"I have heard of that great work from your sister. She was quite enthusiastic over the enterprise."
"What! Frances enthusiastic over anything of that sort? You surprise me, Mr. Vernon, you do, indeed. Frances cares nothing about such things. Poetry and society and a general aimless life is her idea of living, But then she is a woman, and we must not be hard on women."
"It's strange," said Vernon, musingly, with his eyes on Hest.
"What is, if I may ask?"
"The life you mention would suit your nature rather than hers, I should think, considering what I have seen of both of you. You are not so serious as Miss Hest, so far as I can judge."
Hest laughed. "Well, you see, Frances takes her pleasures seriously and in a very ponderous manner. I take my work lightly and as a hobby. That is all the difference, save that I am sure I get more amusement out of life than she does. Wait till you hear us argue."
"You are stopping in town long?"
"Only for a few days. I may go to Paris or I may return to Gerby Hall. It all depends upon Miss Dimsdale."
Vernon looked surprised. "On Miss Dimsdale? In what way?"
"Well," Hest hesitated, "it's rather a private matter to----"