‘Strange to say, I can’t help liking him, though he is so troublesome. I’m sure I have never known him under his present name, but I am equally sure that I have known him and liked him at some time or other, and I can’t shake off the old feeling of liking. I suppose he was some old chum of—of—Tor’s, you know. When he comes back, I dare say it will be all clear.’ There was no time for private conference now. People were looking impatiently at Tor, as if to suggest that he should institute the needful formalities. ‘I think,’ said he, speaking generally to the company, ‘that we had better adjourn to the library whilst the matter that has brought us together to-day is discussed.’ Then, as there was a general move towards the door, Tor said, turning to the Italian: ‘I’m afraid this next half-hour will be but a dull one for you—it is merely some family matter that has to be settled and discussed. No doubt you would rather smoke your cigar upon the terrace. I will join you there as soon as I can.’ ‘You are very good, but I do not care for solitude and smoke,’ answered the Signor. ‘If I am not intruding, I should be much more interested by listening to Mademoiselle’s decision. I have heard from Miss Meredith what is the nature of this family gathering.’ Tor thought this showed a very fair assurance on the part of a stranger, but there was not time to argue the point now. ‘Monsieur must please himself,’ he said coldly; ‘but all the conversation will be in English, and it is of a nature which cannot possibly interest a stranger.’ As Miss Marjory was to be present, by her own and Maud’s special wish, he could not say that only the family could be admitted; so the Signor, with something like mockery in his smile and bow, followed Tor into the library. Maud lifted her eyebrows as she saw him enter; but she had rather a liking for the handsome Italian, and was more surprised than annoyed by his appearance. She was seated in a prominent position in the great room, and looked quite equal to the occasion. A flush was on her cheek, and a light in her eyes which added greatly to her attractions, and Tor looked at her with an admiring pride. He had never asked her, in so many words, what her decision was going to be; but he knew it nevertheless. He knew she could never have been so proud, so gay, so self-possessed, had she been about to surrender her life and her future into the hands of Lewis Belassis—to sell herself in a loveless marriage! There was an unbroken silence in the room. ‘Uncle Belassis,’ said Tor, courteously and coldly, ‘I believe it is your place, as executor and legal adviser of our late father, Philip Debenham, and as guardian of my sister during her minority, to read the will now in your possession, and any other documents you may have, which bear upon the present question.’