The servant bowed formally upon the threshold, and advanced, holding a salver of silver in one hand and the candle in the other. As soon as he had traversed the space between Randolph and the door, he bowed again, and extended the salver, upon which appeared a card, inscribed with a name-- "Master, a gentleman desires to see you. He is in his carriage at the door. He gave me this card for you." Randolph exchanged glances with Esther, as much as to say "our expected visitor," and then took the card, and read these words: "_An old friend desires to see Randolph Royalton and his sister._" Randolph started as he beheld the handwriting, and the blood rushed to his cheek: "Show the gentleman up stairs," he said quietly. The servant disappeared, taking with him the light, and the room was wrapt in twilight once more. "Have you any idea who is this visitor?" whispered Esther. "Hush! Do not speak! Surrounded by mystery as we are, this new wonder throws all others completely into shade. I can scarcely believe it; and yet, it was _his_ handwriting! I cannot be mistaken." In vain did Esther ask, "Whose handwriting?" Trembling with anxiety and delight, Randolph listened intently for the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Presently there came a sound, as of footsteps ascending a stairway, covered with thick carpet; and then the door opened and the servant stood on the threshold, light in hand: "This way, sir, this way," he exclaimed, and entered: while Randolph and Esther's gaze was centered on the doorway; the servant in gray rapidly lighted the wax candles, which stood on the marble mantle, and the spacious room was flooded with radiance. "Ah, ha, my dear boy, have I caught you at last?" cried a harsh but a cheerful voice, and an elderly man, wrapped in a cloak, crossed the threshold, and approached Randolph with rapid steps. "Mr. Lynn!" ejaculated Randolph, utterly astonished. "Yes, your old friend, whom you so abruptly left at Florence, without so much as a word of good-bye! How are you, my dear fellow? Give me a shake of your hand. Miss Royalton, I presume?" By no means recovered from his bewilderment, Randolph managed to present Mr. Bernard Lynn to his sister, whom he called "Miss Esther Royalton." The visitor gave his hat and cloak to the servant, and flung himself into an arm-chair. He was a gentleman of some fifty years, dark complexion, and with masses of snow-white hair. His somewhat portly form was attired in a blue frock coat, beneath which the collar of a buff waistcoat and a black stock were discernible. "Come, come, Randolph, my boy, let me chat with Miss Esther, while you attend to your servant, who, if I may judge by his telegraphic signs, has something to say to you in regard to your household affairs." Randolph turned and was confronted by the servant, Mr. Hicks, who bowed low, and said in a tone which was audible through the room--