ren of her own. Both Rupert and May are spoiled--May particularly
is perfectly unmanageable. A young girl as governess for her would never
do."

Mr. Knight departed with these instructions, and the following week
started for the great metropolis. An advertisement was at once inserted
in the _Times_ newspaper, stating all Lady Thetford's requirements, and
desiring immediate application. Another week later, and Lady Thetford
received the following communication:

"DEAR LADY THETFORD--I have been fairly besieged with applications for
the past week--all widows, and all professing to be thoroughly
competent. Clergymen's widows, doctor's widows, officer's widows--all
sorts of widows. I never before thought so many could apply for one
situation. I have chosen one in sheer desperation--the widow of a
country gentleman in distressed circumstances, whom I think will suit.
She is eminently respectable in appearance, quiet and lady-like in
manner, with five years' experience in the nursery-governess line, and
the highest recommendation from her late employers. She has lost a
child, she tells me; and from her looks and manner altogether, I should
judge she was a person conversant with misfortune. She will return with
me early next week--her name is Mrs. Weymore."

* * * * *

Lady Thetford read this letter with a little sigh of relief--some one
else would have the temper and outbreaks of little May to contend with
now. She wrote to Captain Everard that same day, to announce his
daughter's well being, and inform him that she had found a suitable
governess to take charge of her.

The second day of the ensuing week the rector and the new governess
arrived. A fly from the railway brought her and her luggage to Thetford
Towers late in the afternoon, and she was taken at once to the room that
had been prepared for her, whilst the servant went to inform Lady
Thetford of her arrival.

"Fetch her here at once," said her ladyship, who was alone, as usual, in
the long drawing-room, with the children, "I wish to see her."

Ten minutes after, the drawing-room door was flung open, and "Mrs.
Weymore, my lady," announced the footman.

Lady Thetford arose to receive her new dependent, who bowed and stood
before her with a somewhat fluttered and embarrassed air. She was quite
young, not older than my lady herself, and eminently good-looking. The
tall, slender figure, clad in widow's weeds, was as symmetrical as