"Oh! that some kind spirit would whisper those words in his ear!" I inwardly exclaimed. I was far too indignant to hazard a reply to her observation aloud; and nothing more was said about Mr. Weston that day, by me or in my hearing.
But next morning, soon after breakfast, Miss Murray came into the school-room where her sister was employed with me at her studies. . .or rather her lessons, for studies they were not. . .and said,
"Matilda, I want you to take a walk with me about eleven o'clock."
"Oh, I can't Rosalie! I've got to give orders about my new bridle and saddle-cloth, and to speak to the rat-catcher about his dogs. . .Miss Grey must go with you."
"No, I want you," said Rosalie; and calling her sister to the window, she whispered an explanation in her ear, upon which the latter consented to go.
I remembered that eleven was the hour at which Mr. Weston proposed to come to the porter's lodge; and remembering that, I beheld the whole contrivance.
Accordingly at dinner, I was entertained with a long account of how Mr. Weston had
M 5
