"
Mrs. Lecount bowed again and walked slowly to the door. She knew to a
nicety when to lead her master and when to let him go alone. Experience
had taught her to govern him in all essential points by giving way to
him afterward on all points of minor detail. It was a characteristic
of his weak nature--as it is of all weak natures--to assert
itself obstinately on trifles. The filling in of the blank in the
advertisement was the trifle in this case; and Mrs. Lecount quieted her
master's suspicions that she was leading him by instantly conceding it.
"My mule has kicked," she thought to herself, in her own language, as
she opened the door. "I can do no more with him to-day."
"Lecount!" cried her master, as she stepped into the passage. "Come
back."
Mrs. Lecount came back.
"You're not offended with me, are you?" asked Noel Vanstone, uneasily.
"Certainly not, sir," replied Mrs. Lecount. "As you said just now--you
are master."
"Good creature! Give me your hand." He kissed her hand, and smiled in
high approval of his own affectionate proceeding. "Lecount, you are a
worthy creature!"
"Thank you, sir," said Mrs. Lecount. She courtesied and went out.
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