The summerhouse lay at the end of the garden and it was thence that Horace led her, to be well out of sight of his wife. Within all was cosy, for this was in part his private den. The floor was carpeted and a pleasant divan stood in one corner. Next to the divan was a cabinet which-although Mrs. Rumple knew it not-contained a number of saucy photographs of naked and half-naked maidens which her husband secretly collected.

Horace cleared his throat and commenced to impart his news without delay. A look of astonishment and disbelief came over Pamela's lovely features, for she had never expected to leave the house and indeed had given no thought to such a thing despite all the work she had to do there.

“As I understand it from the gentry concerned, Pamela, the house is a fine one, well situated in a most pleasant part of Wiltshire, and your tasks will not be onerous. Indeed, I believe you will not have any housework to do.”

“Oh! And I must leave tomorrow?”

“A conveyance will call for you early, my dear. However, there is one proviso. I needs must examine you before you leave. It was the express wish of Sir Richard Bromley, your new employer.”

“Examine me? Oh, Mr. Rumple, you mean I must t… take my dress off?”

Her guardian's expression assumed a sly but pleased look.

“I do fear so. It will take but a moment. Wait, I will lock the door so that you may not be embarrassed by any disturbance. You wear not too much beneath, I trust?”

“Only my petticoat and stockings, but…”

Pamela's cheeks were rose-pink at the thought of unveiling herself in such a manner, yet at the same time her initial disappointment at the unexpected news was already diminishing. She loved all Nature, and the thought of actually living in the countryside instead of in this stuffy suburb quite enchanted her. Hesitating only a moment, therefore, while turning her back shyly on Mr. Rumple, she unbuttoned the back of her dress and began to raise it.