if we did, we could hardly place one in the house.'
'Did you not say Lady Moidore had taken to her bed?'
'That is of some help?' He looked wide-eyed.
'Perhaps she would benefit from having a nurse in the house? She is quite naturally ill with distress at her daughter's death by murder. It seems very possible she has some realization of who was responsible. No wonder she is unwell, poor creature. Any woman would be. I think a nurse would be an excellent thing for her.'
He stopped drinking his chocolate and stared at her.
With some difficulty she kept her face blank and perfectly innocent.
'Hester Latterly is at present without employment, and she is an excellent nurse, one of Miss Nightingale's young ladies. I can recommend her highly. And she would be perfectly prepared to undertake such an engagement, I believe. She is most observant, as you know, and not without personal courage. The fact that a murder has taken place in the house would not deter her.'
'What about the infirmary?' he said slowly, a brilliant light coming into his eyes.
'She is no longer there.' Her expression was blandly innocent.
He looked startled.
'A difference of opinion with the doctor,' she explained.
'Oh!'
'Who is a fool,' she added.
'Of course.' His smile was very slight, but went all the way to his eyes.
'I am sure if you were to approach her,' she went on, 'with some tact she would be prepared to apply for a temporary position with Sir Basil Moidore, to care for Lady Moidore until such time as she is herself again. I will be most happy to supply a reference. I would not speak to the hospital, if I were you. And it might be desirable not to mention my name to Hester-unless it is necessary to avoid untruth.'
Now his smile was quite open. 'Quite so, Lady Callandra. An excellent idea. I am most obliged to you.'
'Not at all,' she said innocently. 'Not at all. I shall also speak to my cousin Valentina, who will be pleased to suggest such a thing to Beatrice and at the same time recommend Miss Latterly.'
Hester was so surprised to see Monk she did not even think to wonder how he knew her address.
'Good morning,' she said in amazement. 'Has something-' she stopped, not sure what it was she was asking.
He knew how to be circumspect when it was in his own interest. He had learned it with some difficulty, but his ambition overrode his temper, even his pride, and it had come in time.
'Good morning,' he replied agreeably. 'No, nothing alarming has happened. I have a favor I wish of you, if you are willing.'
'Of me?' She was still astonished and half disbelieving.
'If you will? May I sit down?'
'Oh-of course.' They were in Mrs. Home's parlor, and she waved to the seat nearest the thin fire.
He accepted, and began on the purpose of his visit before trivial conversation should lead him into betraying Callandra Daviot.
'I am engaged in the Queen Anne Street case, the murder of Sir Basil Moidore's daughter.'
'I wondered if you would be,' she answered politely, her eyes bright with expectation. 'The newspapers are still full of it. But I have never met any of the family, nor do I know anything about them. Have they any connection with the Crimea?'
“Only peripheral.''
'Then what can I-' She stopped, waiting for him to answer.
'It was someone in the house who killed her,' he said. 'Very probably one of the family-'
'Oh-' Understanding began in her eyes, not of her own part in the case, but of the difficulties facing him. 'How can you investigate that?'
'Carefully.' He smiled with a downward turn of his lips. “Lady Moidore has taken to her bed. I am not sure how much of it is grief-she was very composed to begin with-and how much of it may be because she has learned something which points to one of the family and she cannot bear it.'
'What can I do?' He had all her attention now.
'Would you consider taking a position as nurse to Lady
Moidore, and observing the family, and if possible learning what she fears so much?'
She looked uncomfortable. 'They may require better references than I could supply.'
'Would not Miss Nightingale speak well of you?'
'Oh, certainly-but the infirmary would not.'
'Indeed. Then we shall hope they do not ask them. I think the main thing will be if Lady Moidore finds you agreeable-''
'I imagine Lady Callandra would also speak for me.'
He relaxed back into his chair. 'That should surely be sufficient. Then you will do it?'
She laughed very slightly. 'If they advertise for such a person, I shall surely apply-but I can hardly turn up at the door and inquire if they need a nurse!'
“Of course not. I shall do what I can to arrange it.'' He did not tell her of Callandra Daviot's cousin, and hurried on to avoid difficult explanations. 'It will be done by word of mouth, as these things are in the best families. If you will permit yourself to be mentioned? Good-'
'Tell me something of the household.'
“I think it would be better if I left you to discover it yourself-and certainly your opinions would be of more use to me.' He frowned curiously. 'What happened at the infirmary?'
Ruefully she told him.
Valentina Burke-Heppenstall was prevailed upon to call in person at Queen Anne Street to convey her sympathies, and when Beatrice did not receive her, she commiserated with her friend's distress and suggested to Araminta that perhaps a nurse would be helpful in the circumstances and be able to offer assistance a busy ladies' maid could not.
After a few moments' consideration, Araminta was disposed to agree. It would indeed remove from the rest of the household the responsibility for a task they were not really equipped to handle.
Valentina could suggest someone, if it would not be viewed as impertinent? Miss Nightingale's young ladies were the very best, and very rare indeed among nurses; they were well-bred, not at all the sort of person one would mind having in one's house.
Araminta was obliged. She would interview this person at the first opportunity.
Accordingly Hester put on her best uniform and rode in a hansom cab to Queen Anne Street, where she presented herself for Araminta's inspection.
'I have Lady Burke-Heppenstall's recommendation of your work,'' Araminta said gravely. She was dressed in black taffeta which rustled with every movement, and the enormous skirt kept touching table legs and corners of sofas and chairs as Araminta walked in the overfurnished room. The sombemess of the gown and the black crepes set over pictures and doors in recognition of death made her hair by contrast seem like a pool of light, hotter and more vivid than gold.
She looked at Hester's gray stuff dress and severe appearance with satisfaction.
'Why are you currently seeking employment, Miss Latterly?' She made no attempt at courtesy. This was a business interview, not a social one.
Hester had already prepared her excuse, with Callandra's help. It was frequently the desire of an ambitious servant to work for someone of title. They were greater snobs than many of their mistresses, and the manners and grammar of other servants were of intense importance to them.
