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deal of deference, and it had been intimated that this one
had a high spirit. Indeed, Ralph could see that in her face.
‘Won’t you come and make acquaintance with my
father?’ he nevertheless ventured to ask. ‘He’s old and in-
firm—he doesn’t leave his chair.’
‘Ah, poor man, I’m very sorry!’ the girl exclaimed, im-
mediately moving forward. ‘I got the impression from your
mother that he was rather—rather intensely active.’
Ralph Touchett was silent a moment. ‘She hasn’t seen
him for a year.’
‘Well, he has a lovely place to sit. Come along, little
hound.’
‘It’s a dear old place,’ said the young man, looking side-
wise at his neighbour.
‘What’s his name?’ she asked, her attention having again
reverted to the terrier.
‘My father’s name?’
‘Yes,’ said the young lady with amusement; ‘but don’t tell
him I asked you.
They had come by this time to where old Mr. Touchett
was sitting, and he slowly got up from his chair to introduce
himself.
‘My mother has arrived,’ said Ralph, ‘and this is Miss Ar-
cher.’
The old man placed his two hands on her shoulders,
looked at her a moment with extreme benevolence and then
gallantly kissed her. ‘It’s a great pleasure to me to see you
here; but I wish you had given us a chance to receive you.’
‘Oh, we were received,’ said the girl. ‘There were about

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