Griffith was now as good as a widower; and Caroline Ryder improved the opportunity. She threw herself constantly in his way, all smiles, small talk, and geniality. Like many healthy men, your sickness wearied him if it lasted over two days; and whenever he came out, chilled and discontented, from his invalid wife, there was a fine, buoyant, healthy young woman, ready to chat with him, and brimming over with undisguised admiration. True, she was only a servant,--a servant to the core. But she had been always about ladies, and could wear their surface as readily as she could their gowns. Moreover, Griffith himself lacked dignity and reserve; he would talk to anybody. The two women began to fill the relative situations of clouds and sunshine. But, ere this had lasted long, the enticing contact with the object of her lawless fancy inflamed Ryder, and made her so impatient that she struck her long meditated blow a little prematurely. The passage outside Mrs. Gaunt's door had a large window; and one day, while Griffith was with his wife, Ryder composed herself on the window-seat in a forlorn attitude, too striking and unlike her usual gay demeanor to pass unnoticed. Griffith came out and saw this drooping, disconsolate figure. "Hallo!" said he, "what is wrong with _you_?" a little fretfully. A deep sigh was the only response. "Had words with your sweetheart?" "You know I have no sweetheart, sir." The good-natured Squire made an attempt or two to console her and find out what was the matter; but he could get nothing out of her but monosyllables and sighs. At last the crocodile contrived to cry. And having thus secured his pity, she said: "There, never heed me. I'm a foolish woman; I can't bear to see my dear master so abused." "What d' ye mean?" said Griffith, sternly. Her very first shaft wounded his peace of mind. "O, no matter! why should I be your friend and my own enemy? If I tell you, I shall lose my place." "Nonsense, girl, you shall never lose your place while I am here." "Well, I hope not, sir; for I am very happy here; too happy methinks, when _you_ speak kindly to me. Take no notice of what I said. 'T is best to be blind at times." The simple Squire did not see that this artful woman was playing the stale game of her sex; stimulating his curiosity under pretence of putting him off. He began to fret with suspicion and curiosity, and insisted on her speaking out. "Ah! but I am so afraid you will hate me," said she; "and that will be worse than losing my place." Griffith stamped on the ground. "What is it?" said he, fiercely. Ryder seemed frightened. "It is nothing," said she. Then she paused, and added, "but my folly. I can't bear to see you waste your feelings. She is not so ill as you fancy." "Do you mean to say that my wife is pretending?"