‘Very well, sir. I will hold the time at your disposal for, say, the next hour.’ Arthur thanked him, and withdrew to the nearest telegraph office, whence he sent a wire to Hannah, waiting there till he had received her reply. It was satisfactory. ‘We shall be at home this evening, and glad to see you.’ With this, Arthur hastened back to Doctor Govan, and received his promise to meet him at the entrance of The Old Hall gates at eight o’clock that night. They were both punctual, and walked up the drive together. The servant admitted them to the library, where his master and mistress usually spent their evenings, and they found Hannah sitting at her needlework by the lamplight, whilst her husband lounged in a chair with a newspaper on his knees, but apparently doing nothing. ‘Well, Hal!’ exclaimed Arthur, cheerfully, after he had saluted his sister-in-law, ‘how are you? I should have looked you up before this, but I have been occupied half the day with a friend and fellow-passenger of mine, Doctor Govan. Let me make you known to one another. Doctor, this is my brother, Mr Hindes.’ As Hannah heard the profession of the stranger mentioned, she threw a quick glance towards Henry, to see how he would take it, but seemingly he had forgotten the breach of good manners of which he had been guilty the night before, and recovered his good temper, for he welcomed both his brother and his friend heartily. ‘Delighted to see you both,’ he said. ‘Hannah, my dear, ring for brandy and soda. My wife says I behaved like a bear last night, Artie, in breaking up your party so soon; but I was confoundedly sleepy, old chap, and that’s a fact, so you must forgive me.’ ‘Why, Hal, I don’t think you need begin making excuses to me at this time of day,’ replied his brother, who looked at the doctor, nevertheless, to see how he took this very brief mention of a great insult. But Doctor Govan’s face was imperturbable, and no index to his feelings. He accepted a glass of brandy-and-soda, and entered into a pleasant conversation with Henry Hindes respecting his business and shipping prospects, whilst Arthur maintained small talk with Hannah. At last a diversion was effected by the sound of a child’s whimpering outside. ‘Wally being carried off to bed,’ said his mother, smiling. ‘He is a very spoilt boy, I am sorry to say, and it is seldom effected without a controversy.’ ‘Wally,’ cried his uncle. ‘Oh, do have him in, Hannah! You forget I have not been introduced to my nephew yet.’ ‘It is so late,’ she said, demurringly, as she glanced at the clock, ‘eight o’clock. He ought to have been in bed half an hour ago. And he may worry Doctor Govan.’ ‘I’m sure he won’t,’ replied Arthur, as he sprang towards the door; ‘here, nurse, bring that youngster this way. His mamma wants him,’ he continued, and in another minute the little fellow ran into the room and hid his face in his mother’s lap.