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.