her sister-in-law walking by her side,--"and quick to decide upon
character. But neither men nor women are to be read at a glance."

"So much the more reason for holding strangers at arms' length,"
returned Aunt Grace.

But Mrs. Markland felt in no mood for argument on so fruitless a
subject. On entering the house, she passed to her own private
apartment, there to commune with herself alone.






CHAPTER VII.





ONLY a few minutes had Mrs. Markland been in her room, when the door
opened quietly, and Fanny's light foot-fall was in her ears. She did
not look up; but her heart beat with a quicker motion, and her
breath was half-suspended.

"Mother!"

She lifted her bowed head, and met the soft, clear eyes of her
daughter looking calmly down into her own.