He had been given an admirable opportunity of offering himself to Miss March, but there was no reason, apparent to him, why this should have been done.
Miss Annie, watching her aunt very carefully, and speaking but seldom, quite promptly made up her mind in regard to the matter.

She knew very well the bitter opposition of the old woman to a marriage between Junius and Miss March; and saw, as plainly as she saw the lamp on the table, that Roberta had been brought here on purpose to be sacrificed to Mr Croft.

Everything had been made ready, the altar cleared, and, as well as the old lady's grindstone would act, the knife sharpened.

"But," said Miss Annie to herself, "she needn't suppose that I am going to sit quiet and see all this going on, with Junius away off there in Washington, knowing nothing about any of it." Miss Roberta retired quite early to her room, having been fatigued by her long drive, and she was just about to put out her light when she heard a little knock at the door.

Opening it slightly, she saw there Junius Keswick's cousin, who also appeared quite ready for bed.
"May I come in for a minute ?" said Annie.
"Certainly," replied Miss March, admitting her, and closing the door after her.
"I have something to tell you," said the younger lady, admiring as she spoke, the length of her companion's braided hair.