‘Thanks,’ answered Tor. ‘Yes, I believe our old friendship chiefly consisted in punching each other’s heads; that, at least, is the prevailing impression on my mind.’ ‘I believe that was about the state of the case!’ said Lewis, with a laugh. ‘Strikes me if we tried that game on now, you would have distinctly the best of it. How you have grown!’ Tor laughed in his turn. ‘I might say the same. Boys do generally grow after ten.’ ‘Why, yes; but you’re a Hercules. Can’t think where you get your inches from. Great height isn’t in the family.’ ‘I suppose knocking about the world has done it. Roughing it in all climates is supposed to make a man tall, I believe. Well, it’s pleasant to be back in the old place again. Can’t say I have a vivid recollection of it; but it will all come back in time, I don’t doubt.’ ‘I’ll take you everywhere to-morrow, and show you everything,’ cried Maud eagerly. ‘Oh, it is so delightful to have you at last!’ ‘I shall be nobody now, I suppose, Maud,’ said Lewis gloomily. ‘You will have nothing to say to me now, of course.’ Maud laughed, and shrugged her shoulders. ‘I don’t know that I ever did have very much to say; and if so, I’ve no doubt it was all said long ago. Why should I have anything particular to say to you?’ Lewis made no reply; but Mrs. Belassis said, in her incisive way: ‘You are a very foolish, pert girl, Maude You never will take advice nor act with propriety.’ Maud tossed her head, and looked at Tor for the smile of encouragement which came readily enough. He understood better than she did the full meaning of the words that had been spoken. Lewis stood pulling at his moustache, and watching Maud. He was a good-looking fellow enough, this young Belassis, for he had inherited his mother’s handsome features and dark eyes, without any of her hardness and severity. There was nothing of that in Lewis’s face; on the contrary, it was somewhat weak and indecisive in expression. He was an only son, and had been greatly indulged, but though his life had been a pleasant one, it had not brought out the strong side of his character—supposing that he had one—and he was easy-going, self-indulgent, and indeterminate. He was very much in love with his pretty cousin, who was, he believed, destined to be his wife; but although Maud liked him very well, and allowed him to follow her about like a dog, she had no special regard for him, and in her heart despised his small masculine vanities and foibles more than a little. Mrs. Belassis rose majestically from her seat. ‘We are dining late to-night, that all our party might have time to assemble. It is time to dress. Maud, show your brother his room.’ When she was alone with her husband, he asked at once: ‘What do you think of him?’ ‘He is dangerous,’ answered the wife emphatically. ‘How so?’ ‘He suspects and hates us, I am all but certain; and he has all his wits about him.’ Mr. Belassis’ face put on an unpleasing look of mingled fear and craftiness.