A companion-governess was procured¹ for Sydney, the daughter of the vicar of one of the churches near Donisbro’. The girl was unfeignedly delighted at the prospect² of a companion, even of the rather advanced age, as it seemed to her, of three-and-twenty.
She grew quite excited over the arranging of Miss Osric’s room, and would have liked to decorate it with some of the pretty things from her own. But this Lady Frederica would not allow.
“You can have anything you like for her in reason, child,” she said, “without stripping yourself. What, you don’t think there are enough pictures in her room? Well, you may drive in with Ward³ to Dacreshaw this afternoon, and get some, if you like. There is a good print-shop there. Put the bill down to St. Quentin.”
[79]
But that was not necessary, for Sydney received a summons to the library before she set out that afternoon.
Her cousin laid his pen down on her entrance; she saw he had been signing a cheque.
“I haven’t started you on a dress-allowance, Sydney,” he said, “because you had better let Aunt Rica rig you out at present. She knows how to do the thing, you see. But you’ll want some money to play with, so there’s your first quarter.” He held out the cheque.

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