She would no doubt be past youth; suppose her thirty.
She would have a face which pleased by its homely goodness; she would speak in a gentle voice, waiting upon superior wisdom.
A few days before that appointed for the first lecture of this new course, Egremont received a letter of which the address surprised him.
It bore the Penrith post-mark; the writing must be Annabel's.

He had very recently written to Mr.Newthorpe, who was not yet well enough to attempt the journey southwards; this reply by another hand might signify ill news.

And that proved to be the case.

Annabel wrote: 'Dear Mr.Egremont,--Father desires me to answer your very kind letter of a week ago.

He has delayed, hoping from day to day to be able to write himself.