In Mr. Thornton's house, at this very same time, a similar, yet different scene was going on. A large-boned lady, long past middle age, sat at work in a grim handsomely-furnished dining-room. Her features, like her frame, were strong and massive, rather than heavy. Her face moved slowly from one decided expression to another equally decided. There was no great variety in her countenance; but those who looked at it once, generally looked at it again; even the passers by in the street, half-turned their heads to gaze an instant longer at the firm, severe, dignified woman, who never gave way in street-courtesy, or paused in her straight-onward course to the clearly defined end which she proposed to herself.

In Mr. Thornton's house, at this very same time, a similar scene was going on. A large-boned lady, long past middle age, sat at work in a grim handsomely-furnished dining-room. Her features were strong and massive, and held a decided expression. She was a firm, severe, dignified woman,