TOUCHIT.--What a woman she was--what a superior creature!
LADY K.--A creature--an angel!
TOUCHIT.--Mercy upon us! how she and my lady used to quarrel! [aside.]
What a temper!
LADY K.--Hm--oh, yes--what a temper [rather doubtfully at first].
TOUCHIT.--What a loss to Milliken and the darling children!
MISS PRIOR.--Luckily they have YOU with them madam.
LADY K.--And I will stay with them, Miss Prior; I will stay with them! I
will never part from Horace, I am determined.
MISS P.--Ah! I am very glad you stay, for if I had not YOU for a
protector, I think you know I must go, Lady Kicklebury. I think you
know there are those who would forget my attachment to these darling
children, my services to--to her--and dismiss the poor governess. But
while you stay I can stay, dear Lady Kicklebury! With you to defend me
from jealousy I need not QUITE be afraid.
LADY K.--Of Mrs. Bonnington? Of Mr. Milliken's mother; of the parson's
wife who writes out his stupid sermons, and has half a dozen children of
her own? I should think NOT indeed! I am the natural protector of these
children. I am their mother. I have no husband! You STAY in this house,
Miss Prior. You are a faithful, attached creature--though you were sent
in by somebody I don't like very much [pointing to TOUCHIT, who went off
laughing when JULIA began her speech, and is now looking at prints, &c.,
in next room].
MISS P.--Captain Touchit may not be in all things what one could wish.
But his kindness has formed the happiness of my life in making me
acquainted with YOU, ma'am: and I am sure you would not have me be
ungrateful to him.
LADY K.--A most highly principled young woman. [Goes out in garden and
walks up and down with Captain TOUCHIT.]
Enter Mrs. BONNINGTON.
MISS P.--Oh, how glad I am you are come, Mrs. Bonnington. Have you
brought me that pretty hymn you promised me? You always keep your
promises, even to poor governesses. I read dear Mr. Bonnington's sermon!
It was so interesting that I really could not think of going to sleep
until I had read it all through; it was delightful, but oh! it's still
better when he preaches it! I hope I did not do wrong in copying a part
of it? I wish to impress it on the children. There are some worldly
influences at work with them, dear madam [looking at Lady K. in the
garden], which I do my feeble effort to--to modify. I wish YOU could
come oftener.
MRS. B.--I will try, my dear--I will try. Emily has sweet dispositions.
MISS P.--Ah, she takes after her grandmamma Bonnington!
MRS. B.--But George was sadly fractious just now in the school-room
because I tried him with a tract.
MISS P.--Let us hope for better times! Do be with your children, dear
Mrs. Bonnington, as constantly as ever you can, for MY sake as well as
theirs! I want protection and advice as well as they do. The GOVERNESS,
dear lady, looks up to you as well as the pupils; SHE wants the teaching
which you and dear Mr. Bonnington can give her! Ah, why could not Mr.
and Mrs. Bonnington come and live here, I often think? The children
would have companions in their dear young uncles and aunts; so pleasant
it would be. The house is quite large enough; that is, if her ladyship
did not occupy the three south rooms in the left wing. Ah, why, WHY
couldn't you come?
MRS. B.--You are a kind, affectionate creature, Miss Prior. I do not
very much like the gentleman who recommended you to Arabella, you know.
But I do think he sent my son a good governess for his children.
Two Ladies walk up and down in front garden.
TOUCHIT enters.
TOUCHIT.--Miss Julia Prior, you are a wonder! I watch you with respect
and surprise.
MISS P.--Me! what have I done? a poor friendless governess--respect ME?
TOUCHIT.--I have a mind to tell those two ladies what I think of Miss
Julia Prior. If they knew you as I know you, O Julia Prior, what a short
reign yours would be!
MISS P.--I have to manage them a little. Each separately it is not so
difficult. But when they are together, oh, it is very hard sometimes.
Enter MILLIKEN dressed, shakes hands with Miss P.
MILLIKEN.--Miss Prior! are you well? Have the children been good? and
learned all their lessons?
MISS P.--The children are pretty good, sir.
MILLIKEN.--Well, that's a great deal as times go. Do not bother them
with too much learning, Miss Prior. Let them have an easy life. Time
enough for trouble when age comes.
Enter John.