THE BEAUTIFUL SOUL. 153

visitors; but Lucy had scarcely scen her, 59
entirely had her attention been engaged by the
woman who came forward to receive her father.
She was apparently about fifty years of age,
and wore a plain cap, which only showed a little
of her black hair, mixed with grey, smoothly
brushed back behind her ears. Her complexion
was sallow and unhealthy, and her features
plain; yet her countenance was so peaceful and
so kind in its expression, so full of a humble,
cheerful spirit, that it gave one pleasure to look
at it. But Lucy only saw this afterward; at
first she could sce nothing but her crooked and
bent back—for Eliza Bennet’s spine had been
injured—and she could not stand erect, while a
large hump upon one shoulder made her appear
to be bowing down under a heavy burden. She
often suffered severe illness, and almost always
endured great pain from this spinal injury; yet
hor dress, though coarse, was scrupulously clean,
and put on with neatness and care, and her
room was in perfect order. The stove was jet
black, and highly polished ; the hearth was bright,

the rag carpet was well swept, the painted cup-