and Sedley's generous affection. She thought of all these, and then compared them with her present dreary abandonment.

Her melancholy reverie was at length interrupted by the return of the footman, who told her that his mistress was engaged, but would see her in a few minutes. Again she was left to her meditations; and, from the length of time she was detained, she began to fear that the lady had forgotten all about her. She knew not that many fine ladies consider tradespeople, governesses, and servants, as creatures who have no right to think themselves aggrieved, and whose time is entirely subservient to their caprices.

Teresa had always been considerate and kind towards her inferiors, and she understood not the way of the world respecting dependants.

When her patience was nearly exhausted, a pert lady's maid came tripping down the staircase, and desired her to follow her to her mistress.

Poor Teresa obeyed, and was at length ushered

into the presence of Mrs. Derby, the lady on whose approval her fate depended.

Mrs. Derby was a young-looking woman for her age, and her juvenile costume denoted that she wished to appear even younger than she looked. Her toilette was perfectly fashionable and elegant, and her countenance soft and pretty; but, though Mrs. Derby could be most fascinating and delightful in society, she was tyrannical and unfeeling in her family, and her children and servants were all afraid of her.

Mr. Derby had married her for her beauty, and had expected to find the smiles which had captivated him, constantly beaming on him; but, alas! he was woefully mistaken, and if there was one being in Mrs. Derby's ménage who fared worse than another, it was poor Mr. Derby. He was a good-natured, weak man, and, therefore, submitted entirely to her caprices; and the contempt she felt for the very submission she exacted was openly expressed to her unfortunate victim. The consequence was, that Mr. Derby, who, before his marriage, had been noted for his

light spirits and careless bearing, was now a miserable-looking, nervous being, who never dared to hazard an opinion upon any subject.

The most aggravating part of his suffering was, that in society Mrs. Derby was wont to speak of all her plans and arrangements as entirely under the control of her husband, and to appeal to him for a corroboration of her assertions, by soft, beseeching looks.

On Teresa's entrance, this august lady was reclining on a sofa, with a little dog in her lap, and a milliner at her side, displaying a variety of bonnets to her view, which she was languidly contemplating. The moment Teresa appeared the lap-dog flew at her, barking furiously, and it was some time before its mistress could call it off from her.

Mrs. Derby then discharged the milliner, after having handled all her bonnets and purchased none of them; and, turning to Teresa, and addressing her as "Young woman," whilst she eyed her scrutinizingly through her glass, she asked her many questions respecting her accom

plishments, telling her that music and languages were what she chiefly sought in a governess.

Teresa's proud blood rose in her cheek at this unfeeling scrutiny, but, quelling her indignation, she assured Mrs. Derby that Italian and French were almost as familiar to her as English, and that as to music, she trusted her powers in that line would afford Mrs. Derby satisfaction.

Mr. Derby was very anxious to procure a governess whose manners and deportment might improve those of her own daughters, who, owing to neglect and fear, were awkward and shy. She was at once struck with the extreme elegance of Teresa's manners, and though she also noted her beauty, she felt that, by confining her entirely to the school-room, that should not interfere with her.

She desired Teresa to sit down to a harp which stood in the room and give her a specimen of her singing and playing. Poor Teresa, though by no means in a frame of mind to relish music, was compelled to comply, and acquitted herself so much to Mrs. Derby's satisfaction, that,

inwardly congratulating herself on the acquisition of such a treasure, she engaged her at

once.

She asked not a single question respecting more solid attainments; she never thought of the religion or morals of her new governess; these were matters of very secondary consideration with Mrs. Derby; besides, the mistress of the school, a most respectable woman, had highly recommended Teresa.

Teresa was soon established in this family, and found her new situation even more irksome than she could have anticipated.

Mrs. Derby had three daughters and two sons, at home. The eldest girl was fifteen, and the youngest seven ; and in proportion to the restraint they were under when in their mamma's presence, was their boisterous rudeness when emancipated from that thraldom. They were vulgar and illiterate, and soon pronounced Teresa to be a good-natured creature, who would never complain of them to Mrs. Derby If she attempted to remonstrate with them when they refused to