The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story — page 47: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

86 THE EVIL GENIUS. his kindness. The last of our poor Highland families, who have emigrated to America, have had their expenses privately paid by Randal. The wife has written to me, and has let out the secret. There is an American newspaper, among the letters that are waiting your brother’s return, sent to him as a little mark of attention by these good, grateful people.” Having al- luded to the neighbors who had left Scotland, Mrs. Linley was reminded of other neighbors who had remained. She was still relating events of local interest when the clock interrupted her by striking the hour of the nursery dinner. What had become of Kitty? Mrs. Linley rose and rang the bell to make inquiries. On the point of answering, the servant looked round at the open door behind him. He drew aside, and revealed Kitty, in the corridor, hand in hand with Sydney Westerfield, who timidly hesitated at entering the room. ‘‘ Here she is, mamma,” cried the child. ‘I think she’s afraid of you; help me to pull her in.” Mrs. Linley advanced to receive the new member of her house- hold with the irresistible grace and kindness that charmed every stranger who approached her. ‘‘ Oh, it’s all right,” said Kitty. ‘‘Syd likes me, and I like Syd. What do you think? She lived in London with a cruel woman who never gave her enough to eat. See what a good girl I am, ’m beginning to feed her al- ready.” Kitty pulled a box of sweetmeats out of her pocket, and handed it to the governess with a tap on the lid, suggestive of an old gentleman offering a pinch of snuff to a friend. ‘* My dear child, you mustn’t speak to Miss Westerfield in that way! Pray excuse her,” said Mrs. Linley, turning to Sydney, with a smile; ‘‘I am afraid she has been disturbing you in your room.” Sydney’s silent answer touched the mother’s heart: she kissed her little friend. ‘‘I hope you will let her call me Syd,” she sald, gently; ‘‘it reminds me of a happier time.” Her voice faltered; she could say no more. Kitty explained with the air of a grown person encouraging a child. ‘‘ I know all about it, mamma. She means the time when her papa was alive. She lost her papa when she was a little girl like me. I didn’t dis- turb her. I only said, ‘My name’s Kitty; may I get on the bed? And she was quite willing; and we talked. And I helped her to dress.” Mrs. Linley led Sydney to the sofa, and stopped the flow of her daughter’s narrative. The look, the voice, the manner of the governess had already made their simple appeal to her generous nature. When her husband took Kitty’s hand to lead her with him outof the room, she whispered as he passed, ‘* You nave done quite right; I haven’t a doubt of it now!” CHAPTER III. MRS. PRESTY CHANGES HER MIND. THE two ladies were alone. Widely as the lot in life of one differed from the lot in life of the other, they presented a contrast in personal appearance which was more remarkable still. In the prime of life, tall and Gomichbooks (€©) m