“I am standing,” said Miss Fadden timorously. Alice blinked. Miss Fadden was indeed standing before her, having somehow moved from her chair. She was so small that it was like looking down at a child.

“I beg your pardon,” said Alice. “My uncle suggested we might deal suitably together. Have you had experience as a companion before?”

“No, my lady,” said Miss Fadden in such a quiet little voice that Alice had to lean forward to catch the words. “I am the daughter of a curate. Papa died two months ago and I was at my wits end as to what to do. I was sitting in the churchyard, crying, and suddenly this splendid gentleman appeared before me—quite like the Angel Gabriel, you know, except that I think his coat was made by Weston—no room for wings there—and he asked me why I was in such distress and I told him. He said his niece was in need of a lady-companion so here I am,” she finished rather breathlessly.

Alice looked at her rather doubtfully. Miss Fadden looked quite old and frail. “Please sit down, Miss Fadden,” said Alice in a gentle voice. “You would be expected to keep very late nights—very late,” added Alice thinking of her ghost’s restrictions. “Admittedly we would sleep a good part of the day, but I wonder whether you might not find the rigors of a round of balls and parties too exhausting.”

“Oh no,” pleaded Miss Fadden. “I should find it monstrous exciting. I have never been to a party in my life. Papa said such occasions were sinful. I’m glad he’s dead,” she added vaguely. “He will be so much more comfortable in Heaven, you know. He was not a good preacher, I am afraid. He always managed to make virtue sound like a threat.”

Alice bent her head to hide a smile. Miss Fadden was undoubtedly eccentric but she seemed gentle and kind.

“Miss Fadden,” said Alice tentatively, “I had reason to dismiss my previous companion. To put it bluntly, she bullied me.”

Miss Fadden waved her little gloved hand in protest so energetically that one of her overlarge gloves fell off and rolled on the floor. “Dear me, my lady!” she exclaimed. “I could not even bully the house cat.”

Alice quickly made up her mind. “Then we shall deal extremely well together, I think. When would it be convenient for you to commence your duties?”

“Now,” said Miss Fadden simply. “I am in modest lodgings in London and I have not paid the rent. They will be glad to see me go.”