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"Will you not, at least, speak to her yourself?"
"I had far rather speak to you! —Yet certainly yes, if she desire it."
"Give me leave, then, to say," cried Ellis, moving towards the bedroom door, "that you request an audience."
"By no means! I merely do not object to it. You may easily conceive what pain I shall be spared, if it may be evaded. All I request, is a few moments with you! Hastily, therefore, let me ask, is your plan decided?"
"To the best of my power,—of my ideas, rather,—yes. But, indeed, I must not thus abandon my charge!"
"And will you not let me enquire what it is?"
"There is one thing, only, in which I have any hope that my exertions may turn to account; I wish to offer myself as a governess to some young lady, or ladies."
"I beseech you," cried he, with sudden fervour, "to confide to me the
