“That is an honour,” said she, in the most polite and modest way, “I cannot allow myself. I am only your servant.” “Very good, but when I am alone I hope you will consent to take your meals with me, as I don’t like eating by myself.” “I will do so, sir.” “Where is your room?” “This is the one the steward assigned to me, but you have only to speak if you wish me to sleep in another.” “Not at all; it will do very well.” Her room was just behind the recess in which my bed stood. I went in with her and was astonished to see a great display of dresses, and in an adjoining closet all the array of the toilette, linen in abundance, and a good stock of shoes and embroidered slippers. Dumb with surprise I looked at her, and was thoroughly satisfied with what I saw. Nevertheless I determined to subject her to a close examination, as I thought her manners too interesting and her linen too extensive for her to be a mere servant. All at once I was struck with the idea that it might be a trick of the ambassador’s, for a fine woman, well educated, and aged twenty-four or at the most twenty-five years, seemed to me more fitted to be my mistress than my housekeeper. I therefore asked her if she knew the ambassador, and what wages she was to receive. She replied that she only knew M. de Chavigni by sight, and that the steward had promised her two louis a month and her meals in her own room. “Where do you come from? What’s your name?” “I come from Lyons; I am a widow, and my name is Dubois.” “I am delighted to have you in my service. I shall see you again.” She then left me, and I could not help thinking her a very interesting woman, as her speech was as dignified as her appearance. I went down to the kitchen and found the cook, an honest-looking fellow, who told me his name was Rosier. I had known his brother in the service of the French ambassador at Venice. He told me that supper would be ready at nine o’clock. “I never eat by myself,” said I. “So I hear, sir; and I will serve supper accordingly.” “What are your wages?” “Four louis a month.” I then went to see the rest of my people. I found two sharp-looking footmen, and the first of them told me he would see I had what wine I wanted. Then I inspected my bath, which seemed convenient. An apothecary was preparing certain matters for my imaginary cure. Finally, I took a walk round my garden, and before going in I went into the gate-keeper’s, where I found a numerous family, and some girls who were not to be despised. I was delighted to hear everybody speak French, and I talked with them some time.