"I say the man who called himself George Harrington is a rank impostor, sir," said a firm voice at the doorway; and all turned to see the speaker standing there, a little in advance of Doctor Lawrence. "You!" cried Saul, springing up, and looking so ghastly pale and drawn of countenance, that he seemed to have aged ten years. "Yes, I do, sir." "And--may I ask--who--you are?" said Saul, speaking with terrible effort. "Yes! I am George Harrington, come here to claim my rights." CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. AN INVITATION DECLINED. "Come, Mr Saul, sir, drink a little more of this," said Doctor Lawrence; and he held a glass to the young man's lips, as he lay back on the sofa, where he had been lifted, for the words he had heard uttered had so strange an effect upon him that he had stood staring wildly for a few moments, and then uttered a sudden, low cry, and fallen heavily upon the carpet. "Better now," he said, drinking with avidity; and then sitting up quite calm and connected. "A sudden fit of giddiness. I have been travelling night and day. I have not eaten; and the suddenness of this news completely overset me. Very absurd, of course." "No, sir; quite natural," said the doctor quietly. "Yes," said Saul, with a peculiar laugh, "in a girl; but not in a strong man." "And now, if you will take my advice," said the doctor, "you will partake of some refreshment, and leave all further discussion of this business till another day." "No," said Saul hoarsely, "I must have all this cleared up before I go." "Well, we can arrange that," said Gertrude smiling. "I will tell Denton to see that you have a room made ready; sleep here to-night." "Sleep? here?" cried Saul quickly. "No, thank you; I shall get back to town." "Far wiser to stay, sir," said the doctor quietly. "No. You will be going back; I'll go with you." "As you like," said the doctor; and at that moment Mrs Hampton whispered to Gertrude as they stood apart. "You asked him--to stay!" "Yes," said Gertrude, with her eyes full of perplexity. "I cannot tell how it was, but I do not feel afraid of him now." She started almost as she spoke, for an angry voice behind exclaimed: "Well, sir, why are you looking at me like that?" "For the simple fact that I was eager to see what kind of man my cousin Saul might be." "Your cousin, sir. You have to prove that yet," cried Saul excitedly. "Of course; of course! Don't be put out about it, or I shall begin to think you did not want me to come back." "Gentlemen, gentlemen?" cried Mr Hampton, "pray let us have calmness and discretion; there are ladies here." "Yes; I am quite cool; and I beg their pardon." "But may I ask why you are here this evening, sir," said the lawyer. "I thought, after our last meeting, it was decided that you should wait patiently." "Yes, sir; I promised against myself. Self has mastered me. I called on Doctor Lawrence; found he was coming down. I could not keep away. I beg pardon all the same."