I looked at her as she stood leaning a little against the end of the
table, and playing idly with a bunch of charms and lockets hanging
to her gold chain. She was very handsome, a brunette, with a small
straight nose, hazel eyes, and dark-brown hair. Her mouth was the
prettiest and most expressive I ever saw in my life, and gave an
indescribable charm to her face. She was handsomely dressed in
violet silk, with rich white lace about the throat and sleeves.

'You will find things much pleasanter when the girls come back. Of
course school is always a little dreary compared with home; one is
prepared for that; but I have no doubt you will contrive to be
happy, and I hope we shall be very good friends. I think you must be
the Miss Crofton I have heard spoken of lately?'

'Yes, my name is Crofton--Mary Crofton.'

'And mine is Emily Darrell. Milly I am always called at home, and by
any one who likes me. I am a parlour-boarder, and have the run of
the house, as it were. I am rather old to be at school, you see; but
I am going home at the end of this year. I was brought up at home
with a governess until about six months ago; but then papa took it
into his head that I should be happier amongst girls of my own age,
and sent me off to school. He has been travelling since that time,
and so I have not been home for the Christmas holidays. I can't tell
you what a disappointment that was.'

I tried to look sympathetic, and, not knowing exactly what to say, I
asked whether Miss Darrell's father lived in that neighbourhood.