Enjoying the serene beauty of woodland and field, breathing the delicious purity of the air--sometimes cultivating her own corner in the garden, and sometimes helping the women in the lighter labours of the dairy--her nerves recovered their tone, and her spirits rose again to their higher level.
In the performance of her duties the new maid justified Miss Henley's confidence in her, during the residence of the household in the country.
She showed, in her own undemonstrative way, a grateful sense of her mistress's kindness.

Her various occupations were intelligently and attentively pursued; her even temper never seemed to vary; she gave the servants no opportunities of complaining of her.

But one peculiarity in her behaviour excited hostile remark, below-stairs.

On the occasions when she was free to go out for the day, she always found some excuse for not joining any of the other female servants, who might happen to be similarly favoured.

The one use she made of her holiday was to travel by railway to some place unknown; always returning at the right time in the evening.