Chapter I: Preface

We think few mothers can read this volume without being struck with the great importance of care in regard to the dispositions and moral qualities of those into whose hands they place their children. There are sad disorders in society at the present time, and influences of a baleful character at work: above all things, let tender, innocent children be kept wholly beyond their sphere. In but rare cases should there be a delegation of the mother’s duties: extreme ill health is, perhaps, the only excuse for such delegation; but when it is made, let the nurse or governess be of known pure life and firm integrity. There should be no guess-work here; no trusting of a stranger, unless under the amplest testimonials from known parties; for wrong done to childhood is, too often, wrong done for the whole life. But we can only hint here at what we have endeavored to illustrate in the present volume.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
CHAP. I.—THE YOUNG GOVERNESS 9

II.—GAINING INFLUENCE 21

III.—TRIALS 32

IV.—WORTH AND PRETENSION 40

V.—THE WIND AND THE SUN 48

VI.—THE GOVERNESS DISMISSED 60

VII.—A REVELATION 71

VIII.—THE NEW GOVERNESS 82

IX.—THE SHADOW OF EVIL 91

X.—A LITTLE BREEZE 101

XI.—THE DEMON UNVEILED 108

XII.—A FEARFUL MYSTERY 119

XIII.—DOUBT AND ANXIETY 127

XIV.—PAINFUL CONSEQUENCES 138

XV.—ALARMING OCCURRENCE 150

XVI.—DISAPPEARANCE OF MADELINE 158

XVII.—THE SEARCH 165

XVIII.—A NEST OF PSEUDO-SPIRITUALISTS 189

XIX.—THE BIRD AND THE SERPENT 204

XX.—THE RESCUE 215

XXI.—THE ARREST 223

XXII.—BREAKING THE SPELL 236

XXIII.—THE ANGEL STRONGER THAN THE DEMON 245

XXIV.—AN UNEXPECTED REVELATION 269

XXV.—A REVELATION 278

XXVI.—REVIEWING THE MATTER 287

XXVII.—GETTING RIGHT 298

XXVIII.—CONCLUSION 304

THE

ANGEL AND THE DEMON.