‘Lor’! father, don’t go puffing the maid up on her good looks,’ cried his wife. ‘Handsome is as handsome does; that’s my motto. But I don’t think his lordship will refuse her all the same; for he was rare generous to her whilst she was in service. Ah, Nell, ’twas the foolishest thing as you ever did to chuck up that place. You might find out, whilst you’re about it, if there should happen to be a vacancy in her ladyship’s house now.’
‘All right, mother,’ said Nell gently; and then, drawing a letter from her pocket, she continued—‘I wrote this note to Lord Ilfracombe last night, father; and, if you approve it, you might send it over to the Hall by Tom.’
She unfolded the paper and read,—
‘My Lord,—My father wishes that I should speak to you on a matter important to himself. If it should be quite convenient, will your lordship send word by the bearer at what hour this morning I could have a few minutes’ conversation with you?—Yours respectfully,
‘E. Llewellyn.’
‘A very proper note,’ said her mother approvingly.
‘Ay, and don’t our Nell write a neat hand?’ put in the farmer. ‘You’re a rare scholar, Nell, though I don’t know where you got it; for Hetty, who had the same advantages, can’t do more than manage a few words, and them not legible. It’ll do rarely, my lass, and is just the thing I wanted. His lordship can’t refuse so simple a request. I’ll send Tom over with it at once.’ And he rose from the table for the purpose.
‘Come now, my girl, sit down, do, and eat your breakfast,’ quoth Mrs Llewellyn, seeing that her daughter still lingered by the window.
‘No, thank you, mother. I don’t feel like eating this morning. I wrote the letter because I don’t like to cross father, but I’ve a faint heart about it. The earl may not like to be worried now he is out for a holiday, and I’d be loath to make him angry.’
‘Nonsense, Nell. He must be a cranky fellow if a little note like yours would put him out. He can but say, “No,” lass, and then there’ll be no harm done. But if you hadn’t writ it, father would likely have always thought you might have saved the rent if you’d a mind to, so it’s just as well to humour him. Come, take your tea, or I’ll be angry.’