“You do not mean to say that you will have nothing to do with me,” said Lydia, stopping her quietly. “Why are you so scrupulous, Miss Goff? You will be close to your home, and can return to it at any moment if you become dissatisfied with your position here.” Fearful that she had disgraced herself by ill manners; loath to be taken possession of as if her wishes were of no consequence when a rich lady’s whim was to be gratified; suspicious--since she had often heard gossiping tales of the dishonesty of people in high positions--lest she should be cheated out of the salary she had come resolved to demand; and withal unable to defend herself against Miss Carew, Alice caught at the first excuse that occurred to her. “I should like a little time to consider,” she said. “Time to accustom yourself to me, is it not? You can have as long as you plea-” “Oh, I can let you know tomorrow,” interrupted Alice, officiously. “Thank you. I will send a note to Mrs. Goff to say that she need not expect you back until tomorrow.” “But I did not mean--I am not prepared to stay,” remonstrated Alice, feeling that she was being entangled in a snare. “We shall take a walk after dinner, then, and call at your house, where you can make your preparations. But I think I can supply you with all you will require.” Alice dared make no further objection. “I am afraid,” she stammered, “you will think me horribly rude; but I am so useless, and you are so sure to be disappointed, that--that--” “You are not rude, Miss Goff; but I find you very shy. You want to run away and hide from new faces and new surroundings.” Alice, who was self-possessed and even overbearing in Wiltstoken society, felt that she was misunderstood, but did not know how to vindicate herself. Lydia resumed, “I have formed my habits in the course of my travels, and so live without ceremony. We dine early--at six.” Alice had dined at two, but did not feel bound to confess it. “Let me show you your room,” said Lydia, rising. “This is a curious drawingroom,” she added, glancing around. “I only use it occasionally to receive visitors.” She looked about her again with some interest, as if the apartment belonged to some one else, and led the way to a room on the first floor, furnished as a lady’s bed-chamber. “If you dislike this,” she said, “or cannot arrange it to suit you, there are others, of which you can have your choice. Come to my boudoir when you are ready.” “Where is that?” said Alice, anxiously. “It is--You had better ring for some one to show you. I will send you my maid.” Alice, even more afraid of the maid than of the mistress, declined hastily. “I am accustomed to attend to myself, Miss Carew,” with proud humility. “You will find it more convenient to call me Lydia,” said Miss Carew. “Otherwise you will be supposed to refer to my grandaunt, a very old lady.” She then left the room.