"I dare say papa would like to have you," said Jane, frankly, with a sort of relief. She had thought he looked one who might be fastidious.
"I have neither father nor mother, brother nor sister," he resumed. "In fact, I may say that I am without relatives; for almost the only one I have has discarded me. I often think how rich those people must be who possess close connections and a happy home," he added, turning his bright glance upon her.
Jane dropped her work, which she had taken up. "I don't know what I should do without all my dear relatives," she exclaimed.
"We are six. Papa and mamma, and four children. I am the eldest, and Margaret is the youngest; Francis and Robert are between us. It is breaking-up night at Margaret's school, and she has gone to it with Robert," continued Jane, never doubting but the stranger must take as much interest in "breaking-up nights" as she did. "I was to have gone; but mamma has been unusually ill to-day."
Jane bent her head while she confessed the fact, as though feeling it a confession to be ashamed of. "It would not have been kind to leave mamma," she added, "and I dare say some other pleasure will arise soon. Mamma is asleep now."
"What a charming girl!" thought Mr. Halliburton to himself. "How I wish she was my sister!"
"Margaret is to be a governess," observed Jane, "and is being educated for it. She has great talent for music, and also for drawing; it is not often the two are united. Her tastes lie quite that way--anything clever; and as papa has no money to give us, it was well to make her a governess."
"And you?" said Mr. Halliburton. The question might have been thought an impertinent one by many, but he spoke it only in his deep interest, and Jane Tait was of too ingenuous a disposition not to answer it as openly.
"I am not to be a governess. I am to stay at home with mamma and help her. There is plenty to do. Margaret cannot bear domestic duties, or sewing either. Dancing excepted, I have not learnt a single accomplishment--unless you call French an accomplishment."
"I am sure you have been well educated!" involuntarily spoke Mr. Halliburton.
"Yes; in all things solid," replied Jane. "Papa has taken care of that. He still directs my reading. I know a good bit--of--Latin"--she added, bringing out the concluding words with hesitation, as one who repents his sentence--"though I do not like to confess it to you."