'I do want him to think well of her, and I can see his good opinion is shaken.' But to this I made no audible reply; but, as I shook off the dust of Gladwyn, I told myself that Uncle Max should not hear Miss Darrell's version from my lips.

She wished to make me a tool in her hands; but her breach of confidence had a very different result from what she expected.
Miss Darrell's words had cleared up a perplexity in my mind: I could read between the lines, and I fully exonerated Miss Hamilton.
The following afternoon I had a most unexpected pleasure.

When I came back to the cottage after my day's work Mrs.Barton met me at the door and told me that Miss Hamilton was in the parlour.
I had thought she meant Lady Betty; but, to my surprise, I found Miss Hamilton seated by the fire.

A pleased smile came to her face as I greeted her most warmly.

She must have seen how glad I was; but she shrank back rather nervously when I begged her to take off her furred mantle and stay to tea.
She was not sure that she could remain.