‘Still,’ pursued the other, ’I felt that much of his satire was only too well pointed.  M’Naughten is suggestive; but one comes across books of the same purpose which can have no result but to injure their cause with all thinking people.’

‘I have seen many such,’ remarked Godwin.

Mr. Warricombe stepped to a bookcase and took down a small volume.

’I wonder whether you know this book of Ampare’s~, La Grace, Rome, et Dante~?  Delightful for odd moments!—­There came into my mind a passage here at the beginning, apropos of what we were saying:  “Il faut souvent un vrai courage pour persister dans une opinion juste en depit de ses defenseurs.”—­Isn’t that capital?’

Peak received it with genuine appreciation; for once he was able to laugh unfeignedly.  The aphorism had so many applications from his own point of view.

‘Excellent!—­I don’t remember to have seen the book.’

‘Take it, if you care to.’

This offer seemed a distinct advance in Mr. Warricombe’s friendliness.  Godwin felt a thrill of encouragement.

‘Then you will let me keep this translation for a day or two?’ Martin added, indicating the sheets of manuscript.  ’I am greatly obliged to you for enabling me to read the thing.’

They shook hands.  Godwin had entertained a slight hope that he might be asked to stay to luncheon; but it could not be much past twelve o’clock, and on the whole there was every reason for feeling satisfied with the results of his visit.  Before long he would probably receive another invitation to dine.  So with light step he went out into the hall, where Martin again shook hands with him.

The sky had darkened over, and a shrilling of the wind sounded through the garden foliage—­fir, and cypress, and laurel.  Just as Godwin reached the gate, he was met by Miss Warricombe and Fanny, who were returning from a walk.  They wore the costume appropriate to March weather in the country, close-fitting, defiant of gusts; and their cheeks glowed with health.  As he exchanged greetings with them, Peak received a new impression of the sisters.  He admired the physical vigour which enabled them to take delight in such a day as this, when girls of poorer blood and ignoble nurture would shrink from the sky’s showery tumult, and protect their surface elegance by the fireside.  Impossible for Sidwell and Fanny to be anything but graceful, for at all times they were perfectly unaffected.

‘There’ll be another storm in a minute,’ said the younger of them, looking with interest to the quarter whence the wind came.  ’How suddenly they burst!  What a rush!  And then in five minutes the sky is clear again.’

Her eyes shone as she turned laughingly to Peak.

’You’re not afraid of getting wet?  Hadn’t you better come under cover?’

‘Here it is!’ exclaimed Sidwell, with quieter enjoyment.  ’Take shelter for a minute or two, Mr. Peak.’