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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Boarding School + Familiar conversations between a governess and her pupils. + Written for the amusement and instruction of young ladies. + +Author: Unknown + +Release Date: January 14, 2009 [EBook #27804] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOARDING SCHOOL *** + + + + +Produced by Jacqueline Jeremy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<hr class="hr6" /> +<h3> <a name="contents" id="contents"></a>Contents</h3> + +<hr class="hr3" /> + +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"><strong>Chapter</strong></td> +<td class="tdr"><strong>Page</strong></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#preface">Preface</a></td> +<td> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">I</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#I">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">II</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#II">7</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">III</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#III">14</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IV</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#IV">26</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">V</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#V">31</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VI</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#VI">42</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VII</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#VII">53</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VIII</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#VIII">59</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IX</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#IX">67</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">X</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#X">80</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XI</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#XI">86</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XII</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#XII">95</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XIII</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#XIII">103</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XIV</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#XIV">115</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XV</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#XV">125</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XVI</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#XVI">132</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XVII</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#XVII">141</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XVIII</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#XVIII">158</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XIX</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#XIX">172</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr /> + +<h1><small>THE</small><br /> +<br /> +BOARDING SCHOOL.</h1> + +<hr /> + +<div id="tpc"> +<p class="tp"> +THE<br /> +<br /> +<span class="title">BOARDING SCHOOL</span>;<br /> +<br /> +<small>OR</small><br /> +<br /> +<big>FAMILIAR CONVERSATIONS</big><br /> +<br /> +<small>BETWEEN A</small><br /> +<br /> +<span class="gov"><em>GOVERNESS AND HER PUPILS.</em></span><br /> +<br /> +WRITTEN FOR THE<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pub">AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION<br /></span> +OF<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pub">YOUNG LADIES</span>.</p> + +<hr class="hr4" /> + +<h4>LONDON:<br /><br /> +PRINTED FOR G. AND W. B. WHITTAKER,<br /> +<br /> +<small>AVE-MARIA LANE.</small><br /> +<br /> +<span class="o">1823</span>.</h4> + +<hr class="hr4" /> + +<h5>LONDON:<br /> +<br /> +PRINTED BY COX AND BAYLIS, GREAT QUEEN STREET,<br /> +LINCOLN’S-INN FIELDS.</h5> +</div> + + +<hr class="hr5" /> + +<h2><a name="preface" id="preface"></a>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Those</span> persons whose time is devoted to the instruction of youth, have +not only abundant opportunities of ascertaining the capacities of their +pupils, but of observing their various dispositions, and of noticing the +effects which have been produced on them by previous habit and example. +It seldom happens that amiability of temper, respectful behaviour to +superiors, or kindness to inferiors, distinguish children who in their +infancy have been left to the care of menials, or who have been +suffered, by the blind indulgence of parents, to gratify their <a name="forward" id="forward"></a><ins title="original has froward">forward</ins> +inclinations; and it as rarely occurs that those who have had the +benefit of good example and parental admonition in the “bud of life,” +display much propensity to vice as they grow up, unless their morals +become contaminated by afterwards forming improper companions. With +reference to the effects of early education, it has been most truly +said, that</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Just as the twig is bent, the tree’s inclin’d.”</p> +</div> + +<p>And though a variety of causes may operate to form the character, or +give a bias to the mind, it is a fact not to be controverted, that early +impressions are never wholly eradicated, and the magic of some well +remembered maxim or parental caution will often come very seasonably to +the aid of the most experienced.</p> + +<p>In pourtraying the characters which are introduced in “<span class="smcap">The Boarding +School</span>,” the Author has endeavoured to represent, by contrast, the +amiable and unamiable passions; and, by exhibiting them in their true +colours, to render her fair and youthful readers as emulous to imitate +the one, as they will doubtless be to avoid the other; while the +narrative, being of the most familiar kind, will, it is hoped, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span>contribute to their amusement.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2>THE BOARDING SCHOOL.</h2> + + + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<h2><a name="I" id="I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Adair</span> was stooping to prop a rose-tree in a viranda, when she +hastily turned to her sister, and exclaimed, “it is useless attending +either to plants or flowers now: I must give up all my favourite +pursuits.”</p> + +<p>“But you will have others to engage your attention,” returned Jane.</p> + +<p>“And will they afford me pleasure? You may as well say that I shall +listen with joy to the foolish commands of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> some parents, and the +haughty remarks of others.”</p> + +<p>“Let this be our comfort,” said Jane, “sensible people always treat the +instructors of youth with respect; they neither command with pride, nor +complain with insolence.”</p> + +<p>“But think of the change! We, who have had every indulgence, and no +cares to perplex us!”</p> + +<p>“My dear Elizabeth, in the day of prosperity we seldom rejoice with +thankfulness; but in the time of adversity, when our path is darkened, +then we can bitterly repine. Surely we should place our joys and our +sorrows against each other, as a defence from a murmuring spirit.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span>“It is not late trials that trouble me, but future vexations that I +dread. You know that I have never been accustomed to stupid, drawling, +spoiled children.”</p> + +<p>“I hope,” said Jane, “you will not have a class of this description to +instruct.”</p> + +<p>“O, all things will be easy to you, for you love children and love +teaching; but I have never applied my mind to any thing of the kind: I +shall not know how to ask the most simple question in nature.”</p> + +<p>Jane smiled, as she said, “Since you are so very doubtful of your +abilities, I think I will give a short lesson upon teaching. Suppose you +ask your pupil if she has learned grammar: if she replies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> in the +affirmative, desire her to explain the nature of the different parts of +speech. Then try her abilities in the arithmetical tables, or from the +history of England; tell her to relate some particular event in the +reign of one of our kings, and go on to other subjects in a similar +manner. In the first instance, however, always hear your pupil read; +clear, distinct reading, with proper emphasis—I do not mean in a +theatrical style—is one test of abilities; give her some pointed +passage from history, or from any suitable book.”</p> + +<p>“I want an example,” said Elizabeth.</p> + +<p>“Now, sister, you are trifling, and will lead me to trifle in return.”</p> + +<p>“In 1199 John signed Magna Charta,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> the bulwark of English liberty;” or, +“the king wept when he found himself a prisoner; but the master of +Glamis said—”</p> + +<p>“Go on, my dear Jane: the master of Glamis I will not have any thing to +say to.”</p> + +<p>“You forget,” said Jane, “that we are not to finish a sentence with to, +or for, or any word so insignificant. Let a little girl read, ‘remember +now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,’ or something in the same +easy, impressive style. But consult my mother: she will give you the +best information upon the subject of teaching.”</p> + +<p>“Ah,” said Elizabeth, “my spirits fail when I think of the task! I only +wish the first week were over.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span>“It will pass away like all other things. We have only to be resolute in +doing our duty, and leave the rest to Providence. Let us at all times +remember our own excellent instructress: her ‘authority, when most +severe, and mustering all its force, was but the graver countenance of +love, watering at once and nourishing the plant.’”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span><a name="II" id="II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> will, perhaps, here be necessary to say something of Mrs. Adair; I +will not, however, enter upon her motive for opening a boarding-school. +It is a well known fact that the loss of fortune, contracted incomes, or +troubles in one shape or another, are the origin of almost all female +seminaries. I never heard but of one lady beginning a school, and +persevering to the conclusion of a protracted life, without any motive +but benefiting a friend. To her credit let<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> me remark, that she never +regretted this, as it may justly be styled, “labour of love.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair’s personal appearance and manner were calculated to excite +respect and deference from pupils. The general cast of her countenance +was serious, to a degree bordering upon severity; but when she did +unbend, the cheerfulness that beamed in her features, and the benevolent +expression of her dark and pleasing eyes, invited confidence and regard +from every beholder. She had been a widow several years, and was going +to commence a school patronized by respectable friends. I shall not +attempt to describe her daughters, for beauty is of so perishable a +nature, and of so little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> value without good qualities, it is but time +wasted dwelling on the subject. Jane, the youngest, had been some time +in a delicate and declining state of health; and, viewing life as +uncertain in its tenor, had wisely adapted her mind to passing +circumstances. Next to her brightest hopes, was her desire to be useful +whilst she remained upon earth.</p> + +<p>Elizabeth had high health and spirits, and could ill brook the idea of +the restraint and confinement of a school. But the evening was now +arrived previous to beginning “the irksome task,” as she styled it.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair had been looking over her folio, and her daughters were +seated at their work, when she observed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> “We may consider ourselves +particularly fortunate, for I have now the promise of fifteen pupils. +Several things, however, we must take into consideration. Elizabeth, you +are sometimes a little petulant in temper: remember you must never be +rash in deciding, or hasty in punishing; curb the bold, but encourage +the timid. We must likewise be cautious to treat the parents of every +child with equal respect; not allow ourselves to be dazzled with +glittering equipages, or dashing manners. And let us be tender and +careful of children who are deprived of a mother: give them all the aid +in our power, to make them a credit to their father’s house.”</p> + +<p>“And I think, my dear mother,” said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> Elizabeth, “it will be necessary to +fix children of weak capacities in one class: let all the dunces go +together.”</p> + +<p>“But we must first weigh their talents justly,” returned Mrs. Adair; +“and always recollect, that ‘children of the present age are the hope of +the one to come.’</p> + +<p>“There is one thing I particularly charge you to avoid: never speak in a +tone of ridicule of any lady who has previously instructed a pupil; +there is something contemptible in trying to depreciate the talents of +another. We are not to consider ourselves as supreme in wisdom, for our +abilities are moderate; if we can do good, I believe it is the chief +merit we can claim.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>“I hope one thing,” said Elizabeth, “that the young ladies must never be +allowed to learn their lessons at meals; for I am persuaded they will +think more of the present participle <em>loving</em> than of declining the verb +<em>to love</em>. And I trust likewise, my dear mother, that you will never let +them read their own themes at public examinations: for the voice I am +certain will tremble when hundreds are listening.”</p> + +<p>“We will not talk of public examinations, my dear, until we have tried +our own abilities at teaching. But I must caution you never to criticize +letters from parents or friends; nor look upon a teacher as a solitary +being, without friends and without feelings.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>“I hope you do not think I would exact too much, or be unreasonable in +any command to a teacher,” said Elizabeth.</p> + +<p>“I do not say that you will do so; I only wish to remind you, that we +should have due consideration for those persons who are dependent upon +us. And now I have only to observe, that we must not think entirely of +the time our pupils are to be with us, but extend our thoughts to the +period when they will be enabled to judge by what spirit we were +actuated. In teaching, punishing, or rewarding, let us always consider +whether the means we then pursue will be useful to the young lady in +future life.”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span><a name="III" id="III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span> with some degree of impatience stood at the drawing-room +window, looking for their first pupil, on the morning the school was +opened. At length a carriage drove hastily to the door, and she returned +to her seat.</p> + +<p>With a flushed and agitated countenance she had now to welcome one of +her mother’s earliest friends. Colonel Vincent advanced into the room +with two daughters, and in a cheerful tone exclaimed, “I hope, my dear +Miss<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> Adair, we are your first scholars; we have strained every nerve to +surprise you with an early visit, and an auspicious one I hope it will +prove.”</p> + +<p>“I hope so too, Sir,” said Elizabeth quickly; “but I thought we should +have had the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Vincent.”</p> + +<p>“She was obliged to go down into the country to visit her father,” +returned the Colonel, “and deputed me to act for her. I have to beg that +you will treat our children as the children of strangers: reward them +with favour when they are good, and punish them when they are otherwise. +We have confidence in our friends, therefore shall never listen to any +idle tales; but my little girl,” he continued, as he fondly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> stroked the +hair from the forehead of his youngest daughter, “will I know be +tractable and very good.”</p> + +<p>“That I will, Papa; only I wish I had my doll, and the cradle. My cousin +Eliza has a barrel-organ, a garden-chair, and I don’t know how many +things, at her school.”</p> + +<p>“Your cousin has a large fortune, and is a simpleton,” cried Caroline, +the eldest daughter. “But pray, ma’am, who is to teach music?”</p> + +<p>“I shall make the attempt,” said Elizabeth; “how far I shall succeed +will depend upon my abilities to instruct, and your patience and +perseverance in gaining instruction.”</p> + +<p>“O, ma’am, I have learned seven years of the first masters.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>“There has been a wonderful waste of time, and money!” cried the +Colonel. “You rattle the keys, as blundering soldiers when commanded to +fire: no taste, feeling, or judgment in the execution.”</p> + +<p>“But at Madame La Blond’s, Papa, I was allowed to play in the very first +style, and was always called upon to exhibit to strangers.”</p> + +<p>A servant at this moment announced “Mrs. Towers;” and a stately female, +dressed in the extreme of fashion, with a measured step entered the +room, followed by a delicate, interesting looking young lady, but with a +very dark complexion. Mrs. Towers moved very profoundly to Elizabeth. +“Permit me to introduce Miss Arden as a pupil,” she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> said. “She is from +the East, and under our guardianship. For certain causes we removed her +from her last seminary; we did not consider it (as she is a young lady +of large fortune) sufficiently fashionable. As we understand Colonel +Vincent, a man whom every one must applaud, has declared that he and his +noble lady will patronize Mrs. Adair, from this circumstance alone I +have brought Miss Arden hither.”</p> + +<p>Colonel Vincent smiled, and stepped to the window to converse with his +youngest daughter. “It is particularly unfortunate, ma’am,” added Mrs. +Towers, “that the young lady has so very dark a <a name="look" id="look"></a><ins title="original has colon">look;</ins> but I assure you +she is not a creole.” Tears started into Miss Arden’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> eyes, and her +cheeks were tinged with a deep blush. Mrs. Towers now made another very +low curtsey, with “a good morning, ma’am; I have several visits to pay +in this neighbourhood.” As she passed the young lady, she whispered +something respecting mixture and composition.</p> + +<p>Colonel Vincent now led his daughters to Miss Arden. “Let me introduce +the young people to each other,” said he; “who I hope will be friends +and pleasant companions.”</p> + +<p>Isabella, his youngest daughter, looked up in her face; and taking her +hand, said, “I am sure I shall love this lady, if she will love me.”</p> + +<p>Her sister turned her head, and with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> a scornful smile exclaimed, “You +are always taken with strangers! I wish Miss Russel would come! I +thought she would have been here early.”</p> + +<p>“This is an insolent young lady,” said the Colonel, looking at his +daughter with displeasure. “But my Isabella, Miss Arden, will be +grateful for your kindness.”</p> + +<p><a name="have" id="have"></a><ins title="original omits open quotation mark">“I have</ins> so few, Sir, to regard me,” said Miss Arden, “that I shall +indeed be happy to gain the love of this little girl.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth now asked if she would walk in the garden. “Come, my little +pet,” said the Colonel, “give me one kiss; and go with this young lady, +and try to divert her. And do not forget<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> to bring her with you the +first holiday, and we will have a merry day; all your young friends +shall be invited to meet you.”</p> + +<p>In the course of the morning most of the young ladies arrived. It was a +complete day of bustle. There were trunks and packages to be removed +from the hall into the dressing-room; then one wanted her reticule, and +another a book from her bag; and a third was searching her basket for +good things, either for her own private eating, or to give to some one +to whom she had taken a fancy. Then there were so many conjectures, “who +and who such ladies were?” Miss Vincent and Miss Russel, who were +declared friends, kept apart from their companions. There were few, +indeed, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> would deign to notice; and no one, unless her Papa had a +carriage. There was an air of scorn in their countenances, which seemed +to say, “here is a motley group, indeed!”</p> + +<p>Jane had been confined to her chamber the whole of the morning, but in +the afternoon strolled into the garden to converse with the young +ladies. She soon felt fatigued, and went into the summer-house to rest. +There, to her surprise, she beheld a young lady with a melancholy +aspect, seated, with her eyes fixed intently upon the floor.</p> + +<p>“My dear, why are you here alone?” asked Jane in a tone of kindness; +“was there no young lady to walk with you?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>“No, ma’am; the ladies do not wish to associate with me. They object to +my complexion: and, I believe, they think that I am without feelings. +The little girl would have remained with me, but her sister would not +allow her.”</p> + +<p>A loud laugh now proclaimed a party approaching the summer-house. Jane +was shocked when she heard Miss Vincent exclaim, “Oh, do come in and +behold her! she is a complete creole! I never saw so frightful a +complexion!”</p> + +<p>“The young lady is a stranger to me,” said another, “and I am sure I +would not insult her upon any account.”</p> + +<p>“That is a voice I know,” said Jane, stepping to the door. “My dear Miss +Damer, I wish to speak to you.” Miss<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> Vincent and her friend instantly +retreated, and the young lady entered the summer-house with a blushing +face.</p> + +<p>“Here is a young lady,” said Jane, “who is a stranger; and I may add, +that she is in a strange land. In introducing her to you, Miss Damer, I +hope I am securing a friend for her: one who will not behold her +insulted.”</p> + +<p>Tears now rushed from Miss Arden’s eyes. “O! ma’am, I cannot thank you +as I feel! Hitherto, I have only known rudeness and unkindness! When I +lost my father, I thought, in coming to England—England, so famed for +every thing great and noble—that I should be a stranger to all sorrow +but that of remembrance.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>Miss Damer was too much moved to express herself as she wished. “Come,” +said Jane, in a cheerful voice, “we must not have sorrow at this our +first meeting. I perceive that Miss Damer and you will be friends, so +come with me; you shall be my guests this evening, and we will leave the +other young ladies to my sister.”</p> + +<p>With a countenance expressive of kindness, Jane took an arm of each of +the young ladies, and walked with them up the garden. As she passed Miss +Vincent and her companion, she said very quietly, “Young ladies, I hope +you will conduct yourselves better to-morrow.”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span><a name="IV" id="IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Miss Vincent entered the music-room to receive her first lesson, +with haughty indifference she seated herself at the piano, and in a +careless manner began a voluntary. Elizabeth, who was reading a letter, +now closed it, leisurely opened a book, and desired her to play the +lesson to which she pointed.</p> + +<p>“This piece, ma’am! Gravana thinks English music despicable.”</p> + +<p>“And English manners, I presume?”</p> + +<p>“Manners, ma’am! Madame La Blond’s was a fashionable seminary.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>“And what is fashion, my dear?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, nothing—nothing, ma’am, but doing as we please: we seldom saw +Madame except in evening parties.”</p> + +<p>“Then to whom were you indebted for instruction?”</p> + +<p>“To our masters, ma’am,” said Miss Vincent, in a tone of surprise. “At +Madame La Blond’s we were instructed in all the sciences; in the nature +of valves; the specific gravity of bodies; the astonishing properties of +magnetic steel; and how many thousand miles the sun was from the earth.”</p> + +<p>“And perhaps you were told, by what means Archimedes burned the ships of +Marcellus, at the siege of Syracuse?”</p> + +<p>“O no, ma’am; but we learned the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> art of memorizing by hieroglyphics. +This formed a part of our morning exercises.”</p> + +<p>“Pray, my dear,” said Elizabeth very gravely, “can you repeat the +multiplication table throughout?”</p> + +<p>Miss Vincent hesitated. “I know very little, ma’am, of figures: our +studies were in general of the highest order. But it was a charming +seminary! We had no particular rules; we could go to rest, or rise when +we pleased; and favourites were always asked to dance with select +parties in an evening.”</p> + +<p>“I seriously regret,” said Elizabeth, “that we have robbed Madame La +Blond of so amiable a pupil.”</p> + +<p>“Madame, I assure you, ma’am, lamented it. She told Papa I was the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +chief ornament of her school. But he was very angry,—I don’t know why; +but he questioned me so closely, that I might as well have been before a +court-martial. Indeed I am certain he would have ordered me, had I been +a private soldier, to the triangle, merely because I said that Madame +despised people in trade.”</p> + +<p>“And your Papa really vindicated trade!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, ma’am, the Colonel has strange plebeian notions. I never saw him so +angry as he was when I told him that we—I mean ladies of a certain +rank—had been the means of sending a merchant’s daughter from school, +by styling her ‘Miss Thimbleton,’ and ‘the little seamstress.’ Her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +mamma had the meanness, I may say the impertinence, to send vulgar check +muslin to be made into a frock, at Madame La Blond’s! We took care, +however, to break the needles, and burn the thread.”</p> + +<p>“I hope you have finished your remarks: be pleased, now, to listen to +me. In consequence of the close intimacy that exists between our +families, I pass over your presuming manner this morning; but +recollect,” said Elizabeth with firmness, “that it shall never be +repeated. If you dare to disobey, expect punishment. From this time you +are never to speak to me, unless I ask a question. Now play the lesson I +proposed.”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span><a name="V" id="V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Adair</span> had selected from the first class four young ladies, to +regulate the younger pupils. They were to hear them repeat their lessons +before they entered the school-room; they were likewise to mark the +errors in their exercises, and endeavour, not only to instruct but +amuse.</p> + +<p>It has been said that by teaching others we gain knowledge ourselves. +Miss Damer was fully aware of this truth; all her leisure time, +therefore, was devoted to the young people under her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> care. She had only +three, and they had very different abilities: Miss Bruce’s capacity was +bright, but she loved to defer all to the last moment; there was a +mixture of good sense and childishness in her character, and she was +warm and impetuous. Isabella Vincent had moderate abilities, but a very +persevering temper; whatever she had to learn, she laboured at it with +her whole heart, and her disposition was placid and amiable. Miss Grey +was a clever girl; she had been at an excellent school, and was +proficient in most of the minor branches of education. She was fond of +exercising her ingenuity to amuse her companions. One evening she had +collected a party round her, intending to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> divert them with new +grammatical exercises.</p> + +<p>“Now, ladies,” she cried, as she held a paper in her hand, “are you all +ready, all prepared to listen and to learn? Miss Isabella Vincent, what +are you doing? I am certain you do not mean to attend.”</p> + +<p>“If she will not attend,” said Miss Damer, stepping into the circle, “I +am quite prepared—”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Miss Damer, are <em>you</em> here?” cried Miss Bruce: “we shall have no +fun now! I thought you were in the drawing-room.”</p> + +<p>“Cheerfulness is one thing, fun another; but when they both come +together, they are often noisy companions so we must do without them +here.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>“But we did not think you would come to us this evening,” said Miss +Grey. “Oh, do, Miss Damer, leave us to ourselves one half hour.”</p> + +<p>“First let me read the paper you are trying to conceal.”</p> + +<p>“You will only think it nonsense,” said Miss Grey; “but don’t be angry, +I beg, for it was only for our <a name="diversion" id="diversion"></a><ins title="original has diverson">diversion</ins>.”</p> + +<p>Miss Damer began to read:</p> + +<p>‘Mrs. Adair, substantive proper.’</p> + +<p>“Very improper to take this liberty.” ‘Singular number, feminine gender, +indicative mood, perfect tense; face, mind, and figure, in the +superlative degree.—Miss Warner inclining to the acute accent.’</p> + +<p>“But what is she?” asked Miss Damer.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + +<p>“A noun proper, certainly, and of the singular number.”</p> + +<p>‘Miss Cotton, demonstrative pronoun; compare <em>good</em>, and she is in the +superlative degree.</p> + +<p>‘Miss Hilton, voice semi-vowels; in the primitive order by nature, +governed by a queer looking definite article.</p> + +<p>‘Miss Vincent, manner the imperative mood; self, first person singular; +mind, imperfect tense; eyes, positive; voice, in the superlative degree; +nose, the interrogative point.</p> + +<p>‘Miss Bruce, an interjection, or an interrogative.’</p> + +<p>“True,” said Miss Damer, “particularly where books are concerned.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I do love books!” said Miss<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> Bruce; “I do think I could read +every one in Mr. Chiswell’s shop without being tired. Have you a new one +to lend me, Miss Damer?”</p> + +<p>“If you say all your lessons well, and are good this week, I will lend +you a very amusing and instructive tale.”</p> + +<p>“But what is the title?” asked Miss Bruce.</p> + +<p>“It is one word, meaning a mark of folly in young ladies. But I must +finish the grammatical exercise.”</p> + +<p>‘Miss Rothman, a section sufficiently curved.’</p> + +<p>“You should not have made this remark, Miss Grey. When you ridicule +deformity you shew a want of feeling; and, what is of more consequence, +you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> prove that you treat with contempt the works of your Creator. Miss +Rothman’s talents, and amiable temper, we cannot too highly prize.”</p> + +<p>‘Miss Russel, an index to point out disagreeables; make her an article, +and she will prove a bad one of the definite order.’</p> + +<p>‘The little Rhymer, a brace; and Miss Wise, a verb neuter.</p> + +<p>‘Miss Damer, auxiliary verb, or substantive proper; first person +singular, face—’ Miss Darner stopped a moment, and then went on with, +‘Miss Jane Adair,—temper, syntax; consisting of concord and government; +speech, a preposition; voice, liquids; face, mind, and figure, in the +superlative degree; as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> the verb to be loved, second person singular, +indicative mood, present tense, to myself and others. The remainder, +excepting Miss Arden, may be classed with mutes, crotchets, irregular +verbs, quotations, and parallels.’</p> + +<p>“I wish,” cried Isabella, “I could write exercises, or a theme, or +something, I don’t care what.”</p> + +<p>“And what is to prevent you, my dear?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, nothing at all, Miss Damer, if I could but tell what to write.”</p> + +<p>“Tell how the world was made,” said Miss Bruce, “that would be a very +good subject.”</p> + +<p>“I cannot do that, I am sure! I do not know what stars are made of, +they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> twinkle so; nor what makes flowers look so pretty, and smell so +sweet; nor where the wind comes from, or what it is: it touches me, but +I cannot touch it.”</p> + +<p>“You have never read ‘Evenings at Home,’” said Miss Bruce, “or you would +know that ‘wind is but a quantity of air put into violent motion.’”</p> + +<p>“But what is the air? Tell me this.”</p> + +<p>“A clear thin fluid, certainly, and the earth is a vast ball; it would +soon break its bounds, were it not attracted by the sun.”</p> + +<p>“But who preserves it in its regular motion?” asked Miss Damer.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Miss Damer,” exclaimed Miss Bruce, “all the stars, and the moon, +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> the trees, and all that we behold had but one to make them, and one +to support them—the Great Almighty Maker, who gave me my voice to +speak, my mind to think, and my eyes to look at the wonders of his +works.”</p> + +<p>“I wish I knew how I speak, and look, and think,” said Isabella.</p> + +<p>“My dear little girl,” said Miss Damer, “very wise people are ignorant +in many things. Learn to be good: it is the best knowledge.”</p> + +<p>“I do say my prayers every night and morning, and I’m sure I love papa +and mamma dearly, and I try to love every body.”</p> + +<p>“This is one way certainly to be good, if you obey your parents as well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +as love them, and think of your prayers when you are repeating them.”</p> + +<p>“I am sure, Miss Damer, I should love you, you are so good. I never +could learn my lessons without you assisted me.”</p> + +<p>“Because you are a dunce,” said Miss Bruce.</p> + +<p>“We shall see who will be the best girl and the best scholar, ‘the +bright and idle one,’ or my little friend, with ‘patience and +perseverance.’”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span><a name="VI" id="VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A carriage</span> and four, as it is styled, stopping suddenly at the gate, +caused a little bustle. Amongst Mrs. Adair’s pupils, some were ready to +look, and others to exclaim, “who can they be?” “what a beautiful girl!” +and “what a nice little boy! but I fear he is lame!” “Oh, look! do look +at that queer old lady following them out of the carriage! How oddly her +nose is turned! and what a droll bonnet!” “I wonder whether they will +dine with us!” “I should like to know who they are.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>While these exclamations were uttered, Miss Vincent pursued other means +of gaining intelligence of the new comers. She stole softly into the +hall, and screened herself from observation, in a narrow passage leading +to the store-room. The next moment she beheld a tall girl, an elderly +lady, and a little boy ushered into the parlour. She listened to hear +their names announced, but in vain. As she was returning to the +school-room, the hall door was opened by Elizabeth. She hastily +retreated into the passage: but betrayed herself by stumbling over a +stand of plants, that had been placed there, till they could be +conveniently removed.</p> + +<p>Elizabeth, hearing the noise, quickly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> stepped towards the passage, and +perceiving her pupil, said very coolly:</p> + +<p>“Botanizing, my dear! I fear you require light upon the subject; if +there is any rare, very curious plant, give it the name of ‘Caroline +Vincent,’ unless you prefer ‘the Spy <a name="detected" id="detected"></a><ins title="original omits close double quotation mark">detected.’”</ins></p> + +<p>Mortified at the discovery, Miss Vincent hastened to the school-room, +her face flushed with vexation; and as she rushed past Miss Damer, who +was standing near the door, exclaimed, “go out of my way, can’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly! But what has alarmed you so?”</p> + +<p>Jane now entered the room; and Miss Russel, who had been leaning through +the window, hastily turned to Miss<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> Vincent, and exclaimed, “I do +believe, Caroline, there is a coronet upon the carriage! but I cannot +make out either the strawberry leaves or the balls.” Jane mildly +reproved her for leaning through the window, contrary to the rules of +the school.</p> + +<p>The moment she had quitted the room Miss Russel exclaimed, “These +teachers give themselves strange airs!”</p> + +<p>“You should speak with more respect of Mrs. Adair’s daughter, I think,” +said Miss Damer; “excepting in fortune, Miss Jane Adair is superior to +any person here.”</p> + +<p>“But you will allow that she is a teacher, I hope.”</p> + +<p>“And does it lessen her merit? If any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> particular class of females are +worthy of respect, surely ladies who instruct young people are entitled +to it; they are the guardians of morals and of manners. But in every +school there are one or two ungrateful ones.”</p> + +<p>“Hear the oracle!” cried Miss Vincent. “Another Daniel come to +judgment!”</p> + +<p>“Rude manners and loud words do not intimidate me,” said Miss Damer, +with modest firmness. “I again repeat, that a person who can instruct us +in any one branch of education is entitled to—”</p> + +<p>“What?” asked Miss Vincent imperiously.</p> + +<p>“Deference. More I cannot urge, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> a young lady who has been at Madame +La Blond’s. But I must not say more: for I should not deserve this,” +extending her medal towards Miss Vincent, “were I to be the promoter of +quarrels.”</p> + +<p>Miss Vincent hastily caught the medal, broke the ribbon, and threw them +across the room, exclaiming, “it is these baubles that make you so +insolent!”</p> + +<p>The young ladies with one accord flew to the medal. Miss Arden however, +was the fortunate person. On securing it, and returning it to her +companion, she said, “accept this symbol of peace from my hand, my dear +friend. As for Miss Vincent, I just view her as the passengers in the +mail coach viewed the fly, for she makes herself equally ridiculous.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>“It is a pity that Miss Vincent is the daughter of so brave a man!” +cried Miss Cotton. “Who would suppose that one of our greatest heroes +was her father!”</p> + +<p>“Father! how vulgar!” returned Miss Russel. “Pray who is your papa, Miss +Cotton, that you presume to give yourself these airs, and speak in this +manner?”</p> + +<p>“My papa, Miss Russel, is a plain country gentleman, and I may say with +truth that he reigns in the hearts of his children, and has taught them +to ‘honour and obey their father and their mother, that their days may +be long in the land.’ But you fashionable young ladies, ‘who press to +bear such haughty sway,’ are exempt from this code, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> there is no +express command to honour <em>pas</em> and <em>mas</em>.”</p> + +<p>“I hope Mrs. Adair will never give another medal,” said Miss Damer.</p> + +<p>“You deserved it,” cried Miss Cotton with warmth, “and I hope you will +always be rewarded for excelling, in every thing you attempt.”</p> + +<p>“A person must be envious indeed,” said Miss Arden, “who can for a +moment feel hurt at another being rewarded!”</p> + +<p>“Had they your temper,” cried Miss Cotton, “envy would indeed be +unknown; but medals of merit, as they are styled, certainly create +strife.”</p> + +<p>“But heroes, poets, and artists are distinguished by many proofs of +regard,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>” observed Miss Arden; “why should we be against a reward to +merit here?”</p> + +<p>“You do not consider,” said Miss Cotton, “great men, have great minds; +but we have very little ones.”</p> + +<p>“I can only say, I pity any one with a malicious temper: and a person +must have one, indeed, who can envy Miss Damer; for she never provokes +to anger, or gives offence.”</p> + +<p>“And pray how are you to answer for Miss Damer?” asked Miss Vincent.</p> + +<p>“I wonder you ask this question,” returned Miss Arden. “From the first +day I came into this house I had reason to dread you; and love, and +esteem, Miss Damer. Though I was a stranger to every one, you made me a +subject of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> ridicule;—but I will not tell you of all your unkindness.”</p> + +<p>“Pray how long have you been, in studying this set speech?”</p> + +<p>“Only whilst you were setting your face to look contemptuously.”</p> + +<p>“Wonderful! I could not have supposed that a creole had wit! But I +forget, you are the heiress of a rich nabob! Pray to what black knight, +or noble emperor, are you allied?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, fie! fie! how can you be so insolent!” cried Miss Damer.</p> + +<p>“Miss Vincent’s words do not trouble me: they have lost their power; let +her be as severe as she pleases. If she could not display her talent in +satire, we should say she was the simple one of Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> Adair’s school: +there are drones and dunces every where.”</p> + +<p>“My dear Miss Arden, let us cease all disputes,” said Miss Cotton; “Miss +Vincent and her friend are the most suitable persons to be together, +when they are in a quarrelsome mood: let us forbear speaking to them.”</p> + +<p>“Cotton would make an admirable methodist parson,” cried Miss Vincent.</p> + +<p>“I wish I could return the compliment; for a good method leads to proper +conduct.”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span><a name="VII" id="VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> young ladies had always to write an extract from one of the sermons +they had heard at church on the sabbath day. In this exercise of memory +Miss Damer particularly excelled; the most difficult sermon she could +transcribe almost word for word. This had excited the spirit of envy in +Miss Vincent. The week after the dispute upon the medal, when Miss Damer +opened her book, wherein she had written a sermon with extreme neatness, +she found every line so scrawled, that one word could not be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +distinguished from another. Surprised at this proof of secret malice, +she involuntarily gave the book to Miss Cotton, who was seated by her. +Mrs. Adair, however, desired to look at it. After examining every page, +she said, and at the same time fixed her eyes upon Miss Vincent, “I pity +the young lady who has done this; she has betrayed one of the meanest +passions of the human mind.” She now looked anxiously round the room; <a name="i2" id="i2"></a><ins title="original omits open quotation mark">“I</ins> +see few countenances,” she added, “where envy reigns.</p> + +<p>“Miss Vincent, had you ever this book in your hand? speak in a +moment—yes, or no: I want no other word!”</p> + +<p>“No, ma’am; I never had the book in my hand, I can declare with truth.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>“Miss Bruce, is this your work? for I know you are a little busy-body.”</p> + +<p>“O no, ma’am! I would not blot any lady’s book for the world.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair now turned to Miss Arden: “my dear, have you been amusing +yourself with your companion’s book?”</p> + +<p>“No, ma’am.”</p> + +<p>“The mystery, I think, will soon be explained: and I fear I shall find +that there has been more artifice than truth in a young lady’s +assertion. Come hither, Isabella, I wish to speak to you.”</p> + +<p>Little Isabella’s features betrayed confusion and terror: and as she +slowly walked up the room, she burst into tears. “Do not be afraid,” +said Mrs. Adair, in a soothing tone of voice, “I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> am not angry with you. +Tell me plainly how it was. What did your sister say to you?”</p> + +<p>“O, ma’am, she said—O dear, I wish I were at home—”</p> + +<p>“Come, speak the truth, my dear. You know you are one of my best little +girls. Tell me how you were led into this error. Speak openly, and do +not be afraid.”</p> + +<p>“I have not done it—I mean, I have—O dear, where is mamma?”</p> + +<p>“Happy at home, I make no doubt. But were papa and mamma here, it would +make no difference, for I must have the truth. Did you mark this book?”</p> + +<p>“O dear, yes, ma’am! but I would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> not have done it, but I must do it. O, +sister, you know—you do know—and you will pinch me so! Do, dear, good +Mrs. Adair, tell her not to pinch me, for I know I shall scream!”</p> + +<p>“This is a strange account! We must have a little conversation, my dear, +in the evening. Correction, or advice, will have no effect with you, +Miss Vincent. You are not aware that your conduct will be deeply +impressed upon the mind of every young lady present: it will be +remembered when you have forgotten the circumstance yourself. I shall +expect to see you with your sister.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair looked round upon her pupils with a countenance of affection +and concern. “Young ladies,” she added,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> “it behoves you to conduct +yourselves in this house in a manner, that you may go forth into the +world with modest confidence, arising from the pleasing reflection that +you have fulfilled your duty in all things. Then, in future life, when +you unexpectedly meet a school-companion and friend, how pleasant will +be the greeting! And when I am old and infirm, should you recollect me, +and call upon me as the friend of your youth, how gratifying will it be +to my heart to think that I have been one means, in the hands of +Providence, of giving to society discreet and amiable women.”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span><a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> vacation now commenced. The physician had ordered change of air for +Jane, or rather change of scene: she therefore accompanied Miss Cotton +to spend a month with her parents. Elizabeth, however, would not accept +any invitation. Mrs. Adair was surprised at the circumstance, knowing +that young people are fond of novelty, particularly after the +confinement of a school.</p> + +<p>“It is strange that you have refused all our friends,” she said to her +daughter, “especially your old favourite!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth coloured highly. “My dear mother, teaching has given me the +wisdom to value a comfortable home. How quiet we are this evening! and +what a cheerful, blazing fire! and as for this tea, I think I never +tasted any thing so fragrant.”</p> + +<p>“And are these your reasons for remaining at home?”</p> + +<p>“O no! but only think how pleasant it is to be free from monotonous +voices buzzing in one’s ears! To-night I shall go to rest without the +fear of being disturbed ‘with the sound of the school-going bell,’ and +shall rise to-morrow an independent being.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, Elizabeth! is there no vexation, or lurking regret, dwelling upon +your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> mind? your countenance will betray you. Believe me, there are many +obstacles to the fulfilment of our wishes in this world. In all things +it may be said, ‘we look through a glass darkly.’ But no more on this +head: you have reason, and you must exert it. Be assured of one thing, +we are often wisely disappointed in our plans of happiness; if we attain +our wishes, we must not expect to be wholly free from care.”</p> + +<p>“I have promised to spend a few days with Colonel Vincent’s family. You +shall go with me to town on Thursday.”</p> + +<p>“But, my dear mother, you know—”</p> + +<p>“I understand you,” said Mrs. Adair. “I do not mean that you shall be +their visitor; I have another plan in view. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> know that Miss Damer is +very uncomfortably situated at home, therefore you can call for her, to +spend the time here whilst I am absent.”</p> + +<p>The morning Mrs. Adair and her daughter arrived in London, Elizabeth sat +a few minutes with Mrs. Vincent, and then proceeded to B—— Square, +where Mr. Damer resided. As she entered the house she beheld all things +in confusion; men were employed in packing up china and chandeliers; +straw and cord were strewed over the hall floor; and people were running +in every direction, carrying trunks, chairs and sofas. Elizabeth +inquired for Miss Damer: and was answered by a footman in a very surly +tone, that “he knew nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> of her.” An elderly, respectable looking +female now stepped forward, and begged Elizabeth would follow her. They +passed through two empty apartments, and she then gently opened a door +into a room which was little more than a closet, the light issuing from +a small casement. A band-box, a bookshelf, and a trunk, upon which Miss +Damer was seated, close to a grate, containing the dying embers of a +fire, were all that Elizabeth could discern. Her pupil started from her +seat, with eyes red with weeping, and in a confused tone exclaimed, +“Miss Adair here!”</p> + +<p>“I am here, indeed,” said Elizabeth; <a name="and" id="and"></a><ins title="original omits open quotation mark">“and</ins> I hope I am come to a good +purpose. But what has caused this strange<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> confusion? But I beg your +pardon,” perceiving the distress of her pupil, “I was not aware of what +I was saying. You must come with me; I came hither on purpose for you.”</p> + +<p>“Then you have heard of our troubles, ma’am?”</p> + +<p>“I see them all. But we have not a moment to spare.” Guided by the +impulse of the moment, Elizabeth dropped upon one knee, opened the +band-box, took out a bonnet, and then searched the trunk for a pelisse. +Miss Damer looked down upon her dress—</p> + +<p>“Never mind your morning dress, my dear: this will cover all,” said she, +as she assisted Miss Damer with her pelisse; and as she tied the strings +of her bonnet,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> exclaimed, “Now we shall do; but we must go immediately, +for the days are short.” As they were leaving the room, the elderly +female came up to them: “Where are you going, my dear young lady?”</p> + +<p>“Ah, my good nurse, I had forgotten you in my surprise! This is Miss +Adair: but I am so confused, I scarcely know what I am doing—only that +I am going where I have been most happy! But you will write to me, or +see me, or something.”</p> + +<p>“If you wish to see Miss Damer, come in one of the morning coaches,” +said Elizabeth.</p> + +<p>“I thank you, ma’am, kindly,” said the nurse. “You are now in good +hands, my dear young lady, so do not fret; Providence, I have often told +you, would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> never desert so dutiful a daughter; and you find an old +woman’s words may be true. We shall be happy yet, never fear. People +cannot forget their own. Never mind if they do: there is an eye over you +in all your ways. And there is a death-bed, too,” said she in a low +voice; “then conscience will be heard—there is no saying, I won’t hear; +no creeping into corners, and running away. When the arms drop, and the +head is weary with anguish, coaxing and paint will not give one jot of +comfort; no, nor the sight of the most beautiful face upon earth. Be +good, then, my dear young lady, for the evil day will come to us; and +what a blessing it will be, if we can say with sincerity, ‘the Lord’s +will be done.’”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span><a name="IX" id="IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> Elizabeth was stepping into the chaise she suddenly recollected the +trunk; and turning to the nurse, desired it might be instantly corded, +and given to the driver. A man who was standing at the hall door +exclaimed, “but we must first search it.”</p> + +<p>“Search it, then,” cried Elizabeth, haughtily, “but do not detain us in +the cold.”</p> + +<p>“Cold, forsooth!” said the man; “I wonder what people would be at, with +their fine carriages! I shall take my own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> time, I can assure you, +ma’am, though your feathers are so high!”</p> + +<p>“There is no arguing with vulgar, obstinate people,” said Elizabeth, as +she drew up the chaise window; she did not consider, that civility is +due to every person; it is, however, too much the case with young ladies +that they think they have a right to command with authority, and, +however unreasonable, that their command must be obeyed.</p> + +<p>Elizabeth saw that her pupil was too deeply affected to answer any +questions, therefore during the ride remained silent. In the evening, +however, Miss Damer mentioned that her father had left the kingdom, and +with a trembling voice added, “there are circumstances, ma’am,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> which it +would not become me to reveal; when Mrs. Adair returns home, as far as I +am at liberty, I will explain the cause of our distress.”</p> + +<p>“Not another word upon the subject,” cried Elizabeth; “I was not +attending to you, for this teasing kitten has ruffled all my silks.” +Elizabeth turned the kitten out of the room, and began to put her +netting balls in order, saying at the time, “what have I to do with your +father’s affairs, my dear? I will not hear any family secrets; for I do +not love secrets of any kind. You are in the house of friends: therefore +try to be happy. My mother and sister never make professions: by their +actions you must judge them. For my part, I would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> rather have one act +of kindness than a thousand promises, or words of praise and comfort. +But come and assist me with my silk, for I can do no good with it.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth wrote the particulars to Mrs. Adair, and finished her letter +with the hope that the promise she had given to their pupil, of having a +home with them, would not be disapproved.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair received this letter with some degree of displeasure. She was +not one who was generous for worldly fame; she justly considered that +her pupil’s friends were the most proper persons to provide for her, and +lost no time in calling at her late residence. On her arrival at the +house, she found all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> shutters closed; an elderly female, however, +at the moment stopped and unlocked the door, who proved to be the nurse +Elizabeth had seen.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair followed her into the house, which was quite desolate: not a +piece of furniture was remaining. She <a name="inquired" id="inquired"></a><ins title="original has inqured">inquired</ins> if Miss Damer had any +relations or friends to take care of her. “No, indeed, madam,” said the +nurse; “her mother’s sister is the only near relation, and she has +married somebody. It was a sad day for my poor young lady! she was +stupified with grief! Her father fled—and the sheriff’s officers in the +house! All things were in confusion! chairs in one place, carpets upon +dining-room tables, satin curtains upon the floor, nothing in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> its +place; and then to see the nice things my good mistress had once so +highly prized, handled so roughly! Ah, madam, ladies little think, when +they are so delicate in handling their finery, into what brutish hands +it may fall at last! But a happy thing it was, that my mistress did not +live to see the confusion.”</p> + +<p>“The young lady!” said Mrs. Adair; “other affairs I have not any thing +to do with.”</p> + +<p>“My young lady, madam! Ah, from a child she knew the right from wrong; +but sorrowful was her life, after her mamma’s death. She was no +squanderer of her father’s money—she knew the value of every thing; no +waste, no scantiness was her mode. But it was a sad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> day when she ceased +to rule in her father’s house. O, Madam, I have seen her so treated! But +it will come home at last to those who have triumphed in their +wickedness; justice overtakes sinners in the long-run.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair now inquired if Miss Damer had heard from her father.</p> + +<p>“No, Madam; nor dare he return to England; he is too profligate to think +of any person but himself, and the painted, gaudy creature and her +children who are gone with him. But I hope my young lady will find a +friend with you, Madam, for I am sure you are Mrs. Adair.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair told her to make herself easy respecting Miss Damer, and +desired she would go down and spend a day at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> her house. “It will be a +satisfaction to the young lady to see you,” she added.</p> + +<p>Scarcely was Mrs. Adair seated, on the evening she returned home, when +Elizabeth, in a tone of fretful impatience, asked “why her letter had +not been answered?”</p> + +<p>“I pass over your question,” said Mrs. Adair, “to ask why you did not +consult me, respecting a provision for Miss Damer?”</p> + +<p>“It was impossible! I could not keep her in a state of suspense.”</p> + +<p>“But do you consider, that bills must be discharged, and that servants’ +wages and taxes must be paid, before we make even an ideal division of +the sums we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> are to receive from parents? And for Miss Damer, we shall +not receive sixpence! And who is to pay for the harp, the pelisse, the +bonnet, and the books that her father requested us to purchase? Likewise +her washing bills, and many other extras, which of course add to the +account.”</p> + +<p>“O, my dear mother,” said Elizabeth with astonishment, “I could not have +supposed that you would have thought of these petty things.”</p> + +<p>“I have more than thought, for they have dwelt upon my mind. Great +affairs women seldom have anything to do with; it is in the petty, +every-day concerns of life, that we are called upon to be prudent. How +many men date their troubles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> to the thoughtless extravagance and want +of economy in a wife! But, for the sake of bringing the subject home to +your own bosom, we will suppose that you are a young married woman.” +Elizabeth blushed, and was attempting to speak, but Mrs. Adair checked +her. “You receive your friends, and return your parties in bridal +finery; one excursion takes place of another, and gaiety upon gaiety +succeeds; this passes over, and with faded dresses, faded looks begin. +At least, care sits a little heavy on your husband’s brow; he perceives +that you are deficient in all the requisites for a good wife; and when +he looks round the uncomfortable apartment in which he is seated, his +thoughts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> naturally revert to the home of his youth, and his prudent, +excellent mother; you are too much the lady to attend to domestic +concerns. ‘Servants receive high wages: and they must do their duty.’ +And what is their duty? Just to please themselves; and tease you for +money for trifles, and to go to market. You supply all their wants, +without considering what is wasted, and what is really wanted.</p> + +<p>“Next we will suppose that a young family demands your aid: nay, your +constant care. ‘But the fatigue, and the bustle, and the noise of +children distract you,’ Poor, helpless little things; they have not +reason to take care of themselves: additional servants must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> therefore +be engaged. And they are constantly with nurses, who sometimes coax +them, sometimes beat them, and sometimes scold them; so, through their +mother’s idleness, they learn many vicious tricks. Evil grows upon evil. +Through your extravagance, and your husband’s misfortunes, you are +brought to beggary. How do you like this picture?”</p> + +<p>“O, mother! you do not think so ill of me! I would do every thing, and +submit to every inconvenience, rather than involve the man I should +marry in misery.”</p> + +<p>“Depend upon it, Elizabeth, people live in an ideal world, when they do +not think of proper ways and means to provide<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> for a family. The word +liberal, in its modern sense, means profuseness to needy adventurers, +and idle friends; indifference to the nearest and dearest ties, +originate in this misapplied term. A liberal spirit runs into debt to +honest tradesmen, and with an unruffled countenance hears of their +bankruptcy. The liberal treat as lords, when they know they are only +beggars. Believe me, the most estimable characters are those with whom +there is the least tendency to this overflowing prodigality of kindness. +It is, however, my wish to serve Miss Damer. She shall be educated for a +governess. But let us not neglect the old despised adage: ‘Be just +before you are generous.’”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span><a name="X" id="X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">From</span> the first day that Miss Vincent entered Mrs. Adair’s house as a +pupil, she was anxious to return to Madame La Blond’s. Whilst the +Colonel was at home, she knew it would be in vain to mention the +subject; but no sooner was he called abroad, than she wrote in the most +urgent terms to her mamma to remove her. “I shall never be happy here,” +she added, in her letter, “for Mrs. Adair is so strict, and tiresome! +You will be surprised, mamma, when I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> assure you that she is quite a +sanctified Methodist: we have prayers in a morning, and prayers in an +evening, and are obliged to write sermons! She is not by any means a +suitable person to finish my education; and there are not five young +ladies in the school, whose parents drive four horses. At Blazon Lodge +how different! They were all fashionable, excepting two. Do, my good +mamma, let me return to my dear Madame La Blond. Miss Adair has actually +put me into Murray’s small grammar, and I am only in the third class.”</p> + +<p>In passing through the gallery, Mrs. Adair found the copy of the letter; +and whilst she was reading it, Miss Vincent cautiously advanced, looking +earnestly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> upon the floor. On seeing the paper in Mrs. Adair’s hands, +she hastily exclaimed,</p> + +<p>“O, ma’am, that is mine! I have just dropped it: it is a copy of music, +I believe!”</p> + +<p>“Then I will look it over again,” said Mrs. Adair, as she entered the +school-room with the paper in her hand.</p> + +<p>Miss Vincent followed, with a countenance of scorn and vexation.</p> + +<p>“Take your seat, Miss Vincent.” Here there was a long pause; the young +ladies looked at each other, wondering what was to come next. Mrs. Adair +read the copy again. “Why do you censure us so severely?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“I only think, ma’am—I think—” and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> here she hesitated; but at length +her former assurance returned, and she said in a more audible voice, “I +think, ma’am, we have too much religion introduced. In the circles where +mamma presides, it is never mentioned.”</p> + +<p>“From my own knowledge of your mamma, I do not think you are exactly +correct. But let that pass: and now answer one question: no doubt you +are anticipating the time when you will be released from all school +duties: when you enter the gay world, how many years do you expect to +partake of the joys of a fashionable life?”</p> + +<p>Miss Vincent was silent.</p> + +<p>“Bating all casualties,” continued Mrs. Adair, “forty years of gaiety +is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> the utmost that a female can expect; and in scenes of pleasure, +days, months, and years glide swiftly away. The value of time is +unknown: at least, it is not properly estimated, till grey hairs, +wrinkled features, and a debilitated frame check the career; then +eternity, with all its hopes and fears, opens to the view. We will for a +moment consider you upon the bed of sickness, surrounded by your family; +a physician, with an air of irresolution, writing a prescription, and +your anxious countenance denoting the insufficiency of all earthly aid; +will the remembrance of balls, routs, and artificial scenes, cheer the +dying hour? The moment arrives when you close your eyes upon this world +and its vanities;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> ‘ashes to ashes, and dust to dust,’ finish the scene! +The mouldering earth is lightly scattered over the coffin, and the tomb +is deserted by survivors. But remember, a day will come when you will be +called to judgment, to answer for your deeds upon earth. In what manner +will days, months, and years of folly be justified, in the presence of +your Creator and Judge?”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span><a name="XI" id="XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">A little</span> time after the discovery of the letter Miss Vincent returned +home to her mamma, who had been some time seriously indisposed; and, to +the great joy of Mrs. Adair, the following week Miss Russel left the +school, to accompany her parents to the Continent.</p> + +<p>“Now we shall go on pleasantly,” said Mrs. Adair to her daughters; “the +only two disagreeable girls we had under our care are removed: and if +ever I have another of a similar description,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> I will send her home +immediately, whatever be the consequence.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair’s mind, at the time she said this, was a little irritated, +for she had heard something particularly unpleasant respecting the +conduct of her late pupils. She now resolved to be strict in future; +never allow the young ladies to be alone, even in the play-ground, nor +permit them to spend an hour from the school between the vacations, +except by the express desire of parents in particular <a name="cases" id="cases"></a><ins title="original has close quotation mark">cases.</ins></p> + +<p>When the young ladies heard there would be no half-day holydays between +the vacations, there was a general consternation amongst them. Some +murmured, and others were satisfied that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> Mrs. Adair must have good +reason for her proceeding. When Miss Bruce heard the new rule, she said +to Isabella Vincent, “I never knew such a thing! Not visit this half +year! And my Aunt promised to take me to the exhibition, and Miss +Linwood’s works, and I don’t know where! I never knew any thing so +provoking! But I will be revenged, that I will!”</p> + +<p>“And what will you do?” asked Isabella; “what do you mean by revenge? I +am sure it is something very wrong.”</p> + +<p>“It is only making others feel as well as ourselves, that’s all.”</p> + +<p>“But if they vex us, why should we vex them? I know I always feel sorry +when I have made people angry.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>“Don’t talk to me—I will write such a theme!”</p> + +<p>“Ah, Miss Bruce! mamma says we should never do wrong.”</p> + +<p>“I wish you would not mention your mamma, for it is a very ugly word.”</p> + +<p>“O, Miss Bruce, I never heard such a thing!”</p> + +<p>“I once loved it dearly,” said Miss Bruce, in a softened tone. “Those +were happy days! I can fancy I see somebody now, sitting up in bed, with +her nice white cap, so pale, and so pretty; and somebody kneeling by +her, and praying for her, and blessing her. But all would not do, to +save one I loved!” Here tears trickled from her eyes: but she suddenly +recollected herself; “I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> must not think of it; it is over, and for ever +gone! And now for my theme.”</p> + +<p>“Poor Miss Bruce,” said Isabella, in a soothing tone, “I wish you were +my sister, and then you would have my mamma, and she would love you so!”</p> + +<p>“And do you think I would give up some one, for all the mammas in the +world! No, no—there is no one like him. But I will mortify Mrs. Adair, +that I will! To think that I must not go to my Aunt’s on Thursday! And +there will be my cousins, and Edward Warner, and Margaret James, and +some one who is worth them all; though I don’t talk of him as you talk +of your Papa.”</p> + +<p>After musing a few minutes, with her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> pencil in her hand, and her head +resting upon a slate, she joyfully exclaimed, “I have it, I have it +indeed!”</p> + +<p>“And what have you got?” cried Isabella, as she sprang from her seat, +and looked over Miss Bruce’s shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Only my ideas; neither apples nor plums. But I wish you would not wipe +my face with your curls. I have got the clue to my fable; I will have +Mrs. Adair, and I think your papa too.”</p> + +<p>“I am sure you never shall: you never saw papa!”</p> + +<p>“Indeed Miss Isabella, you are quite mistaken; I have seen him in shop +windows, in magazines, and I am certain he is in a fine gilt frame in +our study.”</p> + +<p>“I wish people would not take such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> liberties. Papa has no business to +be in windows, and other people’s frames.”</p> + +<p>“Why, don’t you know that only great writers, and great fighters, and +very good men, and very bad men, are noticed that way! If your papa was +not good as well as great, he would not be fixed in our house, unless in +the servant’s room, with Jemmy and Sandy, and the Storm, and Auld Robin +Grey. Whatever you may think, it is a very great honour to be noticed by +somebody that I could name.”</p> + +<p>“I have not any thing to do with honour,” cried Isabella, “and talking +of things I don’t know.”</p> + +<p>“Hush! don’t speak! Can’t you see that I am busy. I wish I knew what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +people do when they have great books to write. My thoughts jumble so +together, I can’t tell what to make of them; it is sad teasing work.”</p> + +<p>“If Caroline was here, she could tell you what to write.”</p> + +<p>“And do you think that I should ask a dunce? If I could but begin, I +know I could go on.” Here Miss Bruce considered a little. <a name="i3" id="i3"></a><ins title="original omits open quotation mark">“I</ins> must think +of my thoughts: no, I must write them down.”</p> + +<p>“O, Miss Bruce, Miss Bruce!” cried Isabella, eagerly, “do look through +the window; there is a balloon flying, and a paper boy tied to it!”</p> + +<p>“I wish you were flying too: don’t you see that I want to write my +fable. Let me see: Ass, 1; Farmer Killwell, 2;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> somebody’s papa, but not +mine. Turkey, 3; Barn-fowls, 4; Little schoolgirl, 5. O, how shall I put +all these words together to make any thing of them! O, that I could but +begin! There it is!” said Miss Bruce joyfully; and she wrote several +words upon her slate. “Well, there is nothing like a good beginning! I +will finish to-night; so now let us go to the ladies,” and Miss Bruce +skipped out of the room, with her slate and Isabella.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span><a name="XII" id="XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">With</span> some surprise, Miss Damer, in looking over the themes, read the +following fable:</p> + +<p>“One bleak, cold winter morning, an ass and her foals were loitering +upon the edge of a wild common; not a tree was to be seen, and scarcely +a bit of herbage for their breakfast to be found. ‘This is a comfortless +life!’ said the ass; ‘the winds are chilly, the snow will soon fall, and +we have not a shed to cover us! What shall we do? for I fear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> we shall +be lost.’ The ass turned her head, for she heard the tinkling of bells, +and saw a shepherd driving sheep from the common. ‘Ah! a happy thought! +we will go to Farmer Killwell, and tell our sorrows unto him.’ No sooner +said than done; they plodded through miry lanes, waded through shallow +brooks, and at length arrived at the farmer’s gate. The tale was soon +told. The farmer pitied their piteous case; ‘but,’ said he, ‘idleness +bringeth want. Exert yourselves, and you will find friends. Begin a +school at once; here are my poultry, my birds, and my young cattle to +teach: not a moment is to be lost.’—‘It is a good thing to have a good +friend!’ said the ass, as she stalked into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> the farm-yard. Here she +brayed with a most audible voice: ‘Hearken to me, parents and little +ones!’ she cried; ‘I am come hither to inspire you all with wisdom.’</p> + +<p>“The goose, as wise as a goose can be, stared at the speaker; tossed her +head on one side, gave a loud quack, and returned to comfort her +goslings, who were fluttering in every direction.</p> + +<p>“‘You little ducklings,’ continued the ass, ‘don’t spread your feet so +vulgarly. Mrs. Turkey, I have long sighed for the honour of your +patronage: the charming little poults, I hope, will gain new beauties +from our exertions. Mrs. Barn-fowl, your chickens are too timid; we +shall soon teach them to hop with grace.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> As for these awkward maudlin +rabbits, I fear we cannot do any thing with them; and these ill-bred +creatures, Mrs. Sow’s progeny, we cannot attempt to teach.’ A sturdy +mastiff, who had followed the group of gazers, now barked furiously; +dispersed the poultry, pushed Mrs. Sow and her family into the mud; and, +spite of Farmer Killwell, drove the ass and her foals out of the +farm-yard. A little girl, who was witness to the hubbub, exclaimed, ‘Ah! +this is excellent! Mrs. Adair has borrowed a garment from the ass, to +teach simple ones wisdom; but she will never teach little girls to love +new rules.’”</p> + +<p>“Where is the moral to your fable?” asked Miss Damer, with some degree +of anger.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>“I never thought of the moral; of what use would it be to my theme?” +returned Miss Bruce.</p> + +<p>“And of what use is any theme or fable without a moral? But I wish to +know your motive for writing this ridiculous piece.”</p> + +<p>“To vex Mrs. Adair, certainly, because she won’t let me go to my Aunt’s +on Thursday.”</p> + +<p>“And do you really think that it is in your power to vex Mrs. Adair with +this trifling nonsense? You may be assured of this, Miss Bruce, the only +notice she will take of this childish, insignificant fable, will be to +make you read it to the ladies.”</p> + +<p>“I won’t be talked to in this way,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> though you are my monitress. I will +write what I please;” so saying, she snatched the slate from Miss Damer, +and in haste rubbed off the words.</p> + +<p>“The wisest thing you could do,” said Miss Damer. “Now sit down, and +reflect seriously upon your conduct, and then tell me whether you feel +quite satisfied with yourself, or whether you are grateful to Mrs. Adair +for her care of you, and attention to you. You are the only little girl +who has not a mamma: who would be so indulgent, so tender to you, as +Mrs. Adair?”</p> + +<p>At these words Miss Bruce sobbed violently; but her sorrow was of short +duration: “You would vex any thing, Miss Damer, with talking so +quietly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> I like people to be angry with me, and then I can be angry +myself.”</p> + +<p>“My dear, I shall not listen to you, so I advise you to cease talking: +it is my plan never to argue with unruly little girls. Come, Miss Grey, +and Isabella; we will go into the <a name="play" id="play"></a><ins title="original has single not double close quotation mark">play-ground.”</ins></p> + +<p>Isabella whispered to Miss Bruce as she passed her; “do, dear Miss +Bruce, be good. Why should you vex Miss Damer when she is so kind to +you?” Miss Bruce pushed her companion’s hand from her shoulder, and +turned her face to the wall, and there they found her on their return.</p> + +<p>When the bell rang for prayers, Miss Bruce sprang across the room to +Miss Damer, who was seated, talking to Miss<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> Arden, and throwing her +arms round her neck, she exclaimed, “You must indeed forgive me; I +cannot sleep unless you say, ‘good night.’”</p> + +<p>Miss Damer turned round, and kissed <a name="her" id="her"></a><ins title="original has inverted e">her:</ins> “Now, my dear, I hope you will +never offend me again.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Miss Damer! I will love you for ever, for forgiving me so soon.” +The bell rang, and she hastened out of the room.</p> + +<p>“Should you not have been a little more stern?” said Miss Arden.</p> + +<p>“My dear friend, ask yourself whether you could be so to a little girl +who has no mother.”</p> + +<p>Tears started into Miss Arden’s eyes. “I did not think of that.”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span><a name="XIII" id="XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">One</span> evening after school-hours, Mrs. Adair went into Jane’s apartment, +who at this time was chiefly confined to her chamber, and found her +busily employed sealing small parcels. One was directed, “For my friend +Miss Damer;” another, “For my dear little Isabella Vincent;” and a +third, “For my amiable young friend Miss Arden.” Mrs. Adair seated +herself with the work in which she was engaged: and as her eyes glanced +to the sealed parcels, tears stole down her cheeks.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<p>“My dear mother,” said Jane with tenderness, “I am only making a little +preparation before my journey. You must have been aware, some time, that +the days of my life were numbered; and they will now be very few. But do +not grieve on my account: it is the appointment of One, who is unerring +in his ways. Excepting the separation from you and my sister, I feel +that I have no regret at leaving this world.</p> + +<p>“Death is a subject that I have often contemplated. The grave, and the +last perishable garment in which I shall be clothed, have now lost all +their terrors. The evening I first arrived at school, when my mind was +filled with grief at our separation, I remember being greatly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> shocked +at the slow, solemn, deep tones of the village church-bell. I cannot +describe my feelings at the time. Sorrow at leaving home rendered the +awful muffled peal more dismal to my ears: but from that night I may +date my first serious thoughts of another world. I have never troubled +my friends with my reflections, but that bell was as a monitor, to warn +me that I was not for this world.”</p> + +<p>Miss Arden now entered the room; and Mrs. Adair gladly escaped, to +indulge her tears in secret. With a calm collected countenance she then +re-joined her <a name="pupils" id="pupils"></a><ins title="original has fullstop colon">pupils;</ins> but at the same time experienced the sorrow of a +parent, who knows she is soon to be deprived of a beloved child. For +Jane’s appearance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> too plainly denoted, that the period was at hand +“when the keepers of the house would tremble.” At this time her +uneasiness was increased by a melancholy, distressing letter from Mrs. +Vincent, urging her not to delay a moment coming to her; that she was to +undergo an operation, that would either close life or restore her to her +family. Various feelings agitated Mrs. Adair’s mind as she read the +letter. After a little reflection, she fixed upon the proper mode of +acting, and in an hour a chaise was at the door, to convey her to her +old friend.</p> + +<p>Jane had now been confined wholly to her chamber a fortnight. Her +disease was of a fluctuating nature: sometimes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> she appeared almost in +perfect health; at others, as one dropping into the grave. She was +seated in an arm-chair, supported with pillows. When Mrs. Adair entered +the chamber, one hand rested upon a book that lay open upon a small +table, and near the book was her watch; her head was thrown back, and +her face was covered with a muslin handkerchief. Mrs. Adair, who had +slowly opened the door, now as cautiously advanced; listened to hear her +daughter breathe; and then gently raised the handkerchief. Jane started. +Afraid of disturbing her, Mrs. Adair remained some time with fixed +attention, holding the handkerchief from her face. A hectic flush was +upon her cheeks; but her countenance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> was placid and happy. When she +returned into her own chamber, Elizabeth was there, who anxiously +inquired if she had seen her sister. “But have you taken leave of her?” +she cried.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair drew the veil of her bonnet over her face, as she said, +“taking leave is a trial of all others—” and here she paused; “this is +not of any consequence to you.”</p> + +<p>“O, my dear mother, we have no earthly hope, no support but yourself; +let my sister’s eyes rest for the last time upon the mother she has so +tenderly loved; she will not die in peace unless you are with her.”</p> + +<p>“My feelings are as irritable as your own,” said Mrs. Adair; “leave me +to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> act according to my own judgment: not another word. Bring Isabella +to me, for the chaise is at the door.”</p> + +<p>While the ladies were walking with Miss Wilkins, the teacher, Elizabeth +went into her sister’s chamber; and at the door met Mrs. Lloyd, the +housekeeper, who had <a name="been" id="been"></a><ins title="original repeats been">been</ins> ordered by Mrs. Adair to explain the +motive of the journey to Jane.</p> + +<p>“O, sister,” cried Elizabeth, “how could my mother, so considerate and +good as she is, leave you in this state!”</p> + +<p>“We cannot tell all her motives,” said Jane; “only consider what were my +mother’s feelings, when she fixed her eyes upon this poor emaciated +frame, as she supposed, for the last time.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>“It was cruelty in the extreme,” cried Elizabeth.</p> + +<p>“Do no speak rashly, my dear Elizabeth; we will hope—” and her eyes +brightened with an expression of joy, “that all will yet be well; that, +through the mercy of Providence, Mrs. Vincent will be restored to +health, and that I shall be permitted to remain a little longer with +you.”</p> + +<p>“O, that it were to the day of my own death,” exclaimed Elizabeth with +fervency. “There are few persons to whom my heart earnestly inclines, +and I would have them with me through this life, and all eternity.”</p> + +<p>“My dear sister, these things are not at our disposal. But let us +consider the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> subject: every night we experience temporary dissolution: +and then we are separated, even as if the hand of death had smitten us; +when we go to rest, we have no positive assurance that we are to open +our eyes again upon the objects of this world; still we project schemes; +calculate upon probable and improbable events; but the entire suspension +of our faculties is never taken into the account. Yet we are ignorant +whether we are to open our eyes on the objects of this world, or that +which is to come. I own I have not any desponding thoughts; I rest alone +upon the mercies and the merits of a suffering and a redeeming Saviour; +he is my sole refuge. To our mother, my conscience acquits me either<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> of +intentional errors, or errors of omission. This is a source of the +purest consolation; it clears the rough, the thorny path to the valley +of death. Elizabeth, my dearest sister, listen to me before I go hence, +and be no more seen. Every night recall to mind the actions of the day. +Let this be the question you put to yourself: “Have I done my duty in +all things?” Where you have failed, let the morning sun, as it rises, be +a token to you that another day is given for wise and good purposes; in +the grave there is no remembrance of error, no atonement to be made for +transgression, for neglect of the social duties of life.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth gazed at her sister with feelings of tenderness and sorrow.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + +<p>“All things pass away,” said Jane, as she raised her eyes to her +sister’s agitated face; “but ‘when this mortal has put on immortality,’ +then Elizabeth, when we meet again, it will not be for transient days, +and years, but for ages of eternity.”</p> + +<p>Exhausted with speaking so long, she pointed to the book upon the table. +“The spirit is willing,” said she, faintly, “but my voice is weak; will +you oblige me, sister?”</p> + +<p>“From my heart I will,” exclaimed Elizabeth; “would that I could not +only oblige, but retain you for our comfort, for this world to my mother +will be a wilderness indeed.”</p> + +<p>“Not so,” said Jane, tears flowing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> into her eyes; “my affectionate, my +warm-hearted sister will be my substitute! O, Elizabeth, friend dearest +to me, may you be blessed where your heart is fixed.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth started, and her countenance became pale as death.</p> + +<p>“Sister,” Jane slowly added, “you could not keep the secret from me; I +have traced it in all your actions; but, rest assured, it will descend +with me to the grave.”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span><a name="XIV" id="XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span> was restless and uneasy the whole of the day that her mother +had taken her departure for Colonel Vincent’s. The evening was wet and +gloomy; the young people could not, therefore, take their usual exercise +in the play-ground. After sitting some time with her sister and Miss +Arden, she sauntered into the school-room, to observe how they were +employed. Some of the young ladies were attending to their lessons for +the following day. One<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> party had spread the road to happiness upon a +work-box; all anxious to attain the desired haven. Another young lady +was seated alone, joining the map of Europe. In a corner of the room, +apart from all her companions, Miss Bruce was reading the admirable +instructive tale “Display.” Elizabeth looked over her shoulder, “My +dear, I thought you had read that book six months ago.”</p> + +<p>“O yes, ma’am; but I can read it over and over again: there is not a new +book now in the school.”</p> + +<p>“You mean,” said Elizabeth, smiling, “that you have read them all. But +can you explain the word “Display?” for I think most young ladies are +partial to it, in one shape or another.” A carriage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> now stopped at the +door; and Elizabeth exclaimed, “who is in that carriage?” Miss Grey, who +was near the window, raised herself upon a box, and looking over the +blind, cried, “Mrs. Adair, ma’am, and Miss Isabella Vincent.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth hastened from the room, and met her mother at the hall door, +joyfully exclaiming, “O, my dear mother, this is an unexpected, welcome +pleasure! But how is Mrs. Vincent?”</p> + +<p>“Composed and comfortable; the operation was performed yesterday: but it +was not my intention to desert you: how could you think so?”</p> + +<p>The truth was, Mrs. Adair had called upon the physician, and begged that +he would inform her daughter that she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> would return in the evening: but +a press of engagements had prevented his visit to Jane, who now with joy +beheld her mother enter her chamber.</p> + +<p>“I thought you would return to see me on my journey,” she exclaimed; +“and you are returned, my dear mother. Blessed be this hour!”</p> + +<p>Miss Arden and Miss Damer, from the hour they met in the summer-house, +were strict friends. Their capacities were similar, and they were at the +head of the different classes. On the days appointed for geography, the +young ladies were in a room called the study. Miss Arden had observed +that one of the servants, a respectable looking young woman, generally +contrived to enter the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> apartment, and busy herself with one thing or +another: but always looked, anxiously at the globes, or the maps, and +stopped a moment to listen, either to the teacher or the pupils. Miss +Arden noticed the circumstance to her friend; “I will certainly ask +Catherine,” she said, “if she has any motive in attending to our +pursuits; there is something in her countenance that excites my +curiosity.”</p> + +<p>The first time she met her alone, she made the inquiry.</p> + +<p>“I have, indeed, ma’am, a motive,” said Catherine; “I would give all my +wages, could I but learn as you do.”</p> + +<p>“But of what use, Catherine, would learning be to you? You can read your +Bible; and it will shew you all that is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> necessary for you to know. Your +duty as a servant, and the way to heaven, the place where we all hope to +meet, when we have done with this world, and its cares.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, ma’am, I am not satisfied even with knowing this, though it is all +that a servant should know.”</p> + +<p>“I do not understand you, Catherine. Tell me why you wish to gain other +knowledge?”</p> + +<p>“Because, ma’am, I am most wishful to be useful to my parents. They are +poor, and have a large family to bring up. If I could but open a little +school in our village, what a blessing should I be to them!”</p> + +<p>“Well, Catherine,” said Miss Arden,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> after considering a little, “I will +do what I can for you—I mean if Miss Damer approves; for I dare not +trust to my own judgment. Meet me in the school-room early to-morrow +morning, and I well tell you how it is to be.”</p> + +<p>When the friends met in the play-ground, they talked the subject over.</p> + +<p>“There cannot, I think, be any thing wrong in doing good to a +fellow-creature,” said Miss Damer, “therefore I think we may venture; +but we must rise an hour earlier than usual.”</p> + +<p>Catherine was delighted when she heard the result of their conference; +and, with many expressions of thankfulness, promised to leave a lamp at +their door.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>The young ladies began the employment of teaching with alacrity. They +endeavoured to ground Catherine in those things that would be useful in +a village school. But geography her mind was bent upon, so Miss Arden +presented to her a book; likewise several little works, which she +thought would be useful.</p> + +<p>One morning, however, they were surprised in the midst of their lessons. +“Begin that line again,” said Miss Arden. Elizabeth had walked gently +into the room, and now stood by the table where the two young ladies +were seated, and Catherine standing. When they beheld her, they all +started, and looked aghast. “You are very early at your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> tasks, young +ladies! But I did not know that we had a new pupil. Pray when did she +arrive?”</p> + +<p>“I beg you a thousand pardons, ma’am, for leading the young ladies to do +wrong! It was all my fault,” said Catherine.</p> + +<p>Miss Arden related the matter plainly as it was.</p> + +<p>“I commend Catherine,” said Elizabeth, “for her wish to serve her +parents; nor am I offended with you, young ladies, for wishing to serve +her. But you must beware that we are not to do a wrong thing, even with +the very best motives. There is always something mean in acting +clandestinely. Why could you not have been candid, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> told me her +wish? You must not meet here again. Catherine, when you have leisure, +continue your lessons; and I will fix upon some other mode of +instructing you; at least a proper time, not by the light of a lamp.”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span><a name="XV" id="XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> the physician was first called in to attend Jane, he strictly +forbad any person sleeping with her: Elizabeth, therefore, removed to a +small camp bed, which was placed by her sister.</p> + +<p>A few mornings after Mrs. Adair’s visit to Mrs. Vincent, Jane suddenly +awoke; and in an earnest, quick tone of voice, begged that her sister +would come to her. “But first draw aside the window curtain,” said she, +“That is right. Now come into my bed—only this morning—never—never +again.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>Surprised at a request so unusual, Elizabeth instantly obeyed. “Do not +sit up, sister, nor creep from me; lay your head upon my pillow.”</p> + +<p>Jane now folded her arms round her sister’s neck, and kissed her +tenderly.—“This is my first and last proof of affection! O, sister! +where—and when shall we meet again?”</p> + +<p>The sun had risen, and gilded every part of the room. Jane raised +herself, as if by magic. “Let me behold every thing—for I shall never +behold any objects upon earth again! This day my soul will be required +by my Heavenly Father! Ah, my soul! it is an awful thing to die; even +with hope and trust in thy Almighty Power! But Thou<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> art mighty to +strike,—merciful and gracious in raising thy servants unto glory.”</p> + +<p>Jane now paused; other thoughts seemed to arise. Her glazed eyes +wandered from object to object. “Ah! there is my writing-desk; give that +to my mother! There is my Bible; that is for my dear little favourite! +Here is my watch; but I cannot see the minute finger move. It is of no +consequence: time will soon be over! Keep it, my dear Elizabeth, and +when you look upon it, remember we are to meet again!—Ah! thou bright +luminary!” she exclaimed, with fervency, “I hail thee, this, my last +morning upon earth, as the evidence of that Being, who will lead me +through the valley of the shadow of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> death, to never-ending glory! What +is this life, my dearest Elizabeth, when we come to die? But where is my +mother? I am weak—very weak, and faint.”</p> + +<p>“Let me support you, dear Jane,” said Elizabeth, trembling with emotion.</p> + +<p>“Well, sister,” said Jane, faintly, “you shall support me. I will die in +your arms!”</p> + +<p>Jane dropped in a state of insensibility upon her pillow. Elizabeth rang +the bell; and the next minute Mrs. Adair was in the room. She stepped to +the side of the bed where her youngest daughter lay; and, stooping, +listened to hear her breathe. “My affectionate, my dutiful child!” Here +she ceased, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> tears checked her utterance. Jane sighed deeply; her +eyes gradually opened, and, at length, rested upon her mother: by slow +degrees recollection returned.</p> + +<p>“Where could my thoughts be!” she exclaimed in hurried accents. “Is my +mother here? Ah, yes! I behold her! I did not know you, indeed I did +not! But bless me; bless your daughter.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair tenderly embraced Jane; and in faltering accents blessed her.</p> + +<p>“My dearest, kindest mother, be comforted! We are parting—but to meet +again! The trial will soon be over! My hope is fixed upon the promises +of a merciful Redeemer! I am only going a little—a very little while +before you! How joyful is the thought, that we are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> not separating for +ever!—this is my joy,” and her eyes brightened as she spoke, “that I +have reverenced my God, and loved my mother. But this pain;—O, it is +violent!—Mother—”...Here the voice ceased; not a sigh, not a whisper +was heard.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair, who had been supporting her daughter, now gently placed her +head upon the pillow, and silently led Elizabeth out of the room.</p> + +<p>At the door of her own apartment she saw Mrs. Lloyd; and desiring her to +take the charge of Elizabeth, who appeared almost convulsed with +anguish, instantly returned into the chamber she had so recently +quitted. After indulging that grief, which the most unfeeling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> in some +measure experience, when they behold the lifeless remains of a being +they had loved, she calmly proceeded to accomplish the desire of the +departed, in preparing her for that narrow spot, which confines all that +was mighty, rich, noble, excellent—the despised of the world, the +neglected of the world; that spot which is the boundary of ambition, and +the sure refuge for the distressed.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span><a name="XVI" id="XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Mrs. Adair had retired to her own chamber, on the night of her +daughter’s decease, and was reflecting upon the awful event of the +morning, her attention was drawn from the subject by a low whispering +sound. Aware that the teachers and servants were retired to rest, she +could not account for the circumstance; she now heard doors slowly +opening, and was persuaded that different persons were passing her room. +Alarmed, but at the same time collected,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> she cautiously opened her own +door; and perceiving a glimmering light proceed from the chamber where +her daughter’s remains were laid, resolved to be satisfied, and with +light, slow steps, advanced to the spot. There, with surprise, she +beheld several of her pupils. At the head of the bed stood Miss Arden, +with eyes mournfully bent upon the face of the departed; Miss Damer +stooped to kiss the corpse, and then burst into a violent flood of +tears. “That smile,” said Miss Cotton, “proves that the soul is +rejoicing in heaven. Where shall we again behold upon earth one so +amiable or so lovely?”</p> + +<p>“O, that I may be equally prepared, when my hour comes,” cried Miss +Arden.</p> + +<p>“Hush! hush!” cried Isabella Vincent,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> in a tone of terror, “did you not +hear some one breathe? O, do hide me.” She now covered her face with her +frock.</p> + +<p>Miss Grey took her passive hand, and tried to comfort her. “Look at Miss +Jane, and then you will not be frightened; now do look—it is so simple +to be afraid; she appears only as if she were asleep. There is not any +thing terrible in death, only to wicked people; I am sure I should not +be afraid to die to-night.”</p> + +<p>“I dare not look! indeed I dare not! do take me to my own room.”</p> + +<p>“You must look at Miss Jane, or you will always be frightened at being +alone. You know I am but a little girl as well as yourself; but I should +not be afraid to sleep here to-night. Think how good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> she was! living or +dead, she would never injure us.”</p> + +<p>“O, take me away: I don’t know what you are saying; why does not some +one speak? O, do somebody speak, or I shall be frightened to death.”</p> + +<p>Miss Grey whispered to her companion that Mrs. Adair was come into the +room.</p> + +<p>“Is she? O how glad I am! Now I don’t mind.” Saying this, she uncovered +her face, and crept quietly to Mrs. Adair; who was asking why they had +assembled in the chamber at so improper an hour.</p> + +<p>“We should have been miserable, ma’am,” said Miss Cotton, “unless we had +seen Miss Jane to-night; and as we shall never behold her again, we +thought, ma’am, you would pardon us. I could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> not have slept; and the +other ladies declared the same.”</p> + +<p>“But wherefore did you come, Isabella?”</p> + +<p>“O, ma’am, because I dared not to be alone.”</p> + +<p>“But why are you afraid to look at my daughter?”</p> + +<p>“O, I am not afraid now; I will look at Miss Jane,” said Isabella with +assumed courage; “but do let me take hold of your hand, ma’am; then I +know I shall be safe.”</p> + +<p>“You have better protection than mine, my little girl, or you would be +poorly defended. He who made you, he alone can guard you: but there is +not any thing to fear from the dead.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>Mrs. Adair led her pupil to the head of the bed.</p> + +<p>“Look, my dear, how happy and composed she appears; as quiet and sound +as your little brother, when he is asleep.”</p> + +<p>By degrees, Isabella ventured to turn her eyes upon the corpse; “I am +not afraid, I am not afraid indeed,” said she, almost gasping for +breath. At length her eyes were fixed upon the face of the deceased: +“She can’t be dead—she must be asleep! But hush! I do not hear her +breathe! Where is Miss Jane’s breath now, ma’am?” As she said this, she +timidly stretched forth her hand, and lightly touched the face of the +departed; then hastily starting back, cried; “must we all be so cold—as +cold as marble?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>“We must all be so, indeed! There is no warmth, my little girl, when the +soul is fled.”</p> + +<p>“But what is the soul, ma’am? and where is it?” asked Miss Bruce.</p> + +<p>“Your question is beyond my power to answer. The vital spirit, which we +call the soul, is given by God, to direct us to do that which is right; +and, from childhood to the grave, is our faithful friend. My daughter, +whose lifeless remains you are now contemplating, was in all her ways +actuated by this spirit, to obedience, and to goodness; and in a state +of glory she will again exist, with a mind purified and exalted. What +would be the use of life, and of the wonderful powers with which we are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +gifted, were we to lie down in the grave, as the beasts that perish?”</p> + +<p>“But how will Miss Jane rise again, ma’am?” asked Miss Bruce. <a name="it" id="it"></a><ins title="original omits open quotation mark">“It</ins> is in +the Bible, that at the last day we shall be ‘raised in the twinkling of +an eye.’ O, that I could behold Miss Jane rise now; then I should never +die!”</p> + +<p>“We read,” said Mrs. Adair, “that the seed is cast into the earth, and +rises up wheat, or any other grain: but we do not know how this comes to +pass. The seed, that looks so insignificant in our eyes, after it has +been in the earth the appointed time, gradually breaks forth in all its +glory. We likewise shall be put into the earth; no longer valued, but by +the remembrance of our worth;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> there we shall moulder and decay, and in +time be forgotten by all the inhabitants upon earth. But the season of +the resurrection will come: the soul will resume her influence; we shall +burst the fetters of the tomb, and appear before the Judge of nations, +to answer for our deeds upon earth. Be good, then, my dear young +friends; and, you will then neither have cause to fear death, or future +judgment. And now take your leave—your final leave of one, who was in +all things worthy of imitation; and learn with equal ease, to sleep or +die.”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span><a name="XVII" id="XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Sunday after the funeral, the young ladies appeared at church, with +very serious and sorrowful countenances; and afterwards, with Miss Arden +and Miss Damer, Jane was often a subject of conversation: they loved to +recall her to remembrance; and the proofs she had left of her regard +were particularly prized by them.</p> + +<p>But serious impressions seldom remain long upon the minds of very young +people. Miss Bruce was almost the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> first to return to her old pursuits +with gaiety of heart.</p> + +<p>One evening, unknown to the teacher, she had strolled to the front +garden gate, apparently on the watch for mischief. Isabella, who was +intent upon learning her lessons for the following day, had likewise +passed the boundary of the play-ground, and had sauntered the same way.</p> + +<p>Miss Bruce in a moment caught her hand, opened the gate, and ran with +her into the lane.</p> + +<p>“Where are you taking me to?” exclaimed Isabella; “you have frightened +me so!”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense! I only want you to go with me to the cake shop: we shan’t be +five minutes away.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>“But I have no business at the cake shop. And don’t you see that I am +learning my lessons! You will make me forget all! ‘Five times nine, +forty-five.’ O, dear, I shall forget every thing!”</p> + +<p>“What a dunce!” cried Miss Bruce; “only at forty-five! I will teach you +ten times further; and to add, and to subtract, if you will come with +me. I do believe Miss Wilkins is there! Come along, or we shall be +finely punished!” Saying this, Miss Bruce dragged Isabella down the +lane, whilst she struggled to make her escape.</p> + +<p>“I will not go, Miss Bruce! you have no right to take me! I declare you +have made me drop my questions!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>“Never mind; I will give you question and answer too. Don’t you see that +stile? and that nice white cottage by that large pool of water, where +those children are throwing stones? We have only to turn down by those +tall trees, and we shall be there in a moment.”</p> + +<p>“I dare not go: I know Mrs. Adair will be so angry!”</p> + +<p>“I am determined you shall come! you are the most stupid little thing in +England!” As Miss Bruce said this, she took firm hold of her companion’s +frock and arm, and drew her towards the water. Isabella in vain tried to +escape. By this time, they had almost reach the pool; a boy, who had +been amusing two children, making circles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> with stones in the water, +stepped from the edge of the pond, and marching boldly up to Miss Bruce, +as boldly asked her, “what business she had to tease the little lady?”</p> + +<p>“Do you think, Sir, I shall answer a rude, vulgar boy like you?”</p> + +<p>The boy looked at her with contempt, and stooping to Isabella, said, +“Do, little lady, tell me what this great girl is holding your frock +for?”</p> + +<p>“She wants me to go with her for cakes, and I want to learn my lessons.”</p> + +<p>“O, you are the ladies, then, from the great school! I thought I had +seen you before. I see how it is; this great girl is like Jack Ranger; +she wants to get you into a scrape, that you may be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> marked as well as +herself! But I’ll defend you, never fear! It is not a crab-stick that +can frighten me! Come with me, and see who dares to hinder us!” He now +caught her hand, and tried to draw her from her companion.</p> + +<p>“You shall not go with her, against your mind, were she as big as +Hercules! We are English, and are not to be conquered.” Miss Bruce +suddenly let go her companion’s frock, and gave the boy a violent slap +upon the face. “Go home, you little ragged creature, mend your coat, and +do not talk to ladies.”</p> + +<p>The boy instantly recovered himself from the blow; and looking at Miss +Bruce with scorn, exclaimed, “I am not a mender of old clothes, Miss!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +Take that for your pains, and your boarding-school manners!”</p> + +<p>The blow he returned made blood to gush violently from Miss Bruce’s +nose. Isabella screamed; the children cried out, “very well, Tom! I +would not be you for something.”</p> + +<p>A pretty woman, but with a stern countenance, now came forth from the +cottage, and asked what the rout was about.</p> + +<p>“Only our Tom and the lady boxing,” cried the children.</p> + +<p>“For shame of yourself, Sir! How dare you behave so to your betters?”</p> + +<p>“I would have struck her,” said the boy, sullenly, “had she been as tall +as the steeple, and as great as King George<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> But come, little Miss, with +me, and let that great girl do what she likes.”</p> + +<p>He now ran off with Isabella.</p> + +<p>“Very well, Sir! but I shall tell your father of this, or my name’s not +Grace Johnson! But come into the cottage, Miss; and let us see what we +can do with your frock, for it is in a sad state.”</p> + +<p>Miss Bruce followed the cottager, a little ashamed of her appearance; +but more afraid of consequences. She was, however, one of those +self-willed young ladies, who think upon a thing one moment, and act +upon it the next.</p> + +<p>When Isabella and her champion arrived at the garden-gate, behold it was +locked! What was to be done was now the consideration.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<p>“We’ll tell the truth at once,” said the boy: “it may be blamed, but, as +the copy says, it never can be shamed. But don’t look so down, Miss: +never mind a bit of a thrashing! Father gives me many a one; but I never +flinch!”</p> + +<p>“If I am not afraid of that, I am afraid of Mrs. Adair looking serious; +and not wishing me good-night. But do look and see if you can see +monitrix.”</p> + +<p>“Monitrix! what, in the name of goodness, is that? Have you a great dog +at school?”</p> + +<p>“O dear, no; I mean the lady who hears my lessons before I say them to +Miss Adair.”</p> + +<p>“Is that all!” The boy stepped on one side, and looked up at the house.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +“No, I see nobody; there is not a creature in the windows. But I’ll tell +you what, you shall stop here, and I’ll go to the lady of the school. +You shan’t get anger, if I can help it; and I have helped it many a time +at our school, that the lads know, to my sorrow.”</p> + +<p>The boy hastily ran to the front door, and rang the bell. In the mean +time Isabella crept under the court railing to conceal herself. When the +servant opened the door, he asked if the lady was in.</p> + +<p>“Do you mean my mistress?”</p> + +<p>“To be sure I do; the mistress of the school; and must see her in a +moment.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair was passing through the hall; and made her appearance, with a +countenance not a little forbidding.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> + +<p>“What do you want with me?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“Only, madam,” and here the boy hesitated; “I beg your pardon, madam; +somehow, I have a little lady here: and I don’t know what to do with +her.”</p> + +<p>“You mean something respecting one of my scholars; what is it? for I am +at a loss to understand you.”</p> + +<p>“Bless me! surely she’s not run away!”</p> + +<p>The boy sprang to the gate, and quickly returned.</p> + +<p>“She is quite snug; I thought she had given me the slip. A great girl, +ma’am, ran away with her. She did not come down to the pond of her own +free good will. This is as true as truth is.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> She pulled, and the great +girl pulled; but with all her might, madam, the little lady could not +get away. So then I marched up to the big girl; and asked her what +business she had with the little one? So she was angry and vexed with my +ragged coat; and made my face ring again: and I gave her a good hard +blow in return, and ran off with little Miss. I looked up for Miss +Monitrix, but could not find her; so here she is, under the rails.”</p> + +<p>This was all a puzzle to Mrs. Adair; but she stepped into the lane with +the boy, and there she saw Isabella, seated, in great trouble, upon a +stone. The affair was now explained. Isabella was taken to Elizabeth, +with the assurance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> that no one would be angry with her; but that she +must not mention the affair to any person.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Adair now proposed going with the boy to his father’s. There was an +expression of honest warmth in his countenance, which, in a moment, +changed her own manner; and, as they were going down the lane, she asked +how far they were from his father’s house.</p> + +<p>“‘Tis but a cottage, madam. Grandmother says we were once well off in +the world; but things will go wrong some how or another: but I’ll make +good what I wrote to-day.”</p> + +<p>“And what was it, my good boy?”</p> + +<p>“Only to work while I am able,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> madam; and then when I am old, I will +rest from my labour. But there is our cottage. I wish you could have +seen my own mother, for she was a nice woman. Don’t you see that clump +of trees, and a barn with red tiles, and a little boy wheeling a barrow? +That’s my own brother, ma’am, and there’s my father at the stile, +looking about him.”</p> + +<p>As they drew nearer the cottage, they saw the man and his son step over +the stile into the field, followed by a female.</p> + +<p>“Well, I declare,” said the boy, “there is mother with her bonnet! I +wonder what they are all after! And there’s grandmother come to the +door!”</p> + +<p>He now called out: “Grandmother! here is the lady from the great school, +coming to look for Miss.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>“Then I fear, madam, you are coming to look for what you will not find. +Whilst my daughter went down to the pond, to the children, she slipped +off. My son thinks that the young lady is gone to London in one of the +stage-coaches. If so, Tom, I fear thou wilt be well paid.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, grandmother, that’s nothing new! If my own mother was living, it +would not be so.”</p> + +<p>“With your permission,” said Mrs. Adair, as she entered the cottage, “I +will take a seat till your daughter returns.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, madam; here is a comfortable seat. But we are not the +neatest people in the world,” said the old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> woman, as she took up a +child’s frock from the floor. Mrs. Adair looked round, and thought she +had never been in any place that had so little the appearance of +comfort.</p> + +<p>The boy looked at her, and seemed to read her countenance.</p> + +<p>“It was not always so, madam: I remember we were once happy folks; but +it was a sad day for Dick and I, when father’s wife took place of +father’s love.”</p> + +<p>“Thou shouldst think well of thy father’s wife, and honour his choice. +Stepmothers, child, have a hard task: they cannot please, do what they +will.”</p> + +<p>“Grandmother,” said the boy, “kindness makes kindness, all the world +over.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> But, come what will, when uncle comes home, Dick and I will go to +Plymouth, if we walk barefoot. I am sure he would break his heart, if he +had not me to fight his battles; but I will never forsake him by land or +by sea.”</p> + +<p>“Go to the children, and take care of them,” said the old woman.</p> + +<p>“And come to my house at four o’clock on Saturday afternoon, and ask for +Mrs. Adair.”</p> + +<p>The boy made a bow in a blunt manner; but, as he waved his hand in +passing her, she thought there was an appearance of good breeding, that +would not have disgraced a boy in a much higher sphere.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span><a name="XVIII" id="XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Adair</span> waited a considerable time in the cottage, and then returned +home without receiving any satisfactory account of her pupil. All that +she could learn was, that a little girl in a green bonnet had been seen +stepping into a stage-coach. As coaches were continually passing the end +of the village, she knew it was in vain making further inquiries. She +wrote, however, immediately to Mr. Bruce, and sent a messenger with the +letter, that he might meet them in town.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + +<p>It has been observed, that Miss Bruce, in most cases, acted without +reflection. The idea that she had done wrong did not strike her with +full force, until the carriage in which she had placed herself arrived +in London: the lights from the lamps, however, seemed to throw light +upon her thoughts. When the coach stopped at the inn, the bustle of +people gathering their luggage together, the idea that she did not know +the road to her father’s house, the certainty that she had acted in a +very foolish manner, and fear of the reception from her father, excited +many disagreeable thoughts. She was seated in a corner of the coach, at +a loss how to proceed, when the coachman came to the door.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> “Miss,” said +he “won’t you alight? perhaps you are waiting for somebody?”</p> + +<p>“I will thank you to take me home,” and this was said in a very humble +tone.</p> + +<p>The man whistled at the request. “I don’t know, Miss, whether I can or +no. Did not your friends know that you were coming? But now I think of +it, you seemed in a fright when you got into the coach: what, was you +running away, Miss?”</p> + +<p>Vexed at the question, Miss Bruce quickly answered, “I am going to see +my papa. I have business with him.”</p> + +<p>“Well, your business is not mine, Miss; but somehow, I think you have +been cheating your schoolmistress. But come your way, till I can see for +somebody to go with you.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>I only wish some of my young readers could have seen Miss Bruce, how +simple she looked when she followed the coachman into the inn. She +wished to be at school, and with Miss Damer again—but it was then too +late.</p> + +<p>And here I would advise young people to beware of the first wrong step, +for it generally leads to trouble and mortification, and often to +disgrace.</p> + +<p>Miss Bruce stood some time unnoticed at the entrance of a large room, +partitioned into boxes. Waiters and travellers just looked at the young +lady, and then passed on: people were too much engaged, with dishes, +papers, packages, and glasses, to attend to the little stranger.</p> + +<p>At length, however, one solitary gentleman,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> who perhaps had daughters +of his own, took compassion upon the forlorn traveller.</p> + +<p>“Come hither, my dear, and sit by me.”</p> + +<p>Miss Bruce gladly accepted the offer, for she was a strange figure for a +stage coach passenger. Her white frock was rumpled, and in a sad state +from the blow she had received; the tippet was in the same style; her +old green silk garden bonnet hung half off her head. One of her long +sleeves she had untied from her tippet, and taken it off; the other +remained. Garden gloves, cut at the fingers, completed the dress. Thus +neatly attired, in an hour and ten minutes after her arrival in London +she was ushered by a new footman into her father’s study,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> where he was +seated reading a pamphlet. In a moment he turned the book open upon the +table, raised one of the candlesticks above his head, and with a keen +satirical look exclaimed, “what runaway is this?”</p> + +<p>“Papa, it is I!” This was said in a very trembling accent.</p> + +<p>“And pray who is I, that comes thus attired, and unasked at this +unseasonable hour? Only wants three minutes of eleven,” said Mr. Bruce +as he fixed his eyes upon the time-piece. “With whom did you travel?”</p> + +<p>“With a little boy, and a great man, papa, and a little woman, with a +baby and a lapdog.”</p> + +<p>As Miss Bruce was speaking, she would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> have given a trifle to have been +at school again.</p> + +<p>“A goodly company indeed, young lady! By this I conclude that you have +disgraced yourself! Sit here” (pointing to a chair behind the door); “it +is the only place for idle, thoughtless truants. And now give a reason +for your conduct: But there is no reason, with foolish, giddy girls! I +will have every word correct: no varnishing, or lies.”</p> + +<p>After much hesitation, and many tears, Miss Bruce went through the whole +of her story. While she was speaking, her father seemed lost in thought. +No sooner had she finished, but he started from his chair, and with his +eyes fixed upon the floor, walked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> some time from one end of the study +to the other. He then stopped, and looked sternly at his daughter. “And +so you have been trying your skill at boxing! An admirable +accomplishment for a young lady! You have taken upon yourself to be rude +to your school companion; to be ungrateful to Mrs. Adair, and ventured +to ride ten miles in a stage-coach! And in what a dress! You are indeed +an enterprizing young lady! Now let me tell you, Miss Bruce, one simple +truth: you have acted in all things contrary to that which you know is +right. But pray what is the meaning of the word right?”</p> + +<p>“To do all things that I know I should do; I do not know any thing more, +papa; indeed I do not.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>“You know the right, but a perverse and wilful disposition leads you to +do wrong.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Bruce rang the bell, and ordered the housekeeper into his <a name="presence" id="presence"></a><ins title="original has preesnce">presence</ins>. +When she entered the room, he commanded her to close the door. “Take my +daughter,” said he, “to the chamber that was occupied last night. You +are not to speak to her, nor allow any servant in the house to do so. +Give her a little bread and milk: go, child.”</p> + +<p>“Papa,”—here Miss Bruce sobbed; and would have added, “O, do forgive +me!” but her father sternly bade her leave him.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bruce looked at his daughter when she was asleep. He heard her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +murmuring and intreating; and listened to words that affected him +deeply. He sat down by her bed-side until she was tranquil: and whether +he shed tears of tenderness over her is best known to himself; but the +following morning, though his feelings were softened, his countenance +was equally stern. His carriage was at the door; and at ten o’clock he +and his daughter arrived at Mrs. Adair’s. Neither at breakfast nor +during the ride had he uttered one word. “Madam,” said he, the moment he +beheld the mistress of his child, “I have brought a runaway. I will not +make an apology for her conduct: it is not in my way; it rests entirely +with yourself whether she will be accepted or rejected.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> Providence, in +the justness of his ways, has deprived her of an excellent mother. How +far servants are capable of giving right ideas of female decorum, you +are yourself to judge. When I fixed Margaret with you, it was not to +education alone that I looked; my views and hopes extended to +principles, temper, and conduct. The mere mechanical parts of education +may at all times be purchased for money; automatons may be made to +perform wonders. But we all know that something more is wanting to give +solidity and consequence to character. If you refuse my daughter, she +will lose her best friend.”</p> + +<p>“Not another word, Sir, on the subject; I still expect to make something +of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> this little girl. She is rash, careless, and perhaps a little +mischievous: but I am not without hope; and past grievances we will now +forget. Go,” said Mrs. Adair, turning to her pupil, “bring a frock to +me; remember I pardon you now, but I shall never do so again; and take +care that you do not tell any person that you ran away, and were so +foolish.—It is well she is my god-daughter, and my namesake,” said Mrs. +Adair, as her pupil crossed the hall: then, addressing Mr. Bruce, she +added, “Depend upon my word, Sir; I will be the friend of your daughter +in remembrance of her mother; this is the strongest claim upon my +attention; far more so than that of a name.”</p> + +<p>“I bless you again and again for your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> kindness,” said Mr. Bruce with +warmth. “I have now no fears for Margaret; she must remain with you, +until you can say, ‘your daughter is now all I can desire.’”</p> + +<p>“This is exacting too much; ‘all that you can desire,’ is beyond my +power to make her; but I will try to make her a comfort to you. I have +good ground to work upon, and I hope you will have reason to think, that +I have not neglected the soil.”</p> + +<p>As Mr. Bruce was returning to his carriage, his daughter, who was +descending the stairs with a clean frock, flew to him, exclaiming, “do +say you forgive me! I will never vex you again; O, dear papa, say you +will but forgive me.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>“Well, child, I do forgive you.”</p> + +<p>“O, how good and kind you are! I will never forget it. But, dear papa, +won’t you say something more?”</p> + +<p>“God bless you, child! and may he always bless you.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Bruce hastened to the carriage, drew up the window, and the boy +drove off. Tears streamed from Miss Bruce’s eyes; “O, that papa would +but have given me one kiss, I should have been so happy!”</p> + +<p>“If you are good,” said Mrs. Adair, “when next he sees you he will give +you two.”</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to contents</a></p> + +<hr class="hr7" /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span><a name="XIX" id="XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> time had arrived for Miss Damer to go into a private family as a +governess: all the young ladies were anxious to give her a proof of +remembrance, and these tokens of esteem had chiefly been the work of +leisure hours.</p> + +<p>As Miss Damer was collecting her painted boxes, velvet bags, and all her +little presents together, she thought, “who can say that there is no +kindness or friendship in the world? I have been in sorrow, perhaps for +a good purpose; at least, it has shewn me the disinterested regard of +others.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>While similar reflections were passing in her mind, Miss Arden hastily +entered the chamber, and stepping towards her, abruptly put into her +hand a small parcel. “I have not a moment to speak to you,” she +exclaimed, with tears in her eyes, “I cannot for the world take a formal +farewell; so when you leave us do not notice me: God bless you, Damer!” +and she hurried out of the room.</p> + +<p>Miss Damer looked at the parcel with a countenance of sorrow, and as she +opened it a note dropped upon the floor; she took it up, and read the +paper she held in her hand.</p> + +<p>“Accept these notes, my dear Damer, they are all that I have been able +to save from my scanty allowance; remit them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> to your father, whose +troubles I know have grieved you, and when I can I will send you more. +In fourteen months I shall be my own mistress. How joyfully do I +anticipate the time! Then, my dear Damer, I shall have a home to offer +you, and a purse to relieve every care, as far as wealth can go. +Farewell, my kind friend; you and Mrs. Adair have all my affections in +this world.</p> + +<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">Ann Arden.</span>”</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> young people are always anxious to learn the destination of the +characters in the book they have been perusing,—in closing this little +work, I will give you a short sketch of those I have attempted to +delineate. And here let me observe, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> the incidents are chiefly +drawn from facts.</p> + +<p>The name of one of the principal characters was given, by the desire of +a young friend, two days before her death.</p> + +<p>Miss Russel has lost her parents, and is wandering upon the Continent, +as companion or friend to a lady well known in the fashionable world.</p> + +<p>Miss Vincent is removed from her family by her marriage to a gentleman +of consequence in Ireland. She is still the same character, haughty and +insolent.</p> + +<p>Her sister Isabella, is improving in all the graces of mind and person; +she is the general favourite of the school.</p> + +<p>Miss Bruce is becoming all that her father can desire.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<p>When Miss Damer went into the situation as a governess, it was with the +hope of remaining some time, perhaps years. We can easily fix our plans, +but we are <a name="strangers" id="strangers"></a><ins title="original has stangers">strangers</ins> to the future; it is not for us to <a name="say" id="say"></a><ins title="original has sayby">say by</ins> what +means they are to be frustrated. When Miss Damer had been two months a +governess, she was told by the gentleman’s sister in whose family she +was placed, that several friends were to dine with them, and she begged +that she would join their party. On that day she attracted the notice of +a gentleman who was one of the guests. When she entered the +drawing-room, and he heard her name announced, he turned quickly to look +at her; he beheld the same dark pensive eyes, the same noble features,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +and modest, dignified manner, which seventeen years before had struck +him in another. But it was not her personal appearance altogether that +interested him: it was the character that had been given of her by Mrs. +Adair; and the remembrance of his feelings, when his daughter in her +troubled sleep exclaimed, “O, my dear Miss Damer, do come to me! Papa +then won’t punish me, you are so like mamma!”</p> + +<p>But I will not prolong this subject; I have only to add, that Miss Damer +is the happy wife of Mr. Bruce; and that few persons are more attached +to each other than the mother and the daughter Mr. Bruce, though several +years older than his wife, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> exactly the person calculated to make +her happy, being a man of excellent character and good sense; giving +part of his time to the world, but considering home the chief place for +happiness.</p> + +<p>When Miss Arden came into possession of her fortune, she remained as a +parlour boarder with Mrs. Adair, but the principal part of her time was +spent with Mrs. Bruce. A lingering disease, however, came on, and she +could not be happy separated from her friend: she therefore removed to +her house. After experiencing the most affectionate attention from Mr. +and Mrs. Bruce, she at length resigned her life, with hopes full of +immortality. Mrs. Adair and her friend were with her in her last +moments.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> She expressed her gratitude to them with all the energy of +health; and then, clasping a hand of each, died serenely, hoping to meet +them hereafter. To the father of her friend she left a very handsome +annuity for life. “I know,” she had stated in her will, “that I cannot +oblige my friend in any other shape but by contributing to her father’s +comfort, and oh, may he see the error of his ways, before it is too +late.”</p> + +<p>Most of her school companions she had remembered; but particularly a +young lady, whose parents had been unfortunate. After leaving tokens of +regard to every one to whom she had considered herself the least +indebted, she left the remainder of her fortune, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> be equally divided +between Mrs. Adair, her daughter, and Miss Bruce. And here let me remind +young ladies of fortune, that they are too apt to neglect the +instructress under whose care they have spent the early part of life. +Surely, when young people have been years under one roof, gaining +knowledge, and daily indebted for care and kindness, they should not +discard from their thoughts one of their best friends; but how often is +this the case! The moment a young lady steps into a carriage, and drives +off for the last time from the dwelling of her instructress, she seems +to forget that there had ever been such a person in existence. Perhaps, +when her nuptial favours are preparing, and her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> hopes are bright, she +may exclaim in a careless tone, “O, we must not forget—” here she +mentions the lady to whom, next to her parents she is most indebted; and +here finishes her remembrance of school, and the friend of her youth: in +bridal favours, or flimsy letters, all her gratitude is shewn.</p> + +<p>In giving a sketch of the young ladies, I must not forget Elizabeth, who +is now the happy wife of Colonel Vincent’s brother. It had been her lot +to be doubtful of his regard several years. Her spirits had been elated +or depressed, as she had judged Mr. Vincent’s feelings interested +towards herself. Had not that language which poets describe betrayed his +sentiments, she might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> justly have concluded that, of all persons +living, she would be the one to whom his affections would never +seriously incline; but no sooner did fortune second his wishes, and a +living was presented unto him, but his heart and hand were offered to +the object of his earliest regard under the happiest auspices; therefore +Elizabeth exchanged the useful employment of a teacher, for the +meritorious duties of a wife.</p> + +<p>When Mrs. Adair received the fortune due to her from her pupil’s will, +her friends concluded that she would resign the school. To the +intreaties of her daughter on the subject she gave this reply:</p> + +<p>“Why should I give up an employment which is a relief to my mind? In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> my +earliest and brightest days, I never particularly relished the gaieties +of the world; with my friends, my chief happiness centred; the +associates of my youth are, to my fancy, as friends departed. The later +objects of my care are likewise withdrawn from me; but though I have +lost one dear to my heart by death, and another by marriage, still I +have affections warm and tender towards youth.</p> + +<p>“There must be something to attach us to life, something to occupy time, +and interest our regard. As worldly beings, with worldly thoughts, we +must have resources independent of those in a religious point of view. I +trust I have chosen the wiser part, in preferring an active to an idle +life. At home, in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> midst of my children (for so they are in my +esteem), I shall always have something to excite interest; and if +watchful care, tenderness, and exertion, can reclaim the stubborn, or +add to the happiness of my pupils, I shall think that I have not lived +in vain. When my course is finished upon earth, may you, my dear +Elizabeth, be enabled to say with truth to your daughters, ‘Never was an +instructress more happy with her pupils, or pupils happier with an +instructress.’”</p> + + +<p class="finis2"><span class="finis">FINIS</span>.</p> + + +<h5><span class="o">LONDON:</span><br /> +PRINTED BY COX AND BAYLIS, GREAT QUEEN STREET.</h5> + + + +<div id="tn"> +<h4><strong>Transcriber’s Note</strong>:</h4> + +<p class="noi fs">Archaic spelling of pourtrayed, viranda, Magna Charta, stupified, +shewn and Auld have been retained as they appear in the original +publication. Changes to the original have been made as follows:</p> + +<table summary="Transcriber Changes"> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">5</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#forward">froward</a> inclinations <em>changed to</em> forward inclinations</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">18</td> +<td class="tdl">a <a href="#look">look:</a> but I assure <em>changed to</em> a look; but I assure</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">20</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#have">I have</a> so few <em>changed to</em> “I have so few</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">34</td> +<td class="tdl">for our <a href="#diversion">diverson</a> <em>changed to</em> for our diversion</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">44</td> +<td class="tdl">prefer ‘the Spy <a href="#detected">detected.’</a> <em>changed to</em> prefer ‘the Spy detected.’”</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">54</td> +<td class="tdl">room; <a href="#i2">I see</a> few countenances <em>changed to</em> “I see few countenances</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">63</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#and">and</a> I hope I am <em>changed to</em> “and I hope I am</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">71</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#inquired">inqured</a> if Miss Damer <em>changed to</em> inquired if Miss Damer</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">87</td> +<td class="tdl">in particular <a href="#cases">cases.”</a> <em>changed to</em> in particular cases.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">93</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#i3">I must</a> think of my <em>changed to</em> “I must think of my</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">101</td> +<td class="tdl">into the <a href="#play">play-ground.’</a> <em>changed to</em> into the play-ground.”</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">102</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#her">her:</a> “Now, my dear—“e” in her +inverted</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td><td class="tdr">109</td> +<td class="tdl">who had <a href="#been">been been</a> ordered by <em>changed to</em> who had been ordered by</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td><td class="tdr">105</td> +<td class="tdl">her <a href="#pupils">pupils.:</a> but at <em>changed to</em> her pupils; but at</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td +><td class="tdr">139</td> +<td class="tdl">Miss Bruce. <a href="#it">It</a> is in <em>changed to</em> Miss Bruce. “It is in</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">166</td> +<td class="tdl">into his <a href="#presence">preesnce</a> <em>changed to</em> into his presence</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">176</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#strangers">stangers</a> to the future <em>changed to</em> strangers to the future</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Page</td> +<td class="tdr">176</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#say"> sayby</a> what means they <em>changed to</em> say by what means they</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boarding School, by Unknown + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOARDING SCHOOL *** + +***** This file should be named 27804-h.htm or 27804-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/8/0/27804/ + +Produced by Jacqueline Jeremy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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