Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER V. A HARD PUNISHMENT. Floris was just finishing dressing on this her first morning " in service," and the breakfast bell was clanging through the house, when she heard a knock at her door, and a strong voice, with a decidedly French accent, requesting permission to enter. Floris opened the door, and saw a tall, thin, French girl, with small, dark eyes that instantly fixed themselves on Floris's face, and just as quickly sought the ground again. " Pardon, mam'selle, I am her ladyship's maid. Her ladyship's " — she paused just a second — " compliments " — Lady Pendleton had said " love " — " and would mam'selle kindly attend at milord's breakfast table? Miladi is unwell." " Certainly," said Floris. " Will you tell her ladyship that I am sorry she is unwell, please?" The girl bowed, and Floris hurried down-stairs. She was late ; and it was a bad beginning ; but she had slept but little, and that restlessly. The French maid made a pretense of following her, then she stole back to the bedroom, and, with deliberate carefulness, made a complete examination of the wardrobe and every article of Floris's which she had left unsecured. "Ah, yes!" she murmured. "A fine lady, but poor! No rings, no bracelets, no rich dresses ; but beautiful, and miladi will think her an angel! Bah! I shall hate her! I know it! I feel it! Something tells me that Mam'selle Carlisle and Josine will be at daggers drawn. We shall ee !" and with a shrug she arranged a wisp of her black, coarse hair in the glass and left the room. Floris hurried down-stairs to the breakfast-room. A footman was carrying in some hot dishes, and Sir Edward was seated at the table with the Times — containing a full report of his last night's speech — and a heap of letters. He rose as she entered, and his... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.