There was every
disposition to overlook all possible faults on the nurse's part. She was
the third, and a fourth would mean the child's death; so that she was an
indispensable, a providential helper, one whose services must be retained
at all costs. Moreover, she seemed to have no defects, for she was a
calm, cunning, peasant woman, one who knew how to rule her employers and
extract from them all that was to be extracted. Her conquest of the
Seguins was effected with extraordinary skill. At first some
unpleasantness seemed likely, because Celeste was, on her own side,
pursuing a similar course; but they were both too intelligent to do
otherwise than come to an understanding. As their departments were
distinct, they agreed that they could prosecute parallel invasions. And
from that moment they even helped one another, divided the empire, and
preyed upon the house in company.
La Catiche sat upon a throne, served by the other domestics, with her
employers at her feet. The finest dishes were for her; she had her
special wine, her special bread, she had everything most delicate and
most nourishing that could be found. Gluttonous, slothful, and proud, she
strutted about, bending one and all to her fancies.
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