reclaimed woman. I justified the confidence placed in me; I was a
faithful servant. One day my mistress sent for me--a kind
mistress, if ever there was one yet. 'Mercy, I am sorry for you;
it has come out that I took you from a Refuge; I shall lose every
servant in the house; you must go.' I went back to the
matron--another kind woman. She received me like a mother. 'We
will try again, Mercy; don't be cast down.' I told you I had been
in Canada?"

Grace began to feel interested in spite of herself. She answered
with something like warmth in her tone. She returned to her
chair--placed at its safe and significant distance from the
chest.

The nurse went on:

"My next place was in Canada, with an officer's wife: gentlefolks
who had emigrated. More kindness; and, this time, a pleasant,
peaceful life for me. I said to myself, 'Is the lost place
regained? _Have_ I got back?' My mistress died. New people came
into our neighborhood. There was a young lady among them--my
master began to think of another wife. I have the misfortune (in
my situation) to be what is called a handsome woman; I rouse the
curiosity of strangers. The new people asked questions about me;
my master's answers did not satisfy them. In a word, they found
me out. The old story again! 'Mercy, I am very sorry; scandal is
busy with you and with me; we are innocent, but there is no help
for it--we must part.' I left the place; having gained one
advantage during my stay in Canada, which I find of use to me
here."