d it under such
independent circumstances as are not common in the lives of governesses.
In my younger days, I was associated in teaching with my elder sister:
we established a school in London, which grew to be a large and
prosperous one. I only left it, and became a private governess, because
the heavy responsibility of the school was more than my strength
could bear. I left my share in the profits untouched, and I possess a
pecuniary interest in our establishment to this day. That is my story,
in few words. When we leave this house, I propose that we shall go back
to the school in London, which is still prosperously directed by my
elder sister. We can live there as quietly as we please, until time
has helped us to bear our affliction better than we can bear it now. If
Norah's and Magdalen's altered prospects oblige them to earn their own
independence, I can help them to earn it, as a gentleman's daughters
should. The best families in this land are glad to ask my sister's
advice where the interests of their children's home-training are
concerned; and I answer, beforehand, for her hearty desire to serve Mr.
Vanstone's daughters, as I answer for my own. That is the future which
my gratitude to their father and mother, and my love for themselves,
now offers to them. If you think my proposal, gentlemen, a fit and fair
proposal--and I see in your faces that you do--let us not make the
hard necessities of our position harder still, by any useless delay in
meeting them at once. Let us do what we must do; let us act on Norah's
decision, and leave this house to-morrow. You mentioned the servants
just now, Mr. Pendril: I am ready to call them together in the next
room, and to assist you in the settlement of their claims, whenever you
please."

Without waiting for the lawyer's answer, without leaving the sisters
time to realize their own terrible situation, she moved at once toward
the door. It was her wise resolution to meet the coming trial by doing
much and saying little. Before she could leave the room, Mr. Clare
followed, and stopped her on the threshold.

"I never envied a woman's feelings before," said the old man. "It may
surprise you to hear it; but I envy yours. Wait! I have something more
to say. There is an obstacle still left--the everlasting obstacle of
Frank. Help me to sweep him off. Take the elder sister along with you
and the lawyer, and leave me here to have it out with the younger. I
want to see what metal