"Will you ring the bell ?" She sent for the housekeeper, who presently appeared--lank and tall, with her head on one side like a lamp-post in distress, but calm and prepared--a dumb fortress, with a live garrison.
"I wish you, Mrs.Perkin, to arrange with Miss Marston about her meals." "Yes, ma'am," answered Mrs.Perkin, with sedatest utterance.
"Mrs.Perkin," said Mary, "I don't want to be troublesome; tell me what will suit you best." But Mrs.Perkin did not even look at her; standing straight as a rush, she kept her eyes on her mistress.
"Do you desire, ma'am, that Miss Marston should have her meals in the housekeeper's room ?" she asked.
"That must be as Miss Marston pleases," answered Hesper.

"If she prefer them in her own, you will see they are properly sent up." "Very well, ma'am!--Then I wait Miss Marston's orders," said Mrs.
Perkin, and turned to leave the room.

But, when her mistress spoke again, she turned again and stood.

It was Mary, however, whom Hesper addressed.
"Mary," she said, apparently foreboding worse from the tone of the housekeeper's obedience than from her occurred neglect, "when I am alone, you shall take your meals with me; and when I have any one with me, Mrs.Perkin will see that they are sent to your room.

We will settle it so." "Thank you," said Mary.
"Very well, ma'am," said Mrs.Perkin.
"Send Miss Marston some tea directly," said Hesper.
Scarcely was Mrs.Perkin gone when the brougham was announced.