.
"The people who want to take a house are the born enemies of the people
who want to let a house. Odd--isn't it, Vanborough?"

Mr. Vanborough's sullen humor resisted his friend as obstinately as it
had resisted his wife.

"I dare say," he answered. "I wasn't listening."

This time the tone was almost brutal. Mrs. Vanborough looked at her
husband with unconcealed surprise and distress.

"John!" she said. "What _can_ be the matter with you? Are you in pain?"

"A man may be anxious and worried, I suppose, without being actually in
pain."

"I am sorry to hear you are worried. Is it business?"

"Yes--business."

"Consult Mr. Kendrew."

"I am waiting to consult him."

Mrs. Vanborough rose immediately. "Ring, dear," she said, "when you
want coffee." As she passed her husband she stopped and laid her hand
tenderly on his forehead. "I wish I could smooth out that frown!" she
whispered. Mr. Vanborough impatiently shook his head. Mrs. Vanborough
sighed as she turned to the door. Her husband called to her before she
could leave the room.

"Mind we are not interrupted!"

"I will do my best, John." She looked at Mr. Kendrew, holding the door
open for her; and resumed, with an effort, her former lightness of tone.
"But don't forget our 'born enemies!' Somebody may come, even at this
hour of the evening, who wants to see the house."

The two gentlemen were left alone over their wine. There was a strong
personal contrast between them. Mr. Vanborough was tall and dark--a
dashing, handsome man; with an energy in his face which all the world
saw; with an inbred falseness under it which only a special observer
could detect. Mr. Kendrew was short and light--slow and awkward in
manner, except when something happened to rouse him. Looking in _his_
face, the world saw an ugly and undemonstrative little man. The special
observer, penetrating under the surface, found a fine nature beneath,
resting on a steady foundation of honor and truth.

Mr. Vanborough opened the conversation.

"If you ever marry," he said, "don't be such a fool, Kendrew, as I have
been. Don't take a wife from the stage."

"If I could get such a wife as yours," replied the other, "I would take
her from the stage to-morrow. A beautiful woman, a clever woman, a woman
of unblemished character, and a woman who truly loves you. Man alive!
what do you want more?"

"I want a great deal more. I want a woman highly connected and highly
bred--a woman who can rece