“I cannot until Adrian comes back,” said Nance.
“Oh! nonsense, you must manage to lead an interested and happy life apart from that husband of yours.”
“No, I won’t,” said Nance proudly.
“Oh! you won’t. You will sing a different tune after a time. I tell you, Mrs. Rowton, he has got his own pursuits, and he will follow them to the death in spite of you or twenty girls like you, and you’ll die of ennui if you have not your own individual interests. You must begin to return these calls by the end of the week, and then invitations will pour in. If Mr. Rowton is at home he will go with you, if not, you must go by yourself or with me. I shall be delighted to chaperone you to any extent.”
Nance bowed her head somewhat wearily. A good deal of Lady Georgina’s gay chatter was scarcely heard by her. She admitted all the kindness, but her heart was sore, and she longed indescribably to be alone. When the good lady at last took her leave, Nancy could not help giving vent to a sigh of relief. Soon afterwards she went upstairs to bed.
On the way to her own room, just outside the door she came face to face with her maid, Hester, who was talking to an elderly woman, with sandy hair and a broad freckled face. The woman had straight lips, a jaw of iron, and pale light blue eyes. She was dressed very neatly, but not in the dress of an ordinary servant. Her hair was tightly braided and she wore it perfectly smooth.
“Well, good night, Leah,” said Hester, as Mrs. Rowton appeared on the scene.
The woman called Leah favoured Nancy with a prolonged and undoubtedly curious stare.
“Good evening, ma’am,” she said; then she dropped a curtsey and disappeared down a passage.