"Look," said Dr. Gale. "Is Sir Rupert going to be your Petruchio? Who knows what the future may bring forth--who knows that we do not behold a future Lady Thetford?" "She is very pretty," said the rector thoughtfully, "and she may change with years. Your prophecy may be fulfilled." The present Lady Thetford entered as he spoke. She had heard the remarks of both, and there was an unusual pallor and gravity in her face as she advanced to receive them. Little Sir Rupert was called in, and May followed, with a butterfly crushed to death in each fat little hand. "She kills them as fast as she catches them," said Sir Rupert, ruefully. "It's cruel, isn't it, mamma?" Little May, quite unabashed, displayed her dead prizes, and cut short the doctor's conference by impatiently pulling her play-fellow away. "Come, Rupert, come," she cried. "I want to catch the black one with the yellow wings. Stick your tongue out and come." Sir Rupert displayed his tongue, and submitted his pulse to the doctor, and let himself be pulled away by May. "The gray mare in that span is decidedly the better horse," laughed the doctor. "What a little despot in pinafores it is." When her visitors had left, Lady Thetford walked to the window and stood watching the two children racing in the sunshine. It was a pretty sight, but the lady's face was contracted with pain. "No, no," she thought. "I hope not--I pray not. Strange! but I never thought of the possibility before. She will be poor, and Rupert must marry a rich wife, so that if----" She paused, with a sort of shudder, then added: "What will he think, my darling boy, of his father and mother if that day ever comes?" CHAPTER IV. MRS. WEYMORE. Lady Thetford had settled her business satisfactorily with the rector of St Gosport. "Nothing could be more opportune," he said. "I am going to London next week on business which will detain me upward of a fortnight. I will immediately advertise for such a person as you want." "You must understand," said her ladyship, "I do not require a young girl. I wish a middle-aged person--a widow, for instance, who has had children of her own. Both Rupert and May are spoiled--May particularly is perfectly unmanageable. A young girl as governess for her would never do." Mr. Knight departed with these instructions and the following week started for the great metropolis. An advertisement was at once inserted in the _Times_ newspaper, stating all Lady Thetford's requirements, and desiring immediate application. Another week later, and Lady Thetford received the following communication: