high-backed oaken chair in which she sat, was not more upright

than she. Dressed with the utmost nicety and precision, in a

quaint mixture of by-gone costume, with some slight concessions

to the prevailing taste, which rather served to point the old

style pleasantly than to impair its effect, she sat, in a stately

manner, with her hands folded on the table before her. Her eyes

(and age had dimmed but little of their brightness) were

attentively upon her young companion.