His master now had had time to follow and
to see that Bunchie's new friend was a tall girl in a black dress, who
at first sight looked pretty. She was bareheaded, as if she were
staying in the house- a fact which conveyed perplexity to the son of
its master, conscious of that immunity from visitors which had for
some time been rendered necessary by the latter's ill-health. Meantime
the two other gentlemen had also taken note of the new-comer.
"Dear me, who's that strange woman?" Mr. Touchett had asked.
"Perhaps it's Mrs. Touchett's niece- the independent young lady,"
Lord Warburton suggested. "I think she must be, from the way she
handles the dog."
The collie, too, had now allowed his attention to be diverted, and
he trotted toward the young lady in the doorway, slowly setting his
tail in motion as he went.
"But where's my wife then?" murmured the old man.
"I suppose the young lady has left her somewhere: that's a part of
the independence."
The girl spoke to Ralph, smiling, while she still held up the
terrier. "Is this your little dog, sir?"
"He was mine a moment ago; but you've suddenly acquired a remarkable
air of property in him.
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