"Oh! I shouldn't think much," replied Mr. French. "You're to meet the lady that's coming as governess for Miss Effie. You're sure to recognise her—she's elderly. If she has more than one trunk you can tell Doyle to bring it on in the morning."
As he went back to the house he took the letter he had received a week before from Miss Grimshaw from his pocket and reread it.
"The question of salary," said Miss Grimshaw, "does not weigh particularly with me, as I am possessed of a small income of my own, to which I can, if I choose, add considerably with my pen. I am very much interested in the study of Ireland and the Irish, and would like to become more intimate at first-hand with your charming country, so I think we will waive the question of pounds, shillings, and pence. Any instruction I can give your little daughter will be amply repaid by your hospitality."
A nice letter written in a nice firm, sensible woman's hand.
Miss Grimshaw had referred Mr. French to several highly respectable people, but Mr. French, with that splendid indifference to detail which was part of his nature, had not troubled to take Miss Grimshaw's character up.
"Oh, bother her character," said he. "No woman has any character worth troubling about over forty."
CHAPTER IV
"Porter, porter! does this train stop at Tullagh?"