But soon my trials in this quartet came to a close--
sooner than I either expected or desired; for one sweet
evening towards the close of May, as I was rejoicing in
the near approach of the holidays, and congratulating
myself upon having made some progress with my pupils
(as far as their learning went, at least, for I had instilled
something into their heads, and I had at length brought
them to be a little--a very little--more rational about
getting their lessons done in time to leave some space
for recreation, instead of tormenting themselves and me
all day long to no purpose), Mrs. Bloomfield sent for me,
and calmly told me that after midsummer my services
would be no longer required. She assured me that my
character and general conduct were unexceptionable, but
the children had made so little improvement since my
arrival that Mr. Bloomfield and she felt it their duty to
seek some other mode of instruction. Though superior
to most children of their years in abilities, they were
decidedly behind them in attainments; their manners
were uncultivated, and their tempers unruly. And this
she attributed to a want of sufficient firmness, and dili-
gent, persevering care on my part.

Unshaken firmness, devoted diligence, unwearied per-
severance, unceasing care, were the very qualifications
on which I had secretly prided myself, and by which I
had hoped in time to overcome all difficulties, and ob-
tain success at last. I wished to say something in my
own justification, but in attempting to speak I felt my
voice falter, and rather than testify any emotion, or
suffer the tears to overflow that were already gathering
in my eyes, I chose to keep silence, and bear all like a
self-convicted culprit.

Thus was I dismissed, and thus I sought my home.
Alas! what would they think of me--unable, after all
my boasting, to keep my place, even for a single year,
as governess to three small children, whose mother was
asserted by my own aunt to be a "very nice woman"?
Having been thus weighed in the balance and found
wanting, I need not hope they would be willing to try

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