king
you to come to Deepley Walls?"

"Not in the least. A fortnight ago I had no idea that I should so soon
be here. I knew that I could not stay much longer at the Pension
Clissot, and naturally wondered what instructions Madame Delclos would
receive from Lady Chillington as to my disposal. The last time I saw her
ladyship, her words seemed to imply that, after my education should be
finished, I should have to trust to my own exertions for earning a
livelihood. In fact, I have looked upon myself all along as ultimately
destined to add one more unit to the great tribe of governesses."

"Such a fate shall not be yours if my weak arm has power to avert it,"
said Sister Agnes. "For the present your services are required at
Deepley Walls, in the capacity of 'companion' to Lady Chillington--in
brief, to occupy the position held by me for so many years, but from
which I am now obliged to secede on account of ill-health."

Janet was almost too astounded to speak.

"Companion to Lady Chillington! I! Impossible!" was all that she could
say.

"Why impossible, dear Janet?" asked Sister Agnes, with her low, sweet
voice. "I see no element of impossibility in such an arrangement. The
duties of the position have been filled by me for many years; they have
now devolved upon you, and I am not aware of anything that need preclude
your acceptance of them."

"We are not all angels like you, Sister Agnes," said Janet. "Lady
Chillington, as I remember, is a very peculiar woman. She has no regard
for the feelings of others, especially when those others are her
inferiors in position. She says the most cruel things she can think of
and cares nothing how deeply they may wound. I am afraid that she and I
would never agree."

"That Lady Chillington is a very peculiar woman I am quite ready to
admit. That she will say things to you that may seem hard and cruel, and
that may wound your feelings, I will also allow. But granting all this,
I can deduce from it no reason why the position should be refused by
you. Had you gone out as governess, you would probably have had fifty
things to contend against quite as disagreeable as Lady Chillington's
temper and cynical remarks. You are young, dear Janet, and life's battle
has yet to be fought by you. You must not expect that everything in this
world will arrange itself in accordance with your wishes. You will have
many difficulties to fight against and overcome, and the sooner you make
up your mind