s you. Make no
struggle for me, but use me as I may be most serviceable to you.'

Phoebe, instead of answering, kissed and clung to her.

'What do you think of doing?' asked the governess.

'Nothing,' said Phoebe.

'You looked as if a thought had occurred to you.'

'I only recollected the words, "your strength is to sit still," said
Phoebe, 'and thought how well they agreed with Robert's advice to be
passive. Mr. Crabbe has promised not to separate us, and I will trust to
that. Mervyn was very kind in letting us stay here, but he does not want
us, and will not miss us,'--and with those words, quiet as they were,
came a gush of irrepressible tears, just as a step resounded outside, the
door was burst open, and Mervyn hurried in, purple with passion, and
holding a bundle of letters crushed together in his hand.

'I say,' he hoarsely cried, 'what's all this? Who has been telling
infamous tales of my house?'

'We cannot tell--' began Phoebe.

'Do you know anything of this?' he interrupted, fiercely turning on Miss
Fennimore.

'Nothing, sir. The letters which your sister has received have equally
surprised and distressed me.'

'Then they have set on you, Phoebe! The whole pack in full cry, as if it
mattered to them whether I chose to have the Old Gentleman in the house,
so long as he did not meddle with you!'

'I beg your pardon, Mr. Fulmort,' interposed the governess, 'the
remonstrance is quite just. Had I been aware of the character of some of
your late guests, I could not have wished your sisters to remain in the
house with them.'

'Are these your sentiments, Phoebe?' he asked, sternly.

'I am afraid they ought to be,' she sadly answered.

'Silly child; so this pack of censorious women and parsons have
frightened you into giving me up.'

'Sisters do not give up brothers, Mervyn. You know how I thank you for
having me here, but I could not amuse you, or make it pleasant to you, so
there must be an end of it.'

'So they hunt you out to be bullied by Juliana, or slaved to death by
Augusta, which is it to be? Or maybe Robert has got his sisterhood cut
and dried for you; only mind, he shan't make away with your 30,000 pounds
while I live to expose those popish tricks.'

'For shame, Mervyn,' cried Phoebe, all in a glow; 'I will not hear Robert
so spoken of: he is always kind and good, and has taught me every right
thing I know!'

'Oh, very well; and pray when does he summon you from among the ung