In the mellow radiance which flooded the library Enistor beheld a slim
and delicate man with the dreamy face of a poet. Scorning himself that
such a stripling should cause him even momentary dread, and despising
him as one of the enemies indicated by Narvaez, the Squire became
good-naturedly tolerant. During tea-time he behaved courteously, and
proved himself to be a genial and hospitable host. But Montrose was
markedly silent, as his repulsion increased immediately he caught sight
of that dark and powerful countenance. Also in his heart there lurked an
uncomfortable fear that Enistor was in a position to injure him in some
inexplicable way. It was not physical fear, for Montrose was a brave
man, but a hateful influence which seemed in some way to paralyse him.
Why this should be so he was naturally unable to guess, but the desire
to fly the neighbourhood of an implacable foe was so strong that it took
him all his strength to resist the desire for an ignominious retreat.
But for Alice's sake he did so resist, as her gracious presence enabled
him to bear the strain with some equanimity. Therefore, as he had been
trained by Eberstein to control his feelings, he drank and ate in quite
a conventional manner. Alice, still ignorant of the hatred with which
her father and her lover regarded one another, presided over what was
outwardly a merry little meal, chatting and laughing in a smiling and
whole-hearted way, as though she had not a care in the world. As indeed
she had not for the moment.
"I fear you will feel dull here, Mr. Montrose," said Enistor, formal and
cold.
"Oh, father, what a compliment to me!"
"My dear, we are quiet folk at Tremore, you must admit."
"I like quietness," said Montrose, smiling, "and would much rather be
here than in London. And of course with Alice----"
"It is paradise," ended Enistor cynically. "You have the usual
stock-in-trade of pretty phrases which lovers delight in. Well, we must
see what we can do to amuse you. I am usually busy myself, but Alice can
be your guide to the few sights of the neighbourhood. You can ride a
horse, or a bicycle, and drive in the carriage or dog-cart. There is a
tennis-lawn at the back of the house and golf-links in Perchton. Then
you can go sketching on the moors with Mr. Hardwick and Alice; or Job
Trevel will take you out fishing. Mr. Sparrow, the vicar of Polwellin,
will show you the church and cromlechs and rocking-stones and other such
things, as he is something of an archæologist. We can have music and
bridge and conversation in the evenings, and----"
"Stop! Stop!" interrupted Montrose, now more at his ease, as he saw that
the Squire was endeavouring to make himself agreeable. "It would require
six months to do all these things. I shall enjoy myself immensely,
especially if you will introduce me to Señor Narvaez."
"What do you know about him?" asked Enistor sharply, and frowning.