I laid aside with a kind of shame all the little ornaments I was accustomed to wear, and dressed myself in the plainest gown I possessed.

Descending the quaint old staircase again, I found Mrs.Hollingford walking up and down the hall waiting patiently for my appearance.
"What a great woman you have grown, my love!" she said, drawing my hand within her arm, and leading me through the open hall door.

"But you have still your mother's fair hair and sunny eyes.

Will you walk with me for an hour?
I have much to say to you, and the sooner it is said the better." Then she told me the story of her life, and misfortunes, sternly, sweetly, with strange humility and fortitude.

I knew much of it before, but she would tell it all.
"And now, my love," she said, "you know us as we are.