第83章 THE NEW MAMMA (3)

Her instinct told her she should be unsuccessful; but surely favour was never refused in so soft a tone.'My dear girl, I should never have thought of sending an old servant away, - one who has had the charge of you from your birth, or nearly so.I could not have had the heart to do it.She might have stayed for ever for me, if she had only attended to all my wishes; and I am not unreasonable, am I? But, you see, she complained; and when your dear papa spoke to her, she gave warning; and it is quite against my principles ever to take an apology from a servant who has given warning.' 'She is so sorry,' pleaded Molly; 'she says she will do anything you wish, and attend to all your orders, if she may only stay.' 'But, sweet one, you seem to forget that I cannot go against my principles, however much I may be sorry for Betty.She should not have given way to ill-temper.As I said before, although I never liked her, and considered her a most inefficient servant, thoroughly spoilt by having had no mistress for so long, I should have borne with her - at least, I think I should - as long as I could.Now I have all but engaged Maria, who was under-housemaid at the Towers, so don't let me hear any more of Betty's sorrow, or anybody else's sorrow, for I'm sure, what with your dear papa's sad stories and other things, I'm getting quite low.' Molly was silent for a moment or two.'Have you quite engaged Maria?' asked she.'No - I said "all but engaged." Sometimes one would think you did not hear things, dear Molly!' replied Mrs Gibson, petulantly.'Maria is living in a place where they don't give her as much wages as she deserves.Perhaps they can't afford it, poor things! I'm always sorry for poverty, and would never speak hardly of those who are not rich; but I have offered her two pounds more than she gets at present, so I think she'll leave.At any rate, if they increase her wages, I shall increase my offer in proportion; so I think I'm sure to get her.Such a genteel girl! - always brings in a letter on a salver!' 'Poor Betty!' said Molly, softly.'Poor old soul! I hope she'll profit by the lesson, I'm sure,' sighed out Mrs Gibson; 'but it's a pity we hadn't Maria before the county families began to call.' Mrs Gibson had been highly gratified by the circumstances of so many calls 'from county families.' Her husband was much respected; and many ladies from various halls, courts, and houses, who had profited by his services towards themselves and their families, thought it right to pay his new wife the attention of a call when they drove into Hollingford to shop.