Lydia leaned back in her chair and looked at Mrs. Skene with a curious expression which soon brightened into an irrepressible smile. Mrs. Skene smiled very slightly in complaisance, but conveyed by her serious brow that what she had said was no laughing matter.
“ I must take some time to consider all that you have so eloquently urged, ” said Lydia. “ I am in earnest, Mrs. Skene; you have produced a great effect upon me. Now let us talk of something else for the present. Your daughter is quite well, I hope. ”
“ Thank you kindly, ma ’ am, she enjoys her health. ”
“ And you also? ”
“ I am as well as can be expected, ” said Mrs. Skene, too fond of commiseration to admit that she was perfectly well.
“ You must have a rare sense of security, ” said Lydia, watching her, “ being happily marri
