She returned almost immediately.

Miss Hamilton was in her room, but she would be very glad to see me, and the girl looked glad too as she led the way to the turret-room.

Miss Hamilton was standing on the threshold, and met me with outstretched hands; she looked ill and worn, and had a soft white shawl drawn closely round her as though she were chilly, but her eyes brightened at the sight of me.
'This is good of you, Miss Garston; I never expected such a pleasure.
That will do, Chatty; you can close the door.' And, still holding my hand, she drew me into the room.

It was a pretty room, but furnished far more simply than Miss Darrell's.

The deep bay-window formed a recess large enough to hold the dressing-table and a chair or two, and was half-hidden by the blue cretonne curtains; besides this there were two more windows.