Mother and son had a little talk about matters of a purely local character; and in these Nevill did his utmost to join and take an interest. Instead of relating his own adventures among pirates, or gamblers, or bushmen, he listened to all the doings of the little town, and all the changes the few weeks of George's absence had made in the neighbouring families and visitors around. Nevill was charmed. He had never known what a family circle was. He had not left school when his own home had been broken up; and since then, he had been here and there and everywhere, but never in a quiet, sweet, wholesome home like this, where all was orderly and clean and respectful, and there was no ambition or bitterness, or spite or display. It was a domestic haven for a weary man, and already Nevill felt perfect peace descending upon him and clothing him round, as the darkness had that evening descended upon the silent road, the peaceful garden, and, clothed them now in repose. 'It is delicious to think I shall, after all,' he thought, 'end my days under an apple-tree in an English orchard. To think of shaking off the dust of the weary world, and gathering oneself into this pastoral Warwick, sunk in the memories of its histories and of its great son: in an English orchard with gentle Kate, with gentle Kate! 'Oh my Kate! Who could ever have fancied I should turn out such a lover? Love cannot beautify me, but it beautifies all the rest of the world for me; and what need I care for my ill-looks so long as my Kate cares for me and is at my side? Under an apple-tree in an English garden! What a handsome fellow that Osborne is! He'll be a credit to me as a brother, and that is more than I shall be to him. What a pair he and Miss Gordon will make! for of course what Osborne is talking of is only rubbish. A handsome couple, by Jove! They will make--' 'George,' said Mrs Osborne, interrupting Nevill's thoughts, 'I think it is now time Kate came home.' Osborne looked up at his mother as though suddenly reminded of something he had forgotten. He then started on remembering the occasion of Kate's visit to London, and the enormous difference in his hopes and plans since the day he met her at the London railway terminus. 'I have thought over the _whole_ affair,' continued Mrs Osborne, with slight emphasis and a significant look, 'and considering the friendship that has sprung up between--Miss Gordon and Kate, and the kindness she has shown to Kate, the least we may do is to give her a most cordial invitation down here, and take no refusal.'