A remarkably neat, but rather plump, figure, comely features, brilliant complexion, sparkling eyes, nut-brown hair and particularly small feet, constituted the sum total of her charms; and she had considerably more than fall to the lot of nine girls out of ten.
Rose was puzzled upon one point. She could not exactly understand how Walter had found his way to her father's house; and her mother did not care to enlighten her. However, his appearance and manner pleased her, and she felt sure she should soon learn all about him.
“Mr. Tankard.” said Mrs. Hartley, “I must get you to help us out of a difficulty.”
“With the greatest pleasure, my dear madam, if it lies in my power.”
“I needn't tell you our accommodation is very limited; and now Rose has returned, I fear——”
“I know what you are going to say,” interrupted Tankard. “You wish Mr. Liddel to have a bed at my house. I expected the request, and am, luckily, able to comply with it. He shall have a room.”
“Upon my word, Mr. Tankard, I'm very much obliged to you,” said Walter.
“Not in the least,” rejoined Tankard. “But we must have a merry meeting to-night, Mrs. Hartley. You must all come and sup with me. Mr. Higgins, Lady Thicknesse's butler, has promised to give the pleasure of his company; and, since Miss Rose has returned, I'll ask Harry Netterville, of Gray's Inn, as I'm well aware she likes the society of that amiable and agreeable young man.”
“Pray don't ask Mr. Netterville on my account, Mr Tankard!” observed Rose, with affected indifference. “I'm not particularly anxious to meet him.”
Mr. Tankard, however, knew better; and said that as soon as he got back, he would send off a note to the young gentleman in question. Mr. Netterville, he explained to Walter, belonged to the legal profession, being clerk to an eminent solicitor in Gray's Inn.