Page:Elizabeth's Pretenders.djvu/60

Rh good qualities; but these do not always make for fascination. If he had low as well as lofty ambitions, he was hardly to be blamed for that. He had been taught from the schoolroom upwards that it was a duty, a necessity, for him to marry an heiress. And as obstinacy was the keynote of his character, it was certain that, supposing he set his mind upon doing a certain thing, he would leave no stone unturned to accomplish it.

"You have not been long in the county?" he said to Elizabeth, as he sat down on the sofa beside her that evening. "Do you like it as a residence?"

"I prefer my own; but the riding here is better."

"Yes—grass country. About us, particularly open. A few miles distant, I will show you our downs, when you come to us on the 20th. I hope you are coming?"

"I am still in mourning, and not going anywhere at present."

"My mother will be sorry. She and my father wished so much to make your acquaintance. Not a large party. Little dance one night—that's all. I never dance myself. You paint, I think? We have some pictures at Colesover would interest you."

"I have heard of the Reynoldses and Gainsboroughs there, and hope I may see them some day."

"I hope so, indeed. I am fond of pictures myself. Should have painted, if I had had time. Public life prevents that. Have you studied—from the life?"

"Not seriously—not as I should like. I hope to go to Paris later, and work there."

"Why not London? Can you not get as good models and as good teaching there? This talk about Paris is all