'I'm afraid you think it doesn't look very promising. But I'm sure we can do a great deal to improve it.'
'I think it's very nice,' Thyrza said, not at all out of politeness, but because she did indeed think so.
'I will do my best to make it so, as soon as it is vacant. These two rooms,' he added, loth to take leave at once, 'we shall use for lectures. Have you been into the other one?'
He led the way, taking up his hat from the desk. Thyrza was overcoming her timidity. All she had ever heard of Egremont prepared her to find him full of gentleness and courtesy and good-humour; already she thought that far too little had been said in his praise. His singular smile occupied her imagination; she wished to keep her eyes on his face, for the pleasure of following its changes. Indeed, like her own, his features were very mobile, and the various emotions now stirring within him animated his look. She kept at a little distance from him, and listened with the keenest interest to all he said. When he paused, after telling her the number of books he had decided to begin with, she said:
'Mr. Grail does so look forward to it. I'm sure nothing could have made him so happy.'
Egremont was pleased with a note of sincerity, of self forgetfulness in these words. He replied:
'I am very glad. I know he'll be at home among books. Are you fond of reading?'
'Yes, sir. Mr. Grail lends me books, and explains what I don't understand.'
'No doubt you will find plenty of time.'
'Yes, sir. I shan't go to work then. But of course there'll be the house to look after.'