"And if you think that I know enough to attempt to get into the way of teaching, I shall leave all the other arrangements to you. I am not anxious about the salary you may be inclined to give me; because, after all, it is only a trial. And if you think I am worth to you, in the meantime, so much per week as will keep me in food and pay my lodgings——" "Your lodgings! I could not think of submitting you to the misery of lodgings so long as I have a comfortable room to offer you." Mrs. Hubbard did not look like a practical joker; but her reception of the new governess looked uncommonly like a practical joke. "You are very kind," said Annie, the wide eyes being a little wider than usual; "but I thought it was as a day-governess——" "To be sure, we have always had a day-governess. But in _your_ case I should prefer a resident governess, especially if you are about to leave your home and take lodgings." "I meant to take lodgings somewhere near you, if I had the good fortune to please you." "In this neighbourhood you couldn’t get lodgings; and if you go down to Camden Town, or over to Kentish Town—oh, my dear, I couldn’t think of it. My husband is very particular about everybody connected with us being treated fairly—like one of ourselves, you understand; and as soon as he heard of your being inclined to answer the advertisement, he said— "’I hope Miss Brunel will find a comfortable home here.’" This was another lie—indeed, what little intellect the poor woman had chiefly took the form of invention. "I am not anxious to go into lodgings," said Annie Brunel, with a smile, "as I had a good deal of experience of them at one time." "Shall we consider it settled, then?" "But you do not know whether I am fit for the duties you require." "What an objection! I know you are." "Then, as to terms——" "We shan’t quarrel about terms. Come and stay with us as soon as you can, and we’ll make everything comfortable and agreeable for you, and we’ll settle about terms afterwards. Then, you know, we shall have private theatricals to amuse you." In certain stories, and in not a few dramas, Annie Brunel had seen a perfect stranger suddenly determine to play the part of a special Providence towards the heroine; but she was lost in astonishment to meet that incomprehensible friend in real life. Here she was, however; and when it is manna that the clouds rain, there is little reason in putting up an umbrella. Mrs. Hubbard rang the bell, and sent a servant for the children. They came trooping down to the drawing-room, pushing each other, and looking very shy and a trifle sulky. "This is the lady who will help you with your lessons now, my dears, since Miss Betham has gone." "Miss Betham hasn’t gone—she is upstairs yet," said Master Alexander, "and she has just told Kate to fetch her her sherry." "Ah, come to look after some music she has left behind, perhaps," said Mrs. Hubbard, with a significant nod to Annie.