Part 31 (1/2)

”What do I hear?” exclaimed Mrs Marter. ”Go correctly, and shake hands with Miss Bedford!”

”Shan't!” said Alicia, tucking her hands behind her, and sniffing again abundantly, as she, to show her dislike to governesses in general, made what is termed ”a face” at the new-comer--that is to say, she contracted the skin of her little snub nose, half-closed her eyes, and lolled out her tongue in a most prepossessing manner; though Ella, not being of the medical profession, could very well have dispensed with the last attention.

”Alicia, I've told you before that that is very coa.r.s.e and vulgar,” said Mrs Marter mildly, for the young lady's back being turned, she did not see the physiognomical contortions. ”You must not say 'sha'n't!' but, if you do not wish to shake hands with Miss Bedford: 'I would rather not,' or, 'I do not wish to do so.'--Selina, my darling, you will do as mamma tells you--won't you? Now, my love, you go and shake hands with your new governess.”

Ella took a step forward, and held out her hand, when mamma's darling's face contracted, and directly after she spat fiercely at the new-comer, and then ran howling behind the sofa.

”Naughty Seliny--naughty Seliny!” said Mrs Marter. ”You see, Miss Bedford, you are strange to them yet. They will know you better soon.”

”I sha'n't do no lessons,” said Alicia defiantly; ”and I've burnt my book.”

”Fie, fie!” said Mrs Marter sweetly.

”Licy pushed me downstairs, mar,” said the darling behind the sofa.

”No, I didn't,” shouted Alicia; ”she tumbled.”

”There's a big story!” cried Eleonora. ”She put her hands on her back, mar, and pushed her as hard as she could--”

Smack!

”Boo--boo--bo--oh!”

Before Miss Eleonora had finished her sentence, her sweet sister had smitten her upon the mouth so sharply, that her lip bled, and she burst forth into a loud howl.

”There, my dears, I cannot have this to-day.--Miss Bedford, be kind enough to see them into the schoolroom.--There, it's of no use, Selina; if you will not go, you must be carried.--There, for goodness' sake, Miss Bedford, what are you thinking about? Take her up in your arms and carry her.”

Ella obeyed; for Miss Selina had refused to leave the room, clinging tightly to mamma's skirts till she was carried off, fighting furiously, and slapping and scratching at her bearer's face in such a way that, could Charley Vining have been a spectator, he would have been frantic.

”Never mind her scratching,” said the eldest girl; ”she always does like that. This way.”

And in a few moments more Ella was able to deposit her precious charge in the schoolroom, where, set free, the sweet innocent revenged herself again by spitting, till the upper housemaid was summoned, and led Ella to her own room.

”I pity you, miss, I do,” said the woman kindly. ”You're no more fit to manage them young rips than nothing. They're spoilt in the drawing-room, and encouraged in everything.”

”Thank you,” said Ella gently; ”you mean kindly, I am sure; but pray say no more. Let me find it out by degrees.”

”Well, that's best, certainly, miss,” said the woman, who eagerly a.s.sisted her to take off her things, and then hurried down to help get up the luggage; while Ella--did she break down and burst into weak tears?

No; smiling sadly, she determined to bear the burden that was to be hers, and nerved herself for the coming battle; so that when the housemaid returned and helped uncord the luggage, she was rewarded with a sweet and cheerful smile, which was repeated when she said she would go down and make Miss Bedford a cup of tea.

Ten minutes later, when, after coaxing the kettle to boil with a few pieces of bundle London fire-wood, she was making that infusion that is considered by the fair s.e.x to be a balm and refreshment for every pain and fatigue, she expressed herself loudly to her fellow-servants, to the effect that ”that was quite an angel they had got upstairs. But it's my belief,” she added, ”that the poor thing don't know what she's got to put up with.”

Volume 2, Chapter XVI.

CHANGE OF SCENE.

It was not until Ella had been gone a fortnight that Charley Vining learned the news of her departure; as it happened, upon the same day that it was brought home to Max Bray that his visits to Laneton were of no effect.

But he was shrewd, was Max Bray; and encountering Charley directly after, and reading his disappointment in his face, he a.s.sumed an air of perfect contentment himself, played with the ring upon his watch-chain, and pa.s.sed his rival with a mocking smile.