Drake led Magdalen first to
the pantry, and next to the linen-room, installing her, with all due
formality, in her own domestic dominions. This ceremony completed, the
new parlor-maid was taken upstairs, and was shown the dining-room, which
opened out of the corridor on the first floor. Here she was directed to
lay the cloth, and to prepare the table for one person only--Mr. George
Bartram not having returned with his uncle to St. Crux. Mrs. Drake's
sharp eyes watched Magdalen attentively as she performed this
introductory duty; and Mrs. Drake's private convictions, when the table
was spread, forced her to acknowledge, so far, that the new servant
thoroughly understood her work.
An hour later the soup-tureen was placed on the table; and Magdalen
stood alone behind the admiral's empty chair, waiting her master's first
inspection of her when he entered the dining-room.
A large bell rang in the lower regions--quick, shambling footsteps
pattered on the stone corridor outside--the door opened suddenly--and a
tall lean yellow old man, sharp as to his eyes, shrewd as to his lips,
fussily restless as to all his movements, entered the room, with two
huge Labrador dogs at his heels, and took his seat in a violent hurry.
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