Next morning she was conducted by her pupils round the spring woods, the
same walk that Dutton and his cousin had perambulated eighteen months
ago. It took just twenty-five minutes to make the circuit, returning to
the starting point, marked by a summer-house.

When they had got about half way round, they were met by an old, spare
gentlemen, slightly bent. He nodded to the children, spoke a casual word,
and mechanically raised his hat to Bluebell. The intensity of her
interest gave animation to her countenance.

"That's a pretty girl," thought his Lordship, continuing on his way.

He was in the habit of taking this constitutional every morning before
breakfast, sometimes twice round, sometimes once. This day it was twice,
and, walking at about an equal pace, the school-room party were passing
him nearly on the same spot.

Lord Bromley paused again, said something to the children, and took a
second glance at Bluebell.

"You are a young mistress of the ceremonies, Mabel; but why don't you
present me to this young lady?"

Mabel looked up in astonishment, then said promptly, "Miss Leigh, Lord
Bromley."

A slight tremor passed over his face, and he leant a little more on his
stick, giving Bluebell an impression of extreme feebleness. After a
mechanical observation or two, rather to her disappointment he walked
away, without further improving the introduction.

Mrs. Barrington wished lessons to be proceeded with in the forenoon, so
they did not leave the nursery. In the evening the children were desired
to dress and come down with Bluebell till bed-time. It seems rather a
_triste_ pleasure for a governess to have the trouble and expense of an
evening toilette, with no expectation of entertainment beyond a cup of
coffee if the servants remember to offer it, and the enforced
conversation of some good-hearted guest, who, in the absence of any
subject in common, can think of no more suggestive topic than inquiries
into her daily walks, with threadbare remarks on the scenery. If she is
lively, and strikes out into fresh fields and pastures new, "she is
forward, and a flirt." If otherwise, she mounts the stereotyped smile,
and gushes about the singing in church and picturesqueness of the
neighbourhood, which, probably, by this time she loathes every feature
of. Then come long pauses; the philanthropic guest mingles in general
conversation, and edges away, leaving her to retreat upon a photograph
book.

Little of all th