so often heard such expressions from
his mother, that almost as soon as he could speak a connected sentence,
he would say, "Lewie must have his own way; Lewie must not be crossed,"
and in this way did his mother prepare him for the jostling and
conflicts of life.

VII.

The Governess.

"An ower true tale."

Mr. Wharton was one day writing in his study, for though a practical
farmer he devoted much of his time to literary pursuits,--when there was
a knock at his door, and on opening it he saw there a young woman of
delicate appearance, and of so much apparent refinement and cultivation,
that he was quite taken by surprise when she asked him the question, "if
he had any wool to be given out on shares?"

Mr. Wharton replied, that he had had so much trouble with those to whom
he had given out wool in that way, and had been so often cheated by
them, that he had said he would give out no more, but he believed he
must break through his rule for once, in her favor. She seemed very
grateful, and said she hoped he would have no reason to regret his
kindness in giving her employment. And so it proved; Miss Edwards, (for
that was her name,) gave such entire satisfaction as to her work, and
the share of it she returned, that Mr. Wharton kept her for some time in
constant employment. Every time she came, he was more and more pleased
with her gentle and unaffected manners, and with the style of her
conversation, which showed without the slightest appearance of effort, a
person of great intelligence and good breeding, while an air of subdued
melancholy excited an interest in her, which increased with every
interview.

"She is an unmistakable lady," said Mr. Wharton to his wife, "but how
she came to be living in the village, without friends, and as I believe
in circumstances of great necessity, I cannot imagine. There is a slight
reserve about her," he added, "which may be difficult to penetrate, but
if I mistake not, she is much in need of a friend, and I think she will
not long resist the voice of kindness."

Accordingly, the next time she called, Mr. Wharton, in his kind and
sympathising manner, led her to speak of her own peculiar circumstances;
and at length drew from her this much of her history: She was the
daughter of a plain