Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs. Stewart arose as she spoke, thus signifying that the interview was at an end. She was about to ring for a servant to show Hazel out, When Bella interposed. “Let me go dowh with Miss Gay, mamma,’she said, eagerly. ‘ “Yes, dear, if you like,’ her mother replied, indif- ferently, as she bowed to her prospective governess. Hazel then turned politely to take leave of the duchess, Who smiled upon her in a motherly way that quite won her heart. ‘‘Good-norning, my dear,’ she said, kindly. ‘“‘You will like fg ay I am sure; it isoneof the most delightful Places in the world to spend the sum- mer in.” Hazel could have kissed the hem of her garment for her graciousness, in which there was not the slightest tinge of arrogance, and, giving her a grate- ful glance, she passed quietly from thre room. “Miss Gay, 1 know lam ageing to like you ever 80 much,” said Belle, as the door closed after them, while she confidentially linked her arm within Hazel’s. “You're nota bit lofty, as [have imagined English governesses are. I even suspect that you like a good time now and then yourself,” and she shot a merry glance out of her restless black eyes as she concluded. Hazel laughed musically, and pressed the plump hand that rested on her arm in a friendly way. “Thank you, Miss Belle,” she began. “There, stop that, once fer all, if you please!” in- terposed Belle, with pretty authoritativeness. “I won't be ‘Miss’ to anybody whom I like, and who is to be with me bn? ean ee it is a servant. I want to be just ‘Belle’ from this time out.”’ , “Tf your mamma would approve—“Mazer CEne