‘Do you think what Harriet says is true, Mary?’ asked Lady Cumnor, rather anxiously.

’I was so little with Clare in the schoolroom.  I used to read French with her; she had a beautiful accent, I remember.  Both Agnes and Harriet were very fond of her.  I used to be jealous for Miss Benson’s sake, and perhaps—­’ Lady Cuxhaven paused a minute—­’that made me fancy that she had a way of flattering and indulging them—­not quite conscientious, I used to think.  But girls are severe judges, and certainly she has had an anxious enough life since.  I am always so glad when we can have her, and give her a little pleasure.  The only thing that makes me uneasy now is the way in which she seems to send her daughter away from her so much; we never can persuade her to bring Cynthia with her when she comes to see us.’

‘Now that I call ill-natured,’ said Lady Harriet; ’here is a poor dear woman trying to earn her livelihood, first as a governess, and what could she do with her daughter then, but send her to school? and after that, when Clare is asked to go visiting, and is too modest to bring her girl with her—­besides all the expense of the journey, and the rigging out—­Mary finds fault with her for her modesty and economy.’

’Well, after all, we are not discussing Clare and her affairs, but trying to plan for mamma’s comfort.  I don’t see that she can do better than ask Mrs. Kirkpatrick to come to the Towers—­as soon as her holidays begin, I mean.’

‘Here is her last letter,’ said Lady Cumnor, who had been searching for it in her escritoire, while her daughters were talking.  Holding her glasses before her eyes, she began to read, ’"My wonted misfortunes appear to have followed me to Ashcombe”—­um, um, um; that’s not it—­ “Mr. Preston is most kind in sending me fruit and flowers from the Manor-house, according to dear Lord Cumnor’s kind injunctions.”  Oh, here it is!  “The vacation begins on the 11th, according to the usual custom of schools in Ashcombe; and I must then try and obtain some change of air and scene, in order to fit myself for the resumption of my duties on the 10th of August.”  You see, girls, she would be at liberty, if she has not made any other arrangement for spending her holidays.  To-day is the 15th.’

‘I’ll write to her at once, mamma,’ Lady Harriet said.  ’Clare and I are always great friends; I was her confidant in her loves with poor Mr. Kirkpatrick, and we’ve kept up our intimacy ever since.  I know of three offers she had besides.’

’I sincerely hope Miss Bowes is not telling her love-affairs to Grace or Lily.  Why, Harriet, you could not have been older than Grace when Clare was married!’ said Lady Cuxhaven in maternal alarm.

’No; but I was well versed in the tender passion, thanks to novels.  Now I dare say you don’t admit novels into your school-room, Mary; so your daughters wouldn’t be able to administer discreet sympathy to their governess in case she was the heroine of a love-affair.’