“I was hoping you would call, Miss Shepstone. Will you come into my room?”
Esther’s heart leapt. She obeyed eagerly.
A lady was sitting at the table looking rather bored and irritated.
She was grey-haired and handsome, and most beautifully dressed. She turned slightly when Esther entered, and stared at her through her lorgnette, then she looked at the stiff and stately one.
“Is this––er––the young lady?” she asked.
“Yes, madam––this is Miss Shepstone.” The stately one introduced Esther with a wave of her hand. “This lady, Miss Shepstone, is looking for a companion. Some one who can work well––and read aloud.” She looked at Esther sharply. “Can you read aloud?” she asked.
Esther stammered out that she supposed she could, but ...
“That is a minor detail,” the lady with the lorgnette interrupted. “Miss Shepstone, I am not wanting a companion in the ordinary sense of the word. That is to say, I do not want you to be constantly with me. You will have your own bedroom and sitting-room––and I shall only want you at certain hours of the day. You will write letters for me and make yourself generally useful.” She paused, she searched the girl’s eager face through her glasses.
“How old are you?” she asked.