CHAPTER IV.
"How kind of you!" said the rector's sister, enthusiastically; "but I thought you would come and help us." And as Marcella took some of her burdens from her, Miss Harden kissed Marcella's cheek with a sort of timid eagerness.

She had fallen in love with Miss Boyce from the beginning, was now just advanced to this privilege of kissing, and being entirely convinced that her new friend possessed all virtues and all knowledge, found it not difficult to hold that she had been divinely sent to sustain her brother and herself in the disheartening task of civilising Mellor.

Mary Harden was naturally a short, roundly made girl, neither pretty nor plain, with grey-blue eyes, a shy manner, and a heart all goodness.

Her brother was like unto her--also short, round, and full-faced, with the same attractive eyes.
Both were singularly young in aspect--a boy and girl pair.

Both had the worn, pinched look which Mrs.Boyce complained of, and which, indeed, went oddly with their whole physique.