Part 22 (1/2)
”Do tell him not to be angry with me! I'm so awfully miserable,” she sobbed.
”Tell your kind father the truth, my dear. Speak up; be brave,”
whispered the governess back, touched in spite of herself by any token of softness from Ermie.
Ermengarde gulped down her sobs. She raised her head, and spoke with a violent effort.
”I was with Susan Collins in the Nightingale Grove,” she said.
”Contrary to my express command?” queried Mr. Wilton.
”Yes, father.”
”Is this the only time you have held forbidden intercourse with this little girl, Ermengarde?”
”No, father. I saw her once or twice before.”
”Since I told you not?”
”Yes.”
”Did Miss Nelson ever know of this?”
”No, she never knew.”
”Don't you think you are very naughty and disobedient; that you have acted disgracefully?”
The sulky look came over Ermengarde's face.
”There is no harm in Susy,” she said.
Mr. Wilton stamped his foot.
”That is not the point,” he said. ”Is there no harm in you? can you disobey me with impunity, and cast your father's sternest commands to nought? Ermengarde, I am stung by this. You have hurt me deeply.”
Again Ermengarde saw Basil in her father's face. She was frightened and tired, and burst out sobbing afresh.
”I won't go with Susy any more,” she said. ”And I--I'm sorry--I'm really sorry.”
Miss Nelson put her hand affectionately on her pupil's shoulder.
”I need not say, sir,” she said, turning to Mr. Wilton, ”how shocked I am at all this, and at--at Ermengarde's willful disobedience; but,”
here she paused, and pressed her hand a little firmer upon the weeping girl's shoulder, ”if it is any use, and because I was their mother's friend, I, too, would like to add my promise to Ermengarde's, and a.s.sure you that this shall never occur again.”
Mr. Wilton glanced round impatiently at the clock.
”Thank you, Miss Nelson,” he said. ”I believe you, of course; and I am sure that you will now have your eyes opened, and will probably take steps to insure my desires being carried into effect. As to Ermengarde, I will believe her promises when she has proved them to be worth anything. She is the first Wilton I ever heard of who stooped to deceit. In the meantime I feel it is my duty to punish you, Ermengarde. This morning I had a letter from the Russells--Lily Russell's father and mother. They have asked me to come to them for a week, and to bring two of you with me. I intended to take you and Basil. Now I shall take Marjorie and Basil. Perhaps, when you are having a dull time at home, you will reflect that it is not always worth while to disobey your father. You can go back to your lessons now.”
CHAPTER XIII.