could not help acknowledging to myself that I
had rarely seen a handsomer or finer-looking woman. She still retained
somewhat of her haughty air, though softened down, and I could hardly
fancy, when looking at her, that Emily's account of her behaviour in
the hours when she gave herself up to enjoyment could be true. I soon,
however, became aware of circumstances that tended to corroborate the
tale, and which put me in the way of making advances to her, which I
hastened to do.

When it came to be time to dress for dinner, Lady Middleton said to me
that she had presumed on our relationship to put me into the family
wing of the house, as the arrival of some unexpected visitors had made
her change the destination of the room she had previously intended for
me. She said she had no doubt I would find the one set apart for me
quite comfortable, for the only objection to it, and which prevented
her from being able to put a stranger into it, was that it opened into
another room which would have to be occupied by her son Frank, who was
expected home from school in a short time. This last room, in
consequence of some alterations made in building an addition to the
house, had no separate entrance, but opened into the two rooms on each
side, and as the one on the other side was occupied by his sister and
aunt, Frank would have to enter through mine. She said I must keep him
in order and make him behave himself, and if I had any trouble with him
to let her know. I had not seen my young namesake for about two years,
but I recollected him as a fine, high-spirited, very handsome boy about
twelve or thirteen years of age, always getting into some scrape or
other and always getting out of them somehow in such a fearless,
good-humoured manner that it was impossible for anyone to be angry with
him. So I said I should be delighted to renew my acquaintance with my
young friend, and that I had not the least doubt but that we should get
on very pleasantly.

On going to my room to dress for dinner, I found a servant-girl engaged
in making some of the arrangements which the change of apartments had
necessitated. On my entrance she was going to leave the room, but
seeing that she was a very nice-looking young girl, I said she need not
run away in such a hurry, that surely she was not afraid of me. She
gave me an arch look as if taking the measure of my capacities, and
replied with a smile that she did not think she need be afraid of such
a nic