ng on the walls,
carved oak cabinets full of curios, a figure of a knight in armour, and
curious Eastern-looking lamps burning dimly in the distance; but the
butler looked so very solemn and imposing that I dared not stare as much
as I should have liked. `Is Mr Vanburgh at home?' I asked; and he
inclined his head in a gracious bow. `He is at home, madam, but is not
receiving visitors.' I drew out my cards, and said, `I am sorry to miss
seeing him. I hope he is not more unwell than usual to-day?' He bowed
again, like a mechanical figure, and said, `Mr Vanburgh charges me to
say, madam, that as he is unable to return visits, he must deprive
himself of the pleasure of receiving them while in Waybourne.' I never
felt so small in my life. Dismissed on the doorstep, and sent away like
a child! I don't know how I looked, or what I said. My one idea was to
get out of the man's sight as quickly as possible; and the door had no
sooner closed on him than I began dreading Kit's disappointment. It was
a most trying experience! Father has gone for a walk, and I came in to
break the news to you!"

She looked appealingly at Kitty as she finished, and met a glance of
blackest gloom. This was indeed a blow. Not only were there no Miss
Vanburghs, but the only Vanburgh who was left refused to open his door
to visitors!

"Piteous!" cried Chrissie; and Agatha struck her hands together in
despair.

"There ought to be a law about it--a law to prevent hermits from buying
the best houses in a neighbourhood. Does he mean to say that he will
see nobody?" she cried. "Perhaps he didn't know who you were, Mrs
Maitland. He takes an interest in us, we know, for we have _seen_ him
staring across. Perhaps if he had known you belonged to Kitty, it might
have been different. Mother, you will go all the same, won't you? You
won't give up without trying?"

Mrs Rendell shrugged her shoulders.

"I am not particularly anxious to be turned away from the door, and I
see no reason why I should be treated better than Mrs Maitland. The
servant is evidently entrusted with a general message. I think the best
thing will be to send father across on Saturday afternoon, to see if the
rule applies to ladies only. If Mr Vanburgh really wants to be quiet,
we can't force ourselves upon him. I am sorry the Grange is not let to
more interesting people, but we must make the best of it. It has
evidently been chosen as a museum in which to store a co