She received them with her cambric handkerchief pressed to her eyes, from which, by dint of effort, she succeeded in squeezing a few formal tears, and, while her bosom appeared to heave with emotion, she was mentally calculating how much Colonel Preston had probably left.
"Shan't I stay with you, my dear Mrs.Preston ?" said worthy Mrs.
Cameron, in a tone full of warm interest and sympathy.
"Thank you," said Mrs.Preston, in a low voice; "you are very kind, but I would rather be left alone." "But it must be so sad for you to be alone in your sorrow," said her neighbor.
"No.

I can bear sorrow better alone," said the newly made widow.
"Perhaps I am peculiar, but I would prefer it." "If you really wish it," said the other, reluctantly.
"Yes, I wish it.

Thank you for your kind offer, but I know my own feelings, and the presence of others would only increase my pain." This was what she said to others who made the same offer.

It did not excite great surprise, for Mrs.Preston had never leaned upon anyone for sympathy, nor was she ready with her sympathy when others were in trouble.

She was self-poised and self-contained, and, in fact, for this reason was not popular with her neighbors.