It was a moment or two before Nell's burning eyes could accomplish the
task of deciphering the lines of handwriting which seemed to have been
formed by a paralytic spider that had fallen into the ink and scrambled
spasmodically across the paper. There was no need to tell her to read
slowly, and she stumbled over every other word of the letter, which ran
thus:
"MY DEAR SOPHIA: You will doubtless be surprised at hearing from me,
and, indeed, I should not have written, for, as you are aware, my time
is fully occupied with public affairs, and I rarely write private
letters; but I have promised Lady Wolfer to communicate with you
directly, as, for obvious reasons, which you will presently see, she
does not desire my secretary to know of the proposal which I am about
to make you; as, in the event of your declining the proposition, there
would be no need for the fact of its having been made to become the
common knowledge of my household and the servants' hall. As you are
doubtless aware, by reading the public prints, Lady Wolfer takes a great
interest and a prominent part in the movement which is being made toward
the amelioration of the position of woman; indeed, I may say, with
pardonable pride, that she is one of the great leaders in this social
revolution, which, we trust, will place woman upon the throne from which
man has hitherto thrust her.
"This being so, Lady Wolfer's time is, as you will readily understand,
much absorbed; so completely, indeed, that she is unable to pay any
attention to those smaller and meaner; household cares to which women
less highly gifted very properly devote so much of their time. Having no
daughter of our own, it occurred to us that it might, perhaps, be a
beneficial arrangement for your stepdaughter, Miss Lorton, if she would
come to us and render Lady Wolfer such assistance as is afforded by the
ordinary housekeeper. You will say: Why not engage a duly qualified
person for the post? I reply: We have done so, and do not find the
ordinary person, though apparently duly qualified, satisfactory. Lady
Wolfer is of an extremely sensitive and delicate organization, and it is
absolutely necessary that the person with whom she would be brought in
daily contact should be young and docile.
"I have referred to the photograph of Miss Lorton which you were good
enough to send me some months ago, and you will be pleased to hear that
Lady Wolfer approves of the young lady's personal appearance. I take it
for granted--you, her guardian, being a Wolfer--that she has been
properly trained; and if she should be willing to come to us on what is
termed a month's trial, we shall be very pleased to receive her. She may
come at any moment, and without any notice beyond a mere telegram. I
will not speak of the advantages accruing from such a position as that
which she would hold, for I am quite sure you will be duly sensible of
them, and will point them out to her.