The young woman seemed surprised at his appearance, and asked him where his mother was.

When Paul told her she was dead, she took her gloves off, and did what he wanted; and furthermore rubbed his hands to warm them; and gave him a kiss; and told him whenever he wanted anything of that sort--meaning in the dressing way--to ask for 'Melia; which Paul, thanking her very much, said he certainly would.

He then proceeded softly on his journey downstairs, towards the room in which the young gentlemen resumed their studies, when, passing by a door that stood ajar, a voice from within cried, 'Is that Dombey ?' On Paul replying, 'Yes, Ma'am:' for he knew the voice to be Miss Blimber's: Miss Blimber said, 'Come in, Dombey.' And in he went.

Miss Blimber presented exactly the appearance she had presented yesterday, except that she wore a shawl.

Her little light curls were as crisp as ever, and she had already her spectacles on, which made Paul wonder whether she went to bed in them.