“I want to have a talk with you about the children,” said Mr. Fleetwood. He was altogether self-possessed, and his tone and manner were earnest.
A deeper shade of annoyance passed over the countenance of Mrs. Dainty.
“You still purpose having a governess?”
“I don’t know that I purpose any thing,” replied Mrs. Dainty. “I’ve had such wretched luck, so far, with governesses, that I shall hardly feel safe in trying another.”
“Why not recall Miss Harper?” said Mr. Fleetwood.
“Uncle John!” Mrs. Dainty turned upon the old gentleman a look of indignant surprise.
“The children are all attached to her; and she is pure-minded, true-hearted, and——”
“She’s insolent and upstart!” retorted Mrs. Dainty, with passion; “and I will never have her back in her old place.”
“You have altogether misapprehended Florence,” urged Mr. Fleetwood, with unusual earnestness of manner.
“I am not apt to misapprehend people,” said Mrs. Dainty, drawing her head up a little proudly.