Nevertheless it was often the case with her that
she was anxious to get rid of her girl's attendance. It had been so on
this morning and before dinner, and was so now again. She was secret in
her movements, and always had some recess in her boxes and bags and
dressing apparatuses to which she did not choose that Miss Patience
Crabstick should have access. She was careful about her letters, and very
careful about her money. And then as to that iron box in which the
diamonds were kept! Patience Crabstick had never yet seen the inside of
it. Moreover it may be said, either on Lizzie's behalf or to her
discredit, as the reader may be pleased to take it, that she was quite
able to dress herself, to brush her own hair, to take off her own clothes;
and that she was not, either by nature or education, an incapable young
woman. But that honour and glory demanded it, she would almost as lief
have had no Patience Crabstick to pry into her most private matters. All
which Crabstick knew, and would often declare her missus to be "of all
missuses the most slyest and least come-at-able." On this present night
she was very soon despatched to her own chamber.
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