* The historical period:
* In the Middle Ages, literacy was rare for women of all classes, so a lady's maid might have been surprised or even intimidated by her mistress's interest in reading.
* By the 18th and 19th centuries, literacy was more common, and a lady's maid might have been intrigued or even supportive.
* The social standing of both the lady and her maid:
* If the lady was from a wealthy and educated family, her maid might have been accustomed to her mistress's intellectual pursuits.
* If the lady was from a less privileged background, her maid might have found her mistress's desire to read unusual or even frivolous.
* The personality of the individual lady's maid:
* Some maids might have been curious and supportive, while others might have been jealous or resentful of their mistress's intellectual pursuits.
Possible Reactions:
* Curiosity and Interest: A maid might have been fascinated by her mistress's reading and ask questions about the books. She might even offer to help with tasks like finding books or reading aloud.
* Indifference: Some maids might have been unconcerned with their mistress's reading habits, focusing on their own duties.
* Disapproval and Judgment: A maid might have viewed her mistress's reading as a waste of time or an inappropriate pursuit for a woman.
* Resentment: A maid might have felt jealous of her mistress's access to education and knowledge.
Ultimately, the relationship between a lady and her maid was complex, and their reactions to each other's interests would have been based on a variety of factors.
It's worth noting that:
* Lady's maids were often literate themselves: They might have helped their mistresses with reading and writing, and some may even have been educated enough to appreciate scholarly works.
* Reading was a privilege: Even if a lady's maid was literate, she wouldn't necessarily have had access to the same books as her mistress.
To get a more specific answer, you would need to consider the specific historical context and characters involved.