'She has guessed where I am, and has sent for me, the meddlesome old--' But here a tap at our room door stopped her outburst.
As Lady Betty made no response, I said, 'Come in,' and immediately a respectable-looking woman appeared in the doorway.
She looked like a superior lady's-maid, and had a plain face much marked by the smallpox, and rather dull light-coloured eyes.
'Well, Leah,' demanded Lady Betty, rather sulkily, 'what is your business with Miss Garston ?' 'My business is with you, Lady Betty,' returned the woman good-humouredly.

'Master came in just now and asked where you were; I think he told Miss Darrell that it was too late for you to be out walking: so Miss Darrell said she believed you were at the White Cottage, for she saw your muff lying on Miss Garston's table; so she told me to step up here, as it was too dark for you to walk alone, and I was to tell you that they would be waiting dinner.' 'It is just like her interference,' muttered Lady Betty.

'But I suppose there would be a pretty fuss if I let the dinner spoil.

Help me on with my jacket, Leah; as you have come when no one wanted you, you had better make yourself useful.' She spoke with the peremptoriness of a spoiled child, but the woman smiled pleasantly and did as she was bid.

She seemed a civil sort of person, evidently an old family servant.