-near which he had been sitting--above an unseasonable,
smouldering coal-fire.

I bowed affirmatively for all reply. "And I," he continued, "am Prosper
La Vigne, of the '_Less durneer_' settlement" (for thus he pronounced
this anglicized French name) "Maurice County, Georgia," with an air
that seemed to say, "You have heard of me, of course!" and again I
bowed, as my only alternative.

"Lay off your bonnet, if you please," he said, coolly; "I would like to
see the shape of your head before proceeding further. Mine, you see, is
an ill-balanced affair," smiling quizzically in his effort to be
condescending, perhaps. "This is a mere business transaction, you know,"
seeing that I hesitated to comply, "and your phrenological developments
must atone for my deficiencies, or all will go wrong at once--but do as
you like. Now that you have thrown back your veil, I can see that the
brow is a good one. That will suffice, I suppose. I will take the moral
qualities on trial for the nonce. My wife is wholly occupied with her
domestic and private affairs, you must understand, when we are at home,
and much will devolve on you; that is, if we suit one another, which is
dubious. That reminds me! I have not heard the sound of your voice yet;
I am much governed by intonation in my estimates of people, and usually
form a perfect opinion at first sight. Be good enough to read this
item," and he handed me the morning paper, formally indicating it with
his long, lithe forefinger. It was from one of Mr. Clay's speeches. I
did as he requested, without hesitation.

"People trot out horses and negroes when they wish to purchase; why not
governesses?" I questioned, dumbly. "He did well to ask no references;
his examination is thorough, I perceive," and I laid the paper down,
half amused, half provoked, when I had finished. He was gazing at me
open-mouthed--no unusual thing with him, I found later--and was silent
for a few moments.

"Splendid! admirable!" he exclaimed, suddenly; "both, voice and
elocution perfect--you possess the greatest of all accomplishments,
madam, next to conversational excellence," rising to his feet, and
bowing low and seating himself again, in a formal way of his own. "Music
is a mockery compared to such reading! as well set a jew's-harp against
the winds of heaven! You understand my meaning, of course; it is not
precisely that, however. Now let us converse a little."

"The advertisement did not refer to that, I believe