Thereposeofdeathhadsoftenedthehardlinesoftheoldman’smouthandbrowintoaresemblanceshenowmorethaneverunderstood。Shehadstoodthusonlyafewyearsbefore，lookingatthesamefaceinagorgeouslyinlaidmahoganycasket，smotheredamidstcostlyflowers，andsurroundedbyfriendsattiredinalltheluxurioustrappingsofwoe；yetitwasthesamefacethatwasnowrigidlyupturnedtothebarethatchandraftersofthatcrumblingcottage，herselfitsonlycompanion。Sheliftedherdelicateveilwithbothhands，and，stoopingdown，kissedthehard，coldforehead，withoutatremor。Thenshedroppedherveilagainoverherdryeyes，readjusteditinthelittle，cheap，black-framedmirrorthathungagainstthewall，andopenedthedoorasthegranddaughterreturned。Thegentlemanwasjustcomingfromthestation。
\"RemembertolookoutformeatYork，\"saidMissDesborough，extendingherglovedhand。\"Good-bytillthen。\"TheyounggirlrespectfullytouchedtheendsofMissDesborough’sfingers，droppedacurtsy，andMissDesboroughrejoinedtheconsul。
\"YouhavebarelytimetoreturntothePrioryandseetoyourluggage，\"saidtheconsul，\"ifyoumustgo。Butletmehopethatyouhavechangedyourmind。\"
\"Ihavenotchangedmymind，\"saidMissDesboroughquietly，\"andmybaggageisalreadypacked。\"Afterapause，shesaidthoughtfully，\"I’vebeenwondering\"——
\"What？\"saidtheconsuleagerly。