登陆注册
15312800000009

第9章 THE LIFE OF MISS JENNY PEACE(3)

'"I expect therefore, Jenny, that you now dry up your tears, and resume your usual cheerfulness.I do not doubt but your obedience to me will make you at least put on the appearance of cheerfulness in my sight.But you will deceive yourself, if you think that is performing your duty; for if you would obey me as you ought, you must try heartily to root from your mind all sorrow and gloominess.You may depend upon it, this command is in your power to obey; for you know I never require anything of you that is impossible."'After my mamma had made this speech, she went out to take a walk in the garden, and left me to consider of what she had said.

'The moment I came to reflect seriously, I found it was indeed in my power to root all melancholy from my heart, when I considered it was necessary, in order to perform my duty to God, to obey the best of mothers, and to make myself a blessing and a cheerful companion to her, rather than a burden, and the cause of her uneasiness, by my foolish melancholy.

'This little accident, as managed by my mamma, has been a lesson tome in governing my passions ever since.

'It would be endless to repeat all the methods this good mother invented for my instruction, amendment, and improvement.It is sufficient to acquaint you, that she contrived that every new day should open to me some new scene of knowledge; and no girl could be happier than I was during her life.But, alas! when I was thirteen years of age, the scene changed.My dear mamma was taken ill of a scarlet fever.I attended her day and night whilst she lay ill, my eyes starting with tears to see her in that condition; and yet I did not dare to give my sorrows vent, for fear of increasing her pain.'

Here a trickling tear stole from Miss Jenny's eyes.She suppressed some rising sobs that interrupted her speech, and was about to proceed in her story, when, casting her eyes on her companions, she saw her sorrow had such an effect upon them all, that there was not one of her hearers who could refrain from shedding a sympathising tear.She therefore thought it was more strictly following her mamma's precepts to pass this part of her story in silence, rather than to grieve her friends; and having wiped away her tears, she hastened to conclude her story; which she did as follows:

'After my mamma's death, my Aunt Newman, my father's sister, took the care of me; but being obliged to go to Jamaica, to settle some affairs relating to an estate she is possessed of there, she took with her my Cousin Harriet, her only daughter, and left me under the care of the good Mrs.Teachum till her return.And since I have been here, you all know as much of my history as I do myself.'

As Miss Jenny spoke these words, the bell summoned them to supper into the presence of their governess, who having narrowly watched their looks ever since the fray, had hitherto plainly perceived, that though they did not dare to break out again into an open quarrel, yet their hearts had still harboured unkind thoughts of one another.She was surprised NOW, as she stood at a window in the hall that overlooked the garden, to see all her scholars walk towards her hand in hand, with such cheerful countenances, as plainly showed their inward good humour.And as she thought proper to mention to them her pleasure in seeing them thus altered, Miss Jenny Peace related to her governess all that had passed in the arbour,with their general reconciliation.Mrs.Teachum gave Miss Jenny all the applause due to her goodness, saying, she herself had only waited a little while, to see if their anger would subside, and love take its place in their bosoms, without her interfering again; for THAT she certainly should otherwise have done, to have brought about what Miss Jenny had so happily effected.

Miss Jenny thanked her governess for her kind approbation, and said, that if she would give them leave, she would spend what time she was pleased to allow them from school in this little arbour, in reading stories, and such things as she should think a proper and innocent amusement.

Mrs.Teachum not only gave leave, but very much approved of this proposal; and desired Miss Jenny, as a reward for what she had already done, to preside over these diversions, and to give her an account in what manner they proceeded.Miss Jenny promised in all things to be guided by good Mrs.Teachum.And now, soon after supper, they retired to rest, free from those uneasy passions which used to prevent their quiet; and as they had passed the day in pleasure, at night they sunk in soft and sweet repose.

同类推荐
  • 三坟

    三坟

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 要行舍身经

    要行舍身经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 周易述

    周易述

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 审应览

    审应览

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 朱碧潭诗序

    朱碧潭诗序

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 天幻羽魔

    天幻羽魔

    似梦非梦,真真假假,一切的故事不过是一场自编自导的梦境,一切都是一场梦,当他醒过来之后,一切又回到了原点
  • 娇妻很丑:夫君,从了吧

    娇妻很丑:夫君,从了吧

    古代版:E城有女,奇丑,名云溪,巧遇一男,曰:滴水之恩,当涌泉相报,吾救汝性命,汝该当如何?男对曰:如何?此女曰:以身相许之。现代版:纪云溪:要么娶我,要么,死!安清月:宁死不屈?纪云溪:是吗?安清月:我娶!
  • 蜀道仙烬

    蜀道仙烬

    寻仙问道,必有血染仙途。与天夺寿,必有天地劫杀。修仙者修命,与人斗,与万族斗,与天地斗。当蜀道踏足万族战场,龙游深海,鹏翔宇际,斩天劫,斗诸天,与远古仙佛论道,与上古邪魔厮杀。吾证道时,天地返虚,鸿蒙道始,混沌无终,六道封庭……
  • 鬼魅神医

    鬼魅神医

    她,穿越为鬼魅神医唯一的天才弟子,十三岁失去师父,自成“鬼魅”,精心准备一年,决意策马江湖。他,断魂殿第一杀手,年纪轻轻便令人闻风丧胆,夜幕降临,请小心,天空中悠然飘落的羽毛。他们的相遇,恰遇江湖动荡,朝廷纷争,她只身处江湖,掌握朝堂事,他暗中飞百鸟,笑听江湖波,最后的最后,这天下为谁而开……
  • 论书

    论书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 念君不爱君

    念君不爱君

    校园里有一潭湖水,周围没有多余的装饰,铁锈的栏杆上不知趴了多少情侣。记录了多少甜蜜的情话。而有一段情话,却是充满罪恶与诱惑的。
  • 清宫绝恋之醉清风(已出版)

    清宫绝恋之醉清风(已出版)

    十岁那年的匆匆一瞥,造就了一生的情缘,一世的纠葛。傅恒,犹如天上的星辰,有时触手可及,有时又若即若离,从不轻言爱意,却始终把她放在心底的最深处。纪昀,大清国有名的才子,热情如火,敢爱敢恨,深知真爱可遇而不可求,碰上了便再也不放手。她,金枝玉叶,流落民间,迷失于他的似水柔情,但当繁花落尽,才明白一切只是水中月,镜中花。不甘心放弃一段刻骨铭心,不想,平淡朴实才是真真正正的幸福。佛说前世千百次的回眸才换来今生的擦肩而过,那一世,转山转水转佛塔,不为修来生,只为途中与你相见。
  • 你给的爱是我心里的不夜城

    你给的爱是我心里的不夜城

    一个每天与网络相依为命的大龄剩女一个已经离异还有孩子大她5岁的帅男如果爱上一个人是一场劫数,那么爱上一个不该爱的人更是一场万劫不复然而两个渴望“执子之手,与子偕老”信仰的痴情男女却因为QQ的错聊阴差阳错的认识彼此,走在一起。对的时间遇见错的人,是该怪时间还是缘分?是命运对他们的蹂躏还是天物弄人?原来有一种爱叫放弃有一种幸福叫流泪看你笑不求天长地久,只求曾经拥有。
  • 战神之世纪

    战神之世纪

    在雷欧姆大陆上,诺斯身为一个王子,如何从奸臣手中夺回王位?又如何从冒险中得到历练?在这历练当中,他似乎发现了一个更大的“阴谋”……(第一次写,多多支持)相信在那时,那个世纪,将会人才辈出,战神林立!他们,你们,将会看见一位作家的蜕变!
  • 仙途陌陌

    仙途陌陌

    陌陌与陌陌无关,这个不约,真不约~!这里有一个人,带着一群妖怪。它们对他说:”跟随您,是我们一生的荣耀……“新书来袭望多多支持。