Perpetually imagining some kind chance that might associate him with civilised people, Godwin could not even pack his portmanteau for a ramble to Land’s End without stowing away a dress suit.  He was thus saved what would have been an embarrassment of special annoyance.  Without hesitation, he accepted Buckland’s offer, and named the hotel at which the luggage was deposited.

’All right; the messenger shall explain.  Our name’s well enough known to them.  If you would like to look up my father in his study, he’ll be delighted to go over his collections with you.  You still care for that kind of thing?’

‘Most certainly.  How can you doubt it?’

Buckland smiled, and gave no other reply.

‘Ask Fanny to show you the way when you care to go.’  And he left the room.

CHAPTER IV

Sidwell had fallen into conversation with Mr. Moorhouse.  Miss Moorhouse, Mrs. Warricombe, and Louis were grouped in animated talk.  Observing that Fanny threw glances towards him from a lonely corner, Peak went over to her, and was pleased with the smile he met.  Fanny had watched eyes, much brighter than Sidwell’s; her youthful vivacity blended with an odd little fashion of schoolgirl pedantry in a very piquant way.  Godwin’s attempts at conversation with her were rather awkward; he found it difficult to strike the suitable note, something not too formal yet not deficient in respect.

‘Do you think,’ he asked presently, ’that I should disturb your father if I went to him?’

‘Oh, not at all!  I often go and sit in the study at this time.’

‘Will you show me the way?’

Fanny at once rose, and together they crossed the hall, passed through a sort of anteroom connecting with a fernery, and came to the study door.  A tap was answered by cheerful summons, and Fanny looked in.

‘Well, my ladybird?  Ah, you are bringing Mr. Peak; come in, come in!’

It was a large and beautiful room, its wide windows, in a cushioned recess, looking upon the lawn where the yew tree cast solemn shade.  One wall presented an unbroken array of volumes, their livery sober but handsome; detached bookcases occupied other portions of the irregular perimeter.  Cabinets, closed and open, were arranged with due regard to convenience.  Above the mantelpiece hung a few small photographs, but the wall-space at disposal was chiefly occupied with objects which illustrated Mr. Warricombe’s scientific tastes.  On a stand in the light of the window gleamed two elaborate microscopes, provocative of enthusiasm in a mind such as Godwin’s.