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portrait and his imagination had done the rest. But perhaps he had been in the attics. Children loved poking around in attics.
    “As to your ancestors,” said Charles, turning to Lady Beverley, “I cannot understand why the previous owners held on to them. If you wish, I will send them over in a fourgon tomorrow.”
    “That will not be necessary,” said Lady Beverley. She raised her quizzing-glass to study a portrait of the general.
    “May I ask why? I thought you would be delighted to have them back.”
    “They belong at Mannerling,” said Lady Beverley.
    There must be something about this place thatderanges people, thought Charles. I am glad I have not felt it. To him, on first viewing the property, it had seemed peaceful and beautiful with its great hall and painted ceilings.
    They moved to the Green Saloon, where the general promptly sat next to Miss Trumble and engaged her in conversation until Lady Beverley could not bear it any longer. She raised her voice. “Miss Trumble! I have left my fan in the carriage. Pray be so good as to fetch it.”
    “Your fan is on your wrist,” said Rachel sharply.
    “Oh, so it is. You have some pretty pieces and ornaments here, General. Do tell me how you came by them.”
    “Here and there. I am not the artistic one. You must ask my son.” And the general turned his attention back to Miss Trumble.
    Lady Beverley fell silent while her mind worked busily. She must get rid of this governess who was taking up so much of the general’s attention. But if she gave her her marching orders, then Miss Trumble would simply move to Mannerling. How dare Miss Trumble adopt the manners and attitudes of a duchess. She simply did not know her place. Hitherto Lady Beverley had been too grateful to have a governess so cheaply that she had not wondered overmuch why Miss Trumble’s promised references had never arrived. Her eyes sharpened. There must be some mystery. There was something in Miss Trumble’s past that lady did not want her to find out. She would demand those references and then write to Miss Trumble’s previous employers and then she would know all.
    The Beverley sisters were very subdued. Belindawas so ashamed of her mother’s behaviour that she had made no attempt to flirt with Charles. Rachel looked awkward and uncomfortable and kept looking at the clock, as if she thought the evening would never end.
    So much for the scheming Beverleys, mused Charles ruefully. The sisters were certainly not interested in engaging his attentions, and Rachel almost seemed to find him a bore!
    At last Lady Beverley announced they must leave. She could hardly wait until they were home so that she could confront Miss Trumble.
    She did not know that the shrewd governess had anticipated the summons and was already making plans, so that, when Lady Beverley asked her for a word in private, Miss Trumble acquiesced with every appearance of calm, a calm that did not desert her when Lady Beverley said she must now insist on seeing those references.
    “I will arrange for them to be sent directly,” said Miss Trumble. “But why this sudden concern, my lady?”
    Lady Beverley paced up and down the room, showing no sign of the recent ill health she had claimed to have suffered from.
    “The reason is,” she said haughtily, “although I consider it impertinent in you to ask my reasons, that because of your position in this household you are tutoring the Mannerling children. It is up to me to make sure you have perfect references should the general ask to see them.”
    And all that translated into, thought Miss Trumble, is that you see a chance of marrying the general and do not want me to get in the way andyou are hoping to find some fault in my past and therefore have a reason for dismissing me.
    Miss Trumble curtsied. “Will that be all, my lady?”
    Lady Beverley looked at her, baffled. She had been hoping for some sign of worry or distress. “That will be all,” she said grandly.
    Miss Trumble