"But your attention to your little favourite must not withdraw your affection from me, my dear Anna," said Mrs. Meridith.
"Oh! my dear mamma, how can you think she will?" replied the affectionate girl; "can I ever love her as I do you, who have done so much for me?"
"Nor is she to be made our companion," continued Mrs. Meridith, "only when we chuse to be amused by her; but she shall always be with Bella and Syphax, and never in the kitchen if they can help it; and though from her coming so young we must expect her to treat us with familiarity, if we gain her confidence and esteem, and teach her rightly to appreciate her own character, we need not be afraid of disrespect. I should wish a servant to be well acquainted with me, and to believe that I would not betray the trust she reposed in me; and it is desirable this confidence should be mutual, though I am sorry to say there are but few servants in whom it can be placed; yet, I think the manner I intend little Betsy to be brought up, would be the most probable way to obtain such an one. Time will shew whether I am right or not."
[CHAPTER X.]
The next week little Betsy was brought to Rosewood by Anna, with equal delight on both sides.
"I am going to be Miss Meridith's little maid," said the delighted child; "and I shall have all new clothes. But don't let the little ones" (meaning her brothers and sisters still younger than herself) "cry after me, dame: I must go to wait on Miss Meridith you know, she has been so good to all of us." This was said with such an air of importance that the whole party laughed at her: while little Betty walked off, quite satisfied, as they did not oppose her going.
"Now you must be very good," said Anna, "and mind what Bella says to you."