If you only have the courage
to follow my instructions, and to say what I shall tell you to say, the
interview will be over in ten minutes."
"You frighten me, ma'am," said Louisa, still trembling. "You take my
breath away with surprise. Courage! Where shall I find courage?"
"Where I keep it for you," said Magdalen--"in the passage-money to
Australia. Look at the new prospect which gives you a husband, and
restores you to your child--and you will find your courage there."
Louisa's sad face brightened; Louisa's faint heart beat quick. A spark
of her mistress's spirit flew up into her eyes as she thought of the
golden future.
"If you accept my proposal," pursued Magdalen, "you can be asked in
church at once, if you like. I promise you the money on the day when the
advertisement appears in the newspaper. The risk of the housekeeper's
rejecting me is my risk--not yours. My good looks are sadly gone off,
I know. But I think I can still hold my place against the other
servants--I think I can still _look_ the parlor-maid whom Admiral
Bartram wants. There is nothing for you to fear in this matter; I should
not have mentioned it if there had been.
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