THE UNDESIRABLE GOVERNESS [Illustration] THE MACMILLAN COMPANY NEW YORK · BOSTON · CHICAGO ATLANTA · SAN FRANCISCO MACMILLAN & CO., LIMITED LONDON · BOMBAY · CALCUTTA MELBOURNE THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, LTD. TORONTO THE UNDESIRABLE GOVERNESS BY F. MARION CRAWFORD AUTHOR OF “SARACINESCA,” “THE DIVA’S RUBY,” “THE WHITE SISTER,” ETC. ILLUSTRATED New York THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1910 _All rights reserved_ COPYRIGHT, 1909, 1910, BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. Set up and electrotyped. Published April, 1910. Norwood Press J. S. Cushing Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Used by permission of the _Pall Mall Magazine_ FACING PAGE “They rode races bareback in the paddock” 3 “The last governess, a lovely creature with violet eyes” 11 “In dead silence they stood quietly” 16 “‘Ellen!’ he cried, ‘in Heaven’s name, what has happened?’” 43 “Such ringing laughter as the silent moor had never heard before” 64 “‘The truth is,’ answered Lady Jane, ‘it’s about your hair’” 81 “‘I don’t think Miss Scott at all dreadful,’ answered Lionel” 88 “‘You mark my words, miss. The Lord knoweth His own’” 109 “‘Where are the girls?’ she inquired, in a frigid tone” 119 “The huge black shadow of the balloon ran swiftly over it” 151 “‘We are awfully sorry to intrude on your privacy in this way,’ he said” 163 “A scene of indescribable panic followed” 184 “‘Miss Scott! Why, I saw her at King’s Follitt a month ago!’” 198 “‘You? The daughter of Sir Randolph? You’re mad!’” 221 THE UNDESIRABLE GOVERNESS CHAPTER I “By-the-bye,” began Colonel Follitt, looking at his wife across the tea-things, “have you done anything about getting a governess?” “No,” answered Lady Jane, and a short pause followed, for the subject was a sore one. “I have not done anything about getting a governess,” she added presently, in the tone suitable to armed neutrality. “Oh!” ejaculated the Colonel.