entered, dressed in black, with an air of feeble health, but of
comely middle age.

Birthday greetings, congratulations, and thanks followed, and the
mother looked critically at the position of the wreath, and Rachel
for the first time turned to the glass and met a set of features of
an irregular, characteristic cast, brow low and broad, nose
retrousse, with large, singularly sensitive nostrils quivering like
those of a high-bred horse at any emotion, full pouting lips, round
cheeks glowing with the freshest red, eyes widely opened, dark deep
grey and decidedly prominent, though curtained with thick black
lashes. The glossy chestnut hair partook of the redundance and
vigour of the whole being, and the roses hung on it gracefully though
not in congruity with the thick winter dress of blue and black
tartan, still looped up over the dark petticoat and hose, and stout
high-heeled boots, that like the grey cloak and felt hat bore witness
to the early walk. Grace's countenance and figure were in the same
style, though without so much of mark or animation; and her dress was
of like description, but less severely plain.

"Yes, my dear, it looks very well; and now you will oblige me by not
wearing that black lace thing, that looks fit for your grandmother."

"Poor Lovedy Kelland's aunt made it, mother, and it was very
expensive, and wouldn't sell."

"No wonder, I am sure, and it was very kind in you to take it off
their hands; but now it is paid for, it can't make much difference
whether you disfigure yourself with it or not."