“Though written by one who has never been further from home than Glasgow in her life,” said Elsie.

“I do not mean that Miss Rennie’s never being out of Scotland should make her know little; but you young ladies are taken such care of, that you know very little of what life really is.”

“It must be a disadvantage to all female authors,” said Elsie, “to know so little of business and so little of the world.  I do not wonder at men despising women’s books.”

“Now, Miss Melville, have I really said anything that you should put such a construction on?  If I have, I must ask pardon.  I am only astonished at the extraordinary talent which your sex show in turning to account their few opportunities; and for my part, I should not like them to have greater means of knowing the world.  I am not a reading man, by any means.  My remarks about books are perfectly worthless, but I can only say that I think these verses very pretty.  I don’t know whether they are subjective or objective—­transcendental or sentimental.  In fact, between ourselves, I do not know what the three first words mean.  I can give no reason for my liking them.”

“But they please you,” said Elsie; “and that is all a poet can wish.”

“Oh, I thought the poets of this age gave themselves out as the teachers of the world; but you take a lower view.  I am glad to meet with some one who is reasonable.  The young ladies have all got so clever, so accomplished, and so scientific since I left England, that I am a little afraid of them.  I hope you are not very accomplished.”

“Not at all,” said Elsie.

“Don’t you play the most brilliant music with great execution?”

“I do not play at all.”

“Nor sketch from nature—­nor draw from the round—­nor paint flowers?”

“Nothing of the kind.”

“Then you must have gone in for science, and you are more formidable than any of the sex.”

“My uncle wished me to go in for science, but unluckily I came out without acquiring it.”

“How glad I am to hear it!  I can talk to you without being tripped up at an incorrect date, or an inaccurate scientific or historical fact.  You can warrant yourself safe to let me blunder on?”

“Is it not very good of the young ladies to set you right if you are wrong, and if they are able to do so?”

“It may be very good for me, but it is not at all agreeable.  I cannot help wondering very much at the industry and perseverance that young ladies show in becoming so very accomplished.  I am sure that many a lady spends as much time and energy in learning music as would, directed otherwise, realize a fortune in Australia.”

“Yes, many men in Australia have got rich with very little toil,” said Elsie; “but women cannot make fortunes either here or there, I suppose.”

“So they content themselves with making a noise,” said Mr. Brandon.  “I like some music, Miss Melville; but not the brilliant style.  It shows wonderful powers of manual dexterity, but it does not please me.”