It was all very cheerful and very English as they stood talking there, and the doors beyond the hall showed through their dark frames green lawns and terraces soaked in evening light. It was all very, very comfortable.
As she dressed for dinner Rachel had her windows open, so hot was the night, and she could watch the evening star that shone with a wonderful brilliance above a dark little wood that crowned a rise beyond the gardens. She had a maid who was very young indeed; this was her first place, but she had, during the three months, learnt with great quickness and had attached herself to her mistress with the most burning devotion. She was a silent, unusual girl and kept herself apart from the rest of the servants.
Rachel as she sat before her dressing-table could see in that mirror the dark reflection of the twilit garden.
"It's a lovely place, Lucy——"
"Yes, Miss Rachel."
"Are you glad to get away from London?"
"It has been hot there these last weeks."
Rachel met in the glass the girl's black eyes. They were searching Rachel's face.
"Lucy, would you rather live in London or in the country?"
"I don't mind, Miss Rachel." Then after a little pause: "I hope I've give satisfaction these last weeks?"