“Yes, sir, a thoroughly experienced girl. She is from the village, but was trained in London for a couple of years. I have her for a month on trial. Come here, Hester, and let me introduce you to your new mistress.” “I am glad to see you, Hester,” said Nancy in her cordial voice. The girl, a small, dark-eyed lass, dropped a low curtsey; she had keen eyes and they fell all over Mrs. Rowton’s beautiful travelling dress. “Run upstairs at once, Hester,” said Mrs. Ferguson, the housekeeper; “see that the trunks are taken up and begin to attend to your duties; go, girl, don’t stare.” Hester coloured crimson, fixed her eyes again with a look half of admiration, half of something else, which Nance did not quite understand, on her face, and turned to obey. “I hope you’ll like her, ma’am,” said the housekeeper as she followed more slowly with her mistress. “Oh! yes, she seems a nice girl,” said Nance; “but I have not been accustomed to a maid, and I do not really know what to do with one.” Mrs. Ferguson looked puzzled. She knew nothing whatever with regard to the bride whom Rowton was bringing home. Had he really by any possibility married beneath him? But one glance at Nancy’s lovely face dispelled this illusion. The sweet face stole straight down to the old woman’s heart. “If Hester does not quite please you, ma’am, you’ll be sure to tell me,” she said; “but she seems a clever girl, and particularly good at doing hair.” “I have always arranged my own hair,” said Nance; “but I suppose if it is necessary I must submit.” She sighed a little as she spoke. The next moment her sigh was changed for an exclamation of delight. “What a lovely bedroom!” she said. “Is this for me?” “I am heartily glad you are pleased, ma’am,” said the housekeeper. “Mr. Rowton gave instructions that this room was to be completely re-furnished. He chose those rose-coloured silk curtains himself; they came from London only two days ago. I hope you’ll like the whole arrangement. I must say the room does look cheerful. This is your dressing-room, and your boudoir is just beyond; these stairs lead to Mr. Rowton’s dressing-room, and this is the door of the bathroom. This complete suite is shut away by these curtains and door.” “It is quite a little house to itself,” said Nance; “it certainly does look perfect.” “Well, I am pleased,” said the housekeeper. “I’ll leave you now, ma’am. I see Hester is waiting to attend on you.” Nance, who was standing in a dream of delight in the middle of the lovely room, looked up at these words and encountered the dark gaze of her new maid. “What do you want?” she asked. “The trunks are in your dressing-room, ma’am,” said the girl, “and I am waiting for your keys, please.” Nancy pulled them out of her pocket. “Perhaps you will kindly tell me in which trunk your evening dresses are, ma’am?”