urn with a figure that had visibly flashed out for her.
"Don't foul your own nest! Remember that after all we've more or less
produced you." She had a smile that attenuated a little her image, for
there were things that on a second thought he appeared ready to take
from her. She patted the sofa as if to invite him again to be seated,
and though he still stood before her it was with a face that seemed to
show how her touch went home. "You know I've never quite thought you
do us full honour, but it was because SHE took you for one of us that
Carrie first--"

At this, to stop her, he dropped straight into the seat. "I assure you
there has really been nothing." With a continuation of his fidget he
pulled out his watch. "Won't she come in at all?"

"Do you mean Nanda?"

"Talk me over with HER!" he smiled, "if you like. If you don't believe
Mrs. Donner is dust and ashes to me," he continued, "you do little
justice to your daughter."

"Do you wish to break it to me that you're in love with Nanda?"

He hesitated, but only as if to give weight to his reply. "Awfully. I
can't tell you how I like her."

She wondered. "And pray how will THAT help me? Help me, I mean, to help
you. Is it what I'm to tell your wife?"

He sat looking away, but he evidently had his idea, which he at last
produced. "Why wouldn't it be just the thing? It would exactly prove my
purity."

There might have been in her momentary silence a hint of acceptance of
it as a practical contribution to their problem, and there were indeed
several lights in which it could be considered. Mrs. Brook, on a quick
survey, selected the ironic. "I see, I see. I might by the same law
arrange somehow that Lady Fanny should find herself in love with Edward.
That would 'prove' HER purity. And you could be quite at ease," she
laughed--"he wouldn't make any presents!"

Mr. Cashmore regarded her with a candour that was almost a reproach to
her mirth. "I like your daughter better than I like you."

But it only amused her more. "Is that perhaps because _I_ don't prove
your purity?"

What he might have replied remained in the air, for the door opened so
exactly at the moment she spoke that he rose again with a start and
the butler, coming in, received her enquiry full in the face. This
functionary's answer to it, however, had no more than the usual
austerity. "Mr. Vanderbank and Mr. Longdon."

These visitors took a minute to appear, and Mrs. Brook, not
stirring--still o