own?" said a melodious voice. "Pray take a seat! I
cannot wait upon you myself, as you see, but I can recommend that old
saddle-bag. It is most comfortable." As he spoke, the invalid waved
his hand towards a chair near his own, and Nan seated herself upon it in
silence, glancing timidly in his face. This dumbness was appalling.
She racked her brains to think of something to say, but no ideas were
forthcoming; she could only twist her fingers in embarrassment, and wait
another lead.

"It is most kind of you to come to see me on such a tempestuous
afternoon," Mr Vanburgh continued politely. "I did not expect any
callers. Ladies, as a rule, are not fond of venturing out in the rain,
unless they have special business on hand."

Bravo! Here was a lead at last! What could be better than to follow up
the suggestion of a business call? Nan asked herself eagerly. Mrs
Maitland had regretted the loss of subscriptions upon which she had
counted from the wealthy owner of the Grange: would it not be a good
action if she could draw Mr Vanburgh's attention to the needs of the
Incurables, and induce him to promise a subscription? She would not
take the money, but leave the address of the secretary, to whom it could
be forwarded. Oh, it was admirable--an admirable idea! The afternoon's
escapade would lead to good after all. Nan's elastic spirits rose with
a bound, and she smiled upon her companion with restored equanimity.

"I have a special business. I did not come merely to pay a call, but to
ask your help for a cause in which I am much interested. I hoped that
you might feel inclined to give a subscription, and can assure you that
any sum which you may decide to give--"

To her dismay, the benevolent expression upon the watching face
disappeared, as she spoke, to give place to one of suspicion and
distrust. Mr Vanburgh moved himself on his pillows, so as to face her
more fully, and stared at her fixedly, beneath frowning brows.

"You want a subscription! You have come here to beg--to ask for money?"

"But not for myself!" explained Nan eagerly. The scrutiny bent upon her
was so searching that she felt bound to protest against a personal
interest. "It was for a charity, a local hospital, which is in want of
funds. It was thought--I thought that, as a newcomer to the
neighbourhood, you might like to hear about the various organisations,
and to give some support. There is a large poor population at Sale, a
mi