d not betray that she even suspected these words
were addressed to her, nor that she heard those which followed, though
they were spoken in a stage-whisper which could hardly escape her ears.

"Is your granny always so glum? We must cheer her up a bit," was Mrs.
Gratacap's encouraging comment.

The nurse's high-pitched voice was softened to a lower key when she
entered the apartment where Count Tristan lay, and there were genuine
compassion and motherly tenderness in her look as she regarded him. She
continued to question Maurice until she had learned something of the
patient's history,--not from sheer curiosity, but because she always
took a deep interest in the invalids placed under her charge, and by
becoming acquainted with their peculiarities she could better adapt
herself to their necessities.

One word only can express the countess's sensations at the dropping of
such a "monstrosity" into the midst of her family circle,--she was
appalled! Never had any one ventured to address her with such freedom;
never before had she been treated by any one as though she were mere
flesh and blood. She had not believed it possible that any one could
have the temerity to regard her in the light of equality. One might
almost have imagined that the formidable New England nurse had inspired
her with dread, for she could not rouse herself, could not gain courage
to face the intruder, and, during that day, never once approached her
son's chamber. But Mrs. Gratacap, in the most unconscious manner, made
repeated invasions into the drawing-room, and even extended her sallies
to the countess's own chamber, always upon some plausible pretext,--now
to inquire where she could find the sugar, or the spoons, now to beg for
a pair of scissors, or to ask where the vinegar-cruet was kept, or to
learn how the countess managed about heating bricks, or getting bottles
of hot water to warm the patient's feet!

The countess, compelled by these intrusions to address the enemy, and
galled by the necessity, said sternly, "Go to the servants and get what
is needful."

"Law sakes! You needn't take my head off! I haven't got any other and
can't spare it!" answered Mrs. Gratacap, not in the least abashed. "I
don't want to go bothering hotel help; I always keep out of their way,
for they have a holy horror of us nurses, and the fuss most of us make;
though I am not one of that sort. I leave the help alone and help myself
considerable; and what I want I m