ar as I can see, Mademoiselle--Madame, I mean--you don't stand very
much in need of remedies. Your ear and head don't seem to trouble you just
now. I fancy these pains may now be dismissed.'

Lady Knollys was now speaking French.

'Mi ladi has diverted my attention for a moment, but that does not prevent
that I suffer frightfully. I am, of course, only poor governess, and such
people perhaps ought not to have pain--at least to show when they suffer.
It is permitted us to die, but not to be sick.'

'Come, Maud, my dear, let us leave the invalid to her repose and to nature.
I don't think she needs my chloroform and opium at present.'

'Mi ladi is herself a physic which chases many things, and powerfully
affects the ear. I would wish to sleep, notwithstanding, and can but gain
that in silence, if it pleases mi ladi.'

'Come, my dear,' said Lady Knollys, without again glancing at the scowling,
smiling, swarthy face in the bed; 'let us leave your instructress to her
_concforto_.'

'The room smells all over of brandy, my dear--does she drink?' said Lady
Knollys, as she closed the door, a little sharply.

I am sure I looked as much amazed as I felt, at an imputation which then
seemed to me so entirely incredible.

'Good little simpleton!' said Cousin Monica, smiling in my face, and
bestowing a little kiss on my cheek; 'such a thing as a tipsy lady has
never been dreamt of in your philosophy. Well, we live and learn. Let us
have our tea in my room--the gentlemen, I dare say, have retired.'

I assented, of course, and we had tea very cosily by her bedroom fire.

'How long have you had that woman?' she asked suddenly, after, for her, a
very long rumination.

'She came in the beginning of February--nearly ten months ago--is not it?'

'And who sent her?'

'I really don't know; papa tells me so little--he arranged it all himself,
I think.'

Cousin Monica made a sound of acquiescence--her lips closed and a nod,
frowning hard at the bars.

'It _is_ very odd!' she said; 'how people _can_ be such fools!' Here there
came a little pause. 'And what sort of person is she--do you like her?'

'Very well--that is, _pretty_ well. You won't tell?--but she rather
frightens me. I'm sure she does not intend it, but somehow I am very much
afraid of her.'

'She does not beat you?' said Cousin Monica, with an incipient frenzy in
her face that made me love her.

'Oh no!'

'Nor ill-use you in any way?'

'No.'

'Upon your honou