Tales of the Work-Room. the Sisters (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 edition. Excerpt: ...you know, there is really a beauty at three and a half, only the lace is not good." "Did you hear her name?" Edith unconsciously looked up from her work, as she waited the reply in intense anxiety. "Charles said it was Hamilton--Miss Julia Hamilton, but I did not hear it myself. There's some mystery about her, you may depend upon that." "Edith, are you ill?" whispered Kate; "your colour has been changing like a chameleon for the last ten minutes." "Do not notice it, Katie, I shall be calm in a moment." Who could tell the concentrated feeling of that moment?--the earnest prayer that, from her inmost soul, was rising for her sister. A gentle tap at the door announced the very unusual appearance of a visitor. A lady entered, whose deep black veil concealed her face, and enquired in a sweet low voice for Miss Stapleton. "She is not yet returned," said Kate Maddon, always the acknowledged head of the room in the absence of the manager, "but we are expecting her directly; will you take a chair and wait for her?" The visitor silently complied with her request, and turning away from the work table, occupied the time by unconsciously closing and unclosing Miss Stapleton's scissors. "I'll bet you what you like that's Harriet Shirley," said Jane; "I should just like to let her know her place is not among us now." "Hush, Jane " whispered Katie; "do not oppress the fallen. Her visit is to Miss Stapleton, not to us." "Well," rejoined Jane, in the same undertone, "if I was she, I'd sooner go a hundred miles off than face Miss Stapleton; but here she comes." As that lady entered, she looked surprised at the presence of a...