Isabel was not happy in her new home, it was no easy task to teach such
unruly girls as Alice and Rose, whose chief object was to get as much
fun as possible at the expense of their governess, but she trusted in
time to be able to bring them to better order by the exercise of
firmness and kindness combined. With Amy, however it was quite
different, she seemed never so happy as when with Isabel.
It was Sunday afternoon, the children did not seem to know how to employ
themselves, but sat sullenly each with a book, tho' it was very evident
that they were not reading. Indeed, Isabel had seen by their manners all
day, that they had not been accustomed to have Sunday made pleasant.
"Come here Amy dear," said Isabel, "would you like me to read to you."
"Yes please, for it makes my head ache to read all the afternoon."
So Isabel read a portion of scripture and several nice little hymns.
Very soon as she had expected, Alice and Rose, drew near. Then she read
them part of the 'chief's daughter,' and after that she played several
sacred pieces and sang a hymn to the tune tranquility. The children all
gathered round her asking her to teach them to sing it. She promised to
do so if they would learn the words, which they immediately commenced to
do.
After tea they had a most unexpected and very welcome visitor. "Oh!
Everard, when did you come home," they all exclaimed.
"While you were at church," he returned.
"What a shame you didn't come to see us before," said Alice
reproachfully.
"O then, I suppose it was you who shut the door when we were singing
this afternoon," interposed Rose, "why didn't you come in."
"I did not wish to disturb you" he answered, "but why don't some of you
have the politeness to introduce me to your new governess."
Isabel colored deeply as he used the distasteful appellation, and bent
lower over her book, and when Rose said, Mr. Everard Arlington, Miss
Leicester," her bow was more haughty and dignified than she was aware
of. He seated himself at the window with Amy on his knee, while the
others stood one on either side. Isabel heard a great deal being said
about Miss Leicester in an under tone, and was about to leave the room,
when Everard interposed, saying "I shall go, unless you stay Miss
Leicester, I'm not going to turn you out of the room."
"Indeed I would rather go," said Isabel.
"Indeed I would rather you stayed." returned Everard.
"I do not wish to be any restraint on the children, it would be better
for me to go."
"Well," said Everard putting his hand on the door, "I may as well have
it out with you at once, as I did with Miss Manning, I am very fond of
my little sisters, and often come to see them here."
"I have no objection, only let me go."
"But that is just what I don't want you to do, and I always have my own
way at Elm Grove. You must not run away whenever I come, or I shall
think you consider me an intruder."
"Never mind what I think," said Isabel looking up, about to insist upon
going, for she was very indignant at his behaviour, but the face she
beheld quite disarmed her wrath. Such a calm, kind, earnest expression
in the mild blue eyes, such a winning smile played round the handsome
mouth, a more prepossessing countenance Isabel had never seen, there was
something about it irresistibly attractive. "What is it you wish me to
do," she asked as her eyes met his.
"Stay where you are, and do just the same as if I was not here he said,
and not run off as if I was going to eat you."
"Then don't talk about me," she returned stiffly.
"I'm sure. I never said a word about you."
"But the children did," she replied coloring deeply as she returned to
her seat.
"Please Everard wont you read to us?" asked Amy.
When he had finished, Amy asked Isabel if she would play the hymn she
promised.
"Not to-night dear," replied Isabel.
"Oh please, Miss Leicester," coaxed Rose.
"If I am the cause of their disappointment I will go, but indeed I
should like to join," said Everard.
"As you please" said Isabel, ashamed of being so much out of temper.
"You know you promised, Miss Leicester," interposed Alice, gravely.
"So I did, dear," returned Isabel, going to the piano: and she was quite
repaid, as they all sang very sweetly, and quite correctly.
"Good night," said Everard, when the hymn was ended.
"Forgive me, Miss Leicester if I seemed rude, I did not intend to be."
Isabel was distressed to find how much the children had been neglected;
true they were tolerably proficient in their studies, but in all
religious instruction they were miserably deficient.
Left entirely to the care of Miss Manning, who was a very frivolous,
worldly minded woman, they were led, (tho' perhaps unintentionally) to
regard all religious subjects as dry and tedious, and to be avoided as
much as possible. Isabel determined to try and remedy this evil by the
exercise of patient gentleness, and by striving to make religious
instruction a pleasure and a privilege. No easy task did this appear
considering the dispositions she had to deal with, nor was it without a
struggle that she put aside her own wishes and devoted her Sunday
afternoons to this purpose. She certainly did not meet with much
encouragement at first; again and again did the question recur to her
mind, what good am I doing, why should I deprive myself of so many
pleasant hours for the benefit of these thankless children; but the
selfish thought was conquered, and she persevered. On week days also,
she had morning prayer and read a portion of scripture, then they sung a
hymn, always taking for the week the one they learnt on the Sunday
afternoon. Nor was her perseverance unavailing, for the children became
interested, and requested her to have evening service as they termed it,
which of course Isabel was only too glad to do. After a while their
morning numbers were increased, as Emily and her papa joined them, and
so on until at last without any special arrangement they all assembled
in the school-room every morning as a matter of course.
Isabel was very different from what Mrs. Arlington had expected, so
refined in her manners and tastes, so totally unfitted to combat with
all the mortifications of a governess's career. True, she had expected a
rather superior person, when Mrs. Arnold wrote that Miss Leicester was
the indulged daughter of a wealthy merchant, who on account of her
father's losses and subsequent death, was forced to gain her living by
teaching. Still, she was not prepared to find her new governess such a
lovely and sweet tempered girl, and Isabel had not been long at Elm
Grove, before Mrs. Arlington found that she was becoming quite attached
to her. And as Mr. Arlington found that her father was the same Mr.
Leicester from whom he had formerly experienced great kindness, they
decided Isabel should teach the children, and receive her salary, but
that in all other respects she should be as one of the family, and
Isabel was very glad of the change.