She sat quite still doing nothing, looking very much as she had looked for the last forty years.

Her harp stood on one side of the fireplace, and Miss Roberta's guitar hung by a faded blue ribbon from a nail at the other.
Presently old William announced: "Mr.Carlyon." And Cheiron, in his Sunday best, walked into the room.
Halcyone was not present.

If children were wanted they were sent for.

It was not seemly for them to be idling in the drawing-rooms.
But Miss Roberta felt so pleasantly nervous, that she said timidly, after they had all shaken hands: "Ginevra, can we not tell William to ask Halcyone to come down, perhaps Mr.Carlyon might like to see her again." And William, who had not got far from the door, was recalled and sent on the errand.
"What a very beautiful view you have from here," Mr.Carlyon said, by way of a beginning.

"It is an ideal spot." "We are glad you like it," Miss La Sarthe replied, graciously; "as my sister and I live quite retired from the world it suits us.