Chapter 23 - Page 2

with a young lady who is good, accomplished, beautiful. You are good, accomplished, and beautiful as an angel. Ah, could I have the honour of being your domestic!’

‘I am sorry—’ I began.

‘Do not dismiss me so soon, mademoiselle!’ she said, with an involuntary contraction of her fine black eyebrows. ‘Let me hope, a moment! Mademoiselle, I know this service would be more retired than that which I have quitted. Well! I wish that. I know this service would be less distinguished than that which I have quitted. Well! I wish that. I know that I should win less, as to wages, here. Good. I am content.’

‘I assure you,’ said I, quite embarrassed by the mere idea of having such an attendant, ‘that I keep no maid—’

‘Ah, mademoiselle, but why not? Why not, when you can have one so devoted to you? Who would be enchanted to serve you; who would be so true, so zealous, and so faithful, every day! Mademoiselle, I wish with all my heart to serve you. Do not speak of money at present. Take me as I am. For nothing!’

She was so singularly earnest that I drew back, almost afraid of her. Without appearing to notice it, in her ardour, she still pressed herself upon me; speaking in a rapid subdued voice, though always with a certain grace and propriety.

‘Mademoiselle, I come from the South country, where we are quick, and where we like and dislike very strong. My Lady was too high for me; I was too high for her. It is done — past — finlshed! Receive me as your domestic, and I will serve you well. I will do more for you, than you figure to yourself now. Chut! Mademoiselle, I will — no matter, I will do my utmost possible, in all things. If you accept my service, you will not repent it. Mademoiselle, you will not repent it, and I will serve you well. You don’t know how well!’

There was a lowering energy in her face, as she stood looking at me while I explained the impossibility of my engagmg her (without thinking it necessary to say how very little I desired to do so), which seemed to bring visibly before me some woman from the streets of Paris in the reign of terror. She heard me out without interruption; and then said, with her pretty accent, and in her mildest voice:

‘Hey, mademoiselle, I have received my answer! I am sorry of it. But I must go elsewhere, and seek what I have not found here. Will you graciously let me kiss your hand?’

She looked at me more intently as she took it, and seemed to take note, with her momentary touch, of every vein in it. ‘I fear I surprised you, mademoiselle, on the day of the storm?’ she said, with a parting curtsy.

I confessed that she had surprised us all.

‘I took an oath, mademoiselle,’ she said, smiling, ‘and I wanted to stamp