CHAPTER XVI 195
since it was a house; though there are hundreds of pounds ' worth of plate in the plate-closet, as is well known. And you see, for such a large house, there are very few servants, because master has never lived here much; and when he does come, being a bachelor, he needs little waiting on: but I always think it best to err on the safe side; a door is soon fastened, and it is as well to have a drawn bolt between one and any mischief that may be about. A deal of people, Miss, are for trusting all to Providence; but I say Providence will not dispense with the means, though He often blesses them when they are used discreetly." And here she closed her harangue: a long one for her, and uttered with the demureness of a Quakeress.
I still stood absolutely dumfoundered at what appeared to me her miraculous self-possession and most inscrutable hypocrisy, when the cook entered.
" Mrs. Poole," said she, addressing Grace, " the servants ' dinner will soon be ready: will you come down?"
" No; just put my pint of porter and bit of pudding on a tray, and I ' ll carry it upstairs."
" You ' ll have some meat?" " Just a morsel, and a taste of cheese, that ' s all." " And the sago?"
" Never mind it at present: I shall be coming down before teatime: I ' ll make it myself."
The cook here turned to me, saying that Mrs. Fairfax was waiting for me: so I departed.
I hardly heard Mrs. Fairfax ' s account of the curtain conflagration during dinner, so much was I occupied in puzzling my brains over the enigmatical character of Grace Poole, and still more in pondering the problem of her