She went a little way up each road in turn, and then back to the corner of the churchyard, and waited; but her father was not to be seen. Fanny went to the church porch and looked into the church, hoping to see him on one of the benches near the door, and because he was not there Fanny grew anxious and disappointed, almost heart-sick, as she looked into strange faces, and her father was not among them.
She wished now that she had come here direct, instead of going first to meet her friend. She lingered near the church until the service was over, and then looked eagerly at the people as they came out, and among those she saw the lady who had asked about a servant at the confectioner's shop the day before. She walked up the street alone, and not seeing anything of her father, Fanny decided to speak to the lady, and ask if she still wanted a servant.
The lady looked a little surprised at being asked such a question at such a time and place, but replied—
"I am wanting a servant. But how did you hear of it?"
"I was at Carpenter's buying some cakes for my mistress yesterday, and heard you tell the young woman that served me that you were in want of a servant, and would give ten pounds a year."
"Yes, I will, to a suitable girl. But you had better come and see me to-morrow morning," added the lady; and then she gave Fanny her address and walked on, leaving the girl almost bewildered by the swiftness with which her good fortune had come to her.
She gave one last lingering look round the two streets to see if she could by any possibility have missed her father coming out of church, and then walked home.
"Why, Fanny, where have you been?" said her mistress, when she opened the door.
"To St. Mary's church, where I was to meet my father."
"And did you meet him, after all?" asked the lady.