Dr. Davenal's carriage was drawing up to the gate. The doctor had despatched Mark in it that afternoon to see a country patient: he waited at home for his son. Roger looked to the house as Mr. Cray got out, wondering whether the carriage was wanted again, or whether he might drive it round to the coach-house. Dr. Davenal raised his hand by way of signal, and was hastening out. "_Won't_ you come and see my teapot and things, Uncle Richard?" cried Caroline, piteously. "When I come back, Carine. The teapot can wait." "And there's that note on the table," she said, resenting the slight on the teapot. "You have never opened it." "That can wait too. I know what it is." The doctor walked quickly on, and Caroline followed him to the front door. Mark was coming in. "Is the London train in, Mark?--did you notice as you came by? There's one due." "I did not notice," replied Mark. "I don't much think it is in. I saw no bustle." Dr. Davenal stepped into the carriage. "Turn round, Roger. The railway station." The whistle was sounding as they drew near, and Roger whipped up his steeds. The doctor stepped on to the platform as the train dashed in. He elbowed his way amidst the crowd, trying to peer into every first-class carriage. "Edward!" "My dear father!" Captain Davenal leaped lightly out--an upright, slender man, with the unmistakable look of the soldier; a dark, handsome face, and a free and ready voice. "I have been looking for you all day, Ned." "Not up here, surely?" Dr. Davenal laughed. "Not likely. I just happened to come up now; so it's all right. You have some luggage, I suppose?" "A portmanteau. My servant's here." "Good evening, Dr. Davenal. Ah, captain! how are you?" The salutation came from a passenger who had likewise stepped out of a first-class compartment. They turned to behold Oswald Cray. "Why! you don't mean to say that you have come by this train?" cried Captain Davenal, in his quick manner. "Yes I have. And you?" "I have come by it, too. Where were our eyes, I wonder?" "In our own compartment, I expect," said Oswald Cray. "I was at the end of the train, and did not get out during the journey." "Neither did I. The same errand brings us, I suppose--Caroline's wedding? It's fine to be Mark Cray! You and I must wait for our honours: we can't afford these grand doings yet." Dr. Davenal looked at his son. "If you can't afford them now Ned, when are you to afford them?" Captain Davenal's answer was to shrug his shoulders. "There may come in a great rich ship some day," he said, with his ready laugh. "Are you going that way, Mr. Oswald Cray? We shall see you by and by."