dumb. Still Rachel had never been able to make out why Grace, with
no theories at all, got so many more confidences than she did. She
was fully aware of her sister's superior attractiveness to common-
place people, and made her welcome to stand first with the chief of
their kindred, and most of the clergy and young ladies around. But
it was hard that where Rachel really liked and met half-way, the
intimate confidence should always be bestowed upon Grace, or even the
mother. She had yet to learn that the way to draw out a snail is not
to, grasp its horns, and that halfway meeting is not to launch one's
self to the opposite starting point. Either her inquiries were too
point blank to invite detailed replies, or her own communications
absorbed her too much to leave room for a return. Thus she told Miss
Williams the whole story of the thrush's nest, and all her own
reflections upon the characteristics it betokened; and only
afterwards, on thinking over the conversation, perceived that she had
elicited nothing but that it was very difficult to judge in such
cases, not even any decided assent to her own demonstrations. It was
true that riots and breaches of the peace ceased while Miss Williams
was in the house, and learning and good manners were being fast
acquired; but until Conrade's duplicity should be detected, or the
whole disposition of the family discussed with herself, Rachel
doubted the powers of the instructress. It was true that Fanny was
very happy with her, and only regretted that the uncertainty of the
Major's whereabouts precluded his being informed of the newly-found
treasure; but Fanny was sure to be satisfied as long as her boys were
happy and not very naughty, and she cared very little about people's
minds.

If any one did "get on" with the governess it was Grace, who had been
the first acquaintance in the family, and met her often in the