“Thank you,” the young girl said, her face beaming with pleasure. “But you have given me the prettiest you had, Miss Douglas,” she added, regretfully.
“And why shouldn’t I, dear? I have not forgotten who was so kind and faithful to a poor, sick, useless little body when we were crossing the ocean,” Brownie playfully replied, as she kissed the flushed cheek.
She then selected a few flowers for herself, and telling Viola that she was ready, they both descended to the drawing-room.
A hush of expectation followed their entrance.
Isabel’s eagle eye took in at one sweeping glance the simple elegance of the governess’ toilet, and her astonishment was plainly visible as she noticed those two almost priceless ornaments which she wore upon her bosom and in her hair.
“Indeed, Miss Douglas, I did not expect to see you quite so radiant,” said Mrs. Coolidge, in cold tones, and wondering where her governess got such elegant jewels.
Brownie blushed deeply, but replied, courteously:
“Do I not meet your approbation, madam? If not, any change you may choose to suggest, I will gladly make.”
“They’ll spoil all her pleasure, the vixens,” was Wilbur’s inward comment, as his eyes gloated upon her wonderful beauty, and gleamed with a stronger ray of love than he had henceforth dared betray.
Mrs. Coolidge knew she had tied her own tongue by what she had said to Brownie in her own room, but she inwardly resolved that the same thing should never happen again.