Again he thought of Merry, but it was impossible to connect his wife's trouble with his child's discontent. "Well, I will tell you just out, Cyril," said his wife. "I urge nothing, but I feel bound to make a suggestion. I know your views with regard to the girls." "My views, dear! What do you mean?" "With regard to their education, Cyril." "Yes, yes, Sylvia; we have done our very best. Have you any reason to find fault with Miss Beverley or with Vaughan or Bennett?" "Unfortunately," said Mrs. Cardew, "Miss Beverley, who, you know, is an admirable governess, and whom we can most thoroughly trust, wrote to me yesterday morning saying that she was obliged to resign her post as daily governess to our girls. She finds the distance from Warwick too far; in fact, she has her physician's orders to take work nearer home. She regrets it immensely, but feels that she has no alternative." "Provoking!" said Mr. Cardew; "but really, Sylvia, I wouldn't allow it to upset me if I were you. Surely there are plenty of other Miss Beverleys in the world; and"--again he thought of Merry--"we might perhaps find some one a little less old-fashioned." "I am afraid, dear, that is impossible, for you will not allow a resident governess in the house." "I will not," said Mr. Cardew with decision. "Such an arrangement would break in on our family life. You know my views." "Yes, dear; and I must say I approve of them." "You must find some one else in Warwick who is not too tired to take the train journey. Doubtless it would be quite easy," said Mr. Cardew. "I went to Warwick this morning in order to make inquiries," said Mrs. Cardew in her gentle voice, "and I grieve to say there is no one who can in the least take the post which dear Miss Beverley has so worthily filled. But I have further bad news to give you. Mr. Bennett is leaving Warwick for a better post in London, and we shall be at our wits' end to get the girls good music-lessons for next term." "How provoking! how annoying!" said Mr. Cardew, and his irritation was plainly shown in his face. "It does seem hard," he said after a moment's pause, "that we, with all our wealth, should be unable to give our girls the thorough education they require." "The fact is this, dear," said Mrs. Cardew, "and I must speak out plainly even at the risk of displeasing you--Cicely and Merry are exceedingly clever girls, but at the present moment they are very far behind other girls of their age. Their knowledge of foreign languages is most deficient. I have no doubt Miss Beverley has grounded them well in English subjects; but as to accomplishments, they are not getting the advantages their rank in life and their talent demand. Dear Cyril, we ought to forget ourselves and our interests for the children." "What has put all this into your head?" said Mr. Cardew. "As, for instance--" He paused. "It seemed impossible----" "What, dear?" asked his wife very earnestly.