stances with
a conscientious fixedness which was at least very far removed from
indifference. Bernard had the gift of sympathy--or at least he was
supposed to have it; but even he, familiar as he must therefore have
been with the practice of this charming virtue, was at times so
struck with his friend's fine faculty of taking other people's affairs
seriously that he constantly exclaimed to himself, "The excellent
fellow--the admirable nature!"

Bernard had two or three questions to ask about the three persons who
appeared to have formed for some time his companion's principal society,
but he was indisposed to press them. He felt that he should see for
himself, and at a prospect of entertainment of this kind, his
fancy always kindled. Gordon was, moreover, at first rather shy of
confidences, though after they had lain on the grass ten minutes there
was a good deal said.

"Now what do you think of her face?" Gordon asked, after staring a while
at the sky through the oak-boughs.

"Of course, in future," said Longueville, "whenever you make use of
the personal pronoun feminine, I am to understand that Miss Vivian is
indicated."

"Her name is Angela," said Gordon; "but of course I can scarcely call
her that."

"It 's a beautiful name," Longueville rejoined; "but I may say, in
answer to your question, that I am not struck with the fact that her
face corresponds to it."

"You don't think her face beautiful, then?"

"I don't think it angelic. But how can I tell? I have only had a glimpse
of her."

"Wait till she looks at you and speaks--wait till she smiles," said
Gordon.

"I don't think I saw her smile--at least, not at me, directly. I hope
she will!" Longueville went on. "But who is she--this beautiful girl
with the beautiful name?"

"She is her mother's daughter," said Gordon Wright. "I don't really know
a great deal more about her than that."

"And who is her mother?"

"A delightful little woman, devoted to Miss Vivian. She is a widow, and
Angela is her only child. They have lived a great deal in Europe; they
have but a modest income. Over here, Mrs. Vivian says, they can get a
lot of things for their money that they can't get at home. So they stay,
you see. When they are at home they live in New York. They know some of
my people there. When they are in Europe they live about in different
places. They are fond of Italy. They are extremely nice; it 's
impossible to be nicer. They are very fond of books, fon