Nina, from her place by the window, could see out through the arch, and no one therefore could come through their gate while she was at her seat without passing under her eye; but on this occasion the birds had distracted her attention, and she had not caught a sight of the woman's face or figure.

Could it be her aunt come to torture her again--her and her father?
She knew that Souchey was down-stairs, hanging somewhere in idleness about the door, and therefore she did not leave her place.

If it were indeed her aunt, her aunt might come up there to seek her.

Or it might possibly be Lotta Luxa, who, next to her aunt, was of all women the most disagreeable to Nina.

Lotta, indeed, was not so hard to bear as aunt Sophie, because Lotta could be answered sharply, and could be told to go, if matters proceeded to extremities.