Page:Live and Let Live.djvu/210

210 off, it would do her more good than punishing her."

I will do anything you ask, my child. Since Lucy asks it, Adéle, you may go away; I'll not molest you. Pack up, and be off immediately. But don't attempt to get another service-place; I'll send your bad name after you." This was something like the mercy to the dog, "I'll not kill thee, but I'll turn thee out and call thee mad." Such mercy as it was, Adéle was glad to profit by it; and, without waiting to express one of the sentiments she had professed for "madame," she prepared her luggage and was off. There can be no attachment between the employer and the employed where no virtue on either side has been brought into action.

Lucy was now beset by Mr. Hartell, who offered her enormous wages, and used every persuasive argument to induce her to remain and take the sole charge of his child. Eugene himself urged his cause almost irresistibly by the mute eloquence of his tender eye, and his arm fixed lovingly over her shoulder. But Lucy was inexorable. She felt too deeply the advantages of her position at Mrs. Hyde's to relinquish them even for such entreaties, and she could only be induced to promise that, with Mrs. Hyde's permission, she would remain till a good nurse could be procured. This matter being settled, she modestly asked Mr. Hartell's leave to send for her friend, Mrs. Lovett's son, that he might hear Adéle's explanation from his lips. Charles came on the instant, and listened to the explanation coolly and as a matter of course; but when Mr. Hartell came to the