My Mother's Rival / Everyday Life Library No. 4

ath to both of us. They had a long conversation, and it was decided that the wisest plan would be for me to have a governess-a lady who would at the sam

y much," she said, "and

e you," he said, "n

d correspondence, a governess was selected for me. She had been living with Lady Bucarest, and was most highly recomm

my father, as he read th

r. "Oh, Laura, darling, if it could be, I would educ

ds, the bleak rains and biting frosts of March. She was to be with us on the seventh, and the whole of the day was like a tempest; the wi

re in the silver grate and the profusion of flowers made it so chee

able journey Miss

raps, and every care was taken of the strange lady. The wind was rolling like thunder through the great avenues, the tall trees bent under

each other? What curious foreboding came to us both, th

ward my father

Reinhart to-night,

but she answered, laughing q

. Yes, when she has taken her tea and had time to make h

terrible danger were overtaking us? It struck me that there was

ey. When the time came to say that Miss Reinhart would be glad to see Lady Tayne, and Sir Roland brought the strange lady into the room, I was silently in utter amaze. This was no school-girl, no half-conscious, half-shy governess, impressed and awe-struck. There floated, rather than walked, into the room a beautiful w

ill, Lady Tayne, I hope I m

er's sweet voice, as thei

iful dark face

" she said. "I hope we

on his face. I-with a child's keen instinct-had drawn nearer to my mother, as though to protect her. Then Sir Roland pla

hair raven black and smooth as satin, little ears like pretty pink shells, a beautiful face with dark, dreamy eyes, thick dark lashes, straight, dark brows, and a mouth that was, perhaps, the loveliest feature in her face. It was not tragical beauty, either, but

uite irresistible. Sir Roland laughed as I had never seen him laugh before, and my mother was much amused. Any one looking on at

mother's sweet face grow pale,

ng my governess, "mamma i

, "that I deserve rebuke. I was so anxious to cheer you that I fear I have tired yo

kind," she said to Miss Reinhart, "but I

d," she answered, i

d to me the insolent pride of her beauty, while my sweet mother was never to stand again? Why should she speak in those pitying tones? My mother did not need her pity. Then my fa

nd, "will you take Mis

g to my mo

mma," I said. "Ple

rom me with

er leave her m

answ

is quit

pse of her beautiful eyes,

ite silent for some minutes af

u think of

form a judgment. I thought to see a crude kind of girl. Miss Reinhart is a very bea

so beautiful as

l heart; not one-ha

far more like a fine lady visitor

o be quite competent for them. I fancy you will like her Beatrice, darling; after all, it will be s

" said my mother. "You are all-sufficient to me. Still, a

ed, her maid came, and Sir

ll why; and that my beautiful mother fell fast asleep, holding my hand i

sleep," they said, pityin

f us it had been the long, sweet sl