Was the new maid an insensible person?
Iris began to fear already that she might have made a mistake.
"I don't expect you to enter into particulars," she said; "I don't ask you here to humiliate yourself." "When I got your letter, Miss, I tried to consider how I might show myself worthy of your kindness," Fanny answered.

"The one way I could see was not to let you think better of me than I deserve.

When a person, like me, is told, for the first time, that her figure makes amends for her face, she is flattered by the only compliment that has been paid to her in all her life.

My excuse, Miss (if I have an excuse) is a mean one---I couldn't resist a compliment.

That is all I have to say." Iris began to alter her opinion.