The baby lived, and appeared likely to live, and of course the next
thing was to look out for a maid for it. Isabel did not get strong very
quickly. Fever and weakness had a struggle with each other and with
her. One day, when she was dressing and sitting in her easy chair, Miss
Carlyle entered.

"Of all the servants in the neighborhood, who should you suppose is come
up after the place of nurse?"

"Indeed, I cannot guess."

"Why, Wilson, Mrs. Hare's maid. Three years and five months she has been
with them, and now leaves in consequence of a fall out with Barbara.
Will you see her?"

"Is she likely to suit? Is she a good servant?"

"She's not a bad servant, as servants go," responded Miss Carlyle.
"She's steady and respectable; but she has got a tongue as long as from
here to Lynneborough."

"That won't hurt baby," said Lady Isabel. "But if she has lived as
lady's maid, she probably does not understand the care of infants."

"Yes she does. She was upper servant at Squire Pinner's before going to
Mrs. Hare's. Five years she lived there."

"I will see her," said Lady Isabel.

Miss Carlyle left the room to send the servant in, but came back first
alone.

"Mind, Lady Isabel, don't you engage her. If she is likely to suit you,
let her come again for the answer, and meanwhile I will go down to
Mrs. Hare's and learn the ins and outs of her leaving. It is all very
plausible for her to put upon Barbara, but that is only one side of the
question. Before engaging her, it may be well to hear the other."

Of course this was but right. Isabel acquiesced, and the servant was
introduced; a tall, pleasant-looking woman, with black eyes. Lady Isabel
inquired why she was leaving Mrs. Hare's.

"My lady, it is through Miss Barbara's temper. Latterly--oh, for this
year past, nothing has pleased her; she had grown nearly as imperious
as the justice himself. I have threatened many times to leave, and last
evening we came to another outbreak, and I left this morning."

"Left entirely?"

"Yes, my lady. Miss Barbara provoked me so, that I said last night I
would leave as soon as breakfast was over. And I did so. I should be
very glad to take your situation, my lady, if you would please to try
me."

"You have been the upper maid at Mrs. Hare's?"

"Oh, yes, my lady."

"Then possibly this situation might not suit you so well as you imagine.
Joyce is the upper servant here, and you would, in a manner, be under
her. I have gr