She lighted a second candle and placed both on the mantel-shelf, and then took from a large deal box near the chimney corner a handful of dry brushwood and put it under the smouldering logs, kindling them into a ruddy blaze.
Finally she placed two chip-bottomed chairs before the fire and invited her visitors to be seated.
“So sorry I did not get your letter, indeed, sir,” she repeated, as she once more stirred the fire.
“We did not write. There was no time. We made up our minds rather suddenly, one day, to come down here, and we started the same evening,” said Gloria, as she leaned back in her chair and stretched her half-frozen feet and hands to the genial blaze.
“Oh, indeed, then, I feel so relieved! Of course, you could not have expected to find the house prepared for you, and are not disappointed,” exclaimed Mrs. Brent.
“I am sorry to say that we are rather so; for we expected to find you living up at the hall, and some rooms at least kept in readiness for just such a contingency as this,” replied Gloria.
“Living up at the other house! Oh, young lady, you don’t know! But I’ll say nothing about that now. I am so grieved not to have things comfortable for you here!”
“Never mind—never mind!” exclaimed Gloria, good-naturedly. “To-morrow is a new day, and everything can be arranged then. As for to-night, we are both so tired with our week’s ride that I think we could rest comfortably in any motionless place. I shall remain here with you, and Mr. Lindsay will get our wagoner to show him the way to the overseer’s house, where he proposes to lodge.”
“But that is such a pity, to separate you two! Though, indeed, I have got only one bedroom—the one above this—there are two beds in it. I and my niece sleep in one. The other is vacant and at your service, ma’am, if you don’t object to sharing our room with us,” said Mrs. Brent, apologetically.
“Not at all! I shall be so glad to lie down anywhere after sitting up for a week,” answered Gloria.