shall be in your way."

"Not in the least. It will be a pleasure to us to have you here. If
you will excuse me now, I will go out and attend to my dinner, which
I am afraid is getting behindhand."

Left to herself, the nurse behaved in a manner which might be
regarded as singular. She rose from her seat, and approached the
mirror. She took a full survey of herself as she stood there, and
laughed a short, hard laugh.

Then she made a formal courtesy to her own reflection, saying, "How
do you do, Mrs. Hardwick?"

"Did you speak?" asked the cooper, who was passing through the entry
on his way out.

"No," said the nurse, a little awkwardly. "I believe I said
something to myself. It's of no consequence."

"Somehow," thought the cooper, "I don't fancy the woman's looks, but
I dare say I am prejudiced. We're all of us as God made us."

While Mrs. Crump was making preparations for the noon-day meal, she
imparted to Rachel the astonishing information, which has already
been detailed to the reader.

"I don't believe a word of it," said Rachel, resolutely.

"She's an imposter. I knew she was the very first moment I set eyes