could congratulate me upon some more tangible quality,' said
the younger man, sadly no less than modestly.

'Nonsense! that will come with time. You are young: all your life is
before you. Now look--see how far back in the mists of antiquity my own
family of Swancourt have a root. Here, you see,' he continued, turning
to the page, 'is Geoffrey, the one among my ancestors who lost a barony
because he would cut his joke. Ah, it's the sort of us! But the story
is too long to tell now. Ay, I'm a poor man--a poor gentleman, in fact:
those I would be friends with, won't be friends with me; those who are
willing to be friends with me, I am above being friends with. Beyond
dining with a neighbouring incumbent or two, and an occasional
chat--sometimes dinner--with Lord Luxellian, a connection of mine, I am
in absolute solitude--absolute.'

'You have your studies, your books, and your--daughter.'

'Oh yes, yes; and I don't complain of poverty. Canto coram latrone.
Well, Mr. Smith, don't let me detain you any longer in a sick room. Ha!
that reminds me of a story I once heard in my younger days.' Here
the vicar began a series of small private laughs, and Stephen looked
inquiry. 'Oh, no, no! it is too bad--too bad to tell!' continued Mr.
Swancourt in undertones of grim mirth. 'Well, go downstairs; my daughter
must do the best she can with you this evening. Ask her to sing to
you--she plays and sings very nicely. Good-night; I feel as if I had
known you for five or six years. I'll ring for somebody to show you
down.'

'Never mind,' said Stephen, 'I can find the way.' And he went
downstairs, thinking of the delightful freedom of manner in the remoter
counties in comparison with the reserve of London.

'I forgot to tell you that my father was rather deaf,' said Elfride
anxiously, when Stephen entered the little drawing-room.

'Never mind; I know all about it, and we are great friends,' the man of
business replied enthusiastically. 'And, Miss Swancourt, will you kindly
sing to me?'

To Miss Swancourt this request seemed, what in fact it was,
exceptionally point-blank; though she guessed that her father had some
hand in framing it, knowing, rather to her cost, of his unceremonious
way of utilizing her for the benefit of dull sojourners. At the same
time, as Mr. Smith's manner was too frank to provoke criticism, and his
age too little to inspire fear, she was ready--not to say pleased--to
accede. Selecting from the canterbury s