CHAPTER IV.
Sidwell had fallen into conversation with Mr.Moorhouse.

Miss Moorhouse, Mrs.Warricombe, and Louis were grouped in animated talk.
Observing that Fanny threw glances towards him from a lonely corner, Peak went over to her, and was pleased with the smile he met.

Fanny had watched eyes, much brighter than Sidwell's; her youthful vivacity blended with an odd little fashion of schoolgirl pedantry in a very piquant way.

Godwin's attempts at conversation with her were rather awkward; he found it difficult to strike the suitable note, something not too formal yet not deficient in respect.
'Do you think,' he asked presently, 'that I should disturb your father if I went to him ?' 'Oh, not at all! I often go and sit in the study at this time.' 'Will you show me the way ?' Fanny at once rose, and together they crossed the hall, passed through a sort of anteroom connecting with a fernery, and came to the study door.

A tap was answered by cheerful summons, and Fanny looked in.
'Well, my ladybird?
Ah, you are bringing Mr.Peak; come in, come in!' It was a large and beautiful room, its wide windows, in a cushioned recess, looking upon the lawn where the yew tree cast solemn shade.