II.

The next change that set in at Leet Hall concerned Miss Kate Dancox.
That wilful young pickle, somewhat sobered by the death of Hubert in the
summer, soon grew unbearable again. She had completely got the upper
hand of her morning governess, Miss Hume--who walked all the way from
Church Dykely and back again--and of nearly everyone else; and Captain
Monk gave forth his decision one day when all was turbulence--a resident
governess. Mrs. Carradyne could have danced a reel for joy, and wrote to
a governess agency in London.

One morning about this time (which was already glowing with the tints
of autumn) a young lady got out of an omnibus in Oxford Street, which
had brought her from a western suburb of London, paid the conductor, and
then looked about her.

"There!" she exclaimed in a quaint tone of vexation, "I have to cross
the street! And how am I to do it?"

Evidently she was not used to the bustle of London streets or to
crossing them alone. She did it, however, after a few false starts, and
so turned down a quiet side street and rang at the bell of a house in
it. A slatternly girl answered the ring.

"Governess-agent--Mrs. Moffit? Oh, yes; first-floor front," said she
crustily, and disappeared.

The young lady found her way upstairs alone. Mrs. Moffit sat in state in
a big arm-chair, before a large table and desk, whence she daily