The Argosy — page 164: what you’re looking at

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

154 Parkwater. she was rather finer than the Countess—taking in the general effect of her appearance ; and her flaxen hair was dressed in elaborate braids. “Too pretentious for a governess,” was the idea that crossed Lady Tennygal’s mind ; “‘ I wonder whether she is quite a gentlewoman?” The next moment she took herself to task; as she was sure to do, if her kind heart gave momentary vent to an ill-natured thought. ‘‘ Here are your two little girls, Miss May: Lady Laura and Lady Rose. My dear children, I am sure you will welcome your governess, and tell her you are glad to see her.” They advanced and put out their hands: pretty children of nine and ten, and well-behaved. ‘‘ Mais, elles ne sont pas ” began Miss May, and then pulled herself up hastily. ‘‘I beg your ladyship’s pardon; I have been so much accustomed to converse in French, that I occasionally run into it when I ought not. I was about to ask if these two young ladies were all.” ‘‘ All!” Jaughed the Countess, ‘‘all the children! There are six more, younger than they are. The last is only three months old—such a little darling! These are all who will be under your care at present. I hope you will bring them on well.” ‘‘ Papa says we are backward,” interrupted Laura. ““Qh, yes. Lord Tennygal is very clever himself, and he thinks the children ought to be. I tell him there’s quite time enough.” ‘“‘ He has been away ever so long, papa has,” cried little Rose. “‘ Nearly nine weeks,” added the communicative Countess to Miss May. “He has been out yachting with some friends in the Mediter- ranean. But he is in Dublin now, and wil! be home in a day or two.” ‘Uncle Tody is coming with him,” said Lady Rose, “and he is going to bring me a real live Venetian doll in a gondola. He said so.” “ I have not yet inquired what sort of a journey you have had, Miss May,” said the Countess. ‘Was the sea rough ?” Before Miss May could answer, the sound of a carriage was heard, and the children left their tea and ran to the window to look at it. ‘‘ Mamma !” screamed the children in delight, “it is papa!” “‘ Never!” cried the Countess, running also to look. “Oh, how glad Tam! That's just like him, Miss May; he loves to take us by surprise.” The Earl of Tennygal came in. A small, fair man, as good-natured as his wife. She met him in the doorway, received his embrace, and then flew upstairs to carry down the baby herself, and tell the other children that papa was come. Miss May had risen, and the Earl . bowed to her, wondering what visitor his wife had, staying with her. ‘‘ Now who is going to be mistress of the ceremonies and introduce me?” said he to the little girls, as he stood before the stranger, with a genial smile. ‘“ Mamma seems to have flown away.” ECOMRRIC OOO Ss (GO)