The speaker was Mrs. Hill, and the person addressed was her wealthy cousin. It was two days after the event recorded in the last chapter.

 

"I am only writing a note, about which there is no haste. Did you wish to speak to me?"

 

Mrs. Hamilton leaned back in her chair, and waited to hear what Mrs. Hill had to say. There was very little similarity between the two ladies. One was stout¹, with a pleasant, benevolent² face, to whom not only children, but older people, were irresistibly³ attracted. The other was thin, with cold, gray eyes, a pursed-up mouth, thin lips, who had never succeeded in winning the affection of anyone. True, she had married, but her husband was attracted by a small sum of money which she possessed⁴, and which had been reported to him as much larger than it really was.

 

When asked if she wished to speak, Mrs. Hill coughed.

 

"There's a matter I think I ought to speak of," she said, "but it is painful for me to do so."

 

"Why is it painful?" asked Mrs. Hamilton, eyeing her steadily⁵.

 

"Because my motives⁶ may be misconstrued. Then, I fear it will give you pain."

 

"Pain is sometimes salutary. Has Conrad displeased⁷ you?"

 

"No, indeed!" answered Mrs. Hill, half indignantly. "My boy is a great comfort to me."

 

"I am glad to hear it," said Mrs. Hamilton dryly.

 

For her own part, Mrs. Hamilton thought her cousin's son one of the least attractive young people she had ever met, and save for a feeling of pity, and the slight claims of relationship, would not have been willing to keep him in the house.

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