He had not breathed a word of love, or dropped one hint of tenderness or affection, and yet I had been supremely happy. To be near him, to hear him talk as he did talk, and to feel that he thought me worthy to be so spoken to - capable of understanding and duly appreciating such discourse - was enough."

¿ Anne Brontë, Agnes Grey

Agnes Grey (1847) by Anne Brontë recounts the story of a kindhearted and determined girl Agnes Grey, born to a clergyman Mr. Grey. Mr. Grey loses his fortune when the man, whom he sends to invest his money, dies at sea. As a result, Agnes decides to become a governess to help the monetary condition of the family. Unhappy with troublesome employers and children who are unmanageable, Agnes meets Mr. Weston, whose appearance plants a romantic seed in her life only to make her life better.