"Her mistress was up-stairs; she would tell her if I wished to see her," and meanwhile invited me to enter the parlour; I did so; and the girl retired to inform her mistress that one waited for her.

I ought to mention that my departure from the directions which I had received was, in some degree, owing to an inquisitive temper; I was eager after knowledge, and was disposed to profit by every opportunity to survey the interior of dwellings and converse with their inhabitants.
I scanned the walls, the furniture, the pictures.

Over the fireplace was a portrait in oil of a female.

She was elderly and matron-like.

Perhaps she was the mistress of this habitation, and the person to whom I should immediately be introduced.