g at it with my friendly interest
in the family, I thought it very remarkable. I said to myself--Charming,
Characteristic, Memorable. Not like her sister, not like her mother. No
doubt, the image of her father?"

Once more Miss Garth attempted to stem the man's flow of words. It was
plain that he did not know Mr. Vanstone, even by sight--otherwise he
would never have committed the error of supposing that Magdalen took
after her father. Did he know Mrs. Vanstone any better? He had left Miss
Garth's question on that point unanswered. In the name of wonder, who
was he? Powers of impudence! what did he want?

"You may be a friend of the family, though I don't remember your face,"
said Miss Garth. "What may your commands be, if you please? Did you come
here to pay Mrs. Vanstone a visit?"

"I had anticipated the pleasure of communicating with Mrs. Vanstone,"
answered this inveterately evasive and inveterately civil man. "How is
she?"

"Much as usual," said Miss Garth, feeling her resources of politeness
fast failing her.

"Is she at home?"

"No."

"Out for long?"

"Gone to London with Mr. Vanstone."

The man's long face suddenly grew longer. His bilious brown eye looked
disconcerted, and his bilious green eye followed its example. His manner
became palpably anxious; and his choice of words was more carefully
selected than ever.

"Is Mrs. Vanstone's absence likely to extend over any very lengthened
period?" he inquired.

"It will extend over three weeks," replied Miss Garth. "I think you have
now asked me questions enough," she went on, beginning to let her temper
get the better of her at last. "Be so good, if you please, as to mention
your business and your name. If you have any message to leave for Mrs.
Vanstone, I shall be writing to her by to-night's post, and I can take
charge of it."

"A thousand thanks! A most valuable suggestion. Permit me to take
advantage of it immediately."

He was not in the least affected by the severity of Miss Garth's looks
and language--he was simply relieved by her proposal, and he showed it
with the most engaging sincerity. This time his bilious green eye took
the initiative, and set his bilious brown eye the example of recovered
serenity. His curling lips took a new twist upward; he tucked his
umbrella briskly under his arm; and produced from the breast of his coat
a large old-fashioned black pocketbook. From this he took a pencil and
a card--hesitated and considered for a