"So she does."
Poor Florence! She was far from deserving their unkindly remarks.
"I suppose she is trying to ensnare young de Brabazon," said Emily, spitefully. "People of her cla.s.s are very artful. Don"t you think it would be well to call Mrs. Leighton"s attention? Percy de Brabazon is her nephew, you know."
"True. The suggestion is a good one, Emily."
Mrs. Carter was quite as desirous as her daughter of bringing about an alliance with Percy, and she readily agreed to second her plans.
She looked about for Mrs. Leighton, and took a seat at her side.
"Your nephew seems quite attentive to your governess," she commenced.
"Indeed! In what way?"
"He has danced with her three or four times, I believe. It looks rather marked."
"So it does," said Mrs. Leighton. "He is quite inconsiderate."
"Oh, well, it is of no great consequence. She is quite stylish for a governess, and doubtless your nephew is taken with her."
"That will not suit my views at all," said Mrs. Leighton, coldly. "I shall speak to her to-morrow."
"Pray don"t. It really is a matter of small consequence--quite natural, in fact."
"Leave the matter with me. You have done quite right in mentioning it."
At twelve o"clock the next day, when Florence had just completed her lessons with Carrie, Mrs. Leighton entered the room.
"Please remain a moment, Miss Linden," she said. "I have a few words to say to you."
Mrs. Leighton"s tone was cold and unfriendly, and Florence felt that something unpleasant was coming.
Chapter x.x.x.
Florence Is Followed Home.
"I am listening, madam," said Florence, inclining her head.
"I wish to speak to you about last evening, Miss Linden."
"I hope my playing was satisfactory, Mrs. Leighton. I did my best."
"I have no fault to find with your music. It came up to my expectations."
"I am glad of that, madam."
"I referred, rather, to your behavior, Miss Linden."
"I don"t understand you, Mrs. Leighton," Florence responded, in unaffected surprise. "Please explain."
"You danced several times with my nephew, Mr. Percy de Brabazon."
"Twice, madam."
"I understood it was oftener. However, that is immaterial. You hardly seemed conscious of your position."
"What was my position, Mrs. Leighton?" asked Florence, quietly, looking her employer in the face. "Well--ahem!" answered Mrs.
Leighton, a little ill at ease, "you were a hired musician."
"Well?"
"And you acted as if you were an invited guest."
"I am sorry you did not give me instructions as to my conduct," said the governess, coldly. "I should not have danced if I had been aware that it was prohibited."
"I am sorry, Miss Linden, that you persist in misunderstanding me. Mr.
de Brabazon, being in a different social position from yourself, it looked hardly proper that he should have devoted himself to you more than to any other lady."
"Did he? I was not aware of it. Don"t you think, under the circ.u.mstances, that he is the one whom you should take to task? I didn"t invite his attentions."
"You seemed glad to receive them."
"I was. He is undoubtedly a gentleman."
"Certainly he is. He is my nephew."
"It was not my part to instruct him as to what was proper, surely."
"You are very plausible. Miss Linden, I think it right to tell you that your conduct was commented upon by one of my lady guests as unbecoming. However, I will remember, in extenuation, that you are unaccustomed to society, and doubtless erred ignorantly."
Florence bowed, but forbore to make any remark.
"Do you wish to speak further to me, Mrs. Leighton?"
"No, I think not."
"Then I will bid you good-morning."
When the governess had left the house, Mrs. Leighton asked herself whether in her encounter with her governess the victory rested with her, and she was forced to acknowledge that it was at least a matter of doubt.
"Miss Linden is a faithful teacher, but she does not appear to appreciate the difference that exists between her and my guests. I think, however, that upon reflection, she will see that I am right in my stricture upon her conduct."
Florence left the house indignant and mortified. It was something new to her to be regarded as a social inferior, and she felt sure that there were many in Mrs. Leighton"s position who would have seen no harm in her behavior on the previous evening.
Four days afterward, when Florence entered the Madison Avenue car to ride downtown, she had scarcely reached her seat when an eager voice addressed her: