and exclusively, to the training, education,
and general welfare of his child.

Again the kind Superior acknowledged,
with tears, the honesty of purpose that
could induce a person of Mrs. Fonnereau's
tastes and habits, to act as she proposed.

But Geraldine's pale cheeks flushed.

"Education!" she repeated, slowly—"I
am sixteen!—Training!—Hers?"

The Superior hinted something about
"finishing masters."

"In that neighbourhood, my mother!"
said Geraldine, gloomily.

Her friend found it difficult to comfort
the poor girl. The very prospect of the
exclusive companionship of Melusina—
without mention of her strange, repulsive
follower—was abhorrent to her. There was
but one reassuring reflection:

"Your father must have loved her," said
the Superior.

And Geraldine went.

If Leafy Dell was situated in a "quiet
neighbourhood," it had its own excellent
reasons. People do not, as a rule, prefer
to reside in the immediate vicinity of a
madhouse, and such, up to a recent period,
had been the character of the dwelling
Mrs. Fonnereau had selected. The
establishment had been mismanaged. There
were dark rumours of maltreatment of the
unhappy inmates. At all events, it was
broken up, and reorganised elsewhere, the
proprietor trusting to a low rent, and the
really beautiful, but gloomy and neglected
grounds, to find more eligible occupants.

Any one peeping into the vast drawing-
room of Leafy Dell, at this time, might
have seen Mrs. Fonnereau in close
consultation with a lady tall of stature—with
stern, handsome features, and a hand which,
as it lay open on the table, showed white
as snow, yet large and muscular as that of
a man.

She was there in consequence of an
advertisement which (for we write no fiction)
may be read in the Times of that date.

"GOVERNESS WANTED. To undertake the
undivided charge, and complete the
education of a pupil whose mind and talents
have been misdirected—whose nature is
morose and difficult—and for whose
improvement the union of womanly instruction
with masculine firmness is absolutely
essential. Qualities adapted to this exceptional
case will command a most liberal
reward. Address, &c."

To judge by the countenances and
mutual demeanour of the pair, their
acquaintance, though but a few hours old,
had ripened into an excellent understanding.
Their confidence almost resembled
conspiracy—else, why—when the hollow-
sounding house-bell announced an arrival
—should they start, and exchange a meaning
grasp of the hand—followed by the
abrupt departure of the strange, strong
woman from the room?

Mrs. Fonnereau received Geraldine with
a tenderness only qualified by that sweet
maternal superiority that became her new
position towards the lonely girl. Her step-
child liked this better—it was more real—
and began to think the intercourse would
prove more tolerable than her fears
foretold. She resolved to do her utmost to
love the woman her father had loved, and
with whom her lot seemed inevitably cast.

As they sat together in the dusk, awaiting
dinner, Mrs. Fonnereau began to speak
of "education."

"I declare you have grown quite French,
my love," she said, laughing sweetly, but a
little reprovingly.

"French is almost my natural tongue,"
said Geraldine, quietly. "Little else is
spoken by the sisters."

""We must forget the sisters," returned
her stepmother. "Your dear father was
thoroughly English. His tastes, habits,
and wishes were my law. We shall, I
trust, undo much that has been mislearned,
and commence anew. And take note,
sweet one, I shall expect implicit
obedience! Not one rebellious word!"

"I have been accustomed to consider my
education completed, mad—mamma, that
is," said Geraldine, haughtily. "May I
ask in what I am to benefit by your
instruction?"

"In nothing, love," replied Melusina.
"Mine is but an affectionate supervision. I
leave all that to Mrs. Manning."

"Mrs. Manning!"

"Your governess."

"Governess!" repeated Miss Fonnereau.
"A governess? For me?"

Melusina uttered a little silvery laugh,
and her eyes sent a cat-like glance through
the darkening room. She made no other
reply.

"Please to remember," resumed Geraldine,
her bosom heaving, "that I am already
a woman."

"Do not make me forget it, dear,"
replied her stepmother, sweetly. "Want of
filial obedience and docility must be
reckoned as childish faults, and dealt with
accordingly."

"Want of—I do not understand you,"
said Geraldine, rising.

"Hush—I beg! Compose yourself, my