“Is it late?” asked Mrs. Rowton, starting up in bed.
“Yes, ma’am,” said the girl, speaking in a certain prim, respectful voice, which was rather aggravating to listen to: “it is nine o’clock, but Mr. Rowton said you were not to be disturbed. Would you like breakfast before you get up, ma’am?”
“No, indeed,” replied Nance. “I don’t think I ever breakfasted in bed in my life; I will get up now if you will leave me, please.”
The girl raised her brows in some slight surprise.
“Just as you please, ma’am,” she said. “I have left everything in perfect order in your dressing-room, and when you ring the bell I shall be ready to arrange your hair.”
Nancy said nothing more and the girl retired.
“Why is it I don’t take to her?” thought Mrs. Rowton; “she seems a good girl, clever and obliging, but she gives me an uncomfortable sensation. Well, I need not keep her if she is not quite to my taste, and she certainly need not trouble me now.”
Nance dressed herself quickly and ran downstairs. She did not ring for Hester to arrange her hair. Her spirits rose as she dressed, and when she entered the room where she and her husband had dined the night before, she felt full of excitement and interest.
Rowton had promised to take her over the house, and she was all agog to explore her new home without delay.