“All, I believe, ma’am,” said Grace; “though, indeed, I can’t pretend to be sure, since I make it my business not to scrutinize, and to know as little as possible of what’s going on in the house, lest I should seem to be too particular.”
“Did Mad. de Rosier leave any message for me before she went out?”
“Not with me, ma’am.”
Here the prevaricating waiting-maid told barely the truth in words: Mad. de Rosier had left a message with the footman in Grace’s hearing.
“I hope, ma’am,” continued Grace, “you weren’t disturbed with the noise in the house early this morning?”
“What noise?—I heard no noise,” said Mrs. Harcourt.
“No noise! dear ma’am, I’m as glad as can possibly be of that, at any rate; but to be sure there was a great racket. I was really afraid, ma’am, it would do no good to your poor head.”
“What was the matter?” said Mrs. Harcourt, drawing back the curtain.
“Oh! nothing, ma’am, that need alarm you—only music and dancing.”
“Music and dancing so early in the morning!—Do, Grace, say all you have to say at once, for you keep me in suspense, which, I am sure, is not good for my head.”