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the governess-第4章

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eats; 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 history of her life; as follows:

THE LIFE OF MISS JENNY PEACE。

'My father dying when I was but half a year old; I was left to the care of my mamma; who was the best woman in the world; and to whose memory I shall ever pay the most grateful honour。  From the time she had any children; she made it the whole study of her life to promote their welfare; and form their minds in the manner she thought would best answer her purpose of making them both good and happy; for it was her constant maxim; that goodness and happiness dwelt in the same bosoms; and were generally found to life so much together; that they could not easily be separated。

'My mother had six children born alive; but could preserve none beyond the first year; except my brother; Harry Peace; and myself。  She made it one of her chief cares to cultivate and preserve the most perfect love and harmony between us。  My brother is but a twelvemonth older than I; so that; till I was six years old (for seven was the age in which he was sent to school) he remained at home with me; in which time we often had little childish quarrels; but my mother always took care to convince us of our error in wrangling and fighting about nothing; and to teach us how much more pleasure we enjoyed whilst we agreed。  She showed no partiality to either; but endeavoured to make us equal in all things; any otherwise than that she taught me I owed a respect to my brother as the eldest。

'Before my brother went to school; we had set hours appointed us; in which we regularly attended to learn whatever was thought necessary for our improvement; my mamma herself daily watching the opening of our minds; and taking great care to instruct us in what manner to make the best use of the knowledge we attained。  Whatever we read she explained to us; and made us understand; that we might be the better for our lessons。  When we were capable of thinking; we made it so much a rule to obey our parent; the moment she signified her pleasure; that by that means we avoided many accidents and misfortunes; for example:  my brother was running one day giddily round the brink of a well; and if he had made the least false step; he must have fallen to the bottom; and been drowned; my mamma; by a sign with her finger that called him to her; preserved him from the imminent danger he was in of losing his life; and then she took care that we should both be the better for this little incident; by laying before us how much our safety and happiness; as well as our duty; were concerned in being obedient。

'My brother and I once had a quarrel about something as trifling as your apple of contention; and; though we both heartily wished to be reconciled to each other; yet did our little hearts swell so much with stubbornness and pride; that neither of us would speak first; by which means we were so silly as to be both uneasy; and yet would not use the remedy that was in our own power to remove that uneasiness。  My mamma found it out; and sent for me into her closet; and said; 〃She was sorry to see her instructions had no better effect on me; for;〃 continued she; 〃indeed; Jenny; I am ashamed of your folly; as well as wickedness; in thus contending with your brother〃  A tear; which I believe flowed from shame; started from my eyes at this reproof; and I fixed them on the ground; being too much overwhelmed with confusion to dare to lift them up on mamma。  On which she kindly said; 〃She hoped my confusion was a sign of my amendment。  That she might indeed have used another method; by commanding me to seek a reconciliation with my brother; for she did not imagine I was already so far gone in perverseness; as not to hold her commands as inviolable; but she was willing; for my good; first to convince me of my folly。〃  As soon as my confusion would give me leave to speak; on my knees I gave her a thousand thanks for her goodness; and went immediately to seek my brother。  He joyfully embraced the first opportunity of being reconciled to me; and this was one of the pleasantest hours of
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