And taking the young stranger by the hand, the good housekeeper conducted her into an adjoining room.
They were gone about fifteen minutes, at the end of which Mrs. Broadsides returned, leading her protégée, who was now comfortably clad in a black silk dress, that looked as if it had been made for her.
“Dear me, how well that fits,” said Miss Tabs.
“Yes, it was my young missus’s. She left most of her clothes here, poor child, when she went away, and I have taken care of them ever since. And now, if you want to know what my darling looked like, just look at this young gal; for there never was two peas so much alike as Miss Anna Eleanora, and this young gal, only that this one looks like the ghost of the other. And now, my child, sit down at the corner of the table here by the fire, and have some of this curried chicken, while we make you a glass of warm port-wine negus; and no one shall trouble you with any questions until you have done supper,” said the good housekeeper, settling her protégée in the most comfortable seat.
Another fifteen minutes sufficed to satisfy the appetite of the stranger, who was thereupon required to gratify the curiosity of her entertainers.
“And now, my lass, tell us all about yourself. You are not of this country-side, I suppose?” said Mrs. Broadsides, when they had gathered around the fire.
“No, ma’am, I came from London this morning by rail as far as the station, and then set off to walk.”
“But where were you going my child, when you were caught in the storm?”
“To Allworth Abbey, ma’am.”
“To Allworth Abbey!” exclaimed Mrs. Broadsides and Miss Tabs in a breath.