But Coral missed the glance, for she was looking intently for the phaeton, and at that moment she exclaimed hurriedly, "Oh, Beryl, here comes the carriage! I can see Andrew's head above the wall; but I can't see the governess. Do you think she has really come?"
"Yes, I can see somebody else," said Beryl, as the horse stood still at the entrance, and Andrew alighted to open the gate. "Let us go to the front door. Come along."
The children darted out of the room with such speed as awakened fresh reprimands from Miss Hollys. Standing at the open door, they directed curious glances at the phaeton as it rolled lightly along the gravelled path.
The little form seated beside Andrew did not at all resemble their preconceived notions of the governess's appearance. This was no grim, gaunt, sour-looking individual. The spectacles which Beryl had deemed indispensable to the work of an instructress were wanting, and the bright brown eyes, which looked down on the children as the carriage drove up, seemed to know no need of them.
"Can she be the governess, do you think?" whispered Coral, looking wonderingly at the bright face smiling on her from beneath the little round hat which suited it so admirably.
As soon as the phaeton drew up, the young lady sprang down from her seat as lightly as a child, without waiting for Andrew to help her. She looked scarcely more than a child, indeed, as she stood beside her new pupils, for she was only a few inches taller than Beryl, and her trim little figure and round rosy face had the most simple, girlish look.
"How do you do, young people?" she said, in a clear ringing voice, as she kissed first Beryl, and then Coral. "What are your names, if you please?"
"I am Beryl, and that is Coral. But are you really the governess who is going to teach us?"
"Yes, indeed; who else should I be? Did you not expect to see me?"
"Oh yes; only I did not think you would be so young," said Beryl frankly.