"How kind of you to come over! I am afraid I am alone at present, but Burke is sure to be in soon.
I hope you have had some refreshment." She gave her horse to a Kaffir boy, and went with her new friend up the steps of the _stoep_.
"My wife!" said Merston in his jolly voice.
Sylvia went forward with an eagerness that wilted in spite of her before she reached its object.

Mrs.Merston did not rise to meet her.

She sat prim and upright and waited for her greeting, and Sylvia knew in a moment before their hands touched each other that here was no kindred spirit.
"How do you do ?" said Mrs.Merston formally.
She was a little woman, possibly ten years Sylvia's senior, with a face that had once been pink and white and now was the colour of pale brick all over.

Her eyes were pale and seemed to carry a perpetual grievance.

Her nose was straight and very thin, rather pinched at the nostrils.