“Oh, no, no!” exclaimed Hope; “you might call a lap-dog that, but a fine pony! so merry, and brisk, and lively--oh, no, no!” “Call it after me,” said Victoria. “Mischief?” said Hope. “No, indeed, not Mischief, but Victoria, or Adelaide, or--I have got it--I have got it!--call it Lillie, after our new governess.” “Is her name Lillie?” asked Hope. “It’s her first name--her Christian name,” said Adelaide, “and Charlotte says she looks pretty, Hope; but she is so quiet and sad--you know she lost her mamma just a fortnight ago.” “And has she no home?” said Hope. “No home? I am sure I don’t know; Charlotte does not say anything about her home; only her mamma is dead, and she is very quiet, and looks pretty.” There was no more to be got out of Adelaide--she could only repeat her text, and wonder at the questions that sprang out of it. “And is she coming with Mrs Heavieliegh?” asked Hope. “Yes--you know Mr Heavieliegh is the Rector of the place her mother died in--but she came from Scotland at first, and Charlotte was very good to her, and because mamma wanted a governess, Charlotte engaged her to come to the Mount.” “Will Mrs Heavieliegh stay long?” inquired Hope. The conversation was getting low, Victoria being busily employed at the other end of the room, endeavouring with all her might to destroy some favourite plants of Mrs Oswald’s. “Not just now--but do you know, Hope, Alick is coming next summer, from India, where he was sent with his regiment, and mamma will give parties, and perhaps a ball--a real ball, Hope!--and you must be there. Oh, we shall be so happy!” “Is he coming to stay?” asked Hope. “I don’t know, mamma didn’t say; but she said there was to be a ball, and that Alick would perhaps bring some officers with him. I only wish the time were come--shall you not be glad, Hope?” “If my mother will let me go, I shall like it very well,” said Hope; “but about the new governess, Adelaide--is she to teach you?” “Mamma says so,” said Adelaide; “but I think I don’t need any more teaching--do you, Hope? after having had to learn such quantities of things. I am sure I wish mamma would just try it herself.” Hope was not quite inclined to acquiesce in this conclusion; but there was no possibility of keeping up an argument with Adelaide, who had nothing to add to her first sentence on any subject, but merely the trouble of repeating it. So Hope wisely went to seek her mother, and to suggest the preparation of some juvenile lunch for her friends, which speedily made its appearance in the substantial form of bread and butter, jam and fruit--healthful dainties which were plentifully discussed by the visitors. John Brown arrived very shortly after, with the pony carriage, the baskets in which were no longer empty, and having with some difficulty hoisted the young ladies in, drove them away, leaving Hope pledged for “the day after to-morrow to come and see the new governess.” CHAPTER VII.