“That I can, Sir! I’ve kep’ a many secrets since I’ve been out at service.”
“Well: I want you to find me an opportunity of speaking to your young lady—”
“To Miss Margaret, Sir?”
“Yes. I want an opportunity of seeing Miss Margaret, and speaking to her in private—and not a word must be said to her about it, beforehand.”
“Oh Lord, Sir! I couldn’t dare to do it!”
“Come! come! Can’t you guess why I want to see your young lady, and what I want to say to her?”
The girl smiled, and shook her head archly. “Perhaps you’re in love with Miss Margaret, Sir!—But I couldn’t do it! I couldn’t dare to do it!”
“Very well; but you can tell me at least, whether Miss Margaret ever goes out to take a walk?”
“Oh, yes, Sir; mostly every day.”
“Do you ever go out with her?—just to take care of her when no one else can be spared?”
“Don’t ask me—please, Sir, don’t!” She crumpled her apron between her fingers, with a very piteous and perplexed air. “I don’t know you; and Miss Margaret don’t know you, I’m sure—I couldn’t, Sir, I really couldn’t!”
“Take a good look at me! Do you think I am likely to do you or your young lady any harm? Am I too dangerous a man to be trusted? Would you believe me on my promise?”