She found him in the drawing-room, a pretty, pleasant room--its only fault that it was rather too low.

It had windows opening down to the lawn, and was full of pretty things, works and knick-knacks.

Ethel found the state of affairs unfavourable to her.

Norman was intent on a book on the sofa, and at the table sat Mr.Ernescliffe, hard at work with calculations and mathematical instruments.

Ethel would not for the world that any one should guess at her classical studies--she scarcely liked to believe that even her father knew of them, and to mention them before Mr.Ernescliffe would have been dreadful.