A woman was seated near the little window, in a stiff-backed chair, dividing her attention between a half-finished stocking and a number of some weekly newspaper of the cheapest class, full of wonderful cuts and more wonderful stories.
She looked up quickly as Miss Chase entered, gave out an evil, wicked glance, which appeared natural to her, although the general appearance of her face was quiet and commonplace enough.
"So you've come," was her only salutation.
"I was constantly occupied; it was impossible for me to get away until now."
"You needn't lie," returned the woman, curtly.
She seated herself opposite the female and untied her bonnet-strings, looking placid and at home, as she invariably was in all places and under all circumstances.
The woman glanced keenly at her, and a strange sort of affectionate look crept over her face.
"You're brooding mischief," she pronounced suddenly and emphatically, as if she would permit no contradiction.
"'Cause you grow good-looking; when you get that bright, contented look, I always know there's something in the wind."
"You are very wise," replied Sybil, evincing no displeasure at the accusation, which would have struck many persons unpleasantly.
"Yes; I ain't blind; I've generally kept my eyes open going through this world."
"That is the only way, if one does not wish to run against the wall."
"As you did once," retorted the woman, with a chuckle; "you know you did that, cute as you think yourself."
"I have not forgotten it," replied Sybil, coolly; "the hurt taught me to keep my eyes open too."
"Learned you to look before you leap," said the woman. "Well, I guess you owe a good deal to my lessons."
Sybil did not answer, but shrugged her shoulders slightly, and gazed out of the window, occupied with her own reflections.
"Now don't act as if I was a log of wood," said the woman, fretfully; "there's nothing makes me so mad."
"I was waiting to hear what you would say next."
"Well, look at me; I don't charge any thing for the sight! I used to be worth the trouble of turning round to see, I did; I was better looking than you are or ever will be--but that's all over. Just say what you're after now."
"I came because I thought you wanted something."