The Argosy — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

My First Situation. 143 biscuits ; I quite loved them, they were a bit of home—but I longed for rest too much to be able to eat and drink. “Then I wish the gracious Fraulein a very good night.” With which words the guardian of the house closed the door behind him, and I was left to my own thoughts and devices. First I carefully recon- noitred the walls, to see that there were no hidden arras doors, or traps ; then I locked the door and tried to open the window. Alas! the room was on the ground floor, so I could not venture to leave the long French windows open, for fear of the beasts that I heard barking, and lowing, and champing close by: not to mention the buzzing of the mosquitos, that poured in towards the light. When sleep came to me at last it was accompanied by feverish dreams, in which railway accidents and countesses wrapped in wind- ing-sheets, and grinning postmasters and drunken rioters were mixed up with visions of home. But curiously enough, whenever the dream was wildest and the danger most imminent, the smiling eyes of my neighbour in the next droschky rose up between me and destruction. The pleasant, frank face, looking earnestly at me, was the last thing I saw before I was roused by a low tap at the door. I started up in bewilderment. Where was I? By degrees yesterday’s adventures came back to my mind. The sun was high in the heavens. How late it must be! what would my employers think of their new governess? Another tap and a simultaneous opening of the door, which I thought I had locked so well the night before. I stared at it, slowly turning on its heavy hinges, quite prepared to see the gentleman who had ushered me into my bed- room only a few hours before. Instead of this, a small black-robed figure made its appearance; from undera neat white cap, two bright eyes peered at me wonderingly and inquiringly, and the little person _ said softly, ‘‘ May I come in, gracious Fraulein?” at the same time holding out an immense square letter with a large red seal. Having received permission, she closed the door and came close up to my bedside, as if to satisfy herself of my actual existence. ‘‘ The gracious Fraulein will doubtless excuse me; but the Herr Graf said the gracious Fraulein would require the carriage at 11 o’clock. It is now ten. The Herr Graf had to leave before sunrise this morn- ing: sudden business called him away. Before leaving he told me to give up this letter directly the gracious Fraulein should awake.” And the little woman handed me the missive most respectfully. ‘The Count also said that the gracious Fraulein would probably prefer her breakfast in her own room after yesterday’s fatigues,” she continued. ‘‘Shall I bring it in now?” ‘If you please,” I answered, feeling more and more bewildered every minute, and the little figure glided out of the room. Why should the ‘‘ Herr Graf” send me all these messages ? and whatever could I want the carriage for at I1 o’clock? I looked at the letter in all possible ways, It was addressed in a good firm hand to Miss CoOnniclooo SS (CO)