, who had
made him his heir. She remarked, further, that he was the life of their
dwelling, and they had indeed missed him very much. I said that I was
sorry to have given her pain. She replied that the song had afforded her
a pleasure, although, said she, "I could not refrain from tears while
thinking of my absent Willie."

In order to change the subject, Mr. Leighton remarked that they were
fortunate in securing a governess who could both sing and play, as he
was very fond of music.

When I left Mrs. Wentworth's school I was called an excellent performer
on the piano, for I was very fond of music, and had devoted much time to
practice. We also enjoyed some very pleasant conversation during the
evening, and the more I saw of Mr. and Mrs. Leighton I felt disposed to
like them. When I retired to my own room I kneeled and thanked my
Heavenly Father for directing me to a home where I had a prospect of
being useful and happy.

It is not my intention to give a detailed account of the events of the
next two years; and a few words must suffice for that period of time.

If I had trials of temper to endure from my pupils,--and who ever yet
was a governess and had not,--I also enjoyed much pleasure in their
society. The eldest of my pupils gave me more trouble than did both the
others. Her memory was not retentive; she had also a certain
listlessness of manner during lessons which was at times very annoying.
But it was a very pleasant task to instruct Birdie; she drank in
knowledge eagerly, and possessed an excellent memory. In music she made
astonishing progress, for a child of her years; and she was of a most
affectionate disposition, which made the duty of imparting knowledge to
her doubly pleasant. The progress of little Lewis was equal to that of
most boys of his age. I found less trouble with him than I had at first
anticipated. I found him to be a child that would never be controlled by
harshness, but he was easily restrained by kindness.

As often as I could do so conveniently I visited my mother and Aunt
Patience. Aunt Patience seemed happier than I had ever before seen her.
I think the quiet of her home tended to soften her somewhat irritable
temper.

CHAPTER V.

WILLIE LEIGHTON'S RETURN FROM ENGLAND.

Soon after I became a resident in the dwelling of Mr. Leighton, they
received a letter from Willie, informing them that the estate of his
deceased relative could not be finally arranged in less time than