When she arrived at Christina's house, she was shown into the drawing room, where Miss Arbuthnot sat alone, knitting.
"I am so glad to see you, Miss Arundel," she said, kindly taking Nellie's hand, "for I owe you all a debt of gratitude."
Nellie looked up to see what she meant. "My niece has been a different creature since you came."
"I am so glad if we have done anything," said Nellie, "but I did not know we had."
"You have given her something besides her grief to think of; it has been a new interest."
"I am very glad," said Nellie again, feeling rather uncomfortable.
Miss Arbuthnot seated herself, and went on quietly, in her old-fashioned manner: "I was at a loss at first to know how to help her after her sorrow; and indeed it was impossible for any earthly help to reach her, so I was obliged to wait patiently. Now, I thank God, He has sent her just what she needed most."
"We all admire her and love her so much."
"Yes; she is a sweet girl," said Miss Arbuthnot; "I do not wonder at it."
Christina entered at this moment. "I am sorry to have kept you waiting, but my dog hurt his foot a little this morning, and I was just dressing it."