THE next visit I paid to Nancy Brown was in the second week inMarch: for, though I had many spare minutes during the day, Iseldom could look upon an hour as entirely my own; since, whereeverything was left to the caprices of Miss Matilda and her sister,there could be no order or regularity. Whatever occupation Ichose, when not actually busied about them or their concerns, Ihad, as it were, to keep my loins girded, my shoes on my feet, andmy staff in my hand; for not to be immediately forthcoming whencalled for, was regarded as a grave and inexcusable offence: notonly by my pupils and their mother, but by the very servant, whocame in breathless haste to call me, exclaiming, 'You're to go tothe schoolroom DIRECTLY, mum, the young ladies is WAITING!!'Climax of horror! actually waiting for their governess!!!

But this time I was pretty sure of an hour or two to myself; forMatilda was preparing for a long ride, and Rosalie was dressing fora dinner-party at Lady Ashby's: so I took the opportunity ofrepairing to the widow's cottage, where I found her in some anxietyabout her cat, which had been absent all day. I comforted her withas many anecdotes of that animal's roving propensities as I couldrecollect. 'I'm feared o' th' gamekeepers,' said she: 'that's all'at I think on. If th' young gentlemen had been at home, I shoulda' thought they'd been setting their dogs at her, an' worried her,poor thing, as they did MANY a poor thing's cat; but I haven't thatto be feared on now.' Nancy's eyes were better, but still far fromwell: she had been trying to make a Sunday shirt for her son, buttold me she could only bear to do a little bit at it now and then,so that it progressed but slowly, though the poor lad wanted itsadly. So I proposed to help her a little, after I had read toher, for I had plenty of time that evening, and need not returntill dusk. She thankfully accepted the offer. 'An' you'll be abit o' company for me too, Miss,' said she; 'I like as I feellonesome without my cat.' But when I had finished reading, anddone the half of a seam, with Nancy's capacious brass thimblefitted on to my finger by means of a roll of paper, I was disturbedby the entrance of Mr. Weston, with the identical cat in his arms.I now saw that he could smile, and very pleasantly too.

'I've done you a piece of good service, Nancy,' he began: thenseeing me, he acknowledged my presence by a slight bow. I shouldhave been invisible to Hatfield, or any other gentleman of thoseparts. 'I've delivered your cat,' he continued, 'from the hands,or rather the gun, of Mr. Murray's gamekeeper.'

'God bless you, sir!' cried the grateful old woman, ready to weepfor joy as she received her favourite from his arms.

'Take care of it,' said he, 'and don't let it go near the rabbit-warren, for the gamekeeper swears he'll shoot it if he sees itthere again: he would have done so to-day, if I had not been intime to stop him. I believe it is raining, Miss Grey,' added he,more quietly, observing that I had put aside my work, and waspreparing to depart. 'Don't let me disturb you - I shan't stay twominutes.'

'You'll BOTH stay while this shower gets owered,' said Nancy, asshe stirred the fire, and placed another chair beside it; 'what!there's room for all.'

'I can see better here, thank you, Nancy,' replied I, taking mywork to the window, where she had the goodness to suffer me toremain unmolested, while she got a brush to remove the cat's hairsfrom Mr. Weston's coat, carefully wiped the rain from his hat, andgave the cat its supper, busily talking all the time: now thankingher clerical friend for what he had done; now wondering how the cathad found out the warren; and now lamenting the probableconsequences of such a discovery. He listened with a quiet, good-natured smile, and at length took a seat in compliance with herpressing invitations, but repeated that he did not mean to stay.

'I have another place to go to,' said he, 'and I see' (glancing atthe book on the table) 'someone else has been reading to you.'

'Yes, sir; Miss Grey has been as kind as read me a chapter; an' nowshe's helping me with a shirt for our Bill - but I'm feared she'llbe cold there. Won't you come to th' fire, Miss?'

'No, thank you, Nancy, I'm quite warm. I must go as soon as thisshower is over.'

'Oh, Miss! You said you could stop while dusk!' cried theprovoking old woman, and Mr. Weston seized his hat.

'Nay, sir,' exclaimed she, 'pray don't go now, while it rains sofast.'

'But it strikes me I'm keeping your visitor away from the fire.'

'No, you're not, Mr. Weston,' replied I, hoping there was no harmin a falsehood of that description.

'No, sure!' cried Nancy. 'What, there's lots o' room!'

'Miss Grey,' said he, half-jestingly, as if he felt it necessary tochange the present subject, whether he had anything particular tosay or not, 'I wish you would make my peace with the squire, whenyou see him. He was by when I rescued Nancy's cat, and did notquite approve of the deed. I told him I thought he might betterspare all his rabbits than she her cat, for which audaciousassertion he treated me to some rather ungentlemanly language; andI fear I retorted a trifle too warmly.'

'Oh, lawful sir! I hope you didn't fall out wi' th' maister forsake o' my cat! he cannot bide answering again - can th' maister.'

'Oh! it's no matter, Nancy: I don't care about it, really; I saidnothing VERY uncivil; and I suppose Mr. Murray is accustomed to userather strong language when he's heated.'

'Ay, sir: it's a pity.'

'And now, I really must go. I have to visit a place a mile beyondthis; and you would not have me to return in the dark: besides, ithas nearly done raining now - so good-evening, Nancy. Good-evening, Miss Grey.'

'Good-evening, Mr. Weston; but don't depend upon me for making yourpeace with Mr. Murray, for I never see him - to speak to.'

'Don't you; it can't be helped then,' replied he, in dolorousresignation: then, with a peculiar half-smile, he added, 'Butnever mind; I imagine the squire has more to apologise for than I;'and left the cottage.

I went on with my sewing as long as I could see, and then badeNancy good-evening; checking her too lively gratitude by theundeniable assurance that I had only done for her what she wouldhave done for me, if she had been in my place and I in hers. Ihastened back to Horton Lodge, where, having entered theschoolroom, I found the tea-table all in confusion, the trayflooded with slops, and Miss Matilda in a most ferocious humour.

'Miss Grey, whatever have you been about? I've had tea half anhour ago, and had to make it myself, and drink it all alone! Iwish you would come in sooner!'

'I've been to see Nancy Brown. I thought you would not be backfrom your ride.'

'How could I ride in the rain, I should like to know. That damnedpelting shower was vexatious enough - coming on when I was just infull swing: and then to come and find nobody in to tea! and youknow I can't make the tea as I like it.'

'I didn't think of the shower,' replied I (and, indeed, the thoughtof its driving her home had never entered my head).

'No, of course; you were under shelter yourself, and you neverthought of other people.'

I bore her coarse reproaches with astonishing equanimity, even withcheerfulness; for I was sensible that I had done more good to NancyBrown than harm to her: and perhaps some other thoughts assistedto keep up my spirits, and impart a relish to the cup of cold,overdrawn tea, and a charm to the otherwise unsightly table; and -I had almost said - to Miss Matilda's unamiable face. But she soonbetook herself to the stables, and left me to the quiet enjoymentof my solitary meal.