’"Julia,” he said, “my agent writes me from Scotland that he has been able to hire a house for me, decently furnished, and with the necessary accommodation for my family; it is within three miles of that I had designed to purchase.”  Then he made a pause, and seemed to expect an answer.

’"Whatever place of residence suits you, sir, must be perfectly agreeable to me.”

’"Umph!  I do not propose, however, Julia, that you shall reside quite alone in this house during the winter.”

’"Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn,” thought I to myself.—­“Whatever company is agreeable to you, sir,” I answered aloud.

’"O, there is a little too much of this universal spirit of submission, an excellent disposition in action, but your constantly repeating the jargon of it puts me in mind of the eternal salaams of our black dependents in the East.  In short, Julia, I know you have a relish for society, and I intend to invite a young person, the daughter of a deceased friend, to spend a few months with us.”

’"Not a governess, for the love of Heaven, papa!” exclaimed poor I, my fears at that moment totally getting the better of my prudence.

’"No, not a governess, Miss Mannering,” replied the Colonel, somewhat sternly, “but a young lady from whose excellent example, bred as she has been in the school of adversity, I trust you may learn the art to govern yourself.”

’To answer this was trenching upon too dangerous ground, so there was a pause.

’"Is the young lady a Scotchwoman, papa?”

’"Yes”—­drily enough.

’"Has she much of the accent, sir?”

’"Much of the devil!” answered my father hastily; “do you think I care about a’s and aa’s, and i’s and ee’s,?  I tell you, Julia, I am serious in the matter.  You have a genius for friendship, that is, for running up intimacies which you call such.” (Was not this very harshly said, Matilda?) “Now I wish to give you an opportunity at least to make one deserving friend, and therefore I have resolved that this young lady shall be a member of my family for some months, and I expect you will pay to her that attention which is due to misfortune and virtue.”

’"Certainly, sir.  Is my future friend red-haired?”

’He gave me one of his stern glances; you will say, perhaps, I deserved it; but I think the deuce prompts me with teasing questions on some occasions.

’"She is as superior to you, my love, in personal appearance as in prudence and affection for her friends.”

’"Lord, papa, do you think that superiority a recommendation?  Well, sir, but I see you are going to take all this too seriously; whatever the young lady may be, I am sure, being recommended by you, she shall have no reason to complain of my want of attention.”  After a pause—­“Has she any attendant? because you know I must provide for her proper accommodation if she is without one.”

’"N—­no—­no, not properly an attendant; the chaplain who lived with her father is a very good sort of man, and I believe I shall make room for him in the house.”