And the queer old lady looked as if she liked the owner of it, too.
The next morning, after the servant who waited upon Brownie had attended to all her wants, and left her, there came a rap upon her door. The next moment a handsome woman of about fifty entered. Brownie arose, bowed courteously, and remained standing till she was addressed.
“Miss Dundas,” the lady said, “I must apologize to you for any seeming neglect in not coming to see you before, but I have a house full of company; but I have given orders that you should want for nothing. I am Lady Randal, and I have come to have a few moments’ conversation with you.”
She seated herself, and motioned for Brownie to do the same, then resumed:
“You have had quite a serious accident, and I am glad to see you are better. Are you quite comfortable, and do the servants attend you properly?” and she put up her eyeglasses to inspect the stranger.
“Thank you, I have been very kindly cared for, and am very grateful for the good Samaritan’s charity which has provided for my necessities,” Brownie answered, trying to speak heartily, although she felt the greatest repugnance toward this woman, who she believed was guilty of so much wrong.
She had a cold, false eye, and a cunning, cruel expression about her handsome mouth.
She was just the kind of a woman to ruin the life of any one who stood in her way, Brownie thought.
She laughed lightly but disagreeably at the young girl’s words.
“Oh, I do not claim any merit whatever regarding your comfort or necessities. My house was full, and at first I thought it would be impossible to take you in, but Lady Ruxley, who is very eccentric and wilful, insisted upon it, and gave up her own chamber for your accommodation, she sleeping, meanwhile, in her maid’s room.”