“Mr. and Mrs. Dormer,” said he to Miss Melville, “have no other child than Clarissa; and I am sorry to say that she has been spoiled by too much indulgence. She must not be corrected; and even if she strikes you, you must not complain. Her parents are both passionate, and, I believe, proud of their wealth; yet they want not generosity; and I am persuaded, if you can but gain the affections of the child, you may live in comfort. Your good sense will lead you to adopt some means of gaining authority over a child, who, though wayward, is not destitute either of good nature or good sense. The salary is very handsome; and if, after twelve months residence, you do not wish to continue, they agree to pay your passage back to England.—You may take a few days to consider the subject, and I shall make no farther inquiries till I receive your answer.”
The result was, that Miss Melville accepted the situation, embarked, and, after a fine passage, arrived safe at ——.
On her landing, she was received by Mr. Dormer, who conducted her to his plantation in the mountains.
Mrs. Dormer was a vulgar, untaught woman. She had filled her daughter’s head with a set of ideas which served to put all order at defiance.
“Come, Clary,” said she, “come, my love, and see your governess: she has come home with papa.”
Little Miss, who had no better English than the slaves with whom she associated, and upon whom no pains had yet been bestowed to correct it, pouted, flung, and said, “Clary no go—Clary no like new govness—She stay play with black Susy, kill flies, and catchee de lizards.”
Much persuasion was necessary to induce her to accompany her mother into the drawing-room. At length she complied, hid herself behind the door, and just took a peep now and then at Miss Melville.
“Will you not welcome me to your house, Miss Dormer,” said Miss Melville, in the sweetest tone of voice imaginable.
Clara hung down her head.—At length she gained confidence, advanced nearer and nearer, and soon became troublesome with her caresses.