"Ah, indeed; very worthy people they are. Well, madam, Mrs. Copp spoke to me of you; The widow, she said, of the Reverend James Chester, of Guild. I had some slight knowledge of him in early days. You were intending to take some pupils on the plan of a private family, Mrs. Copp said, and she thought it might suit Miss Thornycroft." "Yes," replied Mrs. Chester, scarcely knowing what to reply in her uncertainty of plans, "I did think of it." "And do you wish still to carry it out?" "Yes, oh yes; if I could get the pupils." "I had better tell you what I require for my daughter," observed Mr. Thornycroft. "She must be in a family where the habits and arrangements are essentially good; not the scanty, coarse provision generally pertaining to a school. She must be well waited on, well fed, well treated; her companions must be the daughters of gentlemen; her education must be continued on the same liberal scale as that on which it has been hitherto conducted. And I should wish her to get from the lady principal that good, conscientious, careful training that is rarely given except by a mother." "Is she well advanced for her age? In music, for instance?" asked Mrs. Chester, after a pause. "Very well. She plays the harp and piano, sings, and has begun harmony. German and French she speaks well; but, all that you can inquire into yourself. In saying that her education must be liberal, the word is sufficiently comprehensive." "And for these advantages what sum would you be prepared to pay?" "Whatever was asked me, madam, in reason--in reason, of course. I am at my ease in the world in regard to money, and shall certainly not spare it on my only daughter." Mrs. Chester's mouth watered. She was sure she had heard of such a thing as _three_ hundred a year being asked in a case like this, and given. Time enough for terms, though, yet. "Miss Thornycroft has hitherto been educated at home, I believe?" "She has; but she is getting beyond the control of her governess, Miss Derode, and I think she would be better at school for the next year or two. A good soul, poor Miss Derode, as ever lived, and thoroughly accomplished; but Mary Anne has begun to laugh at her instead of obeying her. That won't do, you know." Mrs. Chester sat twirling the crape of her dress between her fingers in thought. Presently she looked at Mr. Thornycroft. "Have you thought of any sum that might be suitable--for the advantages you require?" "I should think about two hundred a year. I would give that." "Very fair," murmured Mrs. Chester. "Of course, any little extras--but that can be left for the present. I should like much to take her." "For this sum I should expect commensurate advantages," continued Mr. Thornycroft, in his straightforward, candid way. "At present I do not see--you will forgive me, madam--that you are at all prepared for such a pupil. You have no pupils, I think?" "Not yet."