ffections had not lain fallow ever since she escaped from a series
of governesses who taught her self-indulgence by example.

'I wonder what mamma said!' exclaimed Phoebe, in her strong craving for
sympathy in her suspense.

'I am sorry the subject has been brought forward, if it is to unsettle
you, Phoebe,' said Miss Fennimore, not unkindly; 'I regret your being
twice disappointed; but, if your mother should refer it to me, as I make
no doubt she will, I should say that it would be a great pity to break up
our course of studies.'

'It would only be for a little while,' sighed Phoebe; 'and Miss
Charlecote is to show me all the museums. I should see more with her
than ever I shall when I am come out; and I should be with Robert.'

'I intended asking permission to take you through a systematic course of
lectures and specimens when the family are next in town,' said Miss
Fennimore. 'Ordinary, desultory sight-seeing leaves few impressions; and
though Miss Charlecote is a superior person, her mind is not of a
sufficiently scientific turn to make her fully able to direct you. I
shall trust to your good sense, Phoebe, for again submitting to defer the
pleasure till it can be enhanced.'

Good sense had a task imposed on it for which it was quite inadequate;
but there was something else in Phoebe which could do the work better
than her unconvinced reason. Even had she been sure of the expediency of
being condemned to the schoolroom, no good sense would have brought that
resolute smile, or driven back the dew in her eyes, or enabled her voice
to say, with such sweet meekness, 'Very well, Miss Fennimore; I dare say
it may be right.'

Miss Fennimore was far more concerned than if the submission had been
grudging. She debated with herself whether she should consider her
resolution irrevocable.

Ten minutes were allowed after dinner in the parterre, and these could
only be spent under the laurel hedge; the sun was far too hot everywhere
else. Phoebe had here no lack of sympathy, but had to restrain Bertha,
who, with angry gestures, was pronouncing the governess a horrid
cross-patch, and declaring that no girls ever were used as they were;
while Maria observed, that if Phoebe went to London, she must go too.

'We shall all go some day,' said Phoebe, cheerfully, 'and we shall enjoy
it all the more if we are good now. Never mind, Bertha, we shall have
some nice walks.'

'Yes, all bothered with botany,' muttered Bertha.