It was a parlor of the past, and not of to-day, yet exquisitely neat and well-kept.

The Turkey carpet was faded: it had been part of the wedding furnishing of Grace's mother, years ago.

The great, wide, motherly, chintz-covered sofa, which filled a recess commanding the window, was as different as possible from any smart modern article of the name.

The heavy, claw-footed, mahogany chairs; the tall clock that ticked in one corner; the footstools and ottomans in faded embroidery,--all spoke of days past.

So did the portraits on the wall.
One was of a fair, rosy young girl, in a white gown, with powdered hair dressed high over a cushion.