A down train from Dublin arrived as they were waiting, and a passenger, descending, hastily hurried after the vicar, and seized his hand. The vicar, in evident delight, forgot his other friends for a moment, and became deeply interested in the new-comer. “We must say good-bye, doctor,” said Fossbrooke; “here comes our train.” “A thousand pardons, my dear Sir Brook. The unlooked-for arrival of my friend here--but I believe you don't know him. Lendrick, come here, I want to present you to Sir Brook Fossbrooke. Captain Trafford, Dr. Lendrick.” “I hope these gentlemen are not departing,” said Lendrick, with the constraint of a bashful man. “It is our misfortune to do so,” said Sir Brook; “but I have passed too many happy hours in this neighborhood not to come back to it as soon as I can.” “I hope we shall see you. I hope I may have an opportunity of thanking you, Sir Brook.” “Dublin! Dublin! Dublin! get in, gentlemen: first class, this way, sir,” screamed a guard, amidst a thundering rumble, a scream, and a hiss. All other words were drowned, and with a cordial shake-hands the new friends parted. “Is the younger man his son?” asked Lendrick; “I did not catch the name?” “No; he's Trafford, a son of Sir Hugh Trafford,--a Lincolnshire man, isn't he?” “I don't know. It was of the other I was thinking. I felt it so strange to see a man of whom when a boy I used to hear so much. I have an old print somewhere of two over-dressed 'Bloods,' as they were called in those days, with immense whiskers, styled 'Fossy and Fussy,' meaning Sir Brook and the Baron Geramb, a German friend and follower of the Prince.” “I suspect a good deal changed since that day, in person as well as purse,” said the vicar, sadly. “Indeed! I heard of his having inherited some immense fortune.” “So he did, and squandered every shilling of it.” “And the chicks are well, you tell me?” said Lendrick, whose voice softened as he talked of home and his children. “Could n't be better. We had a little picnic on Holy Island yesterday, and only wanted yourself to have been perfectly happy. Lucy was for refusing at first.” “Why so?” “Some notion she had that you would n't like it. Some idea about not doing in your absence anything that was not usual when you are here.” “She is such a true girl, so loyal,” said Lendrick, proudly. “Well, I take the treason on my shoulders. I made her come. It was a delightful day, and we drank your health in as good a glass of Madeira as ever ripened in the sun. Now for your own news?” “First let us get on the road. I am impatient to be back at home again. Have you your car here?” “All is ready, and waiting for you at the gate.” As they drove briskly along, Lendrick gave the vicar a detailed account of his visit to Dublin. Passing over the first days, of which the reader already has heard something, we take up the story from the day on which Lendrick learned that his father would see him.