The three girls were my inseparable companions--they are the most charming children I know.

It is quite true that I offered to be their governess, if they ever wanted one, on the day when I left them to return to London.

I was writing to propose it to their mother, just before you came.' 'Not seriously!' Henry exclaimed.
Agnes placed her unfinished letter in his hand.

Enough of it had been written to show that she did seriously propose to enter the household of Mr.and Mrs.Stephen Westwick as governess to their children! Henry's bewilderment was not to be expressed in words.
'They won't believe you are in earnest,' he said.
'Why not ?' Agnes asked quietly.
'You are my brother Stephen's cousin; you are his wife's old friend.' 'All the more reason, Henry, for trusting me with the charge of their children.' 'But you are their equal; you are not obliged to get your living by teaching.

There is something absurd in your entering their service as a governess!' 'What is there absurd in it?
The children love me; the mother loves me; the father has shown me innumerable instances of his true friendship and regard.