'Those are not quite the correct qualities for a man to be loved for,' said Stephen, in rather a dissatisfied tone of self-criticism. 'Well, never mind. I must ask your father to allow us to be engaged directly we get indoors. It will be for a long time.'
'I like it the better....Stephen, don't mention it till to-morrow.'
'Why?'
'Because, if he should object--I don't think he will; but if he should--we shall have a day longer of happiness from our ignorance....Well, what are you thinking of so deeply?'
'I was thinking how my dear friend Knight would enjoy this scene. I wish he could come here.'
'You seem very much engrossed with him,' she answered, with a jealous little toss. 'He must be an interesting man to take up so much of your attention.'
'Interesting!' said Stephen, his face glowing with his fervour; 'noble, you ought to say.'
'Oh yes, yes; I forgot,' she said half satirically. 'The noblest man in England, as you told us last night.'
'He is a fine fellow, laugh as you will, Miss Elfie.'
'I know he is your hero. But what does he do? anything?'
'He writes.'
'What does he write? I have never heard of his name.'
'Because his personality, and that of several others like him, is absorbed into a huge WE, namely, the impalpable entity called the PRESENT--a social and literary Review.'
'Is he only a reviewer?'
'ONLY, Elfie! Why, I can tell you it is a fine thing to be on the staff of the PRESENT. Finer than being a novelist considerably.'
'That's a hit at me, and my poor COURT OF KELLYON CASTLE.'
'No, Elfride,' he whispered; 'I didn't mean that. I mean that he is really a literary man of some eminence, and not altogether a reviewer. He writes things of a higher class than reviews, though he reviews a book occasionally. His ordinary productions are social and ethical essays--all that the PRESENT contains which is not literary reviewing.'
'I admit he must be talented if he writes for the PRESENT. We have it sent to us irregularly. I want papa to be a subscriber, but he's so conservative. Now the next point in this Mr. Knight--I suppose he is a very good man.'
'An excellent man. I shall try to be his intimate friend some day.'
'But aren't you now?'
'No; not so much as that,' replied Stephen, as if such a supposition were extravagant. 'You see, it was in this way--he came originally from the same place as I, and taught me things; but I am not intimate with him. Shan't I be glad when I get richer and better known, and hob and nob with him!' Stephen's eyes sparkled.