“‘A little learning is a dangerous thing.’ It makes anyone conceited—especially, I think, a woman who has few opportunities of comparing her ignorance with other people’s knowledge,” muttered General Garnet to himself. Then slightly raising his voice, he said: “No, Alice, it will not do. Elsie cannot remain under your tuition. I have other and wiser plans for her.” “I suppose,” said Alice, in a low voice, “that you are thinking of employing a private governess or tutor. Well, if you think it best——” “No, Alice, I have no faith in governesses, and I totally disapprove of private tutors for young ladies. My intention is to send Elsie to a boarding-school for the next six or seven years.” “To boarding-school for seven years! Elsie, my darling, my only one, away from me for so long! She!—so young!—to go among total strangers for so long! No! you cannot mean it!” exclaimed Alice, rising and wringing her hands. “Sit down, Mrs. Garnet, and listen to me.” Alice sank into her seat again, and listened. “There is no female academy of the first class in this country, I am sorry to say; none, at least, at which I should like to place our only daughter.” Alice’s hopes raised; she thought she might have misunderstood what he had said before—her mind was so confused. She hastened to say: “Oh, then, you are thinking of some very accomplished woman, or some highly intellectual graduate of William and Mary, who, though not exactly an ordinary governess or tutor, may be induced to come and take charge of our little girl for a very liberal salary?” General Garnet waved his hand impatiently. “Hear me out, if you please, Mrs. Garnet. I have told you that I dislike private tutors and governesses! I dislike the idea of a stranger domesticated in the house very much. I said, besides, that there was no boarding-school in the country to which I could care to trust our daughter. I intend to send Elsie to England.” “To England!” murmured Alice, in an inaudible voice, growing very pale and sinking back in her chair. “Yes, to England. My friend, General A—— is going out there as minister. He takes all his family, of course. He expects to remain abroad many years. In talking over with me his prospects, among other things for which he congratulated himself was the opportunity that his residence abroad would afford giving his daughters a very superior education. While we conversed, I spoke of Alice, regretting the limited means of female education afforded by our country. Well, he proposed that I should commit my daughter to his charge, to go to England, and be put to school with his own. He pressed this favor very earnestly upon me. The opportunity was one not likely to occur again, and therefore not to be lightly thrown away. Finally I accepted his offer. It was all arranged between us. The embassy sails from Baltimore in two weeks, and before that time Elsie must be ready to join the family.” * * * * *