of moral worth existing in their characters, producing a fidelity of
regard which is not only touching, but honorable to both.

They sat, one on either side the fire, in the long unbroken silence of
people who are so used to one another that they feel no necessity for
talking, until Miss Gascoigne spoke first, as she always did.

"I wonder what Dr. Grey meant by desiring the children to be kept out
of their beds till his return. As if I should allow it! And to order
a tea-dinner! No wonder Barker looked astonished! He never knew my poor
sister have anything but a proper dinner, at the proper hour; but it's
just that young woman's doing. In her position, of course she always
dined at one o'clock."

"Very likely," said Miss Grey, assentingly. Dissent she never did, in
any thing, from any body, least of all from Miss Gascoigne.

That lady fidgeted again, poked the fire, regarded herself in the mirror,
and settled her cap--no, her head-dress, for Miss Grey always insisted
that "dear Henrietta" was too young to wear caps, and admired
fervently the still black--too black hair, the mystery of which was only
known to Henrietta herself.

"What o'clock is it? half-past nine, I declare. Most annoying--most
impertinent--to keep us waiting for our tea in this way. Your brother
never did it before."

"I hope there is no accident," said Miss Grey, looking up alarmed.
"The snow might be dangerous on the railway."