“Then if you know no one over here,” she frowned, “you can give me no English references?”
“No, these are the only references I have,” replied Dora, and she handed over to her those from the convent and the hospital, along with a letter from the Bordeaux banker, vouching for her respectability.
“Then are you a girl who can be trusted?” snapped Madame. “Because I won't have anyone here who will gossip about the affairs of the Institute. My patients are all high-class and it will do me a lot of harm if their ailments are discussed outside.”
“But I can hold my tongue,” said Dora warmly. “I have never been one to make many friends, and I don't give away confidences.”
“Very well, then,” said Madame after a long pause, “I'll give you a trial. I'll supply you with a uniform and you can start
