Page:010 Once a week Volume X Dec 1863 to Jun 64.pdf/668

 now, that told of a heart at peace. The present life was as a very haven to the careworn Jane, nearly tired out, as she had been, with the household contrivings, the economies, and the embarrassments of the former days. All the longing visions of Jane Chesney seemed more than realized; visions which had been indulged for her father, not for herself; and they had been realized in a manner and to a degree that Jane had never dreamt of. He was at ease for the rest of his days, and she had nothing more left to wish for. Into society Jane determined to go very little. To be her father’s constant companion, save when he was at his club or at the House, was her aim; formerly household duties and Lucy’s education called her perpetually from his side: it should not be so now. No attractions of society, of pleasure, of the gay world without, should lure away Jane Chesney: she would remain her dear father’s companion from henceforth, rendering his hours pleasant to him, taking care that things were well ordered in his home. Never perhaps has father been loved and revered as was this one by Jane Chesney; and, as mistress of his plentiful home, as mistress of her own time, which she would dedicate to him, she seemed to have realised her Utopia.

Though talking with her father on the subject of Chesney Oaks and Sir James Marden’s probable tenancy of it, an under-current of ideas was floating in Jane’s mind. She was about engaging a governess for Lucy; that is, she was looking out for one; and on the previous day Mrs. Marden had mentioned a lady to her who was in search of a fresh situation—one whom Jane thought would be likely to suit.

“You are quite sure, papa, that you have overgot your objection to our taking a resident governess?” Jane said to him in a pause of the other subject. For it should be made known that the earl had declared, when Jane had first broached the matter, that he would have no strange ladies in his house, putting him out of his way: and he had very grumblingly conceded the point, upon Jane’s assuring him that no governess should be allowed to do that in the remotest degree.

“Didn’t I say so!” testily returned the earl, who had lost none of his abruptness of manner, “Why do you ask?”

“Because Mrs. Marden mentioned one to me, who is about quitting her present situation. By the description, I thought she appeared to be just the person we want for Lucy. If you have no objection, papa, I will inquire further about her.”

“Lucy would have been just as well at school,” said the earl.

“Oh, papa, no!” and Jane’s tone was one of pain. “I should not like her to be moved from under my supervision. You know I have been as her mother ever since mamma died. Neither do I think you would like to part with her.”

Have it as you will,” said the earl, his voice somewhat more conciliatory.

“If you think the woman will do, let her sign articles.”

Jane smiled. But before she could answer, a servant came into the room and said a lady was waiting to see her.

“Who is it?” asked Jane.

“I thought she said Miss Lethwait, my lady, but I am not sure that I caught the name aright, though I asked twice,” was the man’s answer.

Jane left the room to receive her visitor, “Lethwait?” she repeated to herself, “Lethwait?—surely that was the name of the governess mentioned by Mrs. Marden! I suppose she must have sent her here.”

A tall and very elegant woman of seven or eight-and-twenty rose from her chair as Jane entered. In features she was plain, but there was something really magnificent about her dark eyes and hair, about her manner altogether. Jane bowed; and concluded she had been mistaken in supposing it to be the governess.

But the governess it was, Miss Lethwait. Mrs. Marden had informed her that she had spoken to Lady Jane Chesney on her behalf, and Miss Lethwait had deemed it best to call at once, lest some other applicant should supersede her. She was a clergyman’s daughter, she informed Jane, and had been educated for a governess. Her father had judged it better to give his children an education by which they might make their way in the world, she said, than to put by the money it would cost, to be divided amongst them at his death. It would be but a few hundreds at best, not sufficient to do them much good. Jane inquired why she was leaving her present situation, and was told that it was the amount of work which was driving her away. She had five pupils there, and taught them everything.

“You will require a high salary, probably?”

Jane said, after a few minutes’ pause, during which she had been thinking how much she should like to engage Miss Lethwait.

Miss Lethwait hesitated in her reply. She had been told by Mrs. Marden that Lady Jane had intimated she should not be able to pay a very high one.

“I receive eighty guineas where I am, madam,” she at length answered. “But in consideration of there being only one pupil, I would willingly accept less. Were I to continue