This Sunday, however, and it was partly because of pity for the shock he felt was in store for her, he devoted himself to her.  They had a long walk on the cliff, and he talked to her of his life, of his travels, and his political experience.  She was a most appreciative listener, and in the warmth of his confidence she opened her mind to him, and rather surprised him by her range of intelligence and the singular uprightness of her opinions, and more still by her ready wit and playfulness.  It was the first time she had felt really free with her father, and he for the first time seemed to know her as she was in her inner life.  When they returned to the house, and she was thanking him with a glow of enthusiasm for such a lovely day, he lifted her up and kissed her, with an emotion of affection that brought tears to her eyes.

A couple of days elapsed before Mrs. Mavick was ready for action.  During this time she had satisfied herself, by apparently casual conversation with her daughter and Miss McDonald, that the latter would be wholly out of sympathy with her intentions in regard to Evelyn.  Left to herself she judged that her daughter would look with more favor upon the brilliant career offered to her by Lord Montague.  When, therefore, one morning the governess was summoned to her room, her course was decided on.  She received Miss McDonald with more than usual cordiality.  She had in her hand a telegram, and beamed upon her as the bearer of good news.

“I have an excellent offer for you, Miss McDonald.”

“An offer for me?”

“Yes, from Mrs. Van Cortlandt, to be the governess of her daughter, a sweet little girl of six.  She has often spoken about it, and now I have an urgent despatch from her.  She is in need of some one at once, and she greatly prefers you.”

“Do you mean, Mrs. Mavick, that—­you—­want—­that I am to leave Evelyn, and you?” The room seemed to whirl around her.

“It is not what we want, McDonald,” said Mrs. Mavick calmly and still beaming, “but what is best.  Your service as governess has continued much longer than could have been anticipated, and of course it must come to an end some time.  You understand how hard this separation is for all of us.  Mr. Mavick wanted me to express to you his infinite obligation, and I am sure he will take a substantial way of showing it.  Evelyn is now a young lady in society, and of course it is absurd for her to continue under pupilage.  It will be best for her, for her character, to be independent and learn to act for herself in the world.”

“Did she—­has Evelyn—­”

“No, I have said nothing to her of this offer, which is a most advantageous one.  Of course she will feel as we do, at first.”

“Why, all these years, all her life, since she was a baby, not a day, not a night, Evelyn, and now—­so sweet, so dear—­why Mrs. Mavick!” And the Scotch woman, dazed, with a piteous appeal in her eyes, trying in vain to control her face, looked at her mistress.