SUSAN GRAY. 51

if he could not take the message to his mas-

_ ter.

‘‘No,” I said, “‘ my mistress ordered me to
see his honour myself.”

I was then led through the shop into a hall,
where I stood for some minutes; at last, the
parlour-door was opened, and the Captain
came out, When I saw his honour, I began
to be frightened; for he was, indeed, a very
fine gentleman; I looked upon the ground,
and, at first, I could scarcely speak.

«Young woman,” said he, “ what did you
want with me?”

*‘T hope that your honour will pardon me,”
I said; “ but my mistress ordered me to bring
this linen to you.”

‘Hold up your head, young woman,” said
the gentleman; ‘I cannot hear what you say.”

1 raised my head, and repeated what I had
said before: but I was very much frightened.

When he saw that I was frightened, he
smiled, and said, very kindly, ‘« Tell your mis-
tress, my good young woman, that I am obliged
to her for obeying my orders so exactly. You
are her servant, I suppose; pray what may
yéur name be?”

“Susan Gray,” I answered.

“* And where do you live?” he said.

‘In the cottage by the river-side, under the
coppice,” I replied. 1 then made a courtesy,
and was going away; but he called me back,
and asked me what he was to pay for the work.

I answered, as I had been told, “ Whatever
your honour pleases.”