Nothing ever happens, in this benighted town." "I beg your pardon; things do happen, sometimes," said Cecilia.

"Here is a dear cousin of mine arrived on purpose to congratulate you on your statuette." And she called to Rowland to come and be introduced to Mr.Hudson.The young man sprang up with alacrity, and Rowland, coming forward to shake hands, had a good look at him in the light projected from the parlor window.

Something seemed to shine out of Hudson's face as a warning against a "compliment" of the idle, unpondered sort.
"Your statuette seems to me very good," Rowland said gravely.

"It has given me extreme pleasure." "And my cousin knows what is good," said Cecilia.

"He 's a connoisseur." Hudson smiled and stared.