meekly to my supper of bread and meat, and listened to Milly
Darrell's chatter as I ate it.

Of course she told me all about the school, Miss Bagshot, and Miss
Susan Bagshot. The elder of these two ladies was her favourite. Miss
Susan had, in the remote period of her youth, been the victim of
some unhappy love-affair, which had soured her disposition, and
inclined her to look on the joys and follies of girlhood with a
jaundiced eye. It was easy enough to please Miss Bagshot, who had a
genial matronly way, and took real delight in her pupils; but it was
almost impossible to satisfy Miss Susan.

'And I am sorry to say that you will be a good deal with her,' Miss
Darrell said, shaking her head gravely; 'for you are to take the
second English class under her--I heard them say so at dinner to-day--
and I am afraid she will fidget you almost out of your life; but you
must try to keep your temper, and take things as quietly as you can,
and I daresay in time you will be able to get on with her.'

'I'm sure I hope so,' I answered rather sadly; and then Miss Darrell
asked me how long I was to be at Albury Lodge.

'Three years,' I told her; 'and after that, Miss Bagshot is to place
me somewhere as a governess.'

'You are going to be a governess always?'

'I suppose so,' I answered. The word 'always' struck me with a
little sharp pain, almost like a wound. Yes, I supposed it would be
always. I was neither pretty nor attractive. What issue could there