Isla’s practised eye told her that there was no actual disease, but that her hypochondriacal weakness had been so pandered to that she had completely lost her will-power. It was a sad spectacle, and Isla rose with courage to the idea of working some improvement.
She must go warily, however, realizing the fact that she had much prejudice to overcome. With Mr. Bodley-Chard’s opinion or attitude in the matter she did not concern herself. She was his wife’s servant, and she would do her duty by her.
Isla’s introduction to this domestic drama was the very best thing that could have happened to her just then. She threw herself heart and soul into it with all the ardour of her Celtic temperament; only she was liable to err in the haste and impulsiveness with which she desired to act.
"Then you won’t go out to-day?" she said coaxingly--"not even after I have been out and reported on the sunshine?"
"Not to-day--another day perhaps, and if Edgar likes the idea we could all have a little drive together. I’m going to sleep again now. Did you ever see such a sleepy-head?"
Isla had her own thoughts as she left the room to interview the cook and to take up her position definitely in the household. That part of her business presented no difficulties whatever. The one thing that filled her with misgiving was the physical and mental condition of Mrs. Bodley-Chard.
Her dislike of the husband had increased after her conversation with him at the breakfast table. He had started by being complimentary and charming, but, finding Isla unresponsive, had then spoken rather disagreeably about her position in the household, warning her quite pointedly that Mrs. Bodley-Chard was in the hands of a capable maid who understood her temperament and who would not brook any interference from outside. Isla listened in silence, and, remembering her impression of Fifine, felt her pity for Mrs. Chard increase.
Having reduced the new inmate of the house to silence and--as he thought--submission, Mr. Bodley-Chard departed airily to the city to forget all about his wife. For the first time, however, since he had become a pensioner on a rich woman’s bounty he was to find himself weighed in the balance and found wanting. Isla’s eyes had a disconcerting clearness, and her recent experiences had made her suspicious and critical of all mankind.