She evidently
wished to say something, and Newman, perceiving it, helped her to begin.
"You are English?" he asked.
"Yes, sir, please," she answered, quickly and softly; "I was born in
Wiltshire."
"And what do you think of Paris?"
"Oh, I don't think of Paris, sir," she said in the same tone. "It is so
long since I have been here."
"Ah, you have been here very long?"
"It is more than forty years, sir. I came over with Lady Emmeline."
"You mean with old Madame de Bellegarde?"
"Yes, sir. I came with her when she was married. I was my lady's own
woman."
"And you have been with her ever since?"
"I have been in the house ever since. My lady has taken a younger
person. You see I am very old. I do nothing regular now. But I keep
about."
"You look very strong and well," said Newman, observing the erectness of
her figure, and a certain venerable rosiness in her cheek.
"Thank God I am not ill, sir; I hope I know my duty too well to go
panting and coughing about the house. But I am an old woman, sir, and it
is as an old woman that I venture to speak to you."
"Oh, speak out," said Newman, curiously. "You needn't be afraid of me."
"Yes, sir. I think you are kind. I have seen you before."
"On the stairs, you mean?"
"Yes, sir. When you have been coming to see the countess.
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