“Fetch me that chair, my boy,” he said, not unkindly, and Cosmo hastened to substitute the one he indicated. The laird placed a tall screen behind it. His lordship dropped into the chair, and began to rub his knees with his hands, and gaze into the fire. Lady Joan rearranged her skirts, and for a moment the little circle looked as if each was about to settle down to some mild enjoyment of the others. Cosmo drew a chair as near Lady Joan as he judged politeness would permit. The laird made up the fire, and turned away, saying he must go and see the sick horse. “Mr. Warlock!” said Lord Mergwain, and spoke with a snarl, “you will not deprive us of the only pleasure we have--that of your company?” “I shall be back in a few minutes, my lord,” replied his host; and added, “I must see about lunch too.” “That was wonderful claret!” said his lordship, thoughtfully. “I shall see to the claret, my lord.” “If I _might_ suggest, let it be brought here. A gentle airing under my own eye, just an introduction to the fire, would improve what is otherwise perfect.--And look here,” he added, as, with a kindly bow of assent, the laird was going, “--you haven’t got a pack of cards, have you?” “I believe there is a pack somewhere in the house,” replied the laird, “but it is very old, and I fear too much soiled for your lordship’s hands.” “Oh, confound the dirt!” said his lordship. “Let us have them. They’re the only thing to make the time pass.” “Have you a library?” asked Lady Joan--mainly to say something, for she was not particularly fond of books; like most people she had not yet learned to read. “What do you want with a library?” growled her father. “Books are nothing but a pack of lies, not half so good for killing time as a pack of cards. You’re going to play a rubber, not to read books!” “With pleasure, papa,” responded Lady Joan. “_I_ don’t want to kill the time. I should like to keep it alive for ever,” said Cosmo, with a worshipping look at the beautiful lady--a summer-bird of heaven that had strayed into their lonely winter. “Hold your tongue; you are an idiot!” said his lordship angrily. “--Old and young,” he went on, unaware of utterance, “the breed is idiotic. ’Tis time it were played out.” Cosmo’s eyes flashed. But the rudesby was too old to be served as he had served the schoolmaster! He was their guest too, and the father of the lady by his side! The hand of the lady stole to his, and patting it gently, said, as plainly as if it had been her mouth, “Don’t mind him; he is an old man, and does not know what he is saying.” He looked up in her face, and his anger was gone. “Come with me,” he said, rising; “I will show you what books we have. There may be one you would like another time. We shall be back before the cards come.” “Joan!” cried her father, “sit still.”