You would better let Mrs.Tolbridge go and talk with her." Miriam sat down in a sort of despair.

Here again, her affairs were being managed for her.

Would she ever be able to maintain her independence?
She had said all she could say, and now she hoped that La Fleur would treat the proposition with contempt.
But the great cook did nothing of the kind.

In five minutes, Mrs.
Tolbridge returned with the information that La Fleur would be overjoyed to go to Cobhurst for a fortnight.

She wanted some country air; she wanted to see the Dranes; she had a great admiration for Miss Haverley, being perfectly able to judge, although she had met her but once, that she was a lady born; she looked upon her brother as a most superior gentleman; and she would be perfectly content with whatever she found in the Cobhurst kitchen.
"She says," added Mrs.Tolbridge, "that if you give her a gridiron, a saucepan, and a fire, she will cook a meal fit for a duke.