found herself during the service
seated next to Mr. Merriman. It was the first time she had really
closely observed him, and she now noticed several peculiarities which
interested her a good deal. He had a dignified and very noble presence.
He was tall, with broad shoulders, had an aquiline nose, very piercing
dark eyes, black hair, which he wore somewhat long, and an olive-tinted
face.

Lucy did not in the least resemble her father, but took more after her
mother, who was round and fat, and proportionately commonplace. Rosamund
at first felt no degree of elation when her place was pointed out to her
next to the Professor. But suddenly encountering Lucy's angry eyes, she
began to take a naughty comfort to herself in her unexpected proximity.
She drew a little closer to him on purpose to annoy Lucy; and then, when
she found that he was short-sighted and could not find his places, she
found them for him, thus adding to poor Lucy's torment; for this had
once been Lucy's own seat, and she herself had seen to her father's
comforts. From attending on him, Rosamund began to watch him, and then
she found a good deal of food for meditation. In short, it is to be
feared that she did not follow the service as she ought to have done.
For the matter of that, neither did Lucy.

The Rectory near Sunnyside was occupied by a clergyman who had several
young daughters. These girls were very prepossessing in appearance.
Their father was a widower, their mother having died some years ago.
There were six girls, and as they trooped up the aisle, two by two, they
attracted Rosamund's attention. They were dressed very simply in
different shades of green. The two eldest had the darkest tone of color,
both in their hats and their quiet little costumes. The two next had
one shade lighter and the two youngest one shade lighter again. They
looked something like leaves as they went up the church, and they all
had one special characteristic--a great wealth of golden-brown hair,
which hung far down their backs. The two eldest girls must have varied
in age between fourteen and twelve, the two next between ten and eight,
and the little ones between seven and five. They had quiet, neatly cut
features, and serene eyes. They walked up the church very sedately, and
took their places in the Rectory pew. Rosamund longed to ask a thousand
questions about them. They were so much more interesting than the girls
who were staying at Sunnyside; they were so fresh,