le, 'thinking is very good
also; but you look unhappy--very, poor cheaile. Take care you are not grow
jealous for poor Madame talking sometime to your papa; you must not, little
fool. It is only for a your good, my dear Maud, and I had no objection you
should stay.'
'_You_! Madame!' I said loftily. I was very angry, and showed it through my
dignity, to Madame's evident satisfaction.
'No--it was your papa, Mr. Ruthyn, who weesh to speak alone; for me I do
not care; there was something I weesh to tell him. I don't care who know,
but Mr. Ruthyn he is deeferent.'
I made no remark.
'Come, leetle Maud, you are not to be so cross; it will be much better you
and I to be good friends together. Why should a we quarrel?--wat nonsense!
Do you imagine I would anywhere undertake a the education of a young person
unless I could speak with her parent?--wat folly! I would like to be your
friend, however, my poor Maud, if you would allow--you and I together--wat
you say?'
'People grow to be friends by liking, Madame, and liking comes of itself,
not by bargain; I like every one who is kind to me.'
'And so I. You are like me in so many things, my dear Maud! Are you quaite
well to-day? I think you look fateague; so I feel, too, vary tire. I think
we weel put off the lessons to to-morrow. Eh? and we will come to play la
grace in the garden.'
Madame was plainly in a high state of exultation. Her audience had
evidently been satisfactory, and, like other people, when things went well,
her soul lighted up into a sulphureous good-humour, not very genuine nor
pleasant, but still it was better than other moods.
I was glad when our calisthenics were ended, and Madame had returned to her
apartment, so that I had a pleasant little walk with Cousin Monica.
We women are persevering when once our curiosity is roused, but she gaily
foiled mine, and, I think, had a mischievous pleasure in doing so. As we
were going in to dress for dinner, however, she said, quite gravely--
'I am sorry, Maud, I allowed you to see that I have any unpleasant
impressions about that governess lady. I shall be at liberty some day to
explain all about it, and, indeed, it will be enough to tell your father,
whom I have not been able to find all day; but really we are, perhaps,
making too much of the matter, and I cannot say that I know anything
against Madame that is conclusive, or--or, indeed, at all; but that there
are reasons, and--you must not ask any more
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