“I’ve come to ask if you will let me off my engagement, and allow me to go home,” she said quietly.
Lady Jane stared hard at her for a moment, before speaking.
“Why?”
That was all; but the question was not exactly easy to answer, and she was quite unprepared for it.
“I shall be very grateful if you will let me go,” she said.
“But why? You must have a reason, and I think I have a right to know what it is.”
Ellen felt inclined to recall to Lady Jane the tone of the advertisement, but was afraid that she might be thought vain of her present improved appearance.
“You have been very kind to me,” she said, after a moment’s thought; “I shall never forget it. But the greatest kindness of all will be to let me go home.”
Lady Jane was still standing; she made a step forward, so that she was quite close to the governess, and she gazed steadily into her eyes.
“Some one has annoyed you,” she said suddenly, with great decision. “I am quite sure of it. No, my dear, you need not shake your head. I know it. The fact is, that from being perfectly”—she was going to say hideous, but checked herself—“from being distinctly plain, you have grown to be as pretty as a picture! And the usual result has followed! You’ve turned all their heads!”