I'm sure I hope it is!"-- with which there flickered in her eyes, dimly but perhaps all the more prettily, the first intimation they had given of the light of laughter.

"She told me you'd understand, Mr.Van--from something you've said to her.

It's for my seeing Mr.Longdon without--she thinks--her spoiling it." "Oh my dear child, 'spoiling it'!" Vanderbank protested as he took a cup of tea from her to carry to their friend.

"When did your mother ever spoil anything?
I told her Mr.Longdon wanted to see you, but I didn't say anything of his not yearning also for the rest of the family." A sound of protest rather formless escaped from the gentleman named, but Nanda continued to carry out her duty.

"She told me to ask why he hadn't been again to see her.