be her place, and the children’s.  But I hope that I shall never fail to gather my children round me daily, at stated and convenient periods, for higher purposes; to instill into them Christian and moral duties; to strive to teach them how best to fulfil the obligations of life. This is a mother’s task—­as I understand the question—­let her do this work well, and the nurse can attend to the rest.  A child should never hear aught from his mother’s lips but persuasive gentleness; and this becomes impossible if she is very much with her children.”

Lady Isabel silently assented.  Mrs. Carlyle’s views were correct ones.

“When I first came to East Lynne I found Miss Manning, the governess, was doing everything necessary for Mr. Carlyle’s children in the way of the training that I speak of,” resumed Barbara.  “She had them with her for a short period every morning, even the little one; I saw that it was all right, therefore did not interfere.  Since she left—­it is nearly a month now—­I have taken them myself.  We were sorry to part with Miss Manning; she suited very well.  But she has been long engaged, it turns out, to an officer in the navy, and now they are to be married.  You will have the entire charge of the little girl; she will be your companion out of school hours; did you understand that?”

“I am quite ready and willing to undertake it,” said Lady Isabel, her heart fluttering.  “Are the children well?  Do they enjoy good health?”

“Quite so.  They had the measles in the spring, and the illness left a cough upon William, the eldest boy.  Mr. Wainwright says he will outgrow it.”

“He has it still, then?”

“At night and morning.  They went last week to spend the day with Miss Carlyle, and were a little late in returning home.  It was foggy, and the boy coughed dreadfully after he came in.  Mr. Carlyle was so concerned that he left the dinner table and went up to the nursery; he gave Joyce strict orders that the child should never again be out in the evening so long as the cough was upon him.  We had never heard him cough like that.”

“Do you fear consumption?” asked Lady Isabel, in a low tone.

“I do not fear that, or any other incurable disease for them,” answered Barbara.  “I think, with Mr. Wainwright, that time will remove the cough.  The children come of a healthy stock on the father’s side; and I have no reason to think they do not on their mother’s.  She died young you will say.  Ay, but she did not die of disease; her death was the result of accident.  Mrs. Latimer wrote us word you were of gentle birth and breeding,” she continued, changing the subject of conversation.  “I am sure you will excuse my speaking of these particulars,” Barbara added, in a tone of apology, “but this is our first interview—­our preliminary interview, it may in a measure be called, for we could not say much by letter.”

“I was born and reared a gentlewoman,” answered Lady Isabel.