It seemed to fling itself over the grim old house as if intent on bombarding it with an alien life and joyousness . Eric knocked at the door , wondering if it might be possible that Kilmeny should come to it . But a moment later it was opened by an elderly woman -- a woman of rigid lines from the hem of her lank , dark print dress to the crown of her head , covered with black hair which , despite its few gray threads , was still thick and luxuriant . She had a long , pale face somewhat worn and wrinkled , but possessing a certain harsh comeliness of feature which neither age nor wrinkles had quite destroyed ; and her deep-set , light gray eyes were not devoid of suggested kindliness , although they now surveyed Eric with an unconcealed hostility . Her figure , in its merciless dress , was very angular ; yet there was about her a dignity of carriage and manner which Eric liked . In any case , he preferred her unsmiling dourness to vulgar garrulity . He lifted his hat . `` Have I the honour of speaking to Miss Gordon ? '' he asked . `` I am Janet Gordon , '' said the woman stiffly . `` Then I wish to talk with you and your brother . '' `` Come in . '' She stepped aside and motioned him to a low brown door opening on the right . `` Go in and sit down . I 'll call Thomas , '' she said coldly , as she walked out through the hall . Eric walked into the parlour and sat down as bidden . He found himself in the most old-fashioned room he had ever seen . The solidly made chairs and tables , of some wood grown dark and polished with age , made even Mrs. Williamson 's `` parlour set '' of horsehair seem extravagantly modern by contrast . The painted floor was covered with round braided rugs . On the centre table was a lamp , a Bible and some theological volumes contemporary with the square-runged furniture .
The walls , wainscoted half way up in wood and covered for the rest with a dark , diamond - patterned paper , were hung with faded engravings , mostly XXXXX clerical-looking , bewigged personages in gowns and bands .
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