Bearing in mind that he fancied Miss Hest wished to marry Ida to her brother, Vernon quite expected to hear her endorse this praise. Miss Hest, however, received the tribute very coolly. "Francis is vain," she remarked, "and desires public applause. Perhaps that is why he spends all his money in public charity."
"Does he never take any pleasure in other ways?" asked Vernon.
"I think he finds his pleasure in his home and surroundings. Still, he goes away to York and London and Paris for weeks at a time, and enjoys himself in some dull way. I am sure it is dull, as Francis hasn't got any spirit for a lively life. However, if Ida comes down she can judge him for herself. But I don't think we'll see much of him, and for my part I'm very glad. I always escape from Francis's society whenever I can. We don't get on well together at all; rather odd, isn't it, considering we are twins?"
"Oh, I don't know, Miss Hest. Twins often are the opposite in disposition as they are the replica of each other in looks."
Frances looked up with an approving smile. "You have described my brother and I to the life," she said nodding.
"Colonel Towton has a place near Gerby Hall, I believe?"
"Yes. The Grange, it is called, a quaint old mansion, three miles distant from my brother's property. Higher up the valley, in fact, and on a rise to the right of the reservoir. Colonel Towton wasn't pleased with the construction of the dam, as it spoilt the view from his house, and then he always declares that if the dam broke the valley would be swept from end to end by the force of the water. But I don't think any accident of that sort will happen," ended Frances emphatically; "The dam is extremely solidly built and will last for many a long day."
"I think I should like to go to Bowderstyke, if only to see Colonel Towton's house," said Ida unexpectedly; "He told me such a lot about it."
"I thought you didn't like Colonel Towton?" said Vernon smiling.
"There!" exclaimed Frances, dropping her knitting, while Ida flushed. "Didn't I say that Mr. Vernon would remark how fickle you are, Ida?"