I keep nobody's secrets but my own." That reply settled the question of the cook's dismissal--the question which had been pending for months past.
"You are an insolent woman! I have borne with you long enough--I will bear with you no longer.

When your month is up, you go!" In those words Lady Lundie dismissed Hester Dethridge from her service.
Not the slightest change passed over the sinister tranquillity of the cook.

She bowed her head again, in acknowledgment of the sentence pronounced on her--dropped her slate at her side--turned about--and left the room.

The woman was alive in the world, and working in the world; and yet (so far as all human interests were concerned) she was as completely out of the world as if she had been screwed down in her coffin, and laid in her grave.
Lady Lundie's maid came into the room as Hester left it.
"Go up stairs to Miss Blanche," said her mistress, "and say I want her here.

Wait a minute!" She paused, and considered.