Page:All the Year Round - Series 2 - Volume 1.djvu/510

500[April 24, 1869] and exclusively, to the training, education, and general welfare of his child.

Again the kind Superior acknowledged, with tears, the honesty of purpose that could induce a person of Mrs. Fonnereau's tastes and habits, to act as she proposed.

But Geraldine's pale cheeks flushed.

"Education!" she repeated, slowly—"I am sixteen!—Training!—Hers?"

The Superior hinted something about "finishing masters."

"In that neighbourhood, my mother!" said Geraldine, gloomily.

Her friend found it difficult to comfort the poor girl. The very prospect of the exclusive companionship of Melusina—without mention of her strange, repulsive follower was—abhorrent to her. There was but one reassuring reflection:

"Your father must have loved her," said the Superior.

And Geraldine went.

If Leafy Dell was situated in a "quiet neighbourhood," it had its own excellent reasons. People do not, as a rule, prefer to reside in the immediate vicinity of a madhouse, and such, up to a recent period, had been the character of the dwelling Mrs. Fonnereau had selected. The establishment had been mismanaged. There were dark rumours of maltreatment of the unhappy inmates. At all events, it was broken up, and reorganised elsewhere, the proprietor trusting to a low rent, and the really beautiful, but gloomy and neglected grounds, to find more eligible occupants.

Any one peeping into the vast drawing-room of Leafy Dell, at this time, might have seen Mrs. Fonnereau in close consultation with a lady tall of stature—with stern, handsome features, and a hand which, as it lay open on the table, showed white as snow, yet large and muscular as that of a man.

She was there in consequence of an advertisement which (for we write no fiction) may be read in the Times of that date.

". To undertake the undivided charge, and complete the education of a pupil whose mind and talents have been misdirected—whose nature is morose and difficult—and for whose improvement the union of womanly instruction with masculine firmness is absolutely essential. Qualities adapted to this exceptional case will command a most liberal reward. Address, &c."

To judge by the countenances and mutual demeanour of the pair, their acquaintance, though but a few hours old, had ripened into an excellent understanding. Their confidence almost resembled conspiracy—else, why when—the hollow-sounding house-bell announced an arrival—should they start, and exchange a meaning grasp of the hand followed by the abrupt departure of the strange, strong woman from the room?

Mrs. Fonnereau received Geraldine with a tenderness only qualified by that sweet maternal superiority that became her new position towards the lonely girl. Her stepchild liked this better—it was more real—and began to think the intercourse would prove more tolerable than her fears foretold. She resolved to do her utmost to love the woman her father had loved, and with whom her lot seemed inevitably cast.

As they sat together in the dusk, awaiting dinner, Mrs. Fonnereau began to speak of "education."

"I declare you have grown quite French, my love," she said, laughing sweetly, but a little reprovingly.

"French is almost my natural tongue," said Geraldine, quietly. "Little else is spoken by the sisters."

"We must forget the sisters," returned her stepmother. "Your dear father was thoroughly English. His tastes, habits, and wishes were my law. We shall, I trust, undo much that has been mislearned, and commence anew. And take note, sweet one, I shall expect implicit obedience! Not one rebellious word!"

"I have been accustomed to consider my education completed, mad—mamma, that is," said Geraldine, haughtily. "May I ask in what I am to benefit by your instruction?"

"In nothing, love," replied Melusina. "Mine is but an affectionate supervision. I leave all that to Mrs. Manning."

"Mrs. Manning!"

"Your governess."

"Governess!" repeated Miss Fonnereau. "A governess? For me?"

Melusina uttered a little silvery laugh, and her eyes sent a cat-like glance through the darkening room. She made no other reply.

"Please to remember," resumed Geraldine, her bosom heaving, "that I am already a woman."

"Do not make me forget it, dear," replied her stepmother, sweetly. "Want of filial obedience and docility must be reckoned as childish faults, and dealt with accordingly."

"Want ofI do not understand you," said Geraldine, rising.

"Hush—I beg! Compose yourself, my