even the latter, who seemed ever careful of wounding the feelings of others, never spoke of Mrs. Linchmore in a friendly manner, though she appeared to know or have known her well at some earlier period of life.
The question embarra.s.sed Amy, "I was so hurried," said she, "in coming away that I forgot--I mean she forgot--."
Mrs. Linchmore rose haughtily, "I dislike equivocation, Miss Neville, and here there is not the slightest occasion for it. I did not expect a message in return; I think I told you so, if I remember aright, when I entrusted you with mine," and very proudly she walked across the room, seated herself at the piano and sang as if there was no such thing as woe in the world, while Amy sat, listened, and wondered, then softly rose and went upstairs to the school room.
"Here we are! so busy, Miss Neville," cried f.a.n.n.y, "putting all the things to rights. It"s so nice to have something to do, and I"m sorting all the books, although I do hate lessons so," with which a.s.sertion f.a.n.n.y threw her arms round her governess" neck, while Alice begged for a kiss, and Edith pressed closer to her side and pa.s.sed her small hand in hers.
Certainly the children were very fond of her; f.a.n.n.y had been so from the first; it was natural for her to love everybody, she was so impulsive, but the other two she had won over by her own strong will and gentle but firm training. Carlo, f.a.n.n.y"s dog, seemed as overjoyed as any of them, leaping, barking, and jumping about until desired rather severely by his young mistress to be quiet. "You are making a shameful noise, sir," she said, giving him a pat, "will you please let somebody else"s voice be heard; and do sit down, dear Miss Neville, and let us tell you all we have done since you have been away; we have lots of news, we have not told you half yet, have we, Edith?"
So they began all over again, totally forgetting what they had said or left unsaid, Amy patiently listening, pleased to think how glad they were to see her. Each tendered a small present, to show that their little fingers had not been quite unprofitably employed; half pleased, half frightened lest it should not be liked. They told her amongst other things that uncle Charles had been to Brampton again, but only for three days; he would not remain longer, although Mrs. Linchmore had wished him to; he had brought his dog "Bob" with him, such an ugly thing, who growled and showed his teeth; they were all afraid of it, and were glad when it went away.
"Bob used to come up here, Miss Neville, and sit in the window while uncle was at work."
"At work! what work, Edith?"
"The book shelves. Oh! have you not seen them? do come and look, they are so nice. See, he put them all up by himself, and worked so hard, and when they were done he made us bring all your books; then he set them up, and desired us not to meddle with them as they were only for you.
Was it not kind of him? We told him it was just what you wanted."
"How could you? I did not want them at all."
"Yes, Miss Neville, indeed you did; you said long before you went away how much you should like some."
But Amy thought she neither wanted nor liked them, and felt vexed they had been put up.
"Ah!" said f.a.n.n.y, catching the vexed expression, "you can thank him for them when he comes again; we were to tell you so, and that he would be here in November, and this is August Miss Neville, so it"s only three months to wait."
"You can tell him f.a.n.n.y when he comes, that I am much obliged to him, lest I should forget to do so."
And Amy turned away, feeling more vexed than she liked to acknowledge to herself; she had had nothing to do with putting up the shelves, but would Mrs. Linchmore think so if she knew it? And did she know it, and what had she thought? "Mamma was right," said she to her self. "It is very hard to be a governess; and _he_ has misinterpreted and misjudged me."
A thorn had sprung up in Amy"s path, which already wounded her slightly.
CHAPTER V.
VISITORS ARRIVE.
O! if in this great world of strife, This mighty round of human life, We had no friends to cheer, O! then how cold the world would seem!
How desolate the ebbing stream Of life from year to year!
J. B. KERRIDGE.
Autumn pa.s.sed away, and winter spread its icy mantle over the earth.
Abroad all looked bleak, cold, and desolate. Trees had lost their leaves, flowers their blossoms, and the beautiful green fields were covered with snow; while here and there a snowdrop reared her drooping head from under its white veil, or a crocus feebly struggled to escape its cold embraces. Within doors, things wore a brighter aspect than they had done for some time past. Visitors had arrived at Brampton, who, it was hoped, would enliven the old Hall, and dissipate the dulness of its haughty mistress. Rooms long unoccupied had bright, cheerful fires blazing in the grates; footsteps hurried to and fro, echoing through the long, lofty pa.s.sages, where all before had been so still and silent. The old, gloomy, melancholy look had totally disappeared, and the house teemed with life and mirth.
Mrs. Hopkins was no longer nurse, but had been installed as housekeeper in the room of one who had grown too old for the office; and was all smiles and importance, much to the disgust of Mason, the lady"s maid, who, having always considered herself a grade above the _Nurse_, now found herself a mere cipher next to the all-important _Housekeeper_, who seemed to sweep everything before her as she walked grandly down the long corridor; Mason"s pert toss of the head, and still perter replies, were met with cool disdain, much to her disappointment, as she tried to discomfort her; but all to no purpose, as Mrs. Hopkins" sway continued paramount; and she wielded her sceptre with undiminished power, notwithstanding all the arts used to dislodge her.
It was a half-holiday; Amy had fetched her hat, and was on her way out; in the corridor she met Mrs. Hopkins, who was always fond of a chat when she could find the opportunity; besides, she had long wished for some one to whom to unburden all Mason"s impertinences. She immediately courtesied, and began--
"Good morning, Miss. Isn"t the old house looking different? it does my heart good to see it, we havn"t been so gay for many a year. I am so glad Madam has given up going to foreign parts; it ain"t good for the young ladies, and I"m certain sure it ain"t no good for servants, Mason"s never been the same since she went; I havn"t patience with her airs and graces!" Here she broke off abruptly, as Mason crossed the pa.s.sage, her flowing skirts sweeping the floor, and a little coquettish cap just visible at the back of her head. "Only look at her, Miss, thinking herself somebody in her own opinion, when in most everybody"s elses" she"s a n.o.body. Why, Miss, a d.u.c.h.ess couldn"t make more of herself," said Mrs. Hopkins, testily.
"Indeed, I do not believe she could," replied Amy, smiling, "and I am sure would not _think_ more of herself."
"Think, Miss! Why, it"s my belief she dreams at night she"s found the hen with the golden egg, and so builds castles on the strength of it all day long; and airy ones she"ll find them, I know," and Mrs. Hopkins laughed at the idea of Mason"s supposed downfall.
"I suppose, Nurse, you have been very busy?"
"Yes, Miss, just what I like. I don"t care to sit with my hands before me. I"m always happy when I"m busy. It isn"t natural for me to be idle."
"How many strangers are here, Nurse? You must forgive me for calling you Nurse, but I am so accustomed to it."
"Forgive you, Miss! I"m Nurse to you and the children if you please, always, I"m proud of the t.i.tle; but to Mason and the rest I"m Mrs.
Hopkins," said she with firmness. "As to how many are here, why I can"t exactly say; they"re not all come yet, there are several empty rooms, but I suppose they"ll be filled to-day or to-morrow at the latest; then the young Master"s to come; but his room"s always ready; he comes and goes when he likes. We call him the young Master, because he"s to have the Hall by-and-by. He"s a thorough good gentleman, is Mr. Charles, and will make a good master to them as lives to see it. But it is a pity, Madam has no son."
"Excuse me for interrupting you, Miss Neville," said Mrs. Linchmore"s voice close behind, "but I wish, Mrs. Hopkins, another room prepared immediately; one of the smaller ones will do," and Mrs. Linchmore pa.s.sed on. Amy followed; while nurse shrugged her shoulders, shook her head, and muttered, "Another man! Humph! I don"t like so many of "em roaming about the place; it ain"t respectable."
Mrs. Linchmore, on reaching the hall, was turning off to the library, when Edith and f.a.n.n.y ran past, closely pursued by a young girl, who stopped suddenly on perceiving them, and, addressing Mrs. Linchmore, exclaimed,
"Pray do not look at me, Isabella, I know my toilette is in dreadful disorder. I have had such a run that I really feel quite warm."
"Your face is certainly rather flushed," replied Mrs. Linchmore, as she looked at the young girl"s red face, occasioned as much by the cold wind outside, as by her run with the children.
"I know I"m looking a perfect fright," she added, vainly endeavouring to smooth the dishevelled hair under her hat.
"Your run has certainly not improved your personal appearance. Allow me, Miss Bennet, to introduce you to Miss Neville, whom I fear you will find a sorry companion in such wild games."
"I don"t know that!" and she gazed earnestly at Amy. "A romp is excusable in this weather, it is so cold outside."
"A greater reason why you should remain in the house, and employ your time more profitably;" so saying, Mrs. Linchmore walked away, leaving the two girls together.
"That is so like her," observed Miss Bennet, "she takes no pleasure in a little fun herself; consequently thinks it"s wrong any one else should.
Now, children, be off," she continued, looking round, but they were nowhere to be seen, having fled in dismay at the first sight of Mrs.
Linchmore.
"Are you going out?" asked she, placing her hand on Amy"s arm.
"Only for a short time."
"Then for that short time I will be your companion,--that is if you like."
Amy expressed her pleasure, and they were soon walking at a brisk pace round the shrubbery.
Julia Bennet had no pretensions to beauty, though not by any manner of means a plain girl. She had a very fair, almost transparent complexion, and small, fairy hands and feet. She was a good-natured, merry girl, one who seldom took any pains to disguise her faults or thoughts, and consequently was frequently in sc.r.a.pes, from which she as often cleverly extricated herself. If she liked persons they soon found it out, or if she disliked them they did not long remain in ignorance of it; not that she made them acquainted with the fact point blank, but no trouble was taken to please; they were totally overlooked. Not being pretty, no envious belles were jealous of her, and young men were not obliged to pay her compliments. Nor, indeed, had she been pretty, would they have ventured to do what she most a.s.suredly would have made them regret; yet she was a great favourite with most people, never wanted a partner at a ball, but would be sought out for a dance when many other girls with greater pretensions to beauty were neglected. She was a cousin of Mr.
Linchmore"s, the youngest of five sisters, only one of whom was married. Julia gazed over her shoulder at her companion"s hat, dress, and shawl; nothing escaped her penetrating glance. She was rarely silent, but had always something to say, although not so inveterate a talker as her sister Anne. The latter, however, insisted that she was more so, and had resolutely transferred the name of "Magpie" or "Maggy,"
with which her elder sisters had nicknamed her, to Julia.