In the morning, Fanny Mere had asked for leave to go out. For some time
past this request had been so frequently granted, with such poor
results so far as the maid's own designs were concerned, that Lady
Harry decided on administering a tacit reproof, by means of a refusal.
Fanny made no attempt at remonstrance; she left the room in silence.
Half an hour later, Iris had occasion to ring for her attendant. The
bell was answered by the cook--who announced, in explanation of her
appearance, that Fanny Mere had gone out. More distressed than
displeased by this reckless disregard of her authority, on the part of
a woman who had hitherto expressed the most grateful sense of her
kindness, Iris only said: "Send Fanny to me as soon as she comes back."
Two hours passed before the truant maid returned.
"I refused to let you go out this morning," Lady Harry said; "and you
have taken the liberty of leaving the house for two hours. You might
have made me understand, in a more becoming manner, that you intended
to leave my service."
Steadily respectful, Fanny answered: "I don't wish to leave your
ladyship's service."
"Then what does your conduct mean?"
"It means, if you please, that I had a duty to do--and did it.
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