The Argosy — page 251: what you’re looking at

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

Parkwater. 239 the individual who has imposed upon your lordship by a false recom- mendation in our name. She was educated above her station, and her Christian name is Sophia. ‘‘ We have the honour to be, my lord, ‘“ Your lordship’s obedient servants, “ LYVETT, CASTLEROSSE, AND LYVETT. ‘The Right Honourable the Earl of Tennygal.” Both these communications reached Parkwater by the same post. Lord Tennygal read Mr. Lyvett’s letter and threw it into his wife’s lap. “Take better care in future, Bessie,” was all he said. ‘“ Miss May must leave to-day.” So the whole plot was discovered ; and there remained not a sha- dow of doubt that Miss May, or her friends for her, had cleverly fur- nished her own letters of reference. The Countess of Tennygal was in a state of consternation. Easy- natured as she was, her indignation was aroused now. She would not see the governess, but deputed her housekeeper to pay and discharge her. ‘‘I could not have believed such a thing possible,” she exclaimed. ‘‘T have heard of servants obtaining places under false pretences, but for a governess to do so seems incredible.” Lord Tennygal smiled a half smile: perhaps at his wife’s want of knowledge of the world. ‘* Many a governess has done it ere this,” he said, “and many will do it again.” ‘* But they can have no principle.” “That’s another thing.” Lord Tennygal was not far wrong. There are governesses in families, even now, who have entered them under auspices as false as those by which Miss May obtained admittance to his. ‘“ But, Frank,” resumed Lady Tennygal, her kinder nature reasserting its sway, “this does not prove that Miss May and Tody have been talking and walking together.” “ Of course, it does not prove it,” returned the Earl, with rather a doubtful stress upon the -word. “‘ No: and we will give her the benefit of the doubt, Bessie. I think I will see her myself.” “Oh, Frank, if you would! It was a very, very wrong thing to do; but I cannot help being sorry for her. Perhaps she had no friend in the world to help her.to a situation.” ‘T will hear no justification of her on that score, Bessie,” rather sternly spoke Lord Tennygal. He saw Miss May ; quietly told her of his application to Mr. Lyvett, and its result, and: that she must in consequence leave Parkwater as soon as she could conveniently get her things packed—that day if possible. Not aword did he say as to the other matter: and Miss May thoroughly understood that the cause he spoke of was truly ecomniclooolkks _ (CO)