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'They can talk the best about the things in which she is most
interested；' I replied。
'Well！ that is a strange confession； HOWEVER； to come from her
GOVERNESS！ Who is to form a young lady's tastes； I wonder； if the
governess doesn't do it？ I have known governesses who have so
completely identified themselves with the reputation of their young ladies
for elegance and propriety in mind and manners； that they would blush to
speak a word against them； and to hear the slightest blame imputed to their
pupils was worse than to be censured in their own persons … and I really
think it very natural； for my part。'
'Do you； ma'am？'
'Yes； of course： the young lady's proficiency and elegance is of more
consequence to the governess than her own； as well as to the world。 If
she wishes to prosper in her vocation she must devote all her energies to
her business： all her ideas and all her ambition will tend to the
accomplishment of that one object。 When we wish to decide upon the
merits of a governess； we naturally look at the young ladies she professes
to have educated； and judge accordingly。 The JUDICIOUS governess
knows this： she knows that； while she lives in obscurity herself； her
pupils' virtues and defects will be open to every eye； and that； unless she
loses sight of herself in their cultivation； she need not hope for success。
You see； Miss Grey； it is just the same as any other trade or profession：
they that wish to prosper must devote themselves body and soul to their
calling； and if they begin to yield to indolence or self…indulgence they are
speedily distanced by wiser competitors： there is little to choose between
a person that ruins her pupils by neglect； and one that corrupts them by her
example。 You will excuse my dropping these little hints： you know it is
all for your own good。 Many ladies would speak to you much more
strongly； and many would not trouble themselves to speak at all； but
quietly look out for a substitute。 That； of course； would be the EASIEST
plan： but I know the advantages of a place like this to a person in your
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situation； and I have no desire to part with you； as I am sure you would do
very well if you will only think of these things and try to exert yourself a
LITTLE more： then； I am convinced； you would SOON acquire that
delicate tact which alone is wanting to give you a proper influence over
the mind of your pupil。'
I was about to give the lady some idea of the fallacy of her
expectations； but she sailed away as soon as she had concluded her speech。
Having said what she wished； it was no part of her plan to await my
answer： it was my business to hear； and not to speak。
However； as I have said； Matilda at length yielded in some degree to
her mother's authority （pity it had not been exerted before）； and being thus
deprived of almost every source of amusement； there was nothing for it
but to take long rides with the groom and long walks with the governess；
and to visit the cottages and farmhouses on her father's estate； to kill time
in chatting with the old men and women that inhabited them。 In one of
these walks； it was our chance to meet Mr。 Weston。 This was what I had
long desired； but now； for a moment； I wished either he or I were away： I
felt my heart throb so violently that I dreaded lest some outward signs of
emotion should appear； but I think he hardly glanced at me； and I was
soon calm enough。 After a brief salutation to both； he asked Matilda if
she had lately heard from her sister。
'Yes；' replied she。 'She was at Paris when she wrote； and very well；
and very happy。'
She spoke the last word emphatically； and with a glance impertinently
sly。 He did not seem to notice it； but replied； with equal emphasis； and
very seriously …
'I hope she will continue to be so。'
'Do you think it likely？' I ventured to inquire： for Matilda had started
off in pursuit of her dog； that was chasing a leveret。
'I cannot tell；' replied he。 'Sir Thomas may be a better man than I
suppose； but； from all I have heard and seen； it seems a pity that one so
young and gay； and … and interesting； to express many things by one word
… whose greatest； if not her only fault； appears to be thoughtlessness … no
trifling fault to be sure； since it renders the possessor liable to almost every
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other； and exposes him to so many temptations … but it seems a pity that
she should be thrown away on such a man。 It was her mother's wish； I
suppose？'
'Yes； and her own too； I think； for she always laughed at my attempts
to dissuade her from the step。'
'You did attempt it？ Then； at least； you will have the satisfaction of
knowing that it is no fault of yours； if any harm should come of it。 As for
Mrs。 Murray； I don't know how she can justify her conduct： if I had
sufficient acquaintance with her； I'd ask her。'
'It seems unnatural： but some people think rank and wealth the chief
good； and； if they can secure that for their children； they think they have
done their duty。'
'True： but is it not strange that persons of experience； who have been
married themselves； should judge so falsely？' Matilda now came panting
back； with the lacerated body of the young hare in her hand。
'Was it your intention to kill that hare； or to save it； Miss Murray？'
asked Mr。 Weston； apparently puzzled at her gleeful countenance。
'I pretended to want to save it；' she answered； honestly enough； 'as it
was so glaringly out of season； but I was better pleased to see it lolled。
However； you can both witness that I couldn't help it： Prince was
determined to have her； and he clutched her by the back； and killed her in
a minute！ Wasn't it a noble chase？'
'Very！ for a young lady after a leveret。'
There was a quiet sarcasm in the tone of his reply which was not lost
upon her； she shrugged her shoulders； and； turning away with a significant
'Humph！' asked me