"I'm sorry it don't suit you, ma'am, but I must." "Why, Alice? What is the matter? Has Sophy been troublesome?" "No, ma'am; there's no harm in that child." "Then what can it be, Alice? Perhaps you are going to be married sooner than you expected?" Alice gave her chin a little toss, pressed her lips together, and was silent. "I have always been kind to you," resumed her mistress. "I'm sure, ma'am, I never made no complaints!" returned Alice, but as she spoke she drew herself up straighter than before. "Then what is it?" said her mistress. "The fact is, ma'am," answered the girl, almost fiercely, "I _cannot_ any longer endure a state of domestic slavery." "I don't understand you a bit better," said Mrs. Greatorex, trying, but in vain, to smile, and therefore looking angrier than she was. "I mean, ma'am--an' I see no reason as I shouldn't say it, for it's the truth--there's a worm at the root of society where one yuman bein' 's got to do the dirty work of another. I don't mind sweepin' up my own dust, but I won't sweep up nobody else's. I ain't a goin' to demean myself no longer! There!" "Leave the room, Alice," said Mrs. Greatorex; and when, with a toss and a flounce, the young woman had vanished, she burst into tears of anger and annoyance. The day passed. The evening came. She dressed without Alice's usual help, and went to Lady Ashdaile's with her friend. There a reaction took place, and her spirits rose unnaturally. She even danced--to the disgust of one or two quick-eyed matrons who sat by the wall. When she came home she found her husband sitting up for her. He said next to nothing, and sat up an hour longer with his book. In the night she was taken ill. Her husband called Alice, and ran himself to fetch the doctor. For some hours she seemed in danger, but by noon was much better. Only the greatest care was necessary. As soon as she could speak, she told Augustus of Alice's warning, and he sent for her to the library. She stood before him with flushed cheeks and flashing eyes. "I understand, Alice, you have given your mistress warning," he said gently. "Yes, sir." "Your mistress is very ill, Alice." "Yes, sir." "Don't you think it would be ungrateful of you to leave her in her present condition? She's not likely to be strong for some time to come." The use of the word "ungrateful" was an unfortunate one. Alice begged to know what she had to be grateful for. Was her work worth nothing? And her master, as every one must who claims that which can only be freely given, found himself in the wrong. "Well, Alice," he said, "we won't dispute that point; and if you are really determined on going, you must do the best you can for your mistress for the rest of the month." Alice's sense of injury was soothed by her master's forbearance. She had always rather approved of Mr. Greatorex, and she left the room more softly than she had entered it. Letty had a fortnight in bed, during which she reflected a little.