“Oh, indeed. That is sad; but I do hope you won’t wear a long face and go moping about the house, frightening the children,” said Mrs. Blight, with a candor that was less charming than oppressive to her newly engaged governess. “You must do as the poet so romantically says: “‘Wear a smile, Though the cold heart runs darkly to ruin the while.’ “If he doesn’t say that, it’s some such thing, and a very pretty sentiment too. And now let us discuss your new duties.” She proceeded to sketch Lally’s duties much as the housemaid had done. Then she gave a history of each one of the five children who were to be under Lally’s supervision. Three of the children were boys, and their fond mother described them as paragons. Her girls also were extraordinary in their mental and physical attractions, “having once been taken at the Zoological gardens during a visit to London, by a strange gentleman, for the children of a nobleman!” “I will accompany you to the nursery, Miss Bird,” said the lady, arising. “I desire to introduce you to my darlings. I have great faith in the instincts of children, and I want to see what my children think of you.” Accordingly Mrs. Blight conducted Lally again to the upper floor and to the nursery, which was at the moment of their entrance in a state of wildest confusion and disorder. The nurse, a stout old woman, and the nursemaid, a red-faced young girl, were in a state of despair, and frantically holding their hands to their ears, while five robust, boisterous, frouzy-headed children rode about the room upon chairs, played “tag,” and otherwise disported themselves. The entrance of Mrs. Blight and Lally caused a cessation of the noise. The mother called her children to her, but they retreated with their fingers in their mouths, looking askance at their new governess. The three “noble boys” presently set up a loud bellowing, and the two girls who had been “mistaken by a strange gentleman for the children of a nobleman,” hid behind their nurses. It required all the persuasions, coupled with threats, of Mrs. Blight, to induce her shy children to show themselves to Lally. It appeared that they had a horror of governesses, regarding them as tyrants and ogresses created especially to destroy the happiness of children; but Lally’s smiles, added to the fact that she looked but little more than a child, finally induced them to be sociable and to approach her. “In a day or two you won’t be able to do anything with them, Miss,” said the head nurse. “They’ll ride rough-shod over you.”