"
"But what of Mrs. Allen?" I asked, in astonishment at all this.
"The stories about her reception of the strangers do not agree.
According to one, the old lady was all resistance and indignation at
this intrusion; according to another, she gave way, passively, as if
she were no longer sole mistress of the house."
Constance ceased speaking, for there came the usual interruption to
our evening _tete-a-tete_--the ringing of my office bell.
"You are wanted up at the Allen House, Doctor, said my boy, coming
in from the office a few moments afterwards.
"Who is sick?" I asked.
"The old lady."
"Any thing serious?"
"I don't know, sir. But I should think there was from the way old
Aunty looked. She says, come up as quickly as you can."
"Is she in the office?"
"No, sir. She just said that, and then went out in a hurry."
"The plot thickens," said I, looking at Constance.
"Poor old lady!" There was a shade of pity in her tones.
"You have not seen her for many years?"
"No."
"Poor old witch of Endor! were better said."
"Oh!" answered my wife, smiling, "you know that the painter's idea
of this celebrated individual has been reversed by some, who affirm
that she was young and handsome instead of old and ugly like modern
witches.
Pages:
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83