I wish you both, gentlemen, to understand that I am not promising more to the daughters of your old friend than I can perform.

When I first came to this house, I entered 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.