The idea of sending her maid! Why, Simpson would not go if she asked her.

She soliloquised thus while reading the letter; and then, suddenly turning round to the favourite attendant, who had been listening to her mistress's remarks with no inattentive ear, she asked: "Simpson, would you go and nurse this creature, as this--" she looked at the signature--"Mr Benson, whoever he is, proposes ?" "Me! no, indeed, ma'am," said the maid, drawing herself up, stiff in her virtue.

"I'm sure, ma'am, you would not expect it of me; I could never have the face to dress a lady of character again." "Well, well! don't be alarmed; I cannot spare you; by the way, just attend to the strings on my dress; the chambermaid here pulled them into knots, and broke them terribly, last night.

It is awkward though, very," said she, relapsing into a musing fit over the condition of Ruth.
"If you'll allow me, ma'am, I think I might say something that would alter the case.

I believe, ma'am, you put a bank-note into the letter to the young woman yesterday ?" Mrs Bellingham bowed acquiescence, and the maid went on: "Because, ma'am, when the little deformed man wrote that note (he's Mr Benson, ma'am), I have reason to believe neither he nor Mrs Morgan knew of any provision being made for the young woman.