Was I right?

by Mrs. O. F. Walton

I looked up and met one of the sweetest faces I have ever seen. It was not exactly a pretty face, and the features were far from handsome, but there was such a beautiful expression upon it that you could never have called it plain. I should have been very puzzled if any one had asked me how old she was. At one time she looked quite young, not more than four or five and twenty; and the moment afterwards I detected strong marks of care, or anxiety, or trouble on the face, which made me think she must be at least ten or fifteen years older.

I told her about my journey, and then she asked me one question after another, in the kindest, pleasantest way, as if she really cared to know all I had to tell her. She led me on from one subject to another, and I found myself telling her of our old home; of Maggie, and my hopes and fears for her; and of many other things, whilst Lady Eldridge and Evelyn were talking together on the sofa; and all the chill and repression which had come over me when Lady Eldridge entered the room entirely passed away, and I felt perfectly at my ease again.

When I told her of our leaving our dear old home, her eyes filled with tears, and she said quietly, "I know what a trial that is; I have gone through it myself. What a comfort that there is one home where there will be no parting and no going away!"

Such a happy, thankful feeling came into my heart as she said this. There was something in the way she said it, as well as in the words themselves, which made me feel sure that my new friend was one who loved the same Lord I loved. And, if I had felt drawn to her before, I was doubly drawn to her now.

We had no opportunity for further conversation, for Evelyn was growing weary of Lady Eldridge, and invited us to come nearer to the fire.

"Put away your work, you industrious girl," she said to me. "The brown alpaca always had her work close to her fingers' ends at a moment's notice."

"My dear Evelyn," said Lady Eldridge, "a most profitable way for a young person."

But Evelyn took no notice of her, and turned to my new friend.

"Where have you been all day, Lilla?" she said. "You have only been to see me three times."

"Have I been so negligent as that, dear?" she said. "I must mend my manners to-morrow; but I have been very busy writing letters, so you must forgive me."