But when she saw
her coming out of the Lodge door, rather shabbier than beforetime, the
March wind whistling through her thin, tawdry shawl, and making her
pretty face look pinched and blue, Mrs. Grey, contrasting the comforts
of her own life with that of the poor governess, felt compassionately
towards her so much so, that, though wondering what could possibly be
her business at the Lodge, she assumed the mistress's kindly part, and
bowed to her in passing which Miss Bennett was in too great a hurry
either to notice or return.
"Has that lady been calling here?" she asked of Phillis, whom she met
bringing in Oliver from his afternoon walk.
"Lady!" repeated Phillis, scornfully, "she's only the governess."
"The governess!"
"Lor! didn't you know it, ma'am? And she coming to Miss Letitia
every day for this week past!" and Phillis gleamed all over with
malicious satisfaction that her mistress did not know it, and might
naturally feel annoyed and offended thereat.
Annoyed Mrs. Grey certainly was, but she was not readily offended.
Her feeling was more that of extreme vexation at the introduction here
of the very last person whom she would desire to see Letitia's
governess, and a vague wonder as to how much Dr. Grey knew about
the matter.
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