"That will suit me very well," said Mrs. Desmond. "I will engage you for one month at least, Mary, and I will pay you ten dollars a month. Will that suit you?"
"Yes, thank you," Golden answered, timidly.
"Very well, you may stay now, and you may go at once to Ruby, for I have been compelled to lend her my own maid, for a week past, and she is so dissatisfied with the position that she threatens to leave me if she is not relieved. I can assure you that you will find your position no sinecure. I hope you will try to find means to amuse the child. You must be very kind and patient with her, Mary. I allow no scolding or fault-finding, for my little girl is very frail and delicate."
Golden rose and stood waiting while the languid, fine lady talked.
When she had ended her little speech, she pointed her white finger at the dressing-room door.
"Go through the drawing-room," she said, "into my bed-chamber. You will find that it has a door connecting with the nursery. You will find my little daughter in there. You may introduce yourself to her. Mrs. Markham and I will look in presently and see how Ruby is pleased with you."
"Try and make a good impression on the little one's mind at first," said Mrs. Markham, kindly. "First impressions are everything with children."
Beautiful Golden thanked her with a grateful look, and silently withdrew to follow Mrs. Desmond's instructions.
"You do not seem as pleased as I had expected, Edith," Mrs. Markham said, in a tone of disappointment, when they were alone.
"To tell the truth, I think the girl is too pretty," Mrs. Desmond replied, with some embarrassment.