女神电子书 > 浪漫言情电子书 > the governess >

第3部分

the governess-第3部分

小说: the governess 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



 not so much mind that neither; but then those I intend to hurt will triumph over me; to see me punished for their sakes。  In short; the more I reflect; the more I am afraid Miss Jenny is in the right; and yet it breaks my heart to think so。'

Here the poor girl wept so bitterly; and was so heartily grieved; that she could not utter one word more; but sat herself down; reclining her head upon her hand; in the most melancholy posture that could be; nor could she close her eyes all night; but lay tossing and raving with the thought how she should act; and what she should say to Miss Jenny the next day。

When the morning came; Miss Sukey dreaded every moment; as the time drew nearer when she must meet Miss Jenny。 She knew it would not be possible to resist her arguments; and yet shame for having been in fault overcame her。

As soon as Miss Jenny saw Miss Sukey with her eyes cast down; and confessing; by a look of sorrow; that she would take her advice; she embraced her kindly; and; without giving her the trouble to speak; took it for granted; that she would leave off quarreling; be reconciled to her schoolfellows; and make herself happy。

Miss Sukey did indeed stammer out some words; which implied a confession of her fault; but they were spoke so low they could hardly be heard; only Miss Jenny; who always chose to look at the fairest side of her companions' actions; by Miss Sukey's look and manner guessed her meaning。

In the same manner did this good girl; Jenny; persuade; one by one; all her schoolfellows to be reconciled to each with sincerity and love。

Miss Dolly Friendly; who had too much sense to engage the battle for the sake of an apple; and who was provoked to strike a blow only for friendship's sake; easily saw the truth of what Miss Jenny said; and was therefore presently convinced; that the best part she could have acted for her friend; would have been to have withdrawn her from the scuffle。




A SCENE OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP; QUITE THE REVERSE OF THE BATTLE; WHEREIN ARE SHOWN THE DIFFERENT EFFECTS OF LOVE AND GOODNESS FROM THOSE ATTENDING ANGER; STRIFE; AND WICKEDNESS:  WITH THE LIFE OF MISS JENNY PEACE。

After Miss Jenny had completed the good work of making all her companions friends; she drew them round her in a little arbour; in that very garden which had been the scene of their strife; and consequently of their misery; and then spoke to them the following speech; which she delivered in so mild a voice; that it was sufficient to charm her hearers into attention; and to persuade them to be led by her advice; and to follow her example in the paths of goodness。

'My dear friends and schoolfellows; you cannot imagine the happiness it gives me to see you thus all so heartily reconciled。  You will find the joyful fruits of it。  Nothing can show so much sense as thus to own yourselves in fault; for could anything have been so foolish as to spend all your time in misery; rather than at once to make use of the power you have of making yourselves happy?  Now if you will use as many endeavours to love as you have hitherto done to hate each other; you will find that every one amongst you; whenever you have anything given you; will have double; nay; I may say eight times (as there are eight of you) the pleasure; in considering that your companions are happy。  What is the end of quarrels; but that everyone is fretted and vexed; and no one gains anything!  Whereas by endeavouring to please and love each other; the end is happiness to ourselves; and joy to everyone around us。  I am sure; if you will speak the truth; none of you have been so easy since you quarrelled; as you are now you are reconciled。  Answer me honestly; if this is not truth。'

Here Miss Jenny was silent; and waited for an answer。  But the poor girls; who had in them the seeds of goodwill to each other; although those seeds were choked and overrun with the weeds of envy and pride; as in a garden the finest strawberries will be spoiled by rank weeds; if care is not taken to root them out; these poor girls; I say; now struck with the force of truth; and sorry for what they had done; let drop some tears; which trickled down their cheeks; and were signs of meekness; and sorrow for their fault。  Not like those tears which burst from their swollen eyes; when anger and hatred choked their words; and their proud hearts laboured with stubbornness and folly; when their skins reddened; and all their features were changed and distorted by the violence of passion; which made them frightful to the beholders; and miserable to themselves;  No!  Far other cause had they now for tears; and far different were the tears they shed; their eyes; melted with sorrow for their faults; let fall some drops; as tokens of their repentance; but; as soon as they could recover themselves to speak; they all with one voice cried out; 'Indeed; Miss Jenny; we are sorry for our fault; and will follow your advice; which we now see is owing to your goodness。'

Miss Jenny now produced a basket of apples; which she had purchased out of the little pocket…money she was allowed; in order to prove; that the same things may be a pleasure or a pain; according as the persons to whom they are given are good or bad。

These she placed in the midst of her companions; and desired them to eat; and enjoy themselves; and now they were so changed; that each helped her next neighbour before she would touch any for herself; and the moment they were grown thus good natured and friendly; they were as well…bred; and as polite; as it is possible to describe。

Miss Jenny's joy was inexpressible; that she had caused this happy change; nor less was the joy of her companions; who now began to taste pleasures; from which their animosity to each other had hitherto debarred them。  They all sat looking pleased on their companions; their faces borrowed beauty from the calmness and goodness of their minds; and all those ugly frowns; 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 correc

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的