CHAPTER XXVII. MR PEEL'S HOUSE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2167, 29 May 1886, Page 5 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XXVII. MR PEEL'S HOUSE.

It was very hard work, very : day by day trying to please a selfish, exacting woman, and teach two untractable, spoilt children ; and what made it harder was that Mrs Monnscy interfered with everything, and instructed Louey and Johnny " to tell mamma " whatever was done or said to them in the schoolroom. In vain Miss Williams tried to exert her authority— in vain, by turns, coaxed or threatened to punish them. • I allow no serrant or person of any kind to strike my children, said Mrs Mounsey, with awful severity to. her one day, when irritated past endurance, she cave Johuny a slight slap on his white, fat cheek. Oh ! what a roaring ensued ; and then up came mamma to sco what, was the mutter with her dirlin»r. 'She has slapped mo ! she ha* slapped mo !' screamed Johnny, rolling on the floor in his passion. 'Did Miss Williams strike Johnny, Louey ?' said Mrs Mounsey, though the Mippoaed culprit was standing there to give aa answer for herself. • Yes, ma,' replied Louey ; ' t-he gave him a slap— a good slap too.' Then Mr-i Mounsey made the speech abov» recorded, and Miss Williams was interdicted from giving them u little chastisement in future. All this was not very pleasant ; not very agreeable to a delicate lady-like woman, and with other anxieties constantly pressing on her mind. It was no wonder then that Miss Williams grew thinner and paler, aud that Mrs Mounsey became eradually consoled as to her personal appearance. • She in not really beautiful after all,' she said to herself, nearly every day after Miss Williams had been a month in Windsor-street. About that time, however, a change took place in the household, which decidedly was for the better for the poor governess; for their grandmother, Mrs Gerard, having died suddenly. Miss Laura Clayton returned to Oldcastle, and Miss Williams found at least a kind and sympathising companion. • I think we might dispense with Mis.s Williams when Laura returns,' Mrs Mounsey had said to her husband, on the news arriving of their grandmother's death; bufc Mr Mounsey thought thi<» impolitic. 1 1 think, Louisa, we should consideryes, consider twice before we take such a step, Now — of course, ha — none of us conld be — well, unaware of our fn>nd PSel's marked attentions to Lauru, and ha — hope now they will come to a desirable conclusion.' 'But what has that to do with Mws Williams. It is only an expense keeping her till Laura does marry, and I think her very useless.' 1 Why, you see mamma, for one thing our darlings take up ri good deal of Laura's time ; and to tell you the truth, Peel hinted to me the other day he thought it was better we had a governess. You see he is a rich man, and people might say — ah, well— l think wo had better keep Miss Williams for the present ; at least till we see how things turn out— till our belle perhaps sets the bells a-ringinsr — ha, ha, ha.' 'Really, Mr Mounsey, I wish you would get over that way you have of punning.' ' Ha, ha, ha, cease your funning — cease i your funning, cease your punning; ! that's your reading of it, mamma. Well, 1 well, we'll see ; but why not vary life's dull round with a little joke now and then? — it's uo joke unless one docs, I think, ha, ha.' So it was fixed, and Miss Williams did not receive notice when Mi»s Clayton came home, aud somehow even tho dull, olreary schoolroom seemed brighter for her genial presence. 'How handsome she is,' thought poor Williams, the day of her arrival, u'hen after dinner she came upstairs, brilliant and blooming 1 as usual, and, alter rapping at the door came in, holding ottf. her hand to tho governess and introducing herself . ' I fear yuu hive terrible uphill work with them ' she said, alluding to her little nephew and neice ; 'my sister's over-affection for her children has made them very difficult to manage ; I know it from experience.' • I don't get on with them very well, I'm afraid, answered Miss Williams. 'Do not de«pair. Do you know. I think they aro improved. I hear you sing, and I have come up to ask if you will give us the pleasure of your company in the drawing-reom to-night ? There is no one but ourselves and Mr Peel.' It was the first time she had been a«kcd down since sho had entered tho house, and she hesitated. ' Do come,' said Miss Clayton, •it will be a little change for you. It is very dull up here.' ' So she went down, with Laura Clayton, and talked to her ; and presently a grey-haired, stout, comely old gentleman and Mr Monnsey entered the room, and Miss Williams heard them addressing the stranger as Mr Peel. • Well, ladies,' said he, advancing towards them with the comfortable assurance of a rich man ; ' how do jou propose to spend the evening ?' 'I think a drive would be very pleasant, don't you Laura ?' said Mrs Mounsey, who was languidly fanning herself, 'It is so hot.' Then allow me to ring for my servants and order my carriage, which I trust you will find very commodious,' said Mr Peel, ' and would you, ladies, do me the honour of driving as far as Newforth Hall ? I have a show of choice roses in the greenhouse, at present in full bloom, which I should like Miss Laura to see. I think I have heard you, Miss Laura, express great admiration for that flower.' 1 Yes, indeed,' answered Miss Clayton. 'Do you know, Louisa, I think it would be a very good idea. Will you go ?' • Yes, and beg a few roses into the bargain, if Mr Peel will allow me,' said Mrs Mounsey. ' I am sure Mrs Mounsey and Miss Clayton both know they are perfectly welcome to anything at Newforth Hall, said Mr Peel, with an old-fashioned bow. • Tho owner included, eh, Peel V put in Mr Mounsey. * Ha, ha, ha, you shouldn't make such offers, Peel ; the ladies will be taking you at your word.' • I trust one of them will some day,' replied Mr Peel, with another bow to Miss Clayton ; but she only turned her head somewhat impatiently away. 4 You will come with us ?' the said, the nest minute, kindly to Miss Williams,

' the fresh evening air will do you good ' ' My dear Laura, thero will be no room in the carriage,' replied Mrs Mounsey, repressively. 'Oh yes,' she answered, ' such a gallant man as Mr Pool, I am sure, won't object to a little over-crowding. Allow me, Mr Peel, to introduce Miss Williams te you.' ' I bhnll have much pleasure in Mi«» Williams' company,' he replied. ' There is plenty of room ; either Moansey or I c:iu ride on the box.' ' Oh, I'll do thut; always room for a pretty girl, eh, Peel ?' said Mr Mounsoy, who was a little elevated. ' Really, Mr Mounsey, 1 said hi* wife. 1 Come, (some, mamma, none of your gravo looks,' ho answered. 'You ladies need not quarrel about beauty ; you have nil enough, and to spare. Not often you will we such, eh, Peel ? This compliment was not without its effect, and the whole party started together in little more than a quarter of an hour, and were swiftly borne out of the town, and through the long woodbind lane* which led to Newforth Hull, in Mr Peel's luxurious carriage. • Certainly it was a great temptation, thought Amy Williams, sitting by Mr Peel's side, and looking at the lovely, blooming woman opposite to him, as they drove up the splendid oak avenue, till fresh and green with the tints of early summer, for she had heard in the household hints of Mr Peel's supposed intentions. ' A great temptation to become mistress of a place like this, and to have case, comfort, and wealth all one's life long. But then there was another side of the question, and Miss Clayton was debating it in her mind also as she looked on the smooth, green lawn, dotted with its purple beeches, and lit up into wonderful beauty and brightness by the setting sun, and then at the smooth, good-tempered, plain, rosy face, with its white scrubby whiskers and beard which had all this luxury to bestow. •I could have done it better once,' she thought, and sighed ; and looking up, saw the governess's large sofc eyes fixed curiously on her face. Both of these young women thought at that moment of the same person. 'And he knew this beautiful woman, said Amy Williams to herself, witb a jealous pang at her heart. • And he was constantly thrown with a sweet, lovable, creature like this,' reflected Miss Clayton. 'Ah, now lam beginning to undei stand— this was George Manners 's grief.' They went over the grounds and admired the ros-'s, and drank champagne, and ate forced strawberries ; and Mr Peel, in his old-fashioned gallantry, offered his arm to the married lady, and only paid Miss Clayton attention by proxy; and Mr Mounsey being constant to the champagne, it happened that for a few minutes the young ladies were left alone together, and with a certain hesitation in her manner, which Amy Williams noticed, Miss Clayton said — ' You know, Mr George Manners T suppose !" And though it was growing dusk, she blushed as she spoke. 1 Yes,' answered Miss Williams, turning pale, as we do under the influence of any violent agitation. 'He went every week down to Narbrough, did he not ?' Miss Clayton went on. 4 Not always— oh, no !— not always.' ' I thought he told me he did so. He used to come occasionally to my sister's, and I have met him there. Do you think him handsome?' 'I — I — do not know,' faltered Amy Williams ; and then she added, ' yes, I suppose he is.' ' And his cousin, wh.it is he like ?' 1 You mean Sir Hugh ? Oh, he is very handsome ! He is down at the Hall just now ; I heard from Mrs Manners this morning.' 1 Do you know when Mr George Manners will return ?' ' No ; Mrs Manners said she had heard from him, and that he talked of coining home shortly ; but I do not know.' • And what will the young ladies do now ?' said Mr Peel, approaching them, Mrs Mounsey having returned to the strawberries and champagne in the draw-ing-room. •Go home, Mr Peel,' I'eplied Miss Clayton, laughing; 'and we have to thank you for a most charming evening.' 'Miss Clayton makes every place charming,' answered the old gentleman. 'Do you not agree with me, Miss Williams? 1 N Mr Peel escorted them home, nnd Mr Mounsey, between the champagne and the rich man's marked attentions, became* very hilarious, and his puns and jokes, were more overwhelming than ever. 'It is such— such nights as these— friendly, genial — ah, with congenial — ah, souls which make me proud of my countrymen,' he ejaculated in a very disconnected manner from the driving-box of the carrmge. ' Peel, lam proud of you — give me your hand — British merchant — friend — ah ;' and then he began nodding, and Mr Peel was compelled to direct the coachman to keep his eye on the drowsy gentleman by bis side. ' You have made a disgusting exhibition of yourself,' said his wife, angrily, when they reached home and Mr Peel was gone ; ' I am ashamed of you Mr Mounsey ?' • My dear — I — I — mamma, forgive me — let me kiss you, mamma,' said Mr Mounsey, reeling. 'Go to bed,' replied his helpmate. ' Laura, take him to bed ; I cannot bear to look at him.' and so poor Mr Mounsey was carried off, and bad a frightful headache the next day, from which Mrs Mounsey did not fail to draw a moral. ('To be continued.)

Curious Transformation. — When a horse is turned into a pasture. The " Dublin Mail" was the viotira of a hoax. The " Mail" published the following letter from a correspondent : — "I enclose a copy of an inscription in medieval Latin from a atone discoverod during the excavations now proceeding at Cork Hill, near which stood a church dedicated to a saint and missionary known to the chronicles by the Uncatus Abulan% Perhaps a copy might be suitable for your extensively read paper, and some of your antiquarian readers might be able to supply a translation. The inscription is as follows :—: — I 'SABILLI HCSRES' AGO ' FOBTIBUS' ES IN AIM). NOSCEH " ' MAKI ' THEBB ' TRCX VOTIS 'IN'NEM. . . 'FES AN ' DUX." The " Freeman's Journal " gives a translation which may, it says, suit all purposes: — I say, Billy, here's a go. Forty busses in a row ; No, says Mary, they be trucks. What is in 'in ? Pease and ducks. A Brummagem man lately fell from the gallery of the Theatre Royal iuto the pit some 50ft, and as he weighed I4st, it was rough on the bench whereon ho alighted. Next day he called for his hat, and asked back the money he had paid for admission. Having received both, he actually reinaiued for tho performance. The only equal to this story is that of a man who was knocked down in a enquiry charge at the Fifteen Acre*, Phoenix Park, Dublin, and getting up none the worse save for a little dust, was told by a spectator to 4C kneel down and thank God." "What for?" •aid the impenitent one. " Is it for letting a throop uv dhragoons ride over me? "