“What, then, do you intend her for?” said Sir Hercules to my father.  “You don’t mean to bring her up as a lady, do you?”

“No, your honor, she’s but a pensioner’s daughter, and I wishes her to be humble, as she ought to be; so I’ve been thinking that something in the millinery line, or perhaps—­”

“As a governess, my lady,” interrupted my mother, with a courtesy.

“That will make her humble enough, at all events,” observed the bald gentleman in black, with a smile.

“I admit,” replied Lady Hercules, “that your having given my name to your little girl is a strong reason for her not going into service; but there are many expenses attending the education necessary for a young person as governess.”

Here my mother entered into an explanation of how Virginia had been educated—­an education which she should not have dreamed of giving, only that her child bore her ladyship’s name, etc.  My mother employed her usual flattery and humility, so as to reconcile her ladyship to the idea; who was the more inclined when she discovered that she was not likely to be put to any expense in her patronage of my sister.  It was finally agreed that Virginia should be educated for the office of governess, and that when she was old enough Lady Hercules would take her under her august protection; but her ladyship did do her some service.  Finding that Virginia was at a respectable school, she called there with a party of ladies, and informed the schoolmistress that the little girl was under her protection, and that she trusted that justice would be done to her education.  In a school where the Misses Tippet were considered the aristocracy the appearance of so great a woman as Lady Hercules was an event, and I do not know whether my little sister did not after that take precedence in the school.  At all events, she was much more carefully instructed and looked after than she had been before.  Sir Hercules was also pleased to find, upon inquiry, that there was every prospect of my entering the pilot service, without any trouble on his part.  Both Sir Hercules and his lady informed their friends of what their intentions were to their young proteges, and were inundated with praises and commendations for their kindness, the full extent of which the reader will appreciate.  But, as my mother pointed out as we walked home, if we did not require their assistance at present, there was no saying but that we eventually might; and if so, that Sir Hercules and Lady Hawkingtrefylyan could not well refuse to perform their promises.  I must say that this was the first instance in my recollection in which my parents appeared to draw amicably together; and I believe that nothing except regard for their children could have produced the effect.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

     A most important Present is made to me; and, as it will eventually
     appear, the Generosity of the Giver is rewarded.