CHAPTER XI 120
A snug small room ; a round table by a cheerful fire ; an arm-chair high-backed and old-fashioned , wherein sat the neatest imaginable little elderly lady , in widow ' s cap , black silk gown , and snowy muslin apron ; exactly like what I had fancied Mrs . Fairfax , only less stately and milder looking . She was occupied in knitting ; a large cat sat demurely at her feet ; nothing in short was wanting to complete the beau-ideal of domestic comfort . A more reassuring introduction for a new governess could scarcely be conceived ; there was no grandeur to overwhelm , no stateliness to embarrass ; and then , as I entered , the old lady got up and promptly and kindly came forward to meet me .
" How do you do , my dear ? I am afraid you have had a tedious ride ; John drives so slowly ; you must be cold , come to the fire ."
" Mrs . Fairfax , I suppose ?" said I . " Yes , you are right : do sit down ."
She conducted me to her own chair , and then began to remove my shawl and untie my bonnet-strings ; I begged she would not give herself so much trouble .
" Oh , it is no trouble ; I dare say your own hands are almost numbed with cold . Leah , make a little hot negus and cut a sandwich or two : here are the keys of the storeroom ."
And she produced from her pocket a most housewifely bunch of keys , and delivered them to the servant .
" Now , then , draw nearer to the fire ," she continued . " You ' ve brought your luggage with you , haven ' t you , my dear ?"
" Yes , ma ' am ." " I ' ll see it carried into your room ," she said , and bustled out .