Godwin, grateful as always for the show of kindness and flattered by such a reception, at once felt a liking for Christian Moxey.  Most people would have admitted the young man’s attractiveness.  He had a thin and sallow face, and seemed to be of weak constitution.  In talking he leant upon his cane, and his movements were languid; none the less, his person was distinguished by an air of graceful manhood.  His features, separately considered, were ordinary enough; together they made a countenance of peculiar charm, vividly illumined, full of appeal to whosoever could appreciate emotional capabilities.  The interest he excited in Peak appeared to be reciprocal, for his eyes dwelt as often and as long as possible on Godwin’s features.

‘Come along, and have something to eat with us,’ said Mr. Moxey, in a tone of genial invitation.  ’I daresay you had dinner long enough ago to have picked up a new appetite.’

Godwin had a perturbing vision of the five Miss Moxeys and of a dinner table, such as he was not used to sit at; he wished to decline, yet knew not how to do so with civility.

‘Yes, yes; come along!’ added his friend, heartily.  ’Tell us something about your chemistry paper.  Any posers this time?  My nephew won’t be out of it; he belongs to the firm of Bates Brothers —­the Rotherhithe people, you know.’

This information was a surprise to Godwin.  He had imagined Christian Moxey either a gentleman at large, or at all events connected with some liberal profession.  Glancing at the attractive face, he met a singular look, a smile which suggested vague doubts.  But Christian made no remark, and Mr. Moxey renewed his inquiries about the examination in chemistry.

The five daughters—­all assembled in a homely sitting-room—­were nothing less than formidable.  Plain, soft-spoken, not ill educated, they seemed to live in perfect harmony, and to derive satisfaction from pursuits independent of external society.  In the town they were seldom seen; few families called upon them; and only the most inveterate gossips found matter for small-talk in their retired lives.  It had never been heard that any one of them was sought in marriage.  Godwin, superfluously troubled about his attire, met them with grim endeavour at politeness; their gravity, a result of shyness, he misinterpreted, supposing them to hold aloof from a young man who had been in their father’s employ.  But before he could suffer much from the necessity of formal conversation the door opened to admit yet another young lady, a perfect stranger to him.  Her age was about seventeen, but she had nothing of the sprightly grace proverbially connected with that time of life in girls; her pale and freckled visage expressed a haughty reserve, intensified as soon as her eye fell upon the visitor.  She had a slight but well-proportioned figure, and a mass of auburn hair carelessly arranged.

‘My sister,’ said Christian, glancing at Godwin.  ’Marcella, you recognise Mr. Peak.’