from distrust of her position at Blackwater
Park; and that she declined to partake of
supper (which was curious, perhaps, but surely
not suspicious?), although I myself politely
invited her to that meal, in my own room.

At the Count's particular suggestion (so like
his lordship's forgiving kindness!), it was
arranged that Mrs. Rubelle should not enter on
her duties, until she had been seen and approved
by the doctor the next morning. I sat up that
night. Lady Glyde appeared to be very
unwilling that the new nurse should be employed
to attend on Miss Halcombe. Such want of
liberality towards a foreigner on the part of
a lady of her education and refinement surprised
me. I ventured to say, "My lady, we must
all remember not to be hasty in our judgments
on our inferiors—especially when they come
from foreign parts." Lady Glyde did not appear
to attend to me. She only sighed, and kissed
Miss Halcombe's hand as it lay on the counterpane.
Scarcely a judicious proceeding in a sick-
room, with a patient whom it was highly
desirable not to excite. But poor Lady Glyde
knew nothing of nursing—nothing whatever, I
am sorry to say.

The next morning, Mrs. Rubelle was sent to
the sitting-room, to be approved by the doctor,
on his way through to the bedroom. I left Lady
Glyde with Miss Halcombe, who was slumbering
at the time, and joined Mrs. Rubelle, with the
object of kindly preventing her from feeling
strange and nervous in consequence of the
uncertainty of her situation. She did not appear
to see it in that light. She seemed to be quite
satisfied, beforehand, that Mr. Dawson would
approve of her; and she sat calmly looking out
of window, with every appearance of enjoying
the country air. Some people might have
thought such conduct suggestive of brazen
assurance. I beg to say that I more liberally set
it down to extraordinary strength of mind.

Instead of the doctor coming up to us, I was
sent for to see the doctor. I thought this change
of affairs rather odd, but Mrs. Rubelle did not
appear to be affected by it in any way. I left
her still calmly looking out of window, and still
silently enjoying the country air.

Mr. Dawson was waiting for me, by himself,
in the breakfast-room.

"About this new nurse, Mrs. Michelson,"
said the doctor.

"Yes, sir?"

"I find that she has been brought here from
London by the wife of that fat old foreigner,
who is always trying to interfere with me. Mrs.
Michelson, the fat old foreigner is a Quack."

This was very rude. I was naturally shocked
at it.

"Are you aware, sir," I said, "that you are
talking of a nobleman?"

"Pooh! He isn't the first Quack with a handle
to his name. They're all Counts—hang 'em!"

"He would not be a friend of Sir Percival
Glyde's, sir, if he was not a member of the
highest aristocracy—excepting the English
aristocracy, of course."

"Very well, Mrs. Michelson, call him what
you like; and let us get back to the nurse. I
have been objecting to her already."

"Without having seen her, sir?"

''Yes; without having seen her. She may be
the best nurse in existence; but she is not a
nurse of my providing. I have put that objection
to Sir Percival, as the master of the house.
He doesn't support me. He says a nurse of my
providing would have been a stranger from
London also; and he thinks the woman ought to
have a trial, after his wife's aunt has taken the
trouble to fetch her from London. There is
some justice in that; and I can't decently say
No. But I have made it a condition that she is
to go at once, if I find reason to complain of
her. This proposal being one which I have
some right to make, as medical attendant, Sir
Percival has consented to it. Now, Mrs.
Michelson, I know I can depend on you; and I
want you to keep a sharp eye on the nurse, for
the first day or two, and to see that she gives
Miss Halcombe no medicines but mine. This
foreign nobleman of yours is dying to try his
quack remedies (mesmerism included) on my
patient; and a nurse who is brought here by his
wife may be a little too willing to help him.
You understand? Very well, then, we may go
up-stairs. Is the nurse there? I'll say a word
to her, before she goes into the sick-room."

We found Mrs. Rubelle still enjoying herself
at the window. When I introduced her to Mr.
Dawson, neither the doctor's doubtful looks nor
the doctor's searching questions appeared to
confuse her in the least. She answered him
quietly in her broken English; and, though he
tried hard to puzzle her, she never betrayed the
least ignorance, so far, about any part of her
duties. This was doubtless the result of strength
of mind, as I said before, and not of brazen
assurance by any means.

We all went into the bedroom. Mrs. Rubelle
looked, very attentively, at the patient;
curtseyed to Lady Glyde; set one or two little
things right in the room; and sat down
quietly in a corner to wait until she was
wanted. Her ladyship seemed startled and
annoyed by the appearance of the strange nurse.
No one said anything, for fear of rousing Miss
Halcombe, who was still slumbering—except
the doctor, who whispered a question about the
night. I softly answered, "Much as usual;"
and then Mr. Dawson went out. Lady Glyde
followed him, I suppose to speak about Mrs.
Rubelle. For my own part, I had made up my
mind already that this quiet foreign person
would keep her situation. She had all her wits
about her; and she certainly understood her
business. So far, I could hardly have done
much better, by the bedside, myself.

Remembering Mr. Dawson's caution to me, I
subjected Mrs. Rubelle to a severe scrutiny, at
certain intervals, for the next three or four
days. I over and over again entered the room
softly and suddenly, but I never found her out
in any suspicious action. Lady Glyde, who
watched her as attentively as I did, discovered