When the door closed, Lady Betty gave her gown a few touches, turning around before the mirror again.
“Will I do, Alice?” she asked.
“Supremely well, madam,” Alice replied soberly, standing off to view her with a critical eye.
Lady Betty turned suddenly and laid her hand on the girl’s shoulder.
“Hast said thy catechism, Alice?” she asked.
The handmaid looked up at her blankly, her slower mind struggling to understand.
“Your catechism, goosie,” repeated Lady Clancarty laughing; “did not my mother question you close of me?”
“She did, madam,” retorted Alice bluntly, with an ingenuous blush, “she asked me many questions.”
“And what answer did you give?” asked her mistress smiling.