All the time she kept a pair of very black eyes piercingly fixed on the girl's face, as though she would read her very soul.

But Susan had nothing to conceal, so far as Miss Loach could gather, so in the end she resolved to engage her.
"I think you'll do," she said nodding, and poking up the fire, with a shiver, although the month was June.

"The situation is a quiet one.

I hope you have no followers." "No, ma'am," said Susan and flushed crimson.
"Ha!" thought Miss Loach, "she has been in love--jilted probably.

All the better, as she won't bring any young men about my quiet house." "Will you not read my characters, ma'am ?" Miss Loach pushed the two papers towards the applicant.