How Would a Housekeeper in Victorian England Greet a Lady?

In Victorian England, people of every class were expected to act with decorum at all times. Proper titles were used to define status within the community as well as within the household. For servants, the hierarchy within the household, as well as the titles held by their employers, established clear social expectations. As the supervisor of the household, a housekeeper communicated often with her employer -- most often, the lady of the house.

Housekeepers, as well as other household staff, most often used the term "m'Lady", a diminutive for "my Lady." The greeting could also be extended to upper class female friends and guests. In formal settings and conversations, some would also use the full term "My Ladyship" or "Her Ladyship" for introductions. Though there were many titles held by upper class families, depending on social and political rank, servants most often used "my Lady" and "my Lord" to address their employers.