for Agnes, that in thus appearing in the character
of a governess, she will lose aught of her gentle dignity, or quiet
self-possession. Agnes was a _lady_ in every sense of the term, and
place her where you would, or under whatever circumstances, she would
invest her occupation with a dignity all her own, and make it honorable;
winning from all around her an involuntary respect and homage. Though
ever kind and amiable, and ready to oblige, she will never _cringe_ to
those who, by the favors of fortune, are placed for the time in
circumstances more prosperous than her own. Tried, she may be by their
arrogance, and airs of assumed superiority; but with the inward
conviction which in spite of her modesty she must possess, that in all
that is of real and true worth she is far above them, she will toil on
undisturbed in her vocation, anxious only to fulfil her duty towards
God, and toward those whom He has placed under her influence; and to
acquit herself well of the high responsibility resting upon her.

Mr. Fairland met Agnes at the door, with his kind pleasant face, and
with both hands extended to give her a cordial welcome to his roof. Mrs.
Fairland rose languidly from her chair to receive the governess, and
gave her a ceremonious, and to Agnes a most chilling greeting. The young
ladies were out walking; but presently a troop of noisy children, who
from some part of the grounds where they were at play, had seen the
arrival of the stranger, came bursting rudely into the room. These, as
Agnes supposed, were her future pupils, and a most unpromising set they
at first sight appeared.

The eldest, "Tiney," was a heavy, dull looking girl of about ten years
of age. Her eyes had no more brightness or expression in them than two
balls of lead, and her flabby colorless cheeks hung down each side of
her mouth, giving that feature much the expression of a bull-dog, while
a sullen fierceness about her face, increased the resemblance to that
animal. Her teeth, utterly unacquainted with the action of a brush, were
prominent, so that her lip seldom covered them, and her uncombed hair
hung rough and shaggy around her unattractive face. Agnes at once
guessed that this poor child was deficient in intellect, and unamiable
in temper.

The next, _Rosa,_ was a wild, handsome little gipsey, with eyes as black
as jet, and as bright as diamonds, a brilliant color shining through her
sunburnt cheek, and with straight black hair, no better cared