"Mind we are not interrupted!"

"I will do my best, John." She looked at Mr. Kendrew, holding the door
open for her; and resumed, with an effort, her former lightness of tone.
"But don't forget our 'born enemies!' Somebody may come, even at this
hour of the evening, who wants to see the house."

The two gentlemen were left alone over their wine. There was a strong
personal contrast between them. Mr. Vanborough was tall and dark--a
dashing, handsome man; with an energy in his face which all the world
saw; with an inbred falseness under it which only a special observer
could detect. Mr. Kendrew was short and light--slow and awkward in
manner, except when something happened to rouse him. Looking in _his_
face, the world saw an ugly and undemonstrative little man. The special
observer, penetrating under the surface, found a fine nature beneath,
resting on a steady foundation of honor and truth.

Mr. Vanborough opened the conversation.

"If you ever marry," he said, "don't be such a fool, Kendrew, as I have
been. Don't take a wife from the stage."

"If I could get such a wife as yours," replied the other, "I would take
her from the stage to-morrow. A beautiful woman, a clever woman, a woman
of unblemished character, and a woman who truly loves you. Man alive!
what do you want more?"

"I want a great deal more. I want a woman highly connected and highly
bred--a woman who can receive the best society in England, and open her