Then her hand trembled so much that she was obliged to pause.

At the same moment there sounded a tap at the door, and, on Mrs.Baske's giving permission, a lady entered.

This was Mrs.Spence, a cousin of the young widow; she and her husband had an apartment here in the Villa Sannazaro, and were able to devote certain rooms to the convenience of their relative during her stay at Naples.

Her age was about thirty; she had a graceful figure, a manner of much refinement, and a bright, gentle, intellectual face, which just now bore an announcement of news.
"They have arrived!" "Already ?" replied the other, in a tone of civil interest.
"They decided not to break the journey after Genoa.

Cecily and Mrs.
Lessingham are too tired to do anything but get settled in their rooms, but Mr.Mallard has come to tell us." Miriam laid down her pen, and asked in the same voice as before: "Shall I come ?" "If you are not too busy." And Mrs.Spence added, with a smile, "I should think you must have a certain curiosity to see each other, after so long an acquaintance at secondhand." "I will come in a moment." Mrs.Spence left the room.