'
So down to the drawing-room we went; and Cousin Monica entered, leading us
both by the hands.
By this time the curtains were closed, and the drawing-room dependent on
the pleasant glow of the fire, and the slight provisional illumination
usual before dinner.
'Here are my two cousins,' began Lady Knollys: 'this is Miss Ruthyn, of
Knowl, whom I take the liberty of calling Maud; and this is Miss Millicent
Ruthyn, Silas's daughter, you know, whom I venture to call Milly; and they
are very pretty, as you will see, when we get a little more light, and they
know it very well themselves.'
And as she spoke, a frank-eyed, gentle, prettyish lady, not so tall as I,
but with a very kind face, rose up from a book of prints, and, smiling,
took our hands.
She was by no means young, as I then counted youth--past thirty, I
suppose--and with an air that was very quiet, and friendly, and engaging.
She had never been a mere fashionable woman plainly; but she had the ease
and polish of the best society, and seemed to take a kindly interest both
in Milly and me; and Cousin Monica called her Mary, and sometimes Polly.
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