The girl stared at her in sudden astonishment, her dark stupid eyes wavering. She had a round, peasant face, not without comeliness, and a lustreless shock of black hair. Laura laughed. "I will," she said, nodding; "you'll see. And I'll give you notions for your best frock. I'll be a regular elder sister to you--if you'll just do a few things for me--and Mrs. Fountain. What's your name--Ellen?--that's all right. Now, is there a bath in the house?" The girl unwillingly replied that there was one in the big room at the end of the passage. "Show it me," said Laura, and marched her off there. The rough-headed one led the way along the panelled passage and opened a door. Then it was Laura's turn to stare. Inside she saw a vast room with finely panelled walls and a decorated ceiling. The sunlight poured in through an uncurtained window upon the only two objects in the room,--a magnificent bed, carved and gilt, with hangings of tarnished brocade,--and a round tin bath of a common, old-fashioned make, propped up against the wall. The oak boards were absolutely bare. The bed and the bath looked at each other. "What's become of all the furniture?" said Laura, gazing round her in astonishment. "The gentleman from Edinburgh had it all, lasst month," said the girl, still sullenly. "He's affther the bed now." "Oh!--Does he often come here?" The girl hesitated. "Well, he's had a lot o' things oot o' t' house, sen I came." "Has he?" said Laura. "Now, then--lend a hand." Between them they carried off the bath; and then Laura informed herself where water was to be had, and when breakfast would be ready. "T' Squire's gone oot," said Ellen, still watching the newcomer from under a pair of very black and beetling brows; "and Mrs. Denton said she supposed yo'd be wantin a tray for Mrs. Fountain." "Does the Squire take no breakfast?" "Noa. He's away to Mass--ivery mornin, an' he gets his breakfast wi' Father Bowles." The girl's look grew more hostile. "Oh, does he?" said Laura in a tone of meditation. "Well, then, look here. Put another cup and another plate on Mrs. Fountain's tray, and I'll have mine with her. Shall I come down to the kitchen for it?" "Noa," said the girl hastily. "Mrs. Denton doan't like foak i' t' kitchen." At that moment a call in Mrs. Denton's angriest tones came pealing along the passage outside. Laura laughed and pushed the girl out of the room. * * * * * An hour later Miss Fountain was ministering to her stepmother in the most comfortable bedroom that the house afforded. The furniture, indeed, was a medley. It seemed to have been gathered out of many other rooms. But at any rate there was abundance of it; a carpet much worn, but still useful, covered the floor; and Ellen had lit the fire without being summoned to do it. Laura recognised that Mr. Helbeck must have given a certain number of precise orders on the subject of his sister.