Brownie arrived at the Coolidge mansion in season to be introduced to the family before dinner was served.
She did not feel particularly drawn toward either Mrs. Coolidge or her eldest daughter.
They were evidently worldlings, and received her with an air of superiority and patronage that was intensely galling to our proud-spirited little Douglas.
The younger girls, Viola and Alma, were more simple and affectionate, and, although somewhat hoidenish, yet she felt assured that they had kind hearts, and promised herself some pleasure with them.
After dinner the whole family repaired to the drawing-room, and the girls being anxious to know what the new governess could do, desired to hear her play and sing.
She gratified them, playing and singing for an hour, then tempting them from the piano, she made herself so sweet and engaging that they were charmed with her, while even Mrs. Coolidge and Miss Isabel relaxed their haughtiness somewhat, though they both considered her too pretty and polished for the latter’s interest. She wished no rival in the way at present.
“If only Wilbur will not lose his senses and fall in love with her at first sight,” Isabel said to her mother, when they had withdrawn to Mrs. Coolidge’s boudoir to discuss Brownie’s merits.
“Never fear, dear; Wilbur knows we would never tolerate a wife for him unless she was his equal in society,” replied the matron, complacently.
“But you know that sometimes young men fall in love with a pretty face, and become entangled before they know it.”
Miss Isabel was evidently very jealous of Brownie’s beauty and accomplishments.