answer to this. Governesses
must not make appointments with strange gentlemen--even when the
children are present in the capacity of witnesses. I said, No. Am I
claiming too much for my readiness to forgive injuries, when I add that
I should have preferred saying Yes?

We had our early dinner, and then got ready to go out walking as usual.
These pages contain a true confession. Let me own that I hoped Mr. Sax
would understand my refusal, and ask Mrs. Fosdyke's leave to accompany
us. Lingering a little as we went downstairs, I heard him in the
hall--actually speaking to Mrs. Fosdyke! What was he saying? That
darling boy, Freddy, got into a difficulty with one of his boot-laces
exactly at the right moment. I could help him, and listen--and be sadly
disappointed by the result. Mr. Sax was offended with me.

"You needn't introduce me to the new governess," I heard him say. "We
have met on a former occasion, and I produced a disagreeable impression
on her. I beg you will not speak of me to Miss Morris."

Before Mrs. Fosdyke could say a word in reply, Master Freddy changed
suddenly from a darling boy to a detestable imp. "I say, Mr. Sax!" he
called out, "Miss Morris doesn't mind you a bit--she only laughs at
you."

The answer to this was the sudden closing of a door. Mr. Sax had taken
refuge from me in one of the ground-floor rooms. I was so mortified, I
could almost have cried.

Getting down into the hall, we found Mrs. Fosdyke with her garden
hat on, and one of the two ladies who were staying in the house (the
unmarried one) whispering to her at the door of the morning-room. The
lady--Miss Melbury--looked at me with a certain appearance of curiosity
which I was quite at a loss to understand, and suddenly turned away
toward the further end of the hall.

"I will walk with you and the children," Mrs. Fosdyke said to me.
"Freddy, you can ride your tricycle if you like." She turned to
the girls. "My dears, it's cool under the trees. You may take your
skipping-ropes."

She had evidently something special to say to me; and she had adopted
the necessary measures for keeping the children in front of us, well out
of hearing. Freddy led the way on his horse on three wheels; the girls
followed, skipping merrily. Mrs. Fosdyke opened the business by the
most embarrassing remark that she could possibly have made under the
circumstances.

"I find that you are acquainted with Mr. Sax," she began; "and I am
surprised to hear that