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change； which was an operation she very much disliked to perform。
But the present customer stood opposite to her； without asking for
anything； only looking fixedly at her as he drummed upon the table with
his fingers； just for all the world as Miss Jenkyns used to do。 Miss
Matty was on the point of asking him what he wanted （as she told me
afterwards）； when he turned sharp to me： 〃Is your name Mary Smith？〃
〃Yes！〃 said I。
All my doubts as to his identity were set at rest； and I only wondered
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what he would say or do next； and how Miss Matty would stand the
joyful shock of what he had to reveal。 Apparently he was at a loss how
to announce himself； for he looked round at last in search of something
to buy； so as to gain time； and； as it happened； his eye caught on the
almond…comfits； and he boldly asked for a pound of 〃those things。〃 I
doubt if Miss Matty had a whole pound in the shop； and； besides the
unusual magnitude of the order； she was distressed with the idea of the
indigestion they would produce； taken in such unlimited quantities。
She looked up to remonstrate。 Something of tender relaxation in his
face struck home to her heart。 She said； 〃It is … oh； sir！ can you be
Peter？〃 and trembled from head to foot。 In a moment he was round the
table and had her in his arms； sobbing the tearless cries of old age。 I
brought her a glass of wine； for indeed her colour had changed so as to
alarm me and Mr Peter too。 He kept saying； 〃I have been too sudden
for you； Matty … I have； my little girl。〃
I proposed that she should go at once up into the drawing…room and
lie down on the sofa there。 She looked wistfully at her brother； whose
hand she had held tight； even when nearly fainting； but on his assuring
her that he would not leave her； she allowed him to carry her upstairs。
I thought that the best I could do was to run and put the kettle on the
fire for early tea； and then to attend to the shop； leaving the brother and
sister to exchange some of the many thousand things they must have to
say。 I had also to break the news to Martha； who received it with a
burst of tears which nearly infected me。 She kept recovering herself to
ask if I was sure it was indeed Miss Matty's brother； for I had mentioned
that he had grey hair； and she had always heard that he was a very
handsome young man。 Something of the same kind perplexed Miss
Matty at tea…time； when she was installed in the great easy…chair
opposite to Mr Jenkyns in order to gaze her fill。 She could hardly drink
for looking at him； and as for eating； that was out of the question。
〃I suppose hot climates age people very quickly；〃 said she； almost to
herself。 〃When you left Cranford you had not a grey hair in your
head。〃
〃But how many years ago is that？〃 said Mr Peter； smiling。
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〃Ah； true！ yes； I suppose you and I are getting old。 But still I did
not think we were so very old！ But white hair is very becoming to you；
Peter；〃 she continued … a little afraid lest she had hurt him by revealing
how his appearance had impressed her。
〃I suppose I forgot dates too； Matty； for what do you think I have
brought for you from India？ I have an Indian muslin gown and a pearl
necklace for you somewhere in my chest at Portsmouth。〃 He smiled as
if amused at the idea of the incongruity of his presents with the
appearance of his sister； but this did not strike her all at once； while the
elegance of the articles did。 I could see that for a moment her
imagination dwelt complacently on the idea of herself thus attired； and
instinctively she put her hand up to her throat … that little delicate throat
which （as Miss Pole had told me） had been one of her youthful charms；
but the hand met the touch of folds of soft muslin in which she was
always swathed up to her chin； and the sensation recalled a sense of the
unsuitableness of a pearl necklace to her age。 She said； 〃I'm afraid I'm
too old； but it was very kind of you to think of it。 They are just what I
should have liked years ago … when I was young。〃
〃So I thought； my little Matty。 I remembered your tastes； they were
so like my dear mother's。〃 At the mention of that name the brother and
sister clasped each other's hands yet more fondly； and； although they
were perfectly silent； I fancied they might have something to say if they
were unchecked by my presence； and I got up to arrange my room for
Mr Peter's occupation that night； intending myself to share Miss Matty's
bed。 But at my movement； he started up。 〃I must go and settle about
a room at the 'George。' My carpet…bag is there too。〃
〃No！〃 said Miss Matty； in great distress … 〃you must not go； please；
dear Peter … pray； Mary … oh！ you must not go！〃
She was so much agitated that we both promised everything she
wished。 Peter sat down again and gave her his hand； which for better
security she held in both of hers； and I left the room to accomplish my
arrangements。
Long； long into the night； far； far into the morning； did Miss Matty
and I talk。 She had much to tell me of her brother's life and adventures；
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which he had communicated to her as they had sat alone。 She said all
was thoroughly clear to her； but I never quite understood the whole story；
and when in after days I l