Montreal, and was now with her two daughters about to return to her
Southern home. The education of the latter young ladies had been
somewhat neglected, and Mrs. De Beaumont was anxious to procure as
governess and travelling companion a young lady of moderate means
and unlimited ability.

Here, then, was an opening for Beatrice. On the recommendation of
Miss Flint, coupled with certificates from the various professors at
Mrs. Thompson's school, the poor girl was duly installed in an easy
and, to her, lucrative position. She was not long settled in her new
home when Mr. Hartley, brother of Mrs. De Beaumont, fell violently
in love with her, and, contrary to the wishes of his relations,
insisted on paying her open attention. The poor girl had been so
long accustomed to being buffeted and slighted in every way that her
heart fairly gave way before his passionate wooing, and, although
Mrs. De Beaumont frowned on her angrily, and the rest of the family
snubbed her grievously, yet Beatrice felt so happy in having some
one in whom she could confide that she bore all their petty
annoyances with the utmost forbearance, and refused steadily to take
the slightest notice of them.

Mr. Hartley was a planter of considerable wealth. He had long lived
a bachelor's life; so long, indeed, that his friends never thought
he would marry, and each one often unconsciously counted how much of
the property would eventually become his. Mrs. De Beaumont was
particularly displeased when she heard his open avowal of his
attachment for her governess, for, though Hartley was not an old man,
he being at that time only about forty-six years old, yet she had
hoped that her daughter would have inherited a portion of his vast
wealth, which was now about to be transferred to a stranger, without