"
"I have no objection to go to any place in which I can support myself in
peace."
"As to supporting yourself, that is of no consequence. I will--"
"Pardon me, Lady Houstoun, it is of the utmost consequence to me. I
cannot again live a dependent on your bounty."
"What can you do? Has your education been such that you can take the
situation of governess?"
"Mr. Merton was a highly educated man, and Mrs. Merton an accomplished
woman--it was their pleasure to teach me, and mine to learn from them."
"Accomplished! There stands a harp which has just been tuned by a master
for a little concert we are to have this evening. Can you play on it?"
Lucy drew the instrument to her and played an overture correctly, yet
with less spirit than she would have done had her fingers trembled less.
"Can you sing?"
Elevated above all apprehension by the indignant pride which this cold
and haughty questioning aroused, Lucy changed the music of the overture
for a touching air, and, sang, with a rich, full voice, a single stanza
of an Italian song.
"Italian! Do you understand it?"
"I have read it with Mr.
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