His master now had had time to follow and to see that Bunchie's new friend was a tall girl in a black dress, who at first sight looked pretty.
She was bareheaded, as if she were staying in the house--a fact which conveyed perplexity to the son of its master, conscious of that immunity from visitors which had for some time been rendered necessary by the latter's ill-health.

Meantime the two other gentlemen had also taken note of the new-comer.
"Dear me, who's that strange woman ?" Mr.Touchett had asked.
"Perhaps it's Mrs.Touchett's niece--the independent young lady," Lord Warburton suggested.

"I think she must be, from the way she handles the dog." The collie, too, had now allowed his attention to be diverted, and he trotted toward the young lady in the doorway, slowly setting his tail in motion as he went.
"But where's my wife then ?" murmured the old man.
"I suppose the young lady has left her somewhere: that's a part of the independence." The girl spoke to Ralph, smiling, while she still held up the terrier.
"Is this your little dog, sir ?" "He was mine a moment ago; but you've suddenly acquired a remarkable air of property in him." "Couldn't we share him ?" asked the girl.

"He's such a perfect little darling." Ralph looked at her a moment; she was unexpectedly pretty.

"You may have him altogether," he then replied.
The young lady seemed to have a great deal of confidence, both in herself and in others; but this abrupt generosity made her blush.