king upon it as a family possession which
reflected credit on one and all. "That's one mistake he will never make
again, however much confused he may get among six sisters!"

Conversation at the dinner table was of a general character; but every
now and then Nan found an opportunity of exchanging a few quiet remarks
with Gervase Vanburgh, who sat next herself, the result of which was to
assure her that she had found a character as diametrically different
from her own as it was possible to imagine. She was full of energy, he
was languid to the verge of apathy; she had hard and fast opinions to
offer on every topic, known or unknown, while his "Don't know!" and
"Couldn't say!" repeated themselves with wearisome echo. She was afire
with ardour, with enthusiasm, with the burning desire to right all
wrongs, redress all evils, bring peace on earth, and start the
millennium without a moment's delay; judging from appearances, he seemed
incapable of any sort of emotion, and possessed with the conviction that
nothing was really worth taking any trouble about.

Nan grew irritated beyond measure, wriggled about on her seat, shrugged
her shoulders, and crumbled her bread, unconscious alike of her father's
smiles and her mother's frowns, and, when actions failed to relieve her
feelings, was forced into emphatic speech.

"Nothing interests you, nothing gives you pleasure! You care for
nothing, you hope for nothing! I wouldn't be like you for the whole
wide world!" she declared; and Gervase Vanburgh fixed his melancholy
eyes upon her, and said tragically--

"And I would give the whole wide world if I could once more care and
hope like you!"

This was disconcerting. Nan had not expected so speedy a concession,
and she followed her mother from the room oppressed by the remembrance
of that melancholy look, and consumed with curiosity as to its cause.
Money anxiety it could not be, seeing that Mr Vanburgh's heir need
never fear want; but a broken home, disappointed love, and faithless
friendship held out wide avenues for speculation. Nan sat and pondered,
listening meekly to her mother's reproofs, while inside the dining-room
Mr Rendell could not resist putting a home question to his visitor.

"You were amused by my little girl's enthusiasm! I saw her growing hot
and eager, and had a strong suspicion that you were leading her on! She
is a most fervent young person, and cannot understand being less than in
deadly earnest over