[The Hermit of Far End by Margaret Pedler]@TWC D-Link bookThe Hermit of Far End CHAPTER IV 6/29
They had hailed her as a friend, and her frank, warm-hearted nature responded instantly, speedily according each of them a special niche in her regard.
She felt as though Providence had suddenly endowed her with a whole family--"all complete and ready for use," as Tim cheerfully observed--and the reaction from the oppressive consciousness of being entirely alone in the world acted like a tonic. The first brief sentiment of aversion which she had experienced towards Elisabeth melted like snow in sunshine under the daily charm of her companionship; and though the hyacinth eyes held always in their depths that strange suggestion of mystery, Sara grew to believe it must be merely some curious effect incidental to the colour and shape of the eyes themselves, rather than an indication of the soul that looked out of them. There was something perennially captivating about Elisabeth.
An atmosphere of romance enveloped her, engendering continuous interest and surmise, and Sara found it wholly impossible to view her from an ordinary prosaic standpoint.
Occasionally she would recall the fact that Mrs.Durward was in reality a woman of over forty, mother of a grown-up son who, according to all the usages of custom, should be settling down into the drab and placid backwater of middle age, but she realized that the description went ludicrously wide of the mark. There was nothing in the least drab about Elisabeth, nor would there ever be.
She was full of colour and brilliance, reminding one of a great glowing-hearted rose in its prime. Part of her charm, undoubtedly, lay in her attitude towards husband and son.
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