It,
in fact, unobtrusively suggested that it was meant for service
rather than for adornment. Her hair was dressed closely and her
movements were very quiet. Coombe realized that her greeting of
him was delicately respectful.
"I have finished the letters," she said to the Duchess. "I hope
they are what you want. Sometimes I am afraid----"
"Don't be afraid," said the Duchess kindly. "You write very correct
and graceful little letters. They are always what I want. Have
you been out today?"
"Not yet." Robin hesitated a little. "Have I your permission to
ask Mrs. James if it will be convenient to her to let Dowie go
with me for an hour?"
"Yes," as kindly as before. "For two hours if you like. I shall
not drive this afternoon."
"Thank you," said Robin and went out of the room as quietly as
she had entered it.
When the door closed the Duchess was smiling at Lord Coombe.
"I understand her," she said. "She is sustained and comforted by
her pretty air of servitude. She might use Dowie as her personal maid
and do next to nothing, but she waits upon herself and punctiliously
asks my permission to approach Mrs. James the housekeeper with
any request for a favour. Her one desire is to be sure that she
is earning her living as other young women do when they are paid
for their work. I should really like to pet and indulge her,
but it would only make her unhappy.
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