_Violet._ You are not to know yet, mamma; it is—I may tell her that—it is a little drawing that Louisa is doing for me. Louisa, I wish you would let me show it to mamma. _Louisa_. And welcome, my dear; it is only a sketch of “The Little Merchants,” a story which Violetta was reading, and she asked me to try to draw the pictures of the little merchants for her. (_Whilst Lady P. looks at the drawing_, _Violetta says to Louisa_.) But are you in earnest, Louisa, about what you were saying to me just now,—quite in earnest? _Louisa_. Yes, in earnest,—quite in earnest, my dear. _Violet._ And may I ask mamma, _now_? _Louisa_. If you please, my dear. _Violet._ (_runs to her mother_). Stoop down to me, mamma; I’ve something to whisper to you. (_Lady Piercefield stoops down_; _Violetta throws her arms round her mother’s neck_.) _Violet._ (_aside to her mother_). Mamma, do you know—you know you want a governess for me. _Lady P._ Yes, if I could find a good one. _Violet._ (_aloud_). Stoop again, mamma, I’ve more to whisper. (_Aside to her mother_). _She_ says she will be my governess, if you please. _Lady P._ _She_!—who is _she_? _Violet._ Louisa. _Lady P._ (_patting Violetta’s cheek_). You are a little fool. Miss Talbot is only playing with you. _Violet._ No, indeed, mamma; she is in earnest; are not you, Louisa?—Oh, say yes! _Louisa_. Yes. _Violet._ (_claps her hands_). _Yes_, mamma; do you hear _yes_? _Louisa_. If Lady Piercefield will trust you to my care, I am persuaded that I should be much happier as your governess, my good little Violetta, than as an humble dependent of Miss Bursal’s. (_Aside to her mother_.) You see that, now I am put to the trial, I keep to my resolution, dear mother. _Mrs. T._ Your ladyship would not be surprised at this offer of my Louisa, if you had heard, as we have done within these few hours, of the loss of the East India ship in which almost our whole property was embarked. _Louisa_. The _Bombay Castle_ is wrecked. _Lady P._ The _Bombay Castle_! I have the pleasure to tell you that you are misinformed—it was the _Airly Castle_ that was wrecked. _Louisa and Mrs. T._ Indeed! _Lady P._ Yes; you may depend upon it—it was the _Airly Castle_ that was lost. You know I am just come from Portsmouth, where I went to meet my brother, Governor Morton, who came home with the last India fleet, and from whom I had the intelligence. (_Here Violetta interrupts_, _to ask her mother for her nosegay_—_Lady P. gives it to her_, _then goes on speaking_.)