it was, Miss Loach, after a few more questions, appeared
satisfied. All the time she kept a pair of very black eyes
piercingly fixed on the girl's face, as though she would read
her very soul. But Susan had nothing to conceal, so far as
Miss Loach could gather, so in the end she resolved to engage
her.

"I think you'll do," she said nodding, and poking up the fire,
with a shiver, although the month was June. "The situation is
a quiet one. I hope you have no followers."

"No, ma'am," said Susan and flushed crimson.

"Ha!" thought Miss Loach, "she has been in love--jilted
probably. All the better, as she won't bring any young men
about my quiet house."

"Will you not read my characters, ma'am?"

Miss Loach pushed the two papers towards the applicant. "I
judge for myself," said she calmly. "Most characters I read
are full of lies. Your looks are enough for me. Where were
you last?"

"With a Spanish lady, ma'am!"

"A Spanish lady!" Miss Loach dropped the poker she was
holding, with a clatter, and frowned so deeply that her black
eyebrows met over her high nose. "And her name?"