The bonnet and cloak she was wearing, though handsome and in the mode, made her look older than at Rolfe's last visit.

She was now a middle-aged woman, with emphasis on the qualifying term; in home dress she still asserted her sex, grace of figure and freshness of complexion prevailing over years and sorrows.
At this moment, moreover, weariness, and perhaps worry, appeared in her countenance.
'Thank you so much for coming,' she said quietly.

'You must have been surprised when you saw----' 'I was, indeed.' 'And my surprise was still greater, when, without any warning, Alma walked into the room two days ago.

But I was so glad, so very glad.' She breathed a little sigh, looking round.
'Hasn't Alma given her friends any tea?
I must ring--Thank you .-- Oh, the wretched, wretched day! I seem to notice the weather so much more than I used to.

Does it affect you at all ?' Not till the tea-tray was brought in, and she had sipped from her cup, did Mrs.Frothingham lay aside these commonplaces.