Are you alone ?' 'No.

I have been out.' 'Had you the storm here?
I'm not going to keep you talking; you look tired.' 'I am rather,' said Emmeline, with reserve.

She had no intention of allowing Louise to suspect the real cause of what she was about to say--that would have seemed to her undignified; but she could not speak quite naturally.

'Still, I should be glad if you would sit down for a minute.' The girl took a chair and began to draw off her gloves.

She understood what was coming; it appeared in Emmeline's face.
'Something to say to me, Mrs.Mumford ?' 'I hope you won't think me unkind.