The Governess | Page 9

and all that ill-natured sourness, which when
they were angry and cross were but too plain in their faces, were now
entirely fled; jessamine and honeysuckles surrounded their seats, and
played round their heads, of which they gathered nosegays to present
each other with. They now enjoyed all the pleasure and happiness that
attend those who are innocent and good.
Miss Jenny, with her heart overflowing with joy at this happy change,
said, 'Now, my dear companions, that you may be convinced what I
have said and done was not occasioned by any desire of proving myself
wiser than you, as Miss Sukey hinted while she was yet in her anger, I
will, if you please, relate to you the history of my past life; by which
you will see in what manner I came by this way of thinking; and as you
will perceive it was chiefly owing to the instructions of a kind mamma,
you may all likewise reap the same advantage under good Mrs.
Teachum, if you will obey her commands, and attend to her precepts.

And after I have given you the particulars of my life, I must beg that
every one of you will, some day or other, when you have reflected upon
it, declare all that you can remember of your own; for, should you not
be able to relate anything worth remembering as an example, yet there
is nothing more likely to amend the future part of anyone's life, than the
recollecting and confessing the faults of the past.'
All our little company highly approved of Miss Jenny's proposal, and
promised, in their turns, to relate their own lives; and Miss Polly
Suckling cried out, 'Yes indeed, Miss Jenny, I'll tell all when it comes
to my turn; so pray begin, for I long to hear what you did, when you
was no bigger than I am now.' Miss Jenny then kissed little Polly, and
said she would instantly begin.
But as in the reading of any one's story, it is an additional pleasure to
have some acquaintance with their persons; and as I delight in giving
my little readers every pleasure that is in my power; I shall endeavour,
as justly as I can, by description, to set before their eyes the picture of
this good young creature: and in the same of every one of our young
company, as they begin their lives.
THE DESCRIPTION OF MISS JENNY PEACE.
Miss Jenny Peace was just turned of fourteen, and could be called
neither tall nor short of her age; but her whole person was the most
agreeable that can be imagined. She had an exceeding fine complexion,
with as much colour in her cheeks as is the natural effect of perfect
health. Her hair was light brown, and curled in so regular and yet easy a
manner, as never to want any assistance from art. Her eyebrows (which
were not of that correct turn as to look as if they were drawn with a
pencil) and her eyelashes were both darker than her hair; and the latter
being very long, gave such a shade to her eyes as made them often
mistaken for black, though they were only a dark hazel. To give any
description of her eyes beyond the colour and size, which was perfectly
the medium, would be impossible; except by saying they were
expressive of everything that is amiable and good; for through them
might be read every single thought of the mind; from whence they had
such a brightness and cheerfulness, as seemed to cast a lustre over her
whole face. She had fine teeth, and a mouth answering to the most
correct rules of beauty; and when she spoke (though you were at too
great a distance to hear what she said) there appeared so much

sweetness, mildness, modesty and good nature, that you found yourself
filled more with pleasure than admiration in beholding her. The delight
which everyone took in looking on Miss Jenny was evident in this, that
though Miss Sukey Jennett and Miss Patty Lockit were both what may
be called handsomer girls (and if you asked any persons in company
their opinion, they would tell you so) yet their eyes were a direct
contradiction to their tongues, by being continually fixed on Miss
Jenny; for, while she was in the room, it was impossible to fix them
anywhere else. She had a natural ease and gentility in her shape; and all
her motions were more pleasing, though less striking than what is
commonly acquired by the instruction of dancing masters.
Such was the agreeable person of Miss Jenny Peace, who, in her usual
obliging manner, and with an air pleasing beyond my power to express,
at the request of her companions began to relate the