even when the wrong had
been chiefly on the side of the teacher.

On the whole, in spite of this return to old faults, Lucilla was improved
by her residence at Southminster. Defiance had fallen into disuse, and
the habit of respect and affection had softened her and lessened her
pride; there was more devotional temper, and a greater desire after a
religious way of life. It might be that her fretfulness was the effect
of an uneasiness of mind, which was more hopeful than her previous fierce
self-satisfaction, and that her aberrations were the last efforts of old
evil habits to re-establish their grasp by custom, when her heart was
becoming detached from them.

Be that as it might, Mrs. Prendergast's first duty was to her child, her
second to the nephew intrusted to her, and love and pity as she might,
she felt that to retain Lucilla was leading all into temptation. Her
husband was slow to see the verification of her reluctant opinion, but he
trusted to her, and it only remained to part as little harshly or
injuriously as might be.

An opening was afforded when, in October, Mrs. Prendergast was entreated
by the widow of one of her brothers to find her a governess for two girls
of twelve and ten, and two boys younger. It was at a country-house, so
much secluded that such temptations as at Southminster were out of reach,
and the younger pupils were not likely to try her temper in the same way
as Sarah had done.

So Mrs. Prendergast tenderly explained that Sarah, being old enough to
pursue her studies alone, and her sister, Mrs. Willis Beaumont, being in
distress for a governess, it would be best to transfer Miss Sandbrook to
her. Lucilla turned a little pale, but gave no other sign, only
answering, 'Thank you,' and 'Yes,' at fit moments, and acceding to
everything, even to her speedy departure at the end of a week.

She left the room in silence, more stunned than even by Robert's
announcement, and with less fictitious strength to brave the blow that
she had brought on herself. She repaired to the schoolroom, and leaning
her brow against the window-pane, tried to gather her thoughts, but
scarcely five minutes had passed before the door was thrown back, and in
rushed Sarah, passionately exclaiming--

'It's my fault! It's all my fault! Oh, Miss Sandbrook, dearest Miss
Sandbrook, forgive me! Oh! my temper! my temper! I never thought--I'll
go to papa! I'll tell him it is my doing! He will never--never be so
un