"Yes, my dear; I am to take care of you and educate you. My name is Mrs. Gray. I live in this house. It is very airy; very salubrious. Mr. Thornton was particular about that, and I am sure I would not have deceived him for anything. Then there is the square, where we have of course the privilege of walking when we like. Besides, I have received a very good education myself, so that I am fit to teach you. I think we shall be very happy together, dear," she added, with a smile, to which neither in word nor in look my heavy heart could give response.
Mrs. Gray saw this, and looked discouraged at once. She hoped we should be happy together; she trusted we should; she thought she might say it should not be her fault if we were not. She was evidently getting very uncomfortable, when I diverted her by a question.
"If you please, Ma'am, was it on account of what I said, that Mr.
Thornton took me away from the Misses Clapperton?"
"Ah, the Misses Clapperton. I really don't know, dear. Who are the Misses
Clapperton?"
"They receive a few private pupils; they live at Alhambra Lodge."
"Alhambra Lodge, and they receive private pupils, dear me!"
"Do you know, Ma'am, why I was not left there?"
"I dare say, my dear, it was because Mr. Thornton did not approve of their method of teaching; there is a great deal in method."
"Do you know, Ma'am, if Miss O'Reilly will call next Sunday?"
"Miss O'Reilly? that is an Irish name, is it not?"