Kilmeny of the Orchard 
     
    
   
   
    
     few gray threads, was still thick and lux— 
     
     uriant. She had a long, pale face some- 
     
     what worn and wrinkled, but possessing 
     
     a certain harsh comeliness of feature 
     
     which neither age nor wrinkles had quite 
     
     destroyed; and her deep—set, light gray 
     
     eyes were not devoid of suggested kindli- 
     
     ness, although they now surveyed Eric 
     
     with an unconcealed hostility. Her fig- 
     
     ure, in its merciless dress, was very 
     
     angular; yet there was about her a 
     
     dignity of carriage and manner which 
     
     Eric liked. In any case, he preferred 
     
     her unsmiling dourness to vulgar garru— 
     
     lity. 
     
    

    
     He lifted his hat. 
     
    

    
     “ Have I the honour of speaking to 
     
     Miss Gordon? ” he asked. 
     
    

    
     “ I am Janet Gordon,” said the woman 
     
     stiffly. 
     
    

    
     “ Then I wish to talk with you and with 
     
     your brother.” 
     
    

    
     “ Come in.” 
     
    

    
     She stepped aside and motioned him 
     
    

    
     158