“Not that I wish you to desert your old quarters, still less to feel like a stranger with us,” said Mrs. Aylett graciously, while she affixed shining brass labels to the keys of closets, sideboards, and store-rooms—­the keys Aunt Rachel could distinguish from one another, and all others in the world, in the darkest night, without any labels whatever; which had grown smooth and bright by many years’ friction of her nimble fingers.  “But Mr. Aylett wishes me to assume the real, as well as nominal, government of the establishment”—­Mrs. Aylett was fond of the polysyllable as conveying better than any other term she could employ the grandeur of her position as Baroness of Ridgeley.  “He insists that the servants are growing worthless and refractory under the rule of so many.  Hereafter—­this is his law, not mine—­hereafter, those attached to the house department are to come to me about their orders, and the plantation workmen to him.  I shall undoubtedly have much trouble in curing the satellites appointed to me of their irregular habits, and reducing them to something resembling system; but Winston’s extreme dissatisfaction with the anarchy that prevailed under the ancien regime moves me to the undertaking.”

“They have always—­for generations back, I may say—­been called excellent servants; faithful in the discharge of their duties, and attached to their owners,” returned Mrs. Sutton tremulously.  “And since I have been in charge—­ever since my dear sister’s death, I have done my best with them, as with everything else committed by my nephew to my care.  But of course I have nothing to urge against your plan.  If I can help you in any way”—–­

“Thank you!  You are extremely kind, my dear madam,” honeyedly.  “But I should be ashamed and sorry to be compelled to call upon you for assistance in performing what you have done so easily and successfully for fifteen years.  I must learn confidence in my own powers, if I would be respected by underlings.  They would be quick to detect the power behind the throne; let me hold counsel with you ever so secretly, and my authority would be weakened by the discovery.  I have not the vanity to believe that my maiden attempt at housewifery will be attended by the distinction that has crowned yours, but practice will perfect in this, as in other labors.  And my dear Mrs. Sutton, Mr. Aylett bids me say, in his name, as it gives me pleasure to do in my own, that although your occupation is gone, you are ever welcome to a home at Ridgeley, free of all expense.  It is our hope that you may still content yourself here, even if Mabel has gone from the nest.  I suppose, however, nothing will satisfy her, when she goes to housekeeping, but having you with her as a permanent institution.  My brother intimated as much to me before his marriage.”

Declining with mild hauteur, that gave great, but secret amusement to her would-be benefactress, the handsome offer of a free asylum, Mrs. Sutton went to live with a cousin of her late husband’s, whose snug plantation was situated about twelve miles from the Aylett place, and in the neighborhood of the Tazewells.  It was a pleasant, but not a permanent arrangement, she gave out to her numerous friends, any of whom would have accounted themselves favored by an acceptance of a home for life in their families.