She saw me as I advanced, and rose for a moment to receive me. I thought her, then, still more colourless and thin than when I had seen her last; the flashing eyes still brighter, and the scar still plainer.

Our meeting was not cordial. We had parted angrily on the last occasion; and there was an air of disdain about her, which she took no pains to conceal.

“I am told you wish to speak to me, Miss Dartle,” said I, standing near her, with my hand upon the back of the seat, and declining her gesture of invitation to sit down.

“If you please,” said she. “Pray has this girl been found?”

“No.”

“And yet she has run away!”

I saw her thin lips working while she looked at me, as if they were eager to load her with reproaches.