relessly. "What do I
care? What does it matter to me whether a lady's maid, more or less,
hates me or loves me?"

"There spoke the aristocrat. My lord, remember that a lady's maid is a
woman. You have been brought up to believe, perhaps, that people in
service are not men and women. That is a mistake--a great mistake.
Fanny Mere is a woman--that is to say, an inferior form of man; and
there is no man in the world so low or so base as not to be able to do
mischief. The power of mischief is given to every one of us. It is the
true, the only Equality of Man--we can all destroy. What? a shot in the
dark; the striking of a lucifer match; the false accusation; the false
witness; the defamation of character;--upon my word, it is far more
dangerous to be hated by a woman than by a man. And this excellent and
faithful Fanny, devoted to her mistress, hates you, my lord, even
more"--he paused and laughed--"even more than the charming Mrs. Vimpany
hates her husband. Never mind. To-morrow we see the last of Fanny Mere.
She goes; she leaves her patient rapidly recovering. That is the fact
that she carries away--not the fact she hoped and expected to carry
away. She goes to-morrow and she will never come back again."

The next morning the doctor paid a visit to his patient rather earlier
than usual. He found the man going on admirably: fresh in colour,
lively and cheerful, chatting pleasantly with his nurse.

"So," said Dr. Vimpany, after the usual examination and questions,
"this is better than I expected. You are now able to get up. You can do
so by-and-by, after breakfast; you can dress yourself, you want no more
help. Nurse," he turned to Fanny, "I think that we have done with you.
I am satisfied with the careful watch you have kept over my patient. If
ever you think of becoming a nurse by profession, rely on my
recommendation. The experiment," he added, thoughtfully, "has fully
succeeded. I cannot deny that it has been owing partly to the
intelligence and patience with which you have carried out my
instructions. But I think that your services may now be relinquished."

"When am I to go, sir?" she asked, impassively.

"In any other case I should have said, 'Stay a little longer, if you
please. Use your own convenience.' In your case I must say, 'Go to your
mistress.' Her ladyship was reluctant to leave you behind. She will be
glad to have you back again. How long will you take to get ready?"

"I could be ready in ten minutes