The fine tact of these consummate men of the world derives a humoristic enjoyment in eccentricity of character, which never shows itself in any outward sign beyond the heightened pleasure they feel in what other folks might call dulness or mere oddity.' 'I would not suffer an old friend to be made the subject of even such latent amusement.' 'Nor her nephew, either, perhaps ?' 'The nephew could take care of himself, Nina; but I am not aware that he will be called on to do so.

He is not in Ireland, I believe.' 'He was to arrive this week.

You told me so.' 'Perhaps he did; I had forgotten it!' and Kate flushed as she spoke, though whether from shame or anger it was not easy to say.

As though impatient with herself at any display of temper, she added hurriedly, 'Was it not a piece of good fortune, Nina?
Papa has left us the key of the cellar, a thing he never did before, and only now because you were here!' 'What an honoured guest I am!' said the other, smiling.
'That you are! I don't believe papa has gone once to the club since you came here.' 'Now, if I were to own that I was vain of this, you'd rebuke me, would not you ?' '_Our_ love could scarcely prompt to vanity.' 'How shall I ever learn to be humble enough in a family of such humility ?' said Nina pettishly.

Then quickly correcting herself, she said, 'I'll go and despatch my note, and then I'll come back and ask your pardon for all my wilfulness, and tell you how much I thank you for all your goodness to me.' And as she spoke she bent down and kissed Kate's hand twice or thrice fervently.
'Oh, dearest Nina, not this--not this!' said Kate, trying to clasp her in her arms; but the other had slipped from her grasp, and was gone.
'Strange girl,' muttered Kate, looking after her.