TITTERINGS AND WHISPERS

Presently, without preface or prelude, she said, almost in the tone of one

making an accusation, "Meess, in England you were a governess?"

"No, Madame," said I smiling, "you are mistaken."

"Is this your first essay at teaching— this attempt with my children?"

I assured her it was. Again she became silent; but looking up, as I took a

pin from the cushion, I found myself an object of study: she held me under

her eye; she seemed turning me round in her thoughts— measuring my fit-

ness for a purpose, weighing my value in a plan. Madame had, ere this,

scrutinized all I had, and I believe she esteemed herself cognizant of much

that I was; but from that day, for the space of about a fortnight, she tried me

by new tests. She listened at the nursery door when I was shut in with the

children; she followed me at a cautious distance when I walked out with