"Oh, tell me quick, quick! Has uncle got another living? Is he going to leave Ramdale?"
"No, but he is perfectly willing for you to go up to London and there carve out your own life—and earn your living if you can."
"Back to London?"
Such light and colour came into Louise's pale face that it made her absolutely beautiful. Then she faltered out:
"But how can I be spared? Who will look after him and the parish? I haven't done much, I know, but I've just managed to keep things together."
"Well, it is rather strange, but I happen to know a woman who would be glad to go to your uncle as housekeeper. She used to be a cook at my old home, but she is a most superior woman, and she loves the country. I have not said anything to you, but I have been corresponding with her about the post for some time. When you were ill and I had that talk with your uncle, he said that he had often thought it was much too lonely a life for a girl of your age, but he would not dream of turning you out to earn your own living. I told him that was what you were longing to do, and he said he wished that you had talked to him about it. So then I set to work. Now when you are quite strong, you can go anywhere you like. He will be able to give you a small allowance to keep you from starving. What will you do, I wonder?"
Louise could hardly believe her ears. That very day, she wrote to her old school friend the art student in London, and before very long, she had arranged to share her small flat with her, and seek for congenial work in that neighbourhood.
Anstice listened to the eager girl's hopes and aspirations. She did not like to quench her ardour, but wrote to her cousins in London and asked them to befriend her, and take her to occasional concerts and entertainments. As to what she was going to do, Louise had very little idea.
"I am not stupid. If other girls can learn shorthand and typewriting, I can, and if I can't get office work, I shall go into some shop or business place. I don't care what I do; I wouldn't mind selling flowers, if only I can be in the middle of life again and in London."
But when the time came for her to leave the Manor, Louise was very tearful. She hugged Anstice in quite a childish way.