I will set you the example of
eating, if you still distrust the food in this house. Are you composed
enough to give the servant her orders, if I ring the bell? It is
necessary to the object I have in view for you, that nobody should
think you ill in body or troubled in mind. Try first with me before the
servant comes in. Let us see how you look and speak when you say, 'Bring
up the lunch.'"
After two rehearsals, Mrs. Lecount considered him fit to give the order,
without betraying himself.
The bell was answered by Louisa--Louisa looked hard at Mrs. Lecount. The
luncheon was brought up by the house-maid--the house-maid looked hard
at Mrs. Lecount. When luncheon was over, the table was cleared by the
cook--the cook looked hard at Mrs. Lecount. The three servants were
plainly suspicious that something extraordinary was going on in the
house. It was hardly possible to doubt that they had arranged to share
among themselves the three opportunities which the service of the table
afforded them of entering the room.
The curiosity of which she was the object did not escape the penetration
of Mrs. Lecount. "I did well," she thought, "to arm myself in good time
with the means of reaching my end.
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