Clem at once went up to see who the visitor was.
A woman in a long cloak and a showy bonnet stood on the step, protecting herself with an umbrella from the bitter sleet which the wind was now driving through the darkness.

She said that she wished to see Mrs.Hewett.
'Second-floor front,' replied Clem in the offhand, impertinent tone wherewith she always signified to strangers her position in the house.
The visitor regarded her with a look of lofty contempt, and, having deliberately closed her umbrella, advanced towards the stairs.

Clem drew into the back regions for a few moments, but as soon as she heard the closing of a door in the upper part of the house, she too ascended, going on tip-toe, with a noiselessness which indicated another side of her character.

Having reached the room which the visitor had entered, she brought her ear close to the keyhole, and remained in that attitude for a long time--nearly twenty minutes, in fact.

Her sudden and swift return to the foot of the stairs was followed by the descent of the woman in the showy bonnet.
'Miss Peckover I' cried the latter when she had reached the foot of the stairs.
'Well, what is it ?' asked Clem, seeming to come up from the kitchen.
'Will you 'ave the goodness to go an' speak to Mrs.Hewett for a hinstant ?' said the woman, with much affectation of refined speech.
'All right! I will just now, if I've time.' The visitor tossed her head and departed, whereupon Clem at once ran upstairs.