Page:Once a Week Dec 1860 to June 61.pdf/376

 30, 1861.] THE SILVER CORD.

agitation which Bertha had been suffering, since the hour when she was roused that morning to hear Henderson’s version of Adair’s summons, had been so severe that it could receive little addition from a new interview with her rebellious servant. The latter, conscious of her power, had expected that when called to the presence of her mistress in the little bed-room where Mrs. Lygon had achieved her victory over Henderson, she should find Mrs. Urquhart eager to make atonement for the roughness of her husband. But if it is unsafe to calculate upon the acts of strong persons, it is almost as difficult to estimate the endurance of weak ones, and Henderson, to her surprise, found her mistress more than usually self-possessed, and by no means in a penitent state of mind. There was no actual resolution in Bertha, but she had resigned herself to float with a stream that was too strong for her, and she now indulged a vague hope of being safely landed.

“Mr. Urquhart has told you that he wishes you to leave, Henderson,” she said, “and of course his will is law. I am very sorry to part with you, as you know, and I shall be glad to do everything for you, and to help you to any new situation. I shall have no hesitation in recommending you strongly to any one. And Mr. Urquhart is ready to behave with the greatest liberality as to wages.”

For a few moments Henderson’s indignation was so blended with her surprise, that she could not decide upon her reply, and she stood angrily crushing and rubbing a corner of her apron. Then she answered, breathing hard and fast.

“I am to go, Madame?”

“You heard what your master said, Henderson?”

“Yes, Madame, I did. But I took the great liberty to answer, Madame, that gentlemen did not always understand everything, and it was very far from my expectation, Madame, to hear you speak what you have done. I supposed, Madame, that you would make Mr. Urquhart understand