The old woman withdrew with a courtesy.

Mr. Rawjester deliberately turned his back upon me and remained
silent for twenty minutes. I drew my shawl the more closely around
my shoulders and closed my eyes.

"You are the governess?" at length he said.

"I am, sir."

"A creature who teaches geography, arithmetic, and the use of the
globes--ha!--a wretched remnant of femininity,--a skimp pattern of
girlhood with a premature flavor of tea-leaves and morality. Ugh!"

I bowed my head silently.

"Listen to me, girl!" he said sternly; "this child you have come to
teach--my ward--is not legitimate. She is the offspring of my
mistress,--a common harlot. Ah! Miss Mix, what do you think of me
now?"

"I admire," I replied calmly, "your sincerity. A mawkish regard
for delicacy might have kept this disclosure to yourself. I only
recognize in your frankness that perfect community of thought and
sentiment which should exist between original natures."

I looked up; he had already forgotten my presence, and was engaged
in pulling off his boots and coat. This done, he sank down in an
arm-chair before the fire, and ran the poker wearily through his