Hesper gazed for an
instant, then, turning, threw her arms about Mary, and kissed
her.
"I don't believe you're a human creature at all!" she cried. "You
are a fairy godmother, come to look after your poor Cinderella,
the sport of stupid lady's-maids and dressmakers!"
The door opened, and Folter entered.
"If you please, ma'am, I wish to leave this day month," she said,
quietly.
"Then," answered her mistress, with equal calmness, "oblige me by
going at once to Mrs. Perkin, and telling her that I desire her
to pay you a month's wages, and let you leave the house to-morrow
morning.--You won't mind helping me to dress till I get another
maid--will you, Mary?" she added; and Folter left the room,
chagrined at her inability to cause annoyance.
"I do not see why you should have another maid so long as I am
with you, ma'am," said Mary. "It should not need many days'
apprenticeship to make one woman able to dress another."
"Not when she is like you, Mary," said Hesper. "It is well the
wretch has done my hair for to-night, though! That will be the
main difficulty."
"It will not be a great one," said Mary, "if you will allow me to
undo it when you come home."
"I begin almost to believe in a special providence," said Hesper.
"What a blessed thing for me that you came to drive away that
woman! She has been getting worse and worse."
"If I have driven her away," answered Mary, "I am bound to supply
her place.
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