He asked for Mrs.Martha.

"Have you got a parcel for her ?" said Trenholme, thinking his housekeeper had probably retired, as she did not come to the door.

The boy signified that he had, and made his way into the light of the study door.

Trenholme saw now, by the label on the box, that he had come from the largest millinery establishment the place could boast.

It rather surprised him that the lean old woman should have been purchasing new apparel there, but there was nothing to be done but tell the boy to put out the contents of the box and be gone.
Accordingly, upon a large chair the boy laid a white gown of delicate material, and went away.
Trenholme stood contemplating the gown; he even touched it lightly with his hand, so surprised he was.