y, busy in taking away the
things, lost nothing of what was said; and Mrs Grove, strange to say,
was not altogether inattentive to the changing face of the energetic
table maid. An uncomplimentary remark had escaped the lady, as to the
state of the overdone fowls, and Nelly "could put this and that together
as well as another." The operation of removing the things could not be
indefinitely prolonged, however, and as Nelly shut the door Mrs Grove
said,--

"She is out of place now, Fanny, and would just suit you. But you must
be prompt if you wish to engage her."

"Oh! there is no hurry about it, I suppose," said Fanny, glancing
uneasily at Graeme. But Graeme took no notice. Mrs Grove was rather
in the habit of discussing domestic affairs at the table, and of leaving
Graeme out of the conversation. She was very willing to be left out.
Besides, she never thought of influencing Fanny in the presence of her
stepmother.

"Oh! but I assure you there is," said Mrs Grove. "There are several
ladies wishing to have her. Mrs Ruthven, among the rest."

"Oh! it is such a trouble changing," said Fanny, wearily, as if she had
had a trying experience and spoke advisedly.

"Not at all. It is only changing for the worse that is so troublesome,"
said Mrs Grove, and she had a right to know. "I advise you not to let
this opportunity pass."

"But, after all, Nelly does very well. She is stupid sometimes and
cross, but they are all that, more or less, I suppose," said Fanny.

"You are quite right, Fanny," said Arthur, who saw that his wife was
annoyed without very well knowing why. "I daresay Nelly is a better
servant--notwithstanding the unfortunate chickens of to-day, which was
our own fault, you know--than the decayed gentlewoman. She will be a
second Janet, yet--an institution, an established fact in the history of
the family. We couldn't do without Nelly. Eh, Graeme?"

Graeme smiled, and said nothing. Rose answered for her.

"No, indeed I am so glad Nelly will see Mrs Snow."

"Very well," said Mrs Grove. "Since Miss Elliott seems to be satisfied
with Nelly, I suppose she must stay. It is a pity you had not known
sooner, Fanny, so as to save me the trouble of making an appointment for
her. But she may as well come, and you can see her at any rate."

Her carriage being at the door, she went away, and a rather awkward
silence followed her departure.

"What is it all about! Who is Mrs Tilman?" asked Arthur.