In the town they were seldom seen; few families called upon them; and only the most inveterate gossips found matter for small-talk in their retired lives.

It had never been heard that any one of them was sought in marriage.

Godwin, superfluously troubled about his attire, met them with grim endeavour at politeness; their gravity, a result of shyness, he misinterpreted, supposing them to hold aloof from a young man who had been in their father's employ.

But before he could suffer much from the necessity of formal conversation the door opened to admit yet another young lady, a perfect stranger to him.

Her age was about seventeen, but she had nothing of the sprightly grace proverbially connected with that time of life in girls; her pale and freckled visage expressed a haughty reserve, intensified as soon as her eye fell upon the visitor.