There are some persons whom Fortune endows with a cast of countenance which allows you to read right through their features into their pure and honest souls, so that you feel confidence in them at the very first glance.

Fanny did not wait for Mr.Varga to come nearer to her, but arose and went to meet him, took his hand, and, despite the old man's strenuous efforts to bow low at every step he took, drew him forward, made him sit down in an armchair, and, in order that he might not get up again, threw her arms round him in childish fashion, which plunged the old fellow into the most unutterable confusion.

Naturally, the moment Fanny let him go, and sat down herself, up he sprang again.
"Nay, my dear Mr.Varga, do sit down, or else I must stand up." "I am not worthy of such an honour," stammered the old steward, very circumspectly letting himself down into the chair again, as if he were about to beg pardon for being so bold as to sit in it at all, and bending forward so that he might not lean upon it too heavily.
"What have you brought me, my dear, good Mr.Varga ?" asked Fanny, with a smile.

"If you have brought nothing but yourself, I should be all the better pleased.

Now you can see how pleased I am to see you." Varga murmured something to the effect that he did not know what he had done to deserve so much favour, and hastened to hand her the document, at the same time delivering Squire John's message; then he prepared to take his leave.