She bowed to the stranger with studious politeness, but without uttering a word, before she settled herself in her chair.

"I am obliged to listen to this person," thought the old lady.

"But I am _not_ obliged to speak to her.
That is Julian's business--not mine.

Don't stand, Horace! You fidget me.
Sit down." Armed beforehand in her policy of silence, Lady Janet folded her handsome hands as usual, and waited for the proceedings to begin, like a judge on the bench.
"Will you take a chair ?" Julian repeated, observing that the visitor appeared neither to heed nor to hear his first words of welcome to her.
At this second appeal she spoke to him.

"Is that Lady Janet Roy ?" she asked, with her eyes fixed on the mistress of the house.
Julian answered, and drew back to watch the result.
The woman in the poor black garments changed her position for the first time.