The Argosy — page 238: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs. Montagw’s Governess. 221 * Robert, state the facts; sweet and talented children, but their education rather neglected.” | “Humph !” ejaculated the husband, in a tone that savoured of scepticism. It was according to the notions of neither parent precisely that the notice was eventually drawn up; but one was at last written out and despatched by that very night’s post, and in due course it appeared in the columns of the Zzes newspaper. To that advertisement in the course of the next few days exactly eighty-four replies were received, and what the ultimate decision would have been it would be hard to say, but for the intervention of a chance circumstance. One afternoon as Mrs. Montagu sat in the dining-room, for the twentieth time turning over the various letters of application, a ser- vant entered, carrying upon his tray a lady’s visiting-card, bearing the words, ‘‘ Miss Marion Lockhart.” It was the name of one of the applicants for the situation of governess. ‘Good gracious! Will the whole eighty-four call ?” exclaimed Mrs. Montagu, and in her dismay would have gone straight off into a fainting-fit, but that there was no person at hand to recover her; so postponing the troublesome ceremony, she hastened to the drawing-room to her visitor. ‘Pray sit down,” she said, indicating a chair near the fire, while she herself sank upon a couch opposite. “Thank you; I have ventured to call because I cannot afford delay in finding a fresh situation,” replied the stranger, timidly. ‘I hope it does not inconvenience you to see me.” “Not in the least. I am glad you have called,” replied the elder lady, who was pleased with her new acquaintance. The girl’s pleasant, well-modulated voice and graceful manner were attractive ; her dress was simple and neat, and her face, Mrs. Montagu came to the conclusion, was without exception the most beautiful she had ever seen. In repose it was sad, as though its owner, young as she was, had known sorrow and suffering in no common measure. Miss Lockhart at once proceeded to state her qualifications. These were perfectly satisfactory, and just as the young lady was concluding her story, Mrs. Montagu heard a welcome sound in the hall. It was her husband’s step, and his return from town at the moment was most opportune. Excusing herself briefly to her visitor, Mrs. Montagu flew to consult with her husband. After hearing her account of the candidate, Robert Montagu followed his wife into the drawing-room. Miss Lockhart could not fail to be aware that his entrance was for the purpose of inspection, but the knowledge did not seem to disconcert her in the least. On the contrary, she conversed with them easily and naturally for a few minutes, and then rose to take leave. “You will write, then, Mrs. Montagu, to Lady Ringwood? I COMMICMOOOKS.C©