It was a pardonable liberty to employ his services now.
"Will you kindly give the groom that letter for me ?" she said.

"It will not take him out of his way.

He has only to deliver it--nothing more." The woman willingly complied with the request.

Left once more by herself, Mercy looked at the little note which had been placed in her hands.
It was the first time that her benefactress had employed this formal method of communicating with her when they were both in the house.

What did such a departure from established habits mean?
Had she received her notice of dismissal?
Had Lady Janet's quick intelligence found its way already to a suspicion of the truth?
Mercy's nerves were unstrung.