She went, and my father was quite silent for some minutes afterward. Then my mother asked:
"What do you think of her, Roland?"
"Well, my darling, she is really so different to what I had expected, I can hardly form a judgment. I thought to see a crude kind of girl. Miss Reinhart is a very beautiful woman of the world, as graceful, well-bred and self-possessed as a duchess."
"She is not half so beautiful as mamma," I cried.
"No, little faithful heart; not one-half," said Sir Roland.
"I must say that she seems to me far more like a fine lady visitor than a governess," said my mother.
"You will find her all right," said Sir Roland, brightly. "She seems to understand her duties and to be quite competent for them. I fancy you will like her Beatrice, darling; after all, it will be some thing to have some one to amuse us. How well she tells a story! with what brilliancy and verve!"
"I want no more amusement than I find with you and Laura," said my mother. "You are all-sufficient to me. Still, as you say, dear, it is well to have a pleasant companion."
Then, as my mother was tired, her maid came, and Sir Roland said, "Good-night."
I remember how we both felt sad and lonely, though we could not quite tell why; and that my beautiful mother fell fast asleep, holding my hand in hers; and that they would not take me away, lest they should awake her.