Miss Thomson had just taken up the local newspaper after her morning
ride over the farm, and had read the peculiarly interesting paragraph
relating to Mr. Hogarth's will, when Mrs. Dalzell's note was put into
her hands, and Miss Melville was announced.

Miss Thomson was a very fine-looking old lady, with keen, though also
kind grey eyes, looking out from rather shaggy eyebrows, and an open
frank smile on her mouth. The colour of health still bloomed on a cheek
that had seen sixty summers and winters, and the elasticity of youth
had only been transformed into the dignity and repose of a green old
age. It is better to be at the head of the commonalty than dragging in
the rear of the gentry, and for substantial comfort, liberal
housekeeping, generous almsgiving, and frank hospitality, the farmhouse
of Allendale was out and out superior to the mansion of Moss
Tower, where the Dalzells had lived for at least two centuries.

As Mrs. Dalzell's note had been introductory and not explanatory, Miss
Thomson could not guess the cause of the unexpected visit. She,
however, kindly welcomed Miss Melville, and asked her to sit down,
which Jane did with an ease and youthful dignity that was as suitable
to her time of life as Miss Thomson's at three-score.

"I have called, madam," said Jane, "because I have always admired you,
and wished to know you; and also because at this critical juncture I
have thought that your advice would be far more valuable to me than
that of people who have never made an effort or conquered an obstacle.
You know our position"--and she glanced at the open newspaper.

"Yes, I do. I feel both surprised and grieved at your uncle's