display how diligent I could be even in the worst conditions. Now that I am pondering for a moment, I realize I do have my limits. The Bloomfield family proved too much to handle. If I even manage to secure the job at all, how disappointed I would be to fail once more! How embarrassed would my own family be?
than I had ever seen in my life! I’m sure the queen’s own bed was not this comfortable. The following morning flew by in such a rush, that before I even knew it I was back in the dining room with Elizabeth. She insisted that we continued our meeting straight away in private. Servants were bringing in an assortment of trays that carried a banquet fit for royalty. Elizabeth herself looked different somehow. Last night she looked rather pale and weary, but now she looked a bit healthier and brighter.
“You know, when I was your age, my family could not afford a governess. I was one of five sisters,” she spoke with a hint of nostalgia in her voice. Oh no, she had been talking while I was lost in my own thoughts! “Oh, really?” I politely responded, trying my best to catch up to the conversation. “Could you tell me more about that, Mrs. Darcy?”
“Good morning, Ms. Grey,” she greeted me as I walked into the room.
“Hm? Oh, of course! I would be delighted. And please, call me Elizabeth.” She began to recount the events of her life that led up to this point. I was only asking out of politeness for the sake of conversation, but soon enough I found myself lost in the tale! Sure, it tended to drone on and on, but I found the recount incredibly fascinating. In turn, she was inquisitive of my own life. I did not share everything, but I answered each question to the best of my ability. We talked and talked for hours, not even realizing that time was passing at all. By the end, the fireplace had been reduced to smoldering embers. We had only noticed because the candles nearby were almost completely melted themselves.
“You may call me Agnes,” I insisted. “Of course. Please have a seat, Agnes.” I sat in the same seat as I had before, as did she. “I would like to continue where we left off.” I folded my fingers, eagerly awaiting whatever questions she had prepared. This was my opportunity to make an impression if I were to stand out from every other possible governess with professional training. I, myself, was not a professional, but I still have many skills and fluencies with which to impress Elizabeth. What would she ask about first, I wondered. How many languages can I speak? My fluency in music?Whatever she asked first, I was ready to answer. The entire night was spent preparing each possible response over and over so I could answer as fluently and professionally as possible.
“What time is it?” I asked as politely as I could. Weariness was building up under my eyelids. I looked to the clock mounted over the fireplace only to realize that midnight had come and gone hours ago. I had not even realized that the tea I was offered never arrived, but I thought nothing of it at the time.
“What does your independence mean to you?” she asked. “Oh?” “Yes, your independence.”
“My goodness! We must continue this conversation tomorrow, if you don’t mind.”
“I- uh…is this related to the position?” “Yes and no,” Elizabeth affirmed. I was so caught off guard that I struggled for nearly up to two minutes to piece myself back together. “You want to be a governess, yes?”
“I don’t mind at all, Mrs. D- er- I mean, Elizabeth.” “Wonderful!” Soon enough, we were retired for the night. I found myself sleeping in a bed more luxurious 63
