vulgar tastes. And then there is Mr. Brand--a very tall young man, a
sort of lay-priest. They seem to think a good deal of him, but I don't
exactly make him out."

"And is there nothing," asked the Baroness, "between these
extremes--this mysterious ecclesiastic and that intemperate youth?"

"Oh, yes, there is Mr. Acton. I think," said the young man, with a nod
at his sister, "that you will like Mr. Acton."

"Remember that I am very fastidious," said the Baroness. "Has he very
good manners?"

"He will have them with you. He is a man of the world; he has been to
China."

Madame Munster gave a little laugh. "A man of the Chinese world! He must
be very interesting."

"I have an idea that he brought home a fortune," said Felix.

"That is always interesting. Is he young, good-looking, clever?"

"He is less than forty; he has a baldish head; he says witty things. I
rather think," added the young man, "that he will admire the Baroness
Munster."

"It is very possible," said this lady. Her brother never knew how she
would take things; but shortly afterwards she declared that he had made
a very pretty description and that on the morrow she would go and see