light, and she pictured half-a-dozen possibilities for her future.

From a miniature of the graceless Theodore which Mrs. Leigh produced,
there could be no doubt of the resemblance to his daughter in air and
feature; the long sleepy eyes were identical, though the slightly
insolent expression of Theodore's was, happily, wanting.

"He was the best of husbands," whimpered the widow, on whose placid
mind the shortcomings of the dissipated youth seemed to have left no
impression; "but he was hardly treated in this world, and so he was taken
to a better."

Before Mrs. Rolleston left, it was arranged that Bluebell was to make her
first essay in governessing on Freddy Rolleston, her Sundays to be spent
as often as possible with her mother; and ere another week had passed,
she and her effects were transferred to the Maples.

A bed was made up for her in a little room of Cecil's and the tuition of
Freddy carried on in the nursery; for Mrs. Rolleston having some doubts
as how the amateur and professional governess might amalgamate, avoided
letting her entrench on Miss Prosody's premises.

That lady, indeed, was disposed to look upon her with suspicion
and incipient dislike. She had always been treated with great
consideration--quite one of the family, and cared not for "a rival near
her throne." Who was Bluebell that she should be made so much of?--a
little nursery governess with no attainments, and yet Cecil's inseparable
companion! She was a prime favourite with the Colonel, whose "ways" she
had made a judicious study of, and treated with considerable tact. He
always mentioned her as "that dear invaluable creature, Miss Prosody."