, Roland being third mate, got
acquainted long of her, and she was bound for Port Tobacco, where she had
business in the neighborhood concerning her late husband's affairs, and so
she come down from Baltimore long o' Roland, and he fotch her here, and
what could I do, sez I? I couldn't turn her out'n doors, could I? And she
and Roland are that thick together as I sometimes s'picions mebbe as she's
his own mother; for, you know, nobody knows who Roland's people are--a
child which was flung ashore by the sea when the _Carrier Pigeon_ was
wrecked."

"But if she was she would say so, wouldn't she?" inquired Mrs. Hedge.

"I don't know. I don't know. Sometimes I think I will ask her if she ever
had a long-lost child. But, sez I, it's a delicate question, sez I, to ask
of a strange woman, sez I. And so I think I'll wait and see how things
will turn out. Anyhow, you'll see her at tea time, and Roland, too, and
just you take notice!"

And so saying, Miss Sibby attended her guests--who had finished their
toilets--downstairs.

A neat, old, colored woman was engaged in setting the table for tea.

"Put seven plates and seven cups and saucers, Mocka. I spects young Mr.
Force will come in along of Master Roland," said Miss Sibby, as she once
more seated herself among her guests around the fire.

Presently the inner door opened and a very fine-looking woman of about
thirty-five years of age entered the room. She was a brilliant brunette,
with a great quantity of rippling black hair covering a well-shaped head.
Her features were, perhaps, rather coarse, her face and form rather too
full, and her stature too low, but her eyes were large, black and
beautiful, and shaded by long and very thick black lashes, and arched by
heavy black brows; her mouth was large but well formed, plump and red, and
her complexion was rich and beautiful beyond description. A strikingly
handsome woman she would have been called anywhere. She wore a black silk
dress, with fine lace ruffles at the throat and wrists; a pearl brooch and
a very heavy gold watch chain.

She waddled into the room, with an easy, rolling motion, and nodded
graciously to the company assembled there.

She looked doubtful, the sisters thought. She might be a lady, but--

As soon as she spoke all doubts were set at rest.

"Mrs. Wright, 'low me to introduce you to Mrs. Hedge, and to Miss
Grandiere, also to little Miss Hedge," said the hostess, rising and
formally presenting the str