The lady’s maid lives next door to her mistress, always nearby when she is needed to dress or wash her, paint her face or entertain her. As a consequence, she knows her mistress quite well and has an intimate knowledge of her body and perhaps her mind too, so discretion and loyalty are among the most important qualities of a lady’s maid.
The maid is often from a good family since she is expected to have a certain level of refinement, good reading and conversation skills and a talent for needlework, fashion and hairdressing. She needs to look nice and presentable, since she has to accompany her mistress. Her close relationship with the family gives her a high position, and she and the housekeeper are the most well-paid of the female employees.