‘I am much indebted to you, sir,’ said
I. ’Perhaps you will add to your favours
by letting me know where I am.’
’You are in my house, and that must suffice
you for to-night. In the morning we shall go
further into the matter.’ He rang a small
bell, and a gaunt shock-headed country man-servant
came running at the call.
‘Your mistress has retired, I suppose?’
‘Yes, sir, a good two hours ago.’
‘Very good. I shall call you myself in
the morning.’ He closed my door, and the
echo of his steps seemed hardly to have died from my
ears before I had sunk into that deep and dreamless
sleep which only youth and fatigue can give.
THE OWNER OF GROSBOIS
My host was as good as his word, for, when a noise
in my room awoke me in the morning, it was to find
him standing by the side of my bed, so composed in
his features and so drab in his attire, that it was
hard to associate him with the stirring scenes of
yesterday and with the repulsive part which he had
played in them. Now in the fresh morning sunlight
he presented rather the appearance of a pedantic schoolmaster,
an impression which was increased by the masterful,
and yet benevolent, smile with which he regarded me.
In spite of his smile, I was more conscious than
ever that my whole soul shrank from him, and that I
should not be at my ease until I had broken this companionship
which had been so involuntarily formed. He carried
a heap of clothes over one arm, which he threw upon
a chair at the bottom of my bed.
‘I gather from the little that you told me last
night,’ said he, ’that your wardrobe is
at present somewhat scanty. I fear that your
inches are greater than those of anyone in my household,
but I have brought a few things here amongst which
you may find something to fit you. Here, too,
are the razors, the soap, and the powder-box.
I will return in half an hour, when your toilet will
doubtless be completed.’
I found that my own clothes, with a little brushing,
were as good as ever, but I availed myself of his
offer to the extent of a ruffled shirt and a black
satin cravat. I had finished dressing and was
looking out of the window of my room, which opened
on to a blank wall, when my host returned. He
looked me all over with a keenly scrutinising eye,
and appeared to be satisfied with what he saw.
‘That will do! That will do very well
indeed!’ said he, nodding a critical head.
’In these times a slight indication of travel
or hard work upon a costume is more fashionable than
the foppishness of the Incroyable. I have heard
ladies remark that it was in better taste. Now,
sir, if you will kindly follow me.’
His solicitude about my dress filled me with surprise,
but this was soon forgotten in the shock which was
awaiting me. For as we passed down the passage
and into a large hall which seemed strangely familiar
to me, there was a full-length portrait of my father
standing right in front of me. I stood staring
with a gasp of astonishment, and turned to see the
cold grey eyes of my companion fixed upon me with a
humorous glitter.
