Abduction -- Fiction; Americans -- Europe -- Fiction; Love stories
His smile, as he shook his head in response, incensed her to the
point of tears, and she was vastly relieved when he turned abruptly
and left the apartment. When the maid came in she found Miss
Garrison asleep on the couch, her cheeks stained with tears. Tired,
despairing, angry, she had found forgetfulness for the while. Sleep
sat lightly upon her troubled brain, however, for the almost
noiseless movements of the maid awakened her and she sat up with a
start.
“Oh, it is you!” she said, after a moment. “What is your name?'
“Baker, Miss.”
The captive sat on the edge of the couch and for many minutes
watched, through narrow eyes, the movements of the servant. A plan
was growing in her brain, and she was contemplating the situation in
a new and determined frame of mind.
“Baker,” she said, finally, “come here.” The maid stood before her,
attentively.
“Would you like to earn a thousand pounds?”
Without the faintest show of emotion, the least symptom of eagerness,
Baker answered in the affirmative.
“Then you have but to serve me as I command, and the money is yours.”
“I have already been instructed to serve you, Miss.”
“I don't mean for you to dress my hair and to fasten my gown and all
that. Get me out of this place and to my friends. That is what I
mean,” whispered Dorothy, eagerly.
“You want to buy me, Miss?' said Baker, calmly.
“Not that, quite, Baker, but just--”
“You will not think badly of me if I cannot listen to your offer,
Miss? I am to serve you here, and I want you to like me, but I
cannot do what you would ask. Pardon me if I speak plainly, but I
cannot be bought.” There was no mistaking the honest expression in
the maid's eyes. “Lady Saxondale is my mistress, and I love her. If
she asks me to take you to your friends, I will obey.”
Dorothy's lips parted and a look of incredulity grew in her eyes.
For a moment she stared with unconcealed wonder upon this unusual
girl, and then wonder slowly changed to admiration.
“Would that all maids were as loyal, Baker. Lady Saxondale trusts
you and so shall I. But,” wonder again manifesting itself, “I cannot
understand such fidelity. Not for £5,000?”
“No, Miss; thank you,” respectfully and firmly.
“Ask Lady Saxondale if I may come to her.”
The maid departed, and soon returned to say that Lady Saxondale
would gladly see her. Dorothy followed her down the long, dark hall
and into the boudoir of Castle Craneycrow's mistress. Lady Jane sat
on the broad window seat, looking pensively out at the blue sky.
There was in the room such an air of absolute peace and security
that Dorothy's heart gave a sharp, wistful throb.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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