"My dear," he said, in dulcet tones, "I am afraid my brother is a very selfish man, and wants to get this poor girl’s money. If she were to become friends with us, we might guard her against him. Indeed, it might only be fair to tell her what money awaits her, whenever she chooses to take it; and perhaps, you know, Jane, she might give a little present to the children, out of gratitude, you know." "A few thousand pounds would be nothing to her, John," said the wife, thinking of her darling boys. "And Fred’s money he’s sure to keep to himself. He seems to have no idea that his family have claims upon him." However, to return to the Count, he then proceeded to unfold to his brother the plan he had conceived for the entrapping of this golden-crested wren which was so likely to fly away: "All the little money she may have saved will be swallowed up in the funeral expenses. After that—what? Music-lessons, or French, or something. Very good. I know she has been already watching the advertisements in the _Times_. Now what I want you to do is this—publish an advertisement which will attract her attention, and secure her as a governess." The two men had thought of the same thing, at the same moment, each for his own purpose. But John Hubbard suddenly began to fear that he would be made a cat’s-paw of by his more favoured brother. "The name, Frederick, might suggest to her——" "I don’t think she knows my personal name," said the Count, coldly. "Besides, you would not advertise as Cayley & Hubbard, which might remind her of _one_ resource open to her, and you would not advertise as my brother, which would frighten her away. Let Jane advertise—she will do it better than either of us; and if it is necessary to get rid of your present governess, you can give her some small _solatium_, which I will repay you." This was the advertisement which was finally concocted between them— "_Wanted, a Governess. Must be thoroughly proficient in music and French. One who could assist in arranging private theatricals preferred. Apply,_" _&c., &c._ It was submitted by Mr. John Hubbard to the inspection of his wife; and the mild, fat, pretty little woman approved of it: "That is how I fancy we might get acquainted with her, my dear; and you know Frederick dare not come near the house at first, or she would be frightened away at once. Then, you know, we could be very kind to her, and make her grateful. She ought to be grateful, considering her position." Jane acquiesced, but was not hopeful. She had heard her husband frequently speak of the strange things he encountered in his professional career; but she had never herself seen any of them. She did not believe, therefore, that any portion of a romance could be enacted in her prosaic house.