She was more than ordinarily careful with her hair, and felt herself to be aware of an anxiety to look her best.

She had now been for some time so accustomed to dress herself in black, that in that respect her aunt's death had made no difference to her.

Deep mourning had ceased from habit to impress her with any special feeling of funereal solemnity.

But something about herself, or in the room, at last struck her with awe, bidding her remember how death had of late been busy among those who had been her dearest and nearest friends; and she sat down, almost frightened at her own heartlessness, in that she was allowing herself to be happy at such a time.

Her aunt had been carried away to her grave only yesterday, and her brother's death had occurred under circumstances of peculiar distress within the year;--and yet she was happy, triumphant,--almost lost in the joy of her own position! She remained for a while in her chair, with her black dress hanging across her lap, as she argued with herself as to her own state of mind.