nd asked them questions about their
work, and their lessons; and what they had done to deserve such a fine
airing and breakfasting; and they all answered me very prettily. And
pray, little ladies, said I, what may I call your names? One was called
Miss Burdoff, one Miss Nugent, one Miss Booth, and the fourth Miss
Goodwin. I don't know which, said I, is the prettiest; but you are all
best, my little dears; and you have a very good governess, to indulge
you with such a fine airing, and such delicate cream, and bread and
butter. I hope you think so too.

My master came in, and I had no mistrust in the world; and he kissed
each of them; but looked more wishfully on Miss Goodwin, than on any of
the others; but I thought nothing just then: Had she been called Miss
Godfrey, I had hit upon it in a trice.

When we went from them, he said, Which do you think the prettiest of
those misses? Really, sir, replied I, it is hard to say: Miss Booth is a
pretty brown girl, and has a fine eye; Miss Burdoff has a great deal
of sweetness in her countenance, but is not so regularly featured. Miss
Nugent is very fair: and Miss Goodwin has a fine black eye, and is,
besides, I think, the genteelest shaped child; but they are all pretty.

The maid led them into the garden, to shew them the beehives; and Miss
Goodwin made a particular fine courtesy to my master; and I said, I
believe miss knows you, sir; and, taking her by the hand, I said, Do you
know this gentleman, my pretty dear?--Yes, madam, said she; it is my own
dear uncle. I clasped her in my arms: O why did you not tell me, sir,
said I, that you had a niece among these little ladies? And I kissed
her, and away she tript after the others.

But pray, sir, said I, how can this be?--You have no sister nor brother,
but Lady Davers.--How can this be?

He smiled: and then I said, O my dearest sir, tell me now the truth,
Does not this pretty miss stand in a nearer relation to you, than as
a niece?--I know she does! I know she does! And I embraced him as he
stood.

'Tis even so, my dear, replied he; and you remember my sister's
good-natured hint of Miss Sally Godfrey? I do well, sir, answered I.
But this is Miss Goodwin. Her mother chose that name for her, said he,
because she should not be called by her own.

Well, said I, excuse me, sir; I must go and have a little prattle
with her. I'll send for her in again, replied he; and in she came in a
moment. I took her in my arms, and said, O m