Deepley Walls, you will have to be in attendance to take notes, write
down instructions, and so on. By-and-by will come luncheon, of which, as
a rule, you will partake with her. After luncheon you will be your own
mistress for an hour while her ladyship sleeps. The moment she wakes you
will have to be in attendance, either to play to her, or else to read to
her--perhaps a little French or Italian, in both of which languages I
hope you are tolerably proficient. Your next duty will be to accompany
her ladyship in her drive out. When you get back, will come dinner, but
only when specially invited will you sit down with Lady Chillington.
When that honour is not accorded you, you and I will dine here, darling,
by our two selves."

"Then I hope Lady Chillington will not invite me oftener than once a
month," cried impulsive Janet.

"The number of your invitations to dinner will depend upon the extent of
her liking for you, so that we shall soon know whether or no you are a
favourite. She may or may not require you after dinner. If she does
require you, it may be either for reading or music, or to play
backgammon with her; or even to sit quietly with her without speaking,
for the mere sake of companionship. One fact you will soon discover for
yourself--that her ladyship does not like to be long alone. And now,
dearest, I think I have told you enough for the present. We will talk
further of these things to-morrow. Give me just one kiss and see what
you can find to play among that heap of old music on the piano. Madame
Delclos used to write in raptures of your style and touch. We will now
prove whether her eulogy was well founded."

Janet found that she was not to occupy the same bed-room as on her first
visit to Deepley Walls, but one nearer that of Sister Agnes. She was not