housemaid; "an' sure it's not to-day she'll be dyin' on you at all,
at all; she's had the white drink in the bowl twyst, and a grand cup
o' tay on the top o' that."

Salemina fortified herself with breakfast before she went in to an
interview, which we all felt to be important and decisive. The time
seemed endless to us, and endless were our suppositions.

"Perhaps she has had morning prayers and fainted again."

"Perhaps she has turned out to be Salemina's long-lost cousin."

"Perhaps she is upbraiding Salemina for kidnapping her when she was
insensible."

"Perhaps she is relating her life history; if it is a sad one,
Salemina is adopting her legally at this moment."

"Perhaps she is one of Mr. Beresford's wards, and has come over to
complain of somebody's ill treatment."

Here Salemina entered, looking flushed and embarrassed. We thought
it a bad sign that she could not meet our eyes without confusion,
but I made room for her on the sofa, and Francesca drew her chair
closer.

"She is from Salem," began the poor dear; "she has never been out of
Massachusetts in her life,"

"Unfortunate girl!" exclaimed Francesca, adding prudently, as she