Her study at present was one of the less-known works of Silvio Pellico, and as Mr.Musselwhite approached, she looked up with an air of absorption.

He was wont to begin conversation with the remark, flatteringly toned, "Reading Italian as usual, Miss Denyer ?" but this evening a new subject had been suggested to him.
"I hope Miss Doran is not seriously unwell, Miss Denyer ?" "Oh, I think not." Mr.Musselwhite reflected, stroking his whiskers in a gentlemanly way.
"One misses her," was his next remark.
"Yes, so much.

She is so charming--don't you think, Mr.Musselwhite ?" "Very." He now plucked at the whiskers uneasily.

"Oh yes, very." Barbara smiled and turned her attention to the book, as though she could spare no more time.

Mr.Musselwhite, dimly feeling that this topic demanded no further treatment, racked his brains for something else to say.