Then it was that the Lady Henrietta proposed to return home. Alas, that despised shilling! Within five minutes more she learned she was actually a servant--bound as surely as any apprentice; and, indeed, the sheriff arrived precisely at that moment, to settle the matter beyond all dispute. Meanwhile, my lord stood in the background, a picture of bewildered despair, and Lady Henrietta stood in the foreground almost in tears. Why, if the court heard of all this she should never be able to show herself in that court’s presence! At all events, the truth could not be spoken then and there. Let her be silent before the horrid mob. Hence it was that Lady Henrietta went off quite meekly as a farm servant, while Nancy took the same road, jerking her head and flouncing her garments as only lady’s maids of all climes and times could and can manage it. As for Lord Tristam, he looked as nearly ridiculous as an English lord ever could look! CHAPTER III. Imagine that the two farmers and their new servants have arrived at the farm-house--a large, roomy, old building, with deep bay windows of wavy green glass, in the very heart of the forest. “Home at last,” said Plunket, who had pioneered the flouncing Nancy, as he thrust the key into the lock. As they all entered, Lady Henrietta could not help comparing the place to a prison. However, she did not make the odious comparison in a loud voice. “There,” said Plunket, who was spokesman for the two, and addressing the girls, “there, that’s your room.” “Oh--tha-a-a-ank you,” said the Lady Henrietta. “_In_-deed,” said the sharp Nancy. “Good night,” said her ladyship, and turned sleepily towards the door; for, truth to tell, her ladyship had never even dreamed of such journeying as she had performed that luckless day. “Good night,” and she had her hand upon the latch. The stout Plunket stared. “Good night--why there’s work to do!” “Wo-o-o-ork,” said Henrietta. And Nancy too, shrieked out the little word. “Of course--take my hat,” said Plunket. Nancy took the hat immediately, but she privately shot it into a corner. Lionel also held out his hat to Henrietta, but he seemed to do so rather because it brought him near her, than as the act of her legal master for twelve months, less one day. Henrietta took it, and knowing no more what to do with it than she had known what to do with the fast binding shilling, dropped it. But Lionel did not mark that fall--his eyes were on the new servant’s handsome face. Indeed, he was in love with her, I think. “Work--work--work,” said Plunket. “But I’m shivering with cold!” “And so am I,” said Nancy. “Brother,” said Lionel, “brother, she’s shivering with cold, you know.” Then Nancy committed herself to this sharp remark, “I’m sure this house is damp!”