Maurice had never troubled himself till then to think whether there _was_ a Mrs.Wynter.
"She was at home, but engaged." Maurice hesitated a moment.

"I must see her," he thought to himself, and took heart again.
"I have made a long journey," he said, "to see Mr.Wynter; will you give my card to your mistress, and beg of her to see me for a moment ?" The man took the card and led the visitor into a small room at one side of the hall, where books and work were lying about as if it had been occupied earlier in the day, but which was empty now.

Then he shut the door and carried the card into the drawing-room.
Mrs.Wynter had friends staying with her.

There was a widow and her son and daughter, and one or two young people besides, as well as all the younger members of the Wynter family.

The two elder ladies were having a little comfortable chat over their work, and the others were gathered round the piano, when Maurice's arrival was heard.
"Who can it be ?" Mrs.Wynter said doubtfully.