"I don't mean to be disappointed," answered the girl, but she spoke
quietly and respectfully. "We have pledged our word to one
another. If he is a gentleman, as I know he is, he will keep his,
and I shall keep mine."
Then her ladyship began to talk reason, as people do when it is too
late. She pointed out to the girl the difference of social
position, and explained to her the miseries that come from marrying
out of one's station. But the girl by this time had got over her
surprise, and perhaps had begun to reflect that, in any case, a
countess-ship was worth fighting for. The best of women are
influenced by such considerations.
"I am not a lady, I know," she replied quietly, "but my people have
always been honest folk, well known, and I shall try to learn. I
am not wishing to speak disrespectfully of my betters, but I was in
service before I came here, ma'am, as lady's maid, in a place where
I saw much of what is called Society. I think I can be as good a
lady as some I know, if not better."
The countess began to grow angry again. "And who do you think will
receive you?" she cried, "a girl who has served in a pastry-cook's
shop!"
"Lady L- came from behind the bar," Mary answered, "and that's not
much better.
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