"No--with Nanda.
You must mingle in the crowd." "Ah," the their companion laughed, "you two are the crowd!" "Well--have your tea first." Vanderbank on this, giving it up with the air of amused accommodation that was never--certainly for these two--at fault in him, offered to Mr.Longdon before departing the handshake of greeting he had omitted; a demonstration really the warmer for the tone of the joke that went with it.

"Intrigant!" II Nanda praised to the satellite so fantastically described the charming spot she had quitted, with the effect that they presently took fresh possession of it, finding the beauty of the view deepened as the afternoon grew old and the shadows long.

They were of a comfortable agreement on these matters, by which moreover they were but little delayed, one of the pair at least being too conscious, for the hour, of still other phenomena than the natural and peaceful process that filled the air.

"Well, you must tell me about these things," Mr.Longdon sociably said: he had joined his young friend with a budget of impressions rapidly gathered at the house; as to which his appeal to her for a light or two may be taken as the measure of the confidence now ruling their relations.

He had come to feel at last, he mentioned, that he could allow for most differences; yet in such a situation as the present bewilderment could only come back.