where, if you please, was I to find him? My education had thoroughly
fitted me to be a governess. Why not try my fortune, and see a little
of the world in that way? Even if I fell among ill-conditioned people, I
could be independent of them, and retire on my income.

The rector, visiting London, came to see me. He not only approved of
my idea--he offered me a means of carrying it out. A worthy family,
recently settled at Sandwich, were in want of a governess. The head of
the household was partner in a business (the exact nature of which it
is needless to mention) having "branches" out of London. He had become
superintendent of a new "branch"--tried as a commercial experiment,
under special circumstances, at Sandwich. The idea of returning to my
native place pleased me--dull as the place was to others. I accepted the
situation.

When the steward's usual half-yearly letter arrived soon afterward,
inquiring what plans I had formed on leaving school, and what he could
do to help them, acting on behalf of Sir Gervase, a delicious tingling
filled me from head to foot when I thought of my own independence. It
was not ingratitude toward my benefactor; it was only my little private
triumph over Lady Damian. Oh, my sisters of the sex, can you not
understand and forgive me?

So to Sandwich I returned; and there, for three years, I remained with
the kindest people who ever breathed the breath of life. Under their
roof I was still living when I met with my lost gentleman in the street.

Ah, me! the end of that quiet, pleasant life was near. When I lightly
spoke to the odd stranger of the expiring trade of the town, I never
expected that my employer's trade was expiring too. The speculation had
turned out to be a losing one; and all his savings had been embarked
in it. He could no longer remain at Sandwich, or afford to keep a
governess. His wife broke the sad news to me. I was so fond of the
children, I proposed to her to give up my salary. Her husband refused
even to consider the proposal. It was the old story of poor humanity
over again. We cried, we kissed, we parted.

What was I to do next?--Write to Sir Gervase?

I had already written, soon after my return to Sandwich; breaking
through the regulations by directly addressing Sir Gervase. I expressed
my grateful sense of his generosity to a poor girl who had no family
claim on him; and I promised to make the one return in my power by
trying to be worthy of the interest he