“And that I am sure she is,” exclaimed Mary, and the other servants assented heartily. “If there ever was a true lady, this one is, whoever or whatever she may be. Perhaps she’s just come from boarding-school.”
But the cook scoffed at the idea.
“Boarding-school!” she exclaimed incredulously. “Do you think they don’t know the difference between mistress and servants there? It’s the first thing that is taught them.”
Meanwhile, quite unconscious of the discussion which her ingenuous conduct had caused, Una wandered about the room, examining, with unstinted curiosity, the exquisite china and valuable paintings, the Collard and Collard grand piano, and the handsomely-bound books.
An hour or two passed in this way; then she heard a bell ring and Mary entered, and, eying her shyly, said:
“Mistress says will you be kind enough to step up to her room, miss.”
Una went upstairs and knocked at Mrs. Davenant’s door, and in answer to the “come in,” entered, and found Mrs. Davenant in the hands of her maid Jane.
Una crossed the room with her swift, light step, and kissed the face turned up to her with a timid, questioning smile on it.
“My child,” exclaimed Mrs. Davenant, “have you been up all night? I sent Jane to your room to help you dress.”
Una started, and a smile broke over her face.