the governess-第22章
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the car and horses rose up； and placing the old Man by her； after taking leave of the queen； and begging the Princess Hebe to be careful to guard against all temptations to disobedience； she set out on her journey。
It being now come to the latest hour that Mrs。 Teachum thought proper for her little scholars to stay out in the air； she told Miss Jenny that she must defer reading the remaining part of her story till the next day。 Miss Jenny always with great cheerfulness obeyed her governess； and immediately left off reading； and said she was ready to attend her； and the whole company rose up to follow her。
Mrs。 Teachum had so much judgment； that； perceiving such a ready obedience to all her commands； she now endeavoured； by all means she could think of； to make her scholars throw off that reserve before her； which must ever make it uneasy to them for her ever to be present whilst they were following their innocent diversions； for such was the understanding of this good woman； that she could keep up the authority of the governess in her school； yet at times become the companion of her scholars。 And as she now saw； by their good behaviour； they deserved that indulgence； she took the little dumpling by the hand； and； followed by the rest； walked towards the house； and discoursed familiarly with them the rest of the evening； concerning all their past amusements。
SATURDAY。 THE SIXTH DAY。
It was the custom on Saturdays to have no school in the afternoon； and it being also their writing day from morning…school till dinner； Mrs。 Teachum； knowing how eager Miss Jenny's hearers were for the rest of the story； accompanied them into the arbour； early in the afternoon； when Miss Jenny went on as follows：
THE FAIRY TALE CONTINUED。
The queen and the Princess Hebe remained； by the good fairy's desire； in her habitation during her absence。 They spent their time in serenity and content； the princess daily improving herself in wisdom and goodness； by hearkening to her mother's instructions； and obeying all her commands； and the queen in studying what would be of most use to her child。 She had now forgot her throne and palace； and desired nothing for her； than her present peaceful retreat。 One morning； as they were sitting in a little arbour at the corner of a pleasant meadow； on a sudden they heard a voice； much sweeter than they had ever heard； warble through the following song：
A SONG。
Virtue； soft balm of every woe； Of ev'ry grief the cure； 'Tis thou alone that canst best bestow Pleasures unmix'd and pure。
The shady wood； the verdant mead； Are Virtue's flow'ry road； Nor painful are the steps which lead To her divine abode。
'Tis not in palaces of halls； She or their train appear； Far off she flies from pompous walls； Virtue and Peace dwell here。
The queen was all attention； and at the end of the song she gazed around her； in hopes of seeing the person whose enchanting voice she had been so eagerly listening to； when she espied a young shepherdess； not much older than the Princess Hebe； but possessed of such uncommon and dazzling beauty； that it was some time before she could disengage her eyes from so agreeable an object。 As soon as the young shepherdess found herself observed； she seemed modestly to offer to withdraw； but the queen begged her not to go till she had informed them who she was； that； with such a commanding aspect； had so much engaged them in her favour。
The shepherdess coming forward； with a bashful blush； and profound obedience； answered； that her name was Rozella； and she was the daughter of a neighbouring shepherd and shepherdess； who lived about a quarter of a mile from thence； and； to confess the truth； she had wandered thither； in hopes of seeing the young stranger； whose fame for beauty and wisdom had filled all that country round。
The Princess Hebe； well knowing of whom she spoke； conceived from that moment such an inclination fur her acquaintance； that she begged her to stay and spend that whole day with them in Placid Grove。 Here the queen frowned upon her； for she had； by the fairy's desire； charged her never to bring any one； without her permission； into that peaceful grove。
The young Rozella answered； that nothing could be more agreeable to her inclinations； but she must be at home by noon； for so in the morning had her father commanded her； and never yet in her life had she either disputed or disobeyed her parent's commands。 Here the young princess looked on her mother with eyes expressive of her joy at finding a companion； which she； and even the fairy herself； could not disapprove。
When Rozella took her leave； she begged the favour that the little Hebe （for so she called her； not knowing her to be a princess） might come to her father's small cottage； and there partake such homely fare as it afforded； a welcome； she said； she could insure her； and though poor； yet from the honesty of her parents； who would be proud to entertain so rare a beauty； she was certain no sort of harm could happen to the pretty Hebe； from such a friendly visit； and she would be in the same place again tomorrow； to meet her； in hopes； as she said； to conduct her to her humble habitation。
When Rozella was gone； the queen； though highly possessed in her favour； both by her beauty and modest behaviour； yet pondered some time on the thought； whether or no she was a fit companion for her daughter。 She remembered what Sybella had told her； concerning Brunetta's adorning young shepherdesses with beauty； and other excellences； only to enable them the better to allure and entice others into wickedness。 Rozella's beginning her acquaintance too with the princess； by flattery； had no good aspect； and the sudden effect it had upon her； so as to make her forget； or wilfully disobey； her commands； by inviting Rozella to Placid Grove； were circumstances which greatly alarmed her。 But； by the repeated entreaties of the princess； she gave her consent that she should meet Rozella the next day； and walk with her in that meadow； and in the wood； but upon no account should she go home with her； or bring Rozella back with her。 The queen then； in gentle terms； chid the princess for her invitation to the young shepherdess； which was contrary to an absolute command； and said； 'You must； my dear Hebe； be very careful to guard yourself extremely well against those temptations which wear the face of virtue。 I know that your sudden affection to this apparent good girl； and your desire of her company； to partake with you the innocent pleasures of this happy place； arise from a good disposition； but where the indulgence of the most laudable passion； even benevolence and compassion itself； interferes with； or runs counter to your duty； you must endeavour to suppress it； or it will fare with you； as it did with that hen； who； thinking that she heard the voice of a little duckling in distress； flew from her young ones； to go and give it assistance； and following the cry； came at last to a hedge； out of which jumped a subtle and wicked fox； who had made that noise to deceive her； and devoured her in an instant。 A kite at the same time； taking advantage of her absence； carried away； one by one； all her little innocent brood； robbed of that parent who should have been their protector。' The princess promised her mother that she would punctually obey all her commands； and be very watchful and observant of everything Rozella said and did； till she had approved herself worthy of her confidence and friendship。
The queen the next morning renewed her injunctions to her daughter； that she should by no means go farther out of the wood than into the meadow； where she was to meet Rozella； and that she should give her a faithful account of all that should pass between them。
They met according to appointment； and the princess brought home so good an account of their conversation； which the queen imagined would help to improve； rather than seduce her child； that she indulged her in the same pleasure as often as she asked it。 They passed some hours every day in walking round that delightful wood； in which were many small green meadows； with little rivulets running through them； on the banks of which； cover
