And now came innumerable questions from all but the silent Georgy, who contented herself with nestling close to the side of our heroine as they wandered through the grounds—and gazing with her large soft eyes into her face, now dimpled with the light of mirth, now softening into tenderness, and now shadowed by a passing thought of “papa, and Lionel, and home.”
“And oh!” said Lizzie, “you won’t take away my doll and make me study all the time, will you?”
“No, indeed, darling! I would much rather help you dress your doll.”
“And I may spin my top all day if I like—may I not?” asked Willie.
“Yes, if papa is willing.”
“Oh! but papa told us to obey all your commands.”
“Commands,” thought May, “oh, dear, I shall never do for a governess!”
The day passed on in sport. Our heroine’s duties were to commence on the next; but she would not allow her fears for the morrow to interfere with her present delight. In the meantime, the Earl, amid his important duties, was haunted all day by one bewitching image;—a fair sweet face glanced brightly up from every book he opened, from every paper to which he referred; and, in his dreams that night, he led to the altar a second bride, more lovely, more beloved than the first.
——