The Path of Duty | Page 6

a memory
more retentive than mine to have remembered them all; but I knew they
were intended for my good, and I readily promised to try and observe
them. I wish not to weary the reader by giving a detailed account of my
journey. I arrived safely at my destination, and met with a very cordial
welcome at the house of Mrs. Armitage, my mother's friend; two days
later I became a member of the celebrated school for young ladies,
taught at that time by Mrs. Wentworth, aided by competent assistance.
Mrs. Wentworth was a widow lady, of superior education and noble
mind. I spent four happy years in this institution, having visited my
mother but once during the time. It was very pleasant for me to find
myself once more at home, with the opportunity for rest and relaxation,
after four years, application to books. During my absence, my mother
and Aunt Patience had lived very quietly, they saw but little company,
and were much occupied with their needles as a means of support.
During the first three years of my absence my mother enjoyed good
health, but, during my last year at school, she was visited by a long and
painful illness, through which she was attended, with the utmost
kindness and attention, by her aunt; my mother being unwilling to
recall me from school, if it were possible to avoid it; and she had been
obliged, on account of her illness, to withdraw most of the sum
remaining in the Savings' Bank. On my return home I found her
enjoying a tolerable degree of health, but I feared that such close
application to her needle had been too much for one whose constitution
was naturally delicate. She seemed like one weary both in mind and
body. After my arrival, however, she seemed to regain her usual
cheerfulness, and in a short time seemed quite herself again. It was now

I felt it my duty to turn the education which my mother had been at so
much pains to give me to account by teaching, in order to assist her,
and also to obtain a support for myself. We had decided to offer Aunt
Patience a home for the remainder of her life, indeed I felt that I owed
her a debt of gratitude for her past kindness to my mother. We therefore
told her that so long as we possessed a home, we would gladly share it
with her, provided she felt contented to remain with us. She at first
demurred a little, as she was aware that our means were limited; but
when my mother told her that she would not know what to do without
her, it seemed to set her mind at rest, and she gladly assented to our
proposal, and it was settled that for the future her home was to be with
us.
I had as yet settled upon no definite plan in regard to teaching. My
mother wished me to apply for the situation of governess in a family, as
she thought that position would command a higher salary, and would
prove less laborious than a situation in a school. About this time we
noticed in a daily paper an advertisement for a governess, wanted in the
family of a Mr. Leighton, residing in the suburbs of the city; the salary
offered was liberal, and I thought, with my mother, that I had best
apply for the situation.
CHAPTER IV.
GOVERNESS IN MR. LEIGHTON'S FAMILY.
It was with a feeling of trepidation, such as I never before experienced,
that I ascended the steps of the splendid residence of Mr. Leighton.
When I found myself at the door, my courage well nigh failed me, but
without giving myself much time for reflection, I rang the door bell.
After some little delay the door was opened by a domestic, of whom I
enquired if I could see Mrs. Leighton. The servant replied that she did
not know, but that she would see if her mistress was disengaged. "What
name?" enquired the servant, "Miss Roscom," I replied. The servant
ushered me into the parlor, and left the room. Being left alone, I
amused myself by taking a survey of the apartment. It was evident that
I had entered the abode of luxury and wealth. The sofas and chairs were

covered with rich velvet, while satin curtains draped the windows. An
elegant and costly piano occupied one corner of the room; the walls
were adorned by costly pictures, and on the marble centre-table were
many books in elegant bindings; and rare and exquisite ornaments were
scattered with lavish profusion. Upon the entrance of a tall, and, as I
thought at the time, rather haughty-looking lady, I rose, bowed and
continued standing, as she said,--
"My servant informs