“It is,” said Philip. “It has shown me my age. I declare I am trembling; I, whose nerves were iron. But I have a particular contempt for servants. Mercenary wretches! I think Heaven inspired me to talk to them. After all, who knows? perhaps we might find a way to their hearts, if we did not eternally shock their vanity, and forget that it is, and must be, far greater than our own. The women gave me their tears, and the men were earnest. Not one hand lay cold in mine. As for your kitchen-maid, I'd trust my life to that girl. What a grip she gave me! What strength! What fidelity was in it! My hand was never GRASPED before. I think we are safe for a few days more.” Lusignan sighed. “What does it all come to? We are pulling the trigger gently, that is all.” “No, no; that is not it. Don't let us confound the matter with similes, please. Keep them for children.” Mrs. Staines left her bed; and would have left her room, but Dr. Philip forbade it strictly. One day, seated in her arm-chair, she said to the nurse, before Dr. Philip, “Nurse, why do the servants look so curiously at me?” Mrs. Briscoe cast a hasty glance at Dr. Philip, and then said, “I don't know, madam. I never noticed that.” “Uncle, why did nurse look at you before she answered such a simple question?” “I don't know. What question?” “About the servants.” “Oh, about the servants!” said he contemptuously. “You should not turn up your nose at them, for they are all most kind and attentive. Only, I catch them looking at me so strangely; really--as if they--” “Rosa, you are taking me quite out of my depth. The looks of servant girls! Why, of course a lady in your condition is an object of especial interest to them. I dare say they are saying to one another, 'I wonder when my turn will come!' A fellow-feeling makes us wondrous kind--that is a proverb, is it not?” “To be sure. I forgot that.” She said no more; but seemed thoughtful, and not quite satisfied. On this Dr. Philip begged the maids to go near her as little as possible. “You are not aware of it,” said he, “but your looks, and your manner of speaking, rouse her attention, and she is quicker than I thought she was, and observes very subtly.” This was done; and then she complained that nobody came near her. She insisted on coming down-stairs; it was so dull. Dr. Philip consented, if she would be content to receive no visits for a week. She assented to that; and now passed some hours every day in the drawing-room. In her morning wrappers, so fresh and crisp, she looked lovely, and increased in health and strength every day.