第6章

Stephen Smith,who has hitherto been hidden from us by the darkness,was at this time of his life but a youth in appearance,and barely a man in years.Judging from his look,London was the last place in the world that one would have imagined to be the scene of his activities:such a face surely could not be nourished amid smoke and mud and fog and dust;such an open countenance could never even have seen anything of the weariness,the fever,and the fretof Babylon the Second.

His complexion was as fine as Elfrides own;the pink of his cheeks as delicate.His mouth as perfect as Cupids bow in form,and as cherry-red in colour as hers.Bright curly hair;bright sparkling blue-gray eyes;a boys blush and manner;neither whisker nor moustache,unless a little light-brown fur on his upper lip deserved the latter title:this composed the London professional man,the prospect of whose advent had so troubled Elfride.

Elfride hastened to say she was sorry to tell him that Mr.

Swancourt was not able to receive him that evening,and gave the reason why.Mr.Smith replied,in a voice boyish by nature and manly by art,that he was very sorry to hear this news;but that as far as his reception was concerned,it did not matter in the least.

Stephen was shown up to his room.In his absence Elfride stealthily glided into her fathers.

Hes come,papa.Such a young man for a business man!

Oh,indeed!

His face is--well--PRETTY;just like mine.

Hm!what next?

Nothing;thats all I know of him yet.It is rather nice,is it not?

Well,we shall see that when we know him better.Go down and give the poor fellow something to eat and drink,for Heavens sake.And when he has done eating,say I should like to have a few words with him,if he doesnt mind coming up here.

The young lady glided downstairs again,and whilst she awaits young Smiths entry,the letters referring to his visit had better be given.

1.MR.SWANCOURT TO MR.HEWBY.

ENDELSTOW VICARAGE,Feb.18,18--.

SIR,--We are thinking of restoring the tower and aisle of the church in this parish;and Lord Luxellian,the patron of the living,has mentioned your name as that of a trustworthy architect whom it would be desirable to ask to superintend the work.

I am exceedingly ignorant of the necessary preliminary steps.

Probably,however,the first is that (should you be,as Lord Luxellian says you are,disposed to assist us)yourself or some member of your staff come and see the building,and report thereupon for the satisfaction of parishioners and others.

The spot is a very remote one:we have no railway within fourteen miles;and the nearest place for putting up at--called a town,though merely a large village--is Castle Boterel,two miles further on;so that it would be most convenient for you to stay at the vicarage--which I am glad to place at your disposal--instead of pushing on to the hotel at Castle Boterel,and coming back again in the morning.

Any day of the next week that you like to name for the visit will find us quite ready to receive you.--Yours very truly,CHRISTOPHER

SWANCOURT.

2.MR.HEWBY TO MR.SWANCOURT.

"PERCY PLACE,CHARING CROSS,Feb.20,18--.

DEAR SIR,--Agreeably to your request of the 18th instant,I have arranged to survey and make drawings of the aisle and tower of your parish church,and of the dilapidations which have been suffered to accrue thereto,with a view to its restoration.

My assistant,Mr.Stephen Smith,will leave London by the early train to-morrow morning for the purpose.Many thanks for your proposal to accommodate him.He will take advantage of your offer,and will probably reach your house at some hour of the evening.You may put every confidence in him,and may rely upon his discernment in the matter of church architecture.

Trusting that the plans for the restoration,which I shall prepare from the details of his survey,will prove satisfactory to yourself and Lord Luxellian,I am,dear sir,yours faithfully,WALTER HEWBY.