Adventure and adventurers -- Juvenile fiction; Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction; Seafaring life -- Juvenile fiction
Young Miles appeared so completely changed in appearance and manners
that there was little risk of his being recognised by the inhabitants of
Hurlston.
The day after his interview with his father, a post-chaise which had
come from the neighbouring town, drove up to the Texford Arms. A
Frenchman descended from it. He stated that he was a Royalist who had
been some little time in the country, and that he wished to take
lodgings in the village, his object being to give instruction in French
to the families in the neighbourhood. He was told that there were no
lodgings, but that he could be accommodated at the inn. Saying that he
wished to be quiet, he persisted in searching for them, and after many
enquiries he found that Mrs Brown, whose son sailed as mate of the
_Nancy_, could take him in. She had a neat little room looking out on
the sea, with which he was perfectly satisfied, and at once had his
portmanteau removed to it. His name he told her was Jules Malin. She
was afraid he would not like her English cooking, but he assured her
that he should be perfectly contented with anything she could provide,
for that in making his escape from France he had been inured to so many
hardships, he found himself in a perfect paradise in her quiet cottage.
He seemed somewhat disappointed on hearing that there were but few
families in the neighbourhood likely to take advantage of his
instruction. Some of the better class of farmers might wish their
daughters to learn French. There was also, Mrs Brown said, a young
lady at Downside who might be willing to take lessons, and possibly Miss
Castleton, at Texford, might also become a pupil, although, having had a
French governess she probably understood the language.
Monsieur Malin set out at once with a packet of cards and called on
several of the farmers. His terms were very moderate, and they were
glad of the opportunity of having their daughters instructed in French.
Miss Castleton, at Texford, after speaking a short time to him, asked
him whether he was not a German, and on his assuring her that he was
not, she informed him that as she did not admire either his
pronunciation or idiom, she could not recommend him as a master.
Not in anyway abashed, he made a low bow, and shortly afterwards
appeared at Downside. Miss Jane received him very politely, and begging
him to be seated in the dining-room, said she would take counsel with
her sister on the subject.
"As May has never had the opportunity of speaking to French people,
although she, I doubt not, understands French thoroughly, it will be a
pity not to give her the advantage of receiving instruction," she
observed to Miss Mary.
May was grateful to her friends for their kind intentions, and was
perfectly ready to take lessons. The young Frenchman seemed highly
pleased, and was ready to begin at once.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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