They seldom spoke together, these two; yet there seemed a strange bond of sympathy between them.
At last the first of July arrived, and Oscar was dispatched to the railway station, four miles distant, to meet Miss Elizabeth De Graf, the first of the nieces to appear in answer to Jane Merrick's invitation.
Beth looked very charming and fresh in her new gown, and she greeted her aunt with a calm graciousness that would have amazed the professor to behold.

She had observed carefully the grandeur and beauty of Elmhurst, as she drove through the grounds, and instantly decided the place was worth an effort to win.
"So, this is Elizabeth, is it ?" asked Aunt June, as the girl stood before her for inspection.

"You may kiss me, child." Elizabeth advanced, striving to quell the antipathy she felt to kiss the stern featured, old woman, and touched her lips to the wrinkled forehead.
Jane Merrick laughed, a bit sneeringly, while Beth drew back, still composed, and looked at her relative enquiringly.
"Well, what do you think of me ?" demanded Aunt Jane, as if embarrassed at the scrutiny she received.
"Surely, it is too early to ask me that," replied Beth, gently.

"I am going to try to like you, and my first sight of my new aunt leads me to hope I shall succeed." "Why shouldn't you like me ?" cried the old woman.

"Why must you try to like your mother's sister ?" Beth flushed.