"How much I know!" he said, in a voice full of regret. "My dear madam, I know just enough to see what a very little I have learned; how pitifully small in such a science as astronomy is all that a life devoted to its depths would be." "For shame, Moray," cried Lucy, warmly. "You know that people say you are very clever indeed." "Yes," he replied, "I know what they say; but that is only their judgment. I know how trifling are the things I have learned compared with what there is to acquire." "What a goose Glynne is," said the major to himself, as he stood listening to the conversation. "Why, this man is worth a dozen Rolphs." "But, Mr Alleyne," said Glynne, eagerly, "is it possible--could I--I mean, should you think I was asking too much if I expressed a wish to see something of these wonders of which you have been speaking?" "Oh, no, Moray would show you everything he could. He's the most unselfish, patient fellow in the world," cried Lucy. Glynne turned from her almost impatiently to Alleyne, who said, with a grave smile upon his face,-- "You have no brother, Miss Day. If you had, I hope you would not do all you could, by flattery and spoiling, to make him weak and conceited." "Indeed I don't do anything of the kind, Moray," said Lucy, indignantly; "and now, for that, I'll tell the truth, Glynne; he's a regular bat, an owl, a recluse, and we're obliged to drag him out into the light of day, or he'd stop in his room till he grew mouldy, that he would. Why, he goes in spirit right away to the moon sometimes, and it only seems as if his body was left behind." "What, do you mean to say he's moonstruck?" said the major, merrily, and looking half-surprised at the quick, indignant look darted at him by Glynne. "I'm afraid that Lucy here is quite right," said Alleyne, smiling as he took his sister's hand in his and patted it. "I do get so intent upon my studies that all every-day life affairs are regularly forgotten. But I do not work half so hard now. They fetched a doctor to me, and it is forbidden. In fact, I have plenty of time now, and if Miss Day will pay my my poor observatory a visit, I will show her everything that lies in my power." "Oh, Mr Alleyne, I should be so glad," cried Glynne eagerly, and to Lucy's great delight. "I want to see Saturn's rings, and the seas and continents in Mars, and the twin stars." "Well, you needn't trouble Mr Alleyne," said Rolph, who had just entered. "There's a fellow at Hyde Park corner, with a big glass, lets people look through for a penny. He'd be glad enough to come down for a half-crown or two." "Why, how absurd, Robert," said Glynne, turning upon him good-humouredly. "I want to see and learn about these things from someone who is an astronomer." "Oh," said Rolph, "do you? Well, I see no reason why you shouldn't go and have a peep or two through Mr Alleyne's glass. I'll come with you."