the governess-第11部分
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rto all I have done has been in vain： nor can I ever get one word of truth out of her mouth。 But I am resolved to break her of this horrid custom； or I cannot live with her： for though I am but poor； yet I will breed up my child to be honest； both in word and deed。'
Miss Jenny could not but approve of what the poor woman said。 However； they all joined in begging forgiveness for the girl this time； provided she promised amendment for the future： and then our little society returned to their arbour。
Miss Jenny could not help expressing her great detestation of all lying whatsoever； when Miss Dolly Friendly； colouring； confessed she had often been guilty of this fault； though she never scarcely did it but for her friend。
Here Miss Jenny； interrupting her； said； that even that was no sort of excuse for lying； besides that the habit of it on any occasion； even with the appearance of a good intention； would but too likely lead to the use of it on many others： and as she did not doubt； by Miss Dolly's blushing； that she was now very sensible of the truth of what she had just been saying； she hoped she would take this opportunity of obliging them with the history of her past life： which request she made no hesitation to grant； saying； the shame of her past faults should by o means induce her to conceal them。
THE DESCRIPTION OF MISS DOLLY FRIENDLY。
Miss Dolly Friendly was just turned of eleven years of age。 Her person was neither plain nor handsome： and though she had not what is properly called one fine feature in her face； yet the disposition of them were so suitable to each other； that her countenance was rather agreeable than otherwise。 She had generally something very quiet； or rather indolent； in her look； except when she was moved by anger； which seldom happened； but in defense of some favourite or friend； and she had then a fierceness and eagerness which altered her whole countenance： for she could not bear the least reflection or insult on those she loved。 This disposition made her always eager to comply with her friends' requests； and she immediately began； as follows：
THE LIFE OF MISS DOLLY FRIENDLY。
'I was bred up； till I was nine years of age； with a sister； who was one year younger than myself。 The chief care of our parents was to make us love each other； and； as I was naturally inclined to have very strong affections； I became so fond of my sister Molly； which was her name； that all my delight was to please her； and this I carried to such a height； that I scrupled no lies to excuse her faults： and whatever she did； I justified； and thought right； only because she did it。
'I was ready to fight her quarrels； whether right or wrong； and hated everybody that offended her。 My parents winked at whatever I did in defence of my sister； and I had no notion that any thing done for her could be unreasonable。 In short； I made it my study to oblige and please her； till I found at last it was out of my power； for she grew so very humoursome； that she could not find out what she had most mind to have； and I found her always miserable； for she would cry only because she did not know her own mind。
'She never minded what faults she committed； because she knew I would excuse her； and she was forgiven in consideration of our friendship； which gave our parents great pleasure。
'My poor little sister grew very sickly； and she died just before I came to school： but the same disposition still continued； and it was my friend's outcries of being hurt； that drew me into that odious quarrel； that we have all now repented。'
Here Miss Dolly Friendly ceased； and Miss Jenny said； she hoped Miss Dolly would remember； for the rest of her life； what HER good mamma had always taught her； namely； that it was not the office of friendship； to justify or excuse our friend when in the wrong； for that was the way to prevent their ever being in the right： that it was rather hatred； or contempt； than love； when the fear of another's anger made us forego their good； for the sake of our own present pleasure； and that the friends who expected such flattery were not worth keeping。
The bell again summoned our little company to supper： but； before they went in； Miss Dolly Friendly said； if Miss Jenny approved of it； she would the next morning read them a story given her by an uncle of hers； that； she said； she was sure would please her； as its subject was friendship。 Miss Jenny replied； that she was certain it would be a great pleasure to them all； to hear any story Miss Dolly thought proper to read them。
WEDNESDAY。 THE THIRD DAY。
As soon as school was over in the morning； our little company were impatient to go into the arbour； to hear Miss Dolly's story： but Mrs。 Teachum told them they must be otherwise employed； for their writing…master； who lived some miles off； and who was expected in the afternoon； was just then come in； and begged that they would give him their attendance； though out of school…time； because he was obliged to be at home again before the afternoon； to meet a person who would confer some favour on him； and would be highly disobliged should he not keep his appointment： 'And I know （said Mrs。 Teachum） my little dears； you would rather lose your own amusement； than let any one suffer a real inconvenience on your accounts。' They all readily complied； and cheerfully set to their writing； and in the afternoon Mrs。 Teachum permitted them to leave off work an hour sooner than usual； as a reward for their readiness to lose their amusement in the morning： and being met in their arbour； Miss Dolly read as follows：
THE STORY OF CAELIA AND CHLOE。
Caelia and Chloe were both left orphans； at the tender age of six years。 Amanda their aunt； who was very rich； and a maiden； took them directly under her care； and bred them up as her own children。 Caelia's mother was Amanda's sister； and Chloe's father was her brother； so that she was equally related to both。
They were left entirely unprovided for； were both born on the same day； and both lost their mothers on the day of their birth： their fathers were soldiers of fortune； and both killed in one day； in the fame engagement。 But their fortunes were not more similar than their persons and dispositions。 They were both extremely handsome； and in their Childhood were so remarkable for liveliness of parts； and sweetness of temper； that they were the admiration of the whole country where they lived。
Their aunt loved them with a sincere and equal affection； and took the greatest pleasure imaginable in their education； and particularly to encourage that love and friendship which she with pleasure perceived between them。 Amanda being （as was said） very rich； and having no other relations； it was supposed that these her nieces would be very great fortunes； and as soon as they became women； they were addressed by all the men of fortune and no fortune round the neighbourhood。 But as the love of admiration； and a desire of a large train of admirers； had no place in their minds； they soon dismissed； in the most civil and obliging manner； one after another； all these lovers。
The refusing such numbers of men； and some such as by the world were called good offers； soon got them the name of jilts； and by that means they were freed from any farther importunity； and for some years enjoyed that peace and quiet they had long wished。 Their aunt； from being their mother and their guardian； was now become their friend。 For； as she endeavoured not in the least to force their inclinations； they never kept anything concealed from her； and every action of their lives was still guided by her advice and approbation。
They lived on in this way； perfectly happy in their own little community； till they were about two…and…twenty years old when there happened to be a regiment quartered in the neighbouring town； to which their house was nearly situated； and the lieutenant…colonel； a man about four…and…thirty years old； hearing their names； had a great desire to see them。 For when he was a boy of sixteen； he was put into the Army under the care of Chloe's father； who treated him with the greatest tenderness； and （in that fatal engagement in which he lost his life） received his death's wound by endeavouring to save him from being taken by the enemy。 And gratitude to the memory of so good a friend was as great an inducement to make him desire to see his daughter； as the report he had heard both of hers and her cousin's great beauty。
Sempronius （for so this Colonel was called） was a very sensible； well…bred； agreeable man； and from the circumstances of his former acquaintance； and his present proper and polite behaviour； he soon became very intimate in the family。 The old lady was particularly pleased with him； and secretly wished； that before she died she might be so happy as to see one of her nieces married to Sempronius。 She could not from his behaviour see the least particular liking to either； though he showed an equal and very great esteem and regard for both。
He in reality liked them both extremely； and the reason of making no declaration of love was； his being so undetermined in any preference that was due to either。 He saw plainly that he was very
