Maud led him forward with sisterly pride, and did as he requested. Tor (with a terrible consciousness of the humorous side of the question, and with the feeling of one who is acting a hastily prepared part in a play, where a false word or look will be the ruin of everything) went through his part with a seeming ease of manner and with a graceful cordiality that was greatly to his credit. His keen eyes dwelt successively upon each relative presented to him, and he summed up their characters pretty accurately at the first glance. ‘That woman may be dangerous,’ he said, looking at Mrs. Belassis. ‘But, for the rest, I think I have not much to fear.’ They all sat down after the first hubbub of greeting had subsided, and that inevitable pause of semi-embarrassment ensued, which for a moment nobody seemed ready to break. ‘Was the coach late?’ asked Maud at length. ‘We have been expecting you such a while!’ ‘We got in in good time, I fancy,’ answered Tor. ‘Only I got old Adam to drive round by our old home, Maud. I thought I should like one peep at the garden and the dear old orchard where we used to play; don’t you remember? It all looks just the same; but what a shame they have pulled down the old house!’ ‘Yes; isn’t it? Weren’t you pleased to find old Adam still extant? He would drive himself to meet you, though he is so old. Did you know each other?’ ‘Well, we were not long making ourselves known. Yes, I was very pleased indeed to see him. We had fine talks over old times. It brought a host of matters to my mind which I believe I had quite forgotten.’ Indeed, that six miles’ drive with the garrulous old servant had been of inestimable value to Tor, and had been turned already to profitable account. ‘Do you remember this house, Philip?’ asked Matilda languidly. ‘Not distinctly, at all,’ answered Tor, looking round him. ‘I don’t think I was much here as a child, was I?’ Bertha laughed sarcastically. ‘Ah, you have not forgotten what a welcome you always received from Lewis—not to mention other names.’ Mrs. Belassis quenched her daughter’s untimely reminiscences by a stony stare. Tor quietly changed the subject. ‘Where is my old antagonist, Lewis? Is he at home, or abroad?’ ‘At home,’ answered Mrs. Belassis (whilst Maud added in a whisper, ‘Worse luck!’) ‘He will be in almost immediately, and your uncle too. They were sorry business obliged them to be out at your first arrival.’ ‘I hope—my uncle—is well,’ said Tor, with just enough of hesitation in pronouncing the name to give it a rather significant emphasis. ‘Quite well, thank you,’ answered Mrs. Belassis, raising her piercing glance for a moment to his face. ‘You will be glad to see him again. It is some years since you met.’