Margaret Cecil, Or, I Can, Because I Ought

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. MAEGAEET AT SCHOOL. Mr. Bailey was not perfectly satisfied with the appearance and manners of Miss Beville, in his intercourse with her. She was extremely grave and dignified, and he also thought much too condescending; she seemed to look upon Margaret too much as her inferior. He knew that her school had a high reputation, that she was considered a clever and liberal-minded, as well as conscientious instructress; and there was nothing harsh or unkind in the expression of her very intellectual countenance. But she looked cold, unbending, and unsympathizing, and he feared that Margaret could not be very happy under the charge of a person of that character, accustomed as she had been to the deep tenderness, the warm, devoted affection of her loving Norah. But whatever fears he might have, he could not in any way alter her situation, and he carefully concealed from her the unfavorable opinion he had conceived, only displaying towards her even more kindness than usual, and urging her with increased earnestness to write very frequently, and very freely, both to Arthur and to his sister, and to confide to them all her little griefs and troubles. Mr. Bailey was generally a correct reader of character, but in Miss Beville's case he was completely mistaken. Her feelings were naturally quick and warm, and the interest and sympathy she felt in her young pupils peculiarly keen. When she first began her new occupation, many years before the time I write of, she was very young. She had been educated in a retirement almost as secluded as that to which Margaret had been accustomed, and her natural temper was as frank and confiding as hers. She felt inclined to love all her pupils as her younger sisters, gave them credit for feelings as pure and honorable as h...