She wheeled round and looked at Maggie, who was hospitably sitting on a low chair near the fire.

She was sorry for the loneliness of this girl's life.

She did not want her to go away just yet.

There was another chair by the fire, inviting Catrina to indulge in those maiden confidences which attach themselves to slippers and hair-brushings.
Maggie looked up with a smile which slowly ebbed away.

Catrina's remark was of the nature of a defiance.