"Shan't!" said Alicia, tucking her hands behind her, and sniffing again abundantly, as she, to show her dislike to governesses in general, made what is termed "a face" at the new-comer--that is to say, she contracted the skin of her little snub nose, half-closed her eyes, and lolled out her tongue in a most prepossessing manner; though Ella, not being of the medical profession, could very well have dispensed with the last attention. "Alicia, I've told you before that that is very coarse and vulgar," said Mrs Marter mildly, for the young lady's back being turned, she did not see the physiognomical contortions. "You must not say `sha'n't!' but, if you do not wish to shake hands with Miss Bedford: `I would rather not,' or, `I do not wish to do so.'--Selina, my darling, you will do as mamma tells you--won't you? Now, my love, you go and shake hands with your new governess." Ella took a step forward, and held out her hand, when mamma's darling's face contracted, and directly after she spat fiercely at the new-comer, and then ran howling behind the sofa. "Naughty Seliny--naughty Seliny!" said Mrs Marter. "You see, Miss Bedford, you are strange to them yet. They will know you better soon." "I sha'n't do no lessons," said Alicia defiantly; "and I've burnt my book." "Fie, fie!" said Mrs Marter sweetly. "Licy pushed me downstairs, mar," said the darling behind the sofa. "No, I didn't," shouted Alicia; "she tumbled." "There's a big story!" cried Eleonora. "She put her hands on her back, mar, and pushed her as hard as she could--" Smack! "Boo--boo--bo--oh!" Before Miss Eleonora had finished her sentence, her sweet sister had smitten her upon the mouth so sharply, that her lip bled, and she burst forth into a loud howl. "There, my dears, I cannot have this to-day.--Miss Bedford, be kind enough to see them into the schoolroom.--There, it's of no use, Selina; if you will not go, you must be carried.--There, for goodness' sake, Miss Bedford, what are you thinking about? Take her up in your arms and carry her." Ella obeyed; for Miss Selina had refused to leave the room, clinging tightly to mamma's skirts till she was carried off, fighting furiously, and slapping and scratching at her bearer's face in such a way that, could Charley Vining have been a spectator, he would have been frantic. "Never mind her scratching," said the eldest girl; "she always does like that. This way." And in a few moments more Ella was able to deposit her precious charge in the schoolroom, where, set free, the sweet innocent revenged herself again by spitting, till the upper housemaid was summoned, and led Ella to her own room. "I pity you, miss, I do," said the woman kindly. "You're no more fit to manage them young rips than nothing. They're spoilt in the drawing-room, and encouraged in everything." "Thank you," said Ella gently; "you mean kindly, I am sure; but pray say no more. Let me find it out by degrees."