much engaged," she continued, "that I hope those I have unintentionally neglected will forgive me."

The band was now playing some waltzes, just outside the window, and several couples were dancing in the hall.

"Would you like a partner?" said Lady Howick.

"Oh! no, thank you," replied Margaret. "You know I am chaperone to-day. But I dare say Maude would. I see her brother and sister are dancing."

"Yes, I will find one for her, at all events; but that is no reason I should not find you one, if you would let me."

Maude being speedily provided with a suitable partner, Margaret sat down by Mrs. Shirley, with whom she agreed that they should order the carriages in an hour, as the children would have had quite dancing enough by that time.

They left accordingly at half-past nine, after a very enjoyable and happy day.

A

Learn gentler thought, and holier dream,

The spirit of a child.

'Go, learn their love, who conscious still

Of saintly commune dear,
Walk gently on their earthly path

With heaven around them here."

S soon as Margaret was in her own room

that night, she made up the little parcel

containing the knife, and directed it to go by the next day's post. It had lain in her desk, and always reminded her of her first long journey from home to undertake her then untried duties at Northcourt. She felt quite sorry to part with it.

The following morning brought letters from Lady North and from Mrs. Stourton. The first expressed much delight and satisfaction with the accounts she received from Mrs. Shirley and Lady Harriett Colvin, of Margaret and her charges. Lady North was still very uncertain about her plans, but seemed to think she should be obliged to remain some months longer abroad.

Margaret's letter from home was not so cheering; her mother was more anxious about her father again. It was now decided that the little family should go from home for a few weeks, partly in order to try the effect of change of air, and partly that some repairs, now absolutely necessary, might be completed during their absence. The roof of their house was quite unsafe, and the work had been longer delayed than it ought to have been on account of the expense. Margaret was indeed glad to be able to send a ten pound note back to her mother by return of post, with an earnest entreaty that it might be used in any way most conducive to her father's comfort, and that of the family generally. Her wishes were understood, and the money was spent as she intended it should be.

During the summer, she and the children spent the day several times at Lady Harriett Colvin's. They went early, so as to be in time for breakfast, and returned in the evening when it was cool. There was in the neighbourhood a large family of children, to whom Lady Harriett was glad to show kindness for their parents' sake, and she sometimes invited them when the Norths were coming. first time these children came, their mother came with them, and left them, sending for them after tea. They were at first shy, then unruly. However, as they were good hands at games, they played happily enough with their companions.

The

Their manner was decidedly rude to Margaret. The next time they came, their governess and an elder sister were with them. This girl was absurdly affected. She talked in a drawling way to Lady Harriett, taking no notice either of Maude or of Margaret.

"I hear that our new neighbours at Forde are charming people," she said; "so accomplished, and very literary. They have just joined our book club, and have ordered most scientific works; one is on geology, another is a treatise on botany, and, if I remember right, the third is something about the progress of the human intellect. I find geology a most fascinating study, and I intend at once taking up botany. I feel so much encouraged to do so by hearing how scientific our new neighbours are; one so seldom meets with intellectual people."

"Knowledge is so pleasant, that I think you do wisely to acquaint yourself with any subject that is improving or interesting," answered Lady Harriett.

Oh, yes! you are quite right, I am sure, and this is what I now fully intend doing. Real knowledge is quite a different thing from mere accomplishments, which may do well enough in the butterfly world of fashion; but I wish to attain to something higher and more enduring. I quite worship the intellectual, in fact."

Lady Harriett looked a little surprised at the words and tone of her young guest; but luncheon

being announced, she said nothing more, and led the way to the dining-room.

66

During luncheon she conversed chiefly with Margaret and Miss Edge, the Barings' governess, who looked very miserable, and scarcely replied. Margaret found some difficulty in realizing herself to be in the same position as Miss Edge. No two people could look much more unlike. But," she thought to herself, "I am a governess and she is a governess, and yet, she is precisely the kind of person I am at first inclined to shrink from; she is exactly one's ideal of the governess' in a novel." Miss Edge was tall, thin, pale, melancholy, and almost morose-looking. "It is long since she has been happy, poor thing," thought Margaret, continuing her reverie, "I must try to get her to let me make friends with her."

Margaret was sitting next the eldest Miss Baring, but finding a few words which she addressed to her were received very coldly by that young lady, she involuntarily looked at Miss Edge, and met her sharp, inquiring glance. She took no further trouble with the eldest, but addressed some commonplace remark to the second girl, which was somewhat better received. After luncheon the party adjourned to the garden, but Lady Harriett, with an apology to the two governesses, soon returned to the house to write letters for her husband. Miss Baring, considering herself not only neglected, but quite insulted (she was but sixteen), took up her parasol and walked away with a most im