class, that all that could have been said of
her was true, and that she was as unfit for the society of the
respectable as any wretched creature could be. "That foreign madam" was
what he called her, in the privacy of the housekeeper's room, with many
opprobrious epithets. Mrs. Freshwater, who was, perhaps, more
good-natured than was advantageous to the housekeeper and manager of a
large establishment, was melted whenever she saw her, by the Contessa's
gracious looks and ways, but Williams was immovable. "If you'd seen what
I've seen," he said, shaking his head. The women, for Lucy's maid
Fletcher sometimes shared these revelations, were deeply excited by
this--longing, yet fearing to ask what it was that Williams had seen.
"And when I think of my lady, that is as innocent as the babe unborn,"
he said, "mixed up in all that---- You'll see such racketing as never was
thought of," cried Williams. "I know just how things will go. Night
turned into day, carriages driving up at all hours, suppers going on
after the play all the night through, masks and dominoes
arriving;--no--to be sure this is England. There will be no _veglionis_,
at least--which in England, ladies, would be masked balls--with Madam
the Countess and her gentlemen--and even ladies too, a sort of
ladies--in all sorts of dresses."

"O-oh!" the women cried.

They were partially shocked, as they were intended to be, but partially
their curiosity was excited, and a feeling that they would like to see
all these gaieties and fine dresses moved their minds. The primitive
intelligence always feel certain that "racketing" and orgies that go on
all night, must be at least guiltily delightful, exciting, and amusing,
if nothing else. They were not of those who "held with" such
dissipation; still for once in a way to see it, the responsibility not
being theirs, would be something. They held their breath, but it was not
altogether in horror; there was in it a mixture of anticipation too.

"And I know what will come of it," said Williams. "What has come afore:
the money will have to come out o' some one's pocket; and master never
knew how to keep his to himself, never, as long as I've known him. To be
sure, he hadn't got a great deal in the old days. But I know what'll
happen; he'll just have to pay up now--he's that soft," said Williams;
"a man that can't say no to a woman. Not that I care for the money. I'd
a deal sooner he gave her an allowance, or set her up in some