Edward, will you take Miss Foster ?--she's the stranger.' Mrs.Burgoyne pressed the girl's hand with a friendly effusion.

Beyond her was a dark-haired man, who bowed in silence.

Lucy Foster took his arm, and he led her through a large intervening room, in which were many tables and many books, to the dining-room.
On the way he muttered a few embarrassed words as to the weather and the lateness of dinner, walking meanwhile so fast that she had to hurry after him.

'Good heavens, why she is a perfect chess-board!' he thought to himself, looking askance at her dress, in a sudden and passionate dislike--'one could play draughts upon her.

What has my Aunt been about ?' The girl looked round her in bewilderment as they sat down.